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|
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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
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AN ACT
|
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relating to early childhood intervention and rehabilitative and |
|
habilitative services. |
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 533, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 533.00521 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 533.00521. STAR HEALTH PROGRAM: EARLY CHILDHOOD |
|
INTERVENTION SERVICES. (a) A managed care organization that |
|
contracts with the commission to provide health care services to |
|
recipients under the STAR Health program may not require prior |
|
authorization for the provision of early childhood intervention |
|
program services under Chapter 73, Human Resources Code, to a child |
|
eligible for the program, including services specified in the |
|
child's individualized family service plan issued by the commission |
|
under the program. |
|
(b) A contract between a managed care organization and the |
|
commission for the organization to provide health care services to |
|
recipients under the STAR Health program must contain a requirement |
|
that the organization: |
|
(1) proactively review and monitor recipient access |
|
and utilization of early childhood intervention services under |
|
Chapter 73, Human Resources Code; and |
|
(2) demonstrate to the commission that the |
|
organization is in compliance with Subsection (a), including a |
|
requirement that the organization submit quarterly reports to the |
|
commission that verify that the organization did not include a |
|
prior authorization request for early childhood intervention |
|
services under Chapter 73, Human Resources Code, as part of a |
|
medical necessity determination. |
|
SECTION 2. Section 73.001, Human Resources Code, is amended |
|
by adding Subdivision (5) to read as follows: |
|
(5) "Medicaid" means the medical assistance program |
|
established under Chapter 32, Human Resources Code. |
|
SECTION 3. Section 73.0051(l), Human Resources Code, is |
|
redesignated as Section 73.0052, Human Resources Code, and amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 73.0052. SYSTEM OF PAYMENTS. (a) Subject to the |
|
requirements of this section, the [(l) The] executive |
|
commissioner by rule may establish a system of payments by families |
|
of children receiving services under this chapter, including a |
|
schedule of sliding fees, in a manner consistent with 34 C.F.R. |
|
Sections 303.13(a)(3), 303.520, and 303.521. |
|
(b) In adopting a system of payments under this section and |
|
to the extent permitted by federal law, the executive commissioner |
|
shall require that if a child has private health benefits coverage, |
|
the health benefits plan provider that provides the coverage is the |
|
primary payor of services provided under this chapter, except as |
|
provided by Subsection (c). |
|
(c) If the child covered by private health benefits coverage |
|
described by Subsection (b) would be required to pay any amount |
|
out-of-pocket for a service provided under this chapter, including |
|
any deductible, copayment, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing |
|
payment, the executive commissioner shall ensure the claim for |
|
services is paid using money from the following sources in the |
|
following order: |
|
(1) federal funds received under Part C, Individuals |
|
with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (20 U.S.C. Section 1431 et |
|
seq.); |
|
(2) Medicaid, if applicable; and |
|
(3) to the extent money is appropriated for that |
|
purpose, general revenue. |
|
SECTION 4. Chapter 73, Human Resources Code, is amended by |
|
adding Sections 73.00521 and 73.00522 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 73.00521. DELIVERY OF SERVICES. (a) Notwithstanding |
|
any other law and except as provided by Subsection (b), the |
|
commission shall provide services under this chapter to each |
|
eligible child through the STAR Kids managed care program |
|
established under Section 533.00253, Government Code, regardless |
|
of the child's Medicaid eligibility. |
|
(b) Notwithstanding any other law, the commission shall |
|
provide through the STAR Health program services under this chapter |
|
to each eligible child who is in the conservatorship of the |
|
Department of Family and Protective Services. |
|
Sec. 73.00522. OMBUDSMAN FOR CERTAIN STAR KIDS MANAGED CARE |
|
PROGRAM ENROLLEES. (a) In this section, "ombudsman" means the |
|
individual designated as the ombudsman for children receiving early |
|
childhood intervention services through the STAR Kids managed care |
|
program under Section 73.00521(a). |
|
(b) The executive commissioner shall designate an ombudsman |
|
for children receiving early childhood intervention services |
|
through the STAR Kids managed care program under Section |
|
73.00521(a). |
|
(c) The ombudsman's office is administratively attached to |
|
the office of the ombudsman of the commission. |
