The bill would require the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to permit Medicaid managed care organizations to offer nutrition counseling and instruction services in lieu of services specified in the state Medicaid plan. The bill would allow HHSC to establish a pilot program to provide additional nutrition support services to certain pregnant Medicaid recipients in lieu of services specified in the state Medicