Honorable Charles Schwertner, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3823 by Price (Relating to rate-setting and data collection processes under the program of all-inclusive care for the elderly.), As Engrossed
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated associated with the analysis and reporting requirements of the bill.
The fiscal implications of the bill that may occur as a result of new rates for the Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly cannot be determined at this time because it is unknown whether they would be higher or lower than current rates, and by what amount.
This bill would partially implement recommendations in the report "Improve Rate Setting and Data to Allow Comparison of PACE to STAR+PLUS" in the Legislative Budget Board's Government Effectiveness and Efficiency Report submitted to the Eighty-fourth Texas Legislature, 2015.
The bill would modify the process for setting reimbursement rates for the Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) to ensure that reimbursements are adequate to sustain the program and that the PACE program is cost neutral or costs less when compared to the cost to serve a comparable population in STAR+PLUS. The cost to serve a comparable population in STAR+PLUS would include both Medicaid capitation rates and fee-for-service costs for services not covered by the capitation payment.
The bill would direct HHSC and the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS), in collaboration with appropriate stakeholder groups, to modify data collection methods for PACE and STAR+PLUS to allow for a comparison of client outcomes across these models.
The bill would also direct HHSC and DADS, in collaboration with appropriate stakeholder groups, to evaluate costs and client outcomes in PACE and STAR+PLUS and submit a report to the Legislative Budget Board and the Office of the Governor by December 1, 2016. The evaluation would need to compare similar recipient types between the programs and account for age, eligibility factors, geographic differences and recipient acuity. If HHSC cannot set reimbursement rates in accordance with the above requirements, the report would also include an assessment of future cost implications to the state for the PACE program.
It is assumed that any costs resulting from duties and responsibilities associated with modifying the rate setting methodology and conducting the evaluation could be accomplished within existing agency resources. However, the fiscal impact of any potential changes in PACE rates cannot be determined at this time because it is unknown whether new rates would be higher or lower than current PACE rates, and by what amount. If the cost to serve a person in STAR+PLUS were to increase, PACE reimbursement rates may also increase, regardless of whether the cost to serve a person in PACE increased.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
539 Aging and Disability Services, Department of, 529 Health and Human Services Commission