|
(d) The commission may use an alternate title for the |
|
ombudsman in consumer-directed materials if the commission |
|
determines that the alternate title would benefit consumers' |
|
understanding of or access to ombudsman services. |
|
(e) The ombudsman serves as a neutral party to assist |
|
children who are eligible to receive or receiving early childhood |
|
intervention services through the STAR Kids managed care program |
|
under Section 73.00521(a) and their parents and guardians in |
|
resolving issues related to applying for and receiving those |
|
services. |
|
(f) The ombudsman shall for children and the parents and |
|
guardians of children eligible to receive or receiving early |
|
childhood intervention services through the STAR Kids managed care |
|
program under Section 73.00521(a): |
|
(1) provide dispute and complaint resolution |
|
services; |
|
(2) perform consumer protection and advocacy |
|
functions; and |
|
(3) collect inquiry and complaint data. |
|
(g) The executive commissioner by rule shall adopt and |
|
ensure the use of procedures for the reporting, monitoring, and |
|
resolution of disputes and complaints described by Subsection (f) |
|
that are consistent with the procedures adopted and used under |
|
Medicaid. |
|
SECTION 5. Section 73.009(a), Human Resources Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) The commission [department] shall develop and the |
|
executive commissioner shall establish policies concerning |
|
services described by this section. A child under three years of |
|
age and the child's parent, guardian, or other legally authorized |
|
representative: |
|
(1) [family] may be referred for services described by |
|
this section if the child is: |
|
(A) [(1)] identified as having a developmental |
|
delay; |
|
(B) [(2)] suspected of having a developmental |
|
delay; or |
|
(C) [(3)] considered at risk of developmental |
|
delay; and |
|
(2) shall be referred for services described by this |
|
section if the child is: |
|
(A) in the conservatorship of the Department of |
|
Family and Protective Services; and |
|
(B) at least one year of age unless an earlier |
|
referral for services is made. |
|
SECTION 6. Chapter 73, Human Resources Code, is amended by |
|
adding Sections 73.0105, 73.0111, and 73.012 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 73.0105. COMBINED OR CONCURRENT APPOINTMENTS. The |
|
commission shall ensure that: |
|
(1) the parent, guardian, or other legally authorized |
|
representative of siblings who are eligible for the same service |
|
under this chapter is allowed to elect to have the siblings receive |
|
the service from the same provider at the same appointment if the |
|
provider agrees that the provision of services in this manner is |
|
appropriate treatment for the needs of each child; or |
|
(2) if the siblings' parent, guardian, or other |
|
legally authorized representative does not make the election under |
|
Subdivision (1) or the siblings are eligible for different services |
|
under this chapter that are available from the same provider, the |
|
parent, guardian, or legally authorized representative may |
|
schedule the appointments for the services near in time to each |
|
other. |
|
Sec. 73.0111. PROVIDER OMBUDSMAN. (a) In this section, |
|
"ombudsman" means the individual designated as the ombudsman for |
|
providers of services authorized under this chapter. |
|
(b) The executive commissioner shall designate an ombudsman |
|
for providers of services authorized under this chapter. |
|
(c) The ombudsman's office is administratively attached to |
|
the office of the ombudsman of the commission. |
|
(d) The commission may use an alternate title for the |
|
ombudsman in provider-directed materials if the commission |
|
determines that the alternate title would benefit providers' |
|
understanding of or access to ombudsman services. |
|
(e) The ombudsman serves as a neutral party to assist |
|
providers of services authorized under this chapter in resolving |
|
issues related to providing early childhood intervention services |
|
under this chapter, including through the STAR Kids managed care |
|
program. |
|
(f) The ombudsman shall: |
|
(1) provide dispute and complaint resolution |
|
services; |
|
(2) perform provider protection and advocacy |
|
functions; and |
|
(3) collect inquiry and complaint data. |
|
(g) The executive commissioner by rule shall adopt and |
|
ensure the use of procedures for the reporting, monitoring, and |
|
resolution of disputes and complaints described by Subsection (f) |
|
that are consistent with the procedures adopted and used under |
|
Medicaid. |
|
Sec. 73.012. REIMBURSEMENT METHODOLOGY FOR CASE MANAGEMENT |
|
SERVICES. (a) The executive commissioner shall: |
|
(1) apply for and actively pursue from the federal |
|
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services or other appropriate |
|
federal agency any waiver or other authorization necessary to |
|
provide reimbursement under Medicaid for case management services |
|
provided under this chapter; and |
|
(2) pending authorization under Subdivision (1), |
|
