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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the content of an application for Medicaid. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 32.025, Human Resources Code, is amended |
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by amending Subsection (g) and adding Subsection (h) to read as |
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follows: |
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(g) The application form, including a renewal form, adopted |
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under this section must include: |
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(1) for an applicant who is pregnant, a question |
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regarding whether the pregnancy is the woman's first gestational |
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pregnancy; [and] |
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(2) for all applicants, a question regarding the |
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applicant's preferences for being contacted that provides the |
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applicant with the option to be contacted[, as follows: |
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["If you are determined eligible for benefits, |
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your managed care organization or health plan provider may contact |
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you] by telephone, text message, or e-mail about health care |
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matters, including reminders for appointments and information |
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about immunizations or well check visits; and |
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(3) language that: |
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(A) notifies the applicant that, if determined |
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eligible for benefits, all preferred contact methods listed on the |
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application and renewal forms will be shared with the applicant's |
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managed care organization or health plan provider; |
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(B) allows the applicant to consent to being |
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contacted through the preferred contact methods by the applicant's |
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managed care organization or health plan provider; and |
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(C) explains the security risks of electronic |
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communication. [All preferred methods of contact listed on this |
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application will be shared with your managed care organization or |
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health plan provider. Please indicate below your preferred methods |
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of contact in order of preference, with the number 1 being the most |
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preferable method: |
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[(1) By telephone (if contacted by cellular telephone, |
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the call may be autodialed or prerecorded, and your carrier's usage |
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rates may apply)? Yes No |
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[Telephone number: _____________ |
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[Order of preference: 1 2 3 (circle a number) |
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[(2) By text message (a free autodialed service, but |
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your carrier may charge message and data rates)? Yes No |
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[Cellular telephone number: ______________ |
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[Order of preference: 1 2 3 (circle a number) |
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[(3) By e-mail? Yes No |
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[E-mail address: __________________ |
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[Order of preference: 1 2 3 (circle a number)".] |
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(h) For purposes of Subsections (g)(2) and (3), the |
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commission shall implement a process to: |
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(1) transmit the applicant's preferred contact methods |
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and consent to the managed care organization or health plan |
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provider; |
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(2) allow an applicant to change the applicant's |
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preferences in the future, including providing for an option to opt |
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out of electronic communication; and |
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(3) communicate updated information to the managed |
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care organization or health plan provider. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2022, the executive |
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commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall |
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adopt a revised application form for medical assistance benefits |
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that conforms to the requirements of Section 32.025(g), Human |
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Resources Code, as amended by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. If before implementing any provision of this Act |
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a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a |
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federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, |
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the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or |
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authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the |
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waiver or authorization is granted. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |