By: Guerra, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Uresti) H.B. No. 1661
         (In the Senate - Received from the House May 4, 2015;
  May 6, 2015, read first time and referred to Committee on Health
  and Human Services; May 22, 2015, reported favorably by the
  following vote:  Yeas 9, Nays 0; May 22, 2015, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
 
 
  COMMITTEE VOTE
 
 
         YeaNayAbsentPNV
         SchwertnerX
         KolkhorstX
         CampbellX
         EstesX
         PerryX
         RodríguezX
         TaylorofCollinX
         UrestiX
         ZaffiriniX
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to Medicaid billing for the services of substitute
  dentists.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code,
  is amended by adding Section 32.076 to read as follows:
         Sec. 32.076.  SUBSTITUTE DENTISTS. To the extent allowed by
  federal law, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
  Services Commission shall adopt rules ensuring that the same
  standards applying to a physician who bills the medical assistance
  program for services provided by a substitute physician apply also
  to a dentist who bills the medical assistance program for services
  provided by a substitute dentist.
         SECTION 2.  If before implementing any provision of this Act
  a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
  federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,
  the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or
  authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the
  waiver or authorization is granted.
         SECTION 3.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
  Services Commission shall adopt the rules necessary to implement
  the changes in law made by this Act.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
 
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