request clear direction and guidance from the federal Centers for |
|
Medicare and Medicaid Services on the reimbursement methodology |
|
that may be used for the provision of case management services under |
|
this chapter, including direction on allowable and unallowable |
|
costs. |
|
(b) If appropriate and based on the guidance received under |
|
Subsection (a), the executive commissioner shall amend rules |
|
governing reimbursement for the provision of case management |
|
services under this chapter to ensure providers are reimbursed for |
|
all allowable costs. |
|
(c) This section expires September 1, 2021. |
|
SECTION 7. Subtitle B, Title 3, Human Resources Code, is |
|
amended by adding Chapter 74 to read as follows: |
|
CHAPTER 74. TELE-CONNECTIVE PILOT PROGRAM |
|
Sec. 74.0001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: |
|
(1) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services |
|
Commission. |
|
(2) "Developmental delay" has the meaning assigned by |
|
Section 73.001. |
|
(3) "Eligible child" means a child who is eligible for |
|
early childhood intervention services under Chapter 73. |
|
(4) "Executive commissioner" means the executive |
|
commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission. |
|
(5) "Tele-connective pilot program" means the program |
|
developed and implemented under Section 74.0002. |
|
(6) "Telehealth service" and "telemedicine medical |
|
service" have the meanings assigned by Section 111.001, Occupations |
|
Code. |
|
Sec. 74.0002. TELE-CONNECTIVE PILOT PROGRAM. The |
|
commission shall develop and implement a pilot program to provide |
|
early childhood intervention services under Chapter 73 to eligible |
|
children through the provision of telehealth and telemedicine |
|
medical services delivered using access points established in |
|
school districts selected to participate in the program. |
|
Sec. 74.0003. SCHOOL DISTRICT SELECTION. The commission in |
|
cooperation with the Texas Education Agency shall select the school |
|
districts in which to implement the tele-connective pilot program. |
|
In determining the school districts in which to implement the |
|
program, the commission and the Texas Education Agency: |
|
(1) shall consider each school district in which there |
|
is: |
|
(A) a low or inadequate number of service |
|
providers authorized under Chapter 73; or |
|
(B) a significant risk of losing service |
|
providers authorized under Chapter 73; and |
|
(2) may implement the program only in school districts |
|
in which the implementation is reasonable and feasible. |
|
Sec. 74.0004. PROVIDER PARTICIPATION. (a) The commission |
|
shall ensure that providers of services under Chapter 73 other than |
|
school districts are allowed to participate as providers in the |
|
tele-connective pilot program and provide services outside the |
|
school-based setting. |
|
(b) The commission shall collaborate with the Texas |
|
Education Agency to establish school-based provider access points |
|
for the program. |
|
Sec. 74.0005. ADEQUATE NETWORK OF ACCESS POINTS. The |
|
commission and the Texas Education Agency shall ensure that an |
|
adequate number of school-based and non-school-based |
|
tele-connective pilot program access points are established in a |
|
school district participating in the program. |
|
Sec. 74.0006. AUTOMATIC AND VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION OF |
|
CERTAIN ELIGIBLE CHILDREN. (a) Subject to Subsection (b) and |
|
notwithstanding Section 73.0051(j), the commission shall |
|
automatically enroll an eligible child in the tele-connective pilot |
|
program if the child has a developmental delay of at least 30 |
|
percent but less than 70 percent in only one area. An eligible |
|
child may not be enrolled in the tele-connective pilot program and |
|
may receive services in an in-person setting if the child has a |
|
developmental delay: |
|
(1) in any degree in at least two areas; or |
|
(2) of at least 70 percent in one area. |
|
(b) The parent, guardian, or other legally authorized |
|
representative of an eligible child may, at any time, elect to opt |
|
the child out of the tele-connective pilot program. |
|
Sec. 74.0007. SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEE TRAINING. The Texas |
|
Education Agency shall develop a training course on the |
|
tele-connective pilot program to be given to appropriate school |
|
district employees. |
|
Sec. 74.0008. INITIAL SCREENING AND EVALUATION. (a) An |
|
initial screening or evaluation under the tele-connective pilot |
|
program must: |
|
(1) be an in-person consultation; and |
|
(2) have the parent, guardian, or other legally |
|
authorized representative of the eligible child present. |
|
(b) The parent, guardian, or other legally authorized |
|
representative of an eligible child must be given the opportunity |
|
to opt the child out of the tele-connective pilot program at the |
|
time of the child's initial screening or evaluation. |
|
(c) Notwithstanding any other law, after a child is enrolled |
|
in the tele-connective pilot program, health care services, |
|
including any initial treatment or prescription, that are delivered |
