BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1921
87R2298 JG-D	By: Lucio
	Health & Human Services
	4/12/2021
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

In 2013, the legislature passed S.B. 58, which allowed for managed care organizations to contract with private providers to offer behavioral and physical health services. However, due to the enrollment period, providers are not able to be reimbursed until the patient is actually enrolled in managed care. If a patient is enrolled in Medicaid, but not yet enrolled in managed care, a facility that treats them is not able to be reimbursed.

S.B. 1921 allows facilities to be billed fee-for-service until the patient is fully enrolled in managed care. These are patients who already qualify for Medicaid. Populations would include those leaving prison who are in need of mental health services, but are not yet enrolled in managed care. The people who need immediate services the most are not able to receive them due to lack of provider reimbursement.

As proposed, S.B. 1921 amends current law relating to Medicaid reimbursement for the provision of certain behavioral health and physical health services.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code, by adding Section 32.0246, as follows:

Sec. 32.0246. MEDICAL ASSISTANCE REIMBURSEMENT FOR CERTAIN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND PHYSICAL HEALTH SERVICES. (a) Defines "behavioral health services."

(b) Requires the Health and Human Services Commission to provide to a public or private provider of behavioral health services medical assistance reimbursement through a fee-for-service delivery model for behavioral health or physical health services provided to a recipient before that recipient's enrollment with and receipt of medical assistance services through a managed care organization under Chapter 533 (Medicaid Managed Care Program), Government Code.

SECTION 2. Requires a state agency, if necessary for implementation of a provision of this Act, to request a waiver or authorization from a federal agency, and authorizes delay of implementation until such a waiver or authorization is granted.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2021.