|
or issued by a physician or by a health care provider acting under |
|
the delegation or supervision of the physician or under the health |
|
care provider's license may be provided using telecommunications or |
|
other information technology. |
|
Sec. 74.0009. PROVIDER REIMBURSEMENT. The executive |
|
commissioner in adopting rules governing the tele-connective pilot |
|
program shall ensure that provider reimbursement for a telehealth |
|
or telemedicine medical service is made at a rate that is comparable |
|
to the rate paid under private health benefit plans. |
|
Sec. 74.0010. CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION. The |
|
commission shall ensure that the tele-connective pilot program |
|
complies with federal and state law regarding confidentiality of |
|
medical information, including the Health Insurance Portability |
|
and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. Section 1320d et seq.) and |
|
the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. |
|
Section 1232g). |
|
Sec. 74.0011. ACCESS POINT EVALUATION. Not later than |
|
September 1, 2020, the commission shall conduct an evaluation of |
|
the tele-connective pilot program to ensure that an adequate number |
|
of access points have been established in each school district |
|
participating in the program. This section expires January 1, |
|
2021. |
|
Sec. 74.0012. REPORT. Not later than January 1, 2021, the |
|
commission shall submit an initial report to the governor, the |
|
lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, |
|
and the presiding officers of the standing committees of the senate |
|
and house of representatives having primary jurisdiction over the |
|
early childhood intervention program authorized by Chapter 73. The |
|
report must evaluate the operation of the tele-connective pilot |
|
program and make recommendations regarding the continuation or |
|
expansion of the program. |
|
Sec. 74.0013. FUNDING. The commission shall actively seek |
|
and apply for any available federal money to support the |
|
tele-connective pilot program, including federal money made |
|
available by the: |
|
(1) Federal Communications Commission, including |
|
money available under the federal Rural Health Care Program; |
|
(2) United States Health Resources and Services |
|
Administration's Office for the Advancement of Telehealth; and |
|
(3) United States Department of Agriculture, |
|
including the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program |
|
established under 7 C.F.R. Part 1734. |
|
Sec. 74.0014. EXPIRATION. This chapter expires September |
|
1, 2023. |
|
SECTION 8. The heading to Subchapter E, Chapter 1367, |
|
Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
SUBCHAPTER E. EARLY CHILDHOOD INTERVENTION SERVICES AND |
|
DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS |
|
SECTION 9. Section 1367.201, Insurance Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 1367.201. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, |
|
rehabilitative and habilitative therapies and related services |
|
include: |
|
(1) occupational therapy evaluations and services; |
|
(2) physical therapy evaluations and services; |
|
(3) speech therapy evaluations and services; [and] |
|
(4) dietary or nutritional evaluations; |
|
(5) specialized skills training by a person certified |
|
as an early intervention specialist; |
|
(6) applied behavior analysis treatment by a board |
|
certified behavior analyst or licensed psychologist; and |
|
(7) case management provided by a person certified as |
|
an early intervention specialist. |
|
SECTION 10. Section 1367.202, Insurance Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 1367.202. APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER. (a) This |
|
subchapter applies only to a health benefit plan that: |
|
(1) provides benefits for medical or surgical expenses |
|
incurred as a result of a health condition, accident, or sickness, |
|
including an individual, group, blanket, or franchise insurance |
|
policy or insurance agreement, a group hospital service contract, |
|
or an individual or group evidence of coverage that is offered by: |
|
(A) an insurance company; |
|
(B) a group hospital service corporation |
|
operating under Chapter 842; |
|
(C) a fraternal benefit society operating under |
|
Chapter 885; |
|
(D) a stipulated premium company operating under |
|
Chapter 884; |
|
(E) a health maintenance organization operating |
|
under Chapter 843; or |
|
(F) a multiple employer welfare arrangement |
|
subject to regulation under Chapter 846; |
|
(2) is offered by an approved nonprofit health |
|
corporation that holds a certificate of authority under Chapter |
|
844; or |
|
(3) provides health and accident coverage through a |
|
risk pool created under Chapter 172, Local Government Code, |
|
notwithstanding Section 172.014, Local Government Code, or any |
|
other law. |
|
(b) Notwithstanding any other law, this subchapter also |
|
applies to a standard health benefit plan provided under Chapter |
|
1507. |
|
(c) Notwithstanding any provision in Chapter 1575 or 1579 or |
|
any other law, this subchapter applies to: |
|
(1) a basic plan under Chapter 1575; and |
|
(2) a primary care coverage plan under Chapter 1579. |
|
SECTION 11. Section 1367.203, Insurance Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 1367.203. EXCEPTION. (a) This subchapter does not |
|
apply to: |
|
(1) a plan that provides coverage: |
|
(A) only for a specified disease or for another |
|
limited benefit; |
|
(B) only for accidental death or dismemberment; |
|
(C) for wages or payments in lieu of wages for a |
|
period during which an employee is absent from work because of |
|
sickness or injury; |
|
(D) as a supplement to a liability insurance |
|
policy; |
|
(E) for credit insurance; |
|
(F) only for dental or vision care; or |
|
(G) only for indemnity for hospital confinement; |
|
(2) a small employer health benefit plan written under |
|
Chapter 1501; |
|
(3) a Medicare supplemental policy as defined by |
|
Section 1882(g)(1), Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1395ss); |
|
(4) a workers' compensation insurance policy; |
|
(5) medical payment insurance coverage provided under |
|
a motor vehicle insurance policy; or |
|
(6) a long-term care insurance policy, including a |
|
nursing home fixed indemnity policy, unless the commissioner |
|
determines that the policy provides benefit coverage so |
|
comprehensive that the policy is a health benefit plan as described |
|
by Section 1367.202. |
|
(b) This subchapter does not apply to a qualified health |
|
plan to the extent that a determination is made under 45 C.F.R. |
|
Section 155.170 that: |
|
(1) this subchapter requires the plan to offer |
|
benefits in addition to the essential health benefits required |
|
under 42 U.S.C. Section 18022(b); and |
|
(2) this state is required to defray the cost of the |
|
benefits mandated under this subchapter. |
|
SECTION 12. Section 1367.204, Insurance Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 1367.204. PROVISION [OFFER] OF COVERAGE REQUIRED. |
|
[(a)] A health benefit plan issuer must provide [offer] coverage |
|
that complies with this subchapter. |
|
[(b)
The individual or group policy or contract holder may
|
|
reject coverage required to be offered under this section.] |
|
SECTION 13. Section 1367.205, Insurance Code, is amended by |
|
amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (d) to read |
|
as follows: |
|
(a) A health benefit plan required to provide [that
|
|
provides] coverage for rehabilitative and habilitative therapies |
|
and related services under this subchapter may not prohibit or |
|
restrict payment for covered services provided to a child and |
|
determined to be necessary to and provided in accordance with an |
|
individualized family service plan issued by the Health and Human |
|
Services Commission [Interagency Council on Early Childhood
|
|
Intervention] under Chapter 73, Human Resources Code. |
|
(b) Rehabilitative and habilitative therapies and related |
|
services described by Subsection (a) must be covered in the amount, |
|
duration, scope, and service setting established in the child's |
|
individualized family service plan. |
|
(d) A health benefit plan prior authorization requirement, |
|
or another requirement that a service be authorized, otherwise |
|
applicable to a covered rehabilitative or habilitative therapy |
|
service or a related service is satisfied if the service is |
|
specified in a child's individualized family service plan. |
|
SECTION 14. Section 1367.206, Insurance Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 1367.206. PROHIBITED ACTIONS. Under the coverage |
|
required to be provided [offered] under this subchapter, a health |
|
benefit plan issuer may not: |
|
(1) apply the cost of rehabilitative and habilitative |
|
therapies and related services described by Section 1367.205(a) to |
|
an annual or lifetime maximum plan benefit or similar provision |
|
under the plan; or |
|
(2) use the cost of rehabilitative or habilitative |
|
therapies and related services described by Section 1367.205(a) as |
|
the sole justification for: |
|
(A) increasing plan premiums; or |
|
(B) terminating the insured's or enrollee's |
|
participation in the plan. |
|
SECTION 15. Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is |
|
amended by adding Section 302.0061 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 302.0061. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS FOR PROVIDERS |
|
UNDER EARLY CHILDHOOD INTERVENTION PROGRAM. (a) In this section, |
|
"early childhood intervention program" means the program |
|
established under Chapter 73, Human Resources Code, to provide |
|
early childhood intervention services in accordance with Part C, |
|
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)(20 U.S.C. |
|
Section 1431 et seq.). |
|
(b) The commission shall actively seek and apply for federal |
|
funding to establish a program designed to provide workforce |
|
development grants to providers participating in the early |
|
childhood intervention program for purposes of improving the |
|
provision of program services by offering providers appropriate |
|
education and training. |
|
SECTION 16. (a) The Health and Human Services Commission, |
|
after consulting with the Texas Education Agency, other appropriate |
|
state agencies, and the advisory committee established under |
|
Section 73.004, Human Resources Code, shall conduct a financial |
|
evaluation of the early childhood intervention services provided |
|
under Chapter 73, Human Resources Code, and report on that |
|
evaluation. The report must quantify the amount by which providing |
|
early childhood intervention services in this state affects other |
|
budget strategies. |
|
(b) Not later than September 1, 2020, the Health and Human |
|
Services Commission shall submit the report prepared under |
|
Subsection (a) of this section to the governor, the lieutenant |
|
governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the |
|
presiding officers of the standing committees of the senate and |
|
house of representatives having primary jurisdiction over the early |
|
childhood intervention program authorized by Chapter 73, Human |
|
Resources Code. |
|
SECTION 17. Not later than December 1, 2019, the Health and |
|
Human Services Commission shall issue guidance to health benefit |
|
plan issuers clarifying that providers of early childhood |
|
intervention services under Chapter 73, Human Resources Code, as |
|
amended by this Act, must file claims using the national provider |
|
identifier number and Texas provider identifier number. |
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SECTION 18. Section 533.00521(b), Government Code, as added |
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by this Act, applies to a contract entered into or renewed on or |
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after the effective date of this Act. A contract entered into or |
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renewed before that date is governed by the law in effect on the |
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date the contract was entered into or renewed, and that law is |
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continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 19. Subchapter E, Chapter 1367, Insurance Code, as |
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amended by this Act, applies only to a health benefit plan |
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delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, |
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2020. A health benefit plan delivered, issued for delivery, or |
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renewed before January 1, 2020, is governed by the law as it existed |
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immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is |
|
continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 20. (a) As soon as practicable after the effective |
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date of this Act, but not later than January 1, 2020, the Health and |
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Human Services Commission shall develop and implement the |
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tele-connective pilot program required by Chapter 74, Human |
|
Resources Code, as added by this Act. |
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(b) Immediately after the effective date of this Act, the |
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Health and Human Services Commission shall apply for and actively |
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pursue from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services |
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or other appropriate federal agency any waiver or other |
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authorization necessary to implement Section 73.00521, Human |
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Resources Code, as added by this Act. The commission may delay |
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implementing Section 73.00521, Human Resources Code, as added by |
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this Act, until the waiver or authorization is granted. |
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(c) If before implementing any provision of this Act other |
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than Sections 73.00521 and 73.012(a)(1), Human Resources Code, as |
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added by this Act, a state agency determines that a waiver or |
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authorization from a federal agency is necessary for implementation |
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of that provision, the agency affected by the provision shall |
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request the waiver or authorization and may delay implementing that |
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provision until the waiver or authorization is granted. |
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SECTION 21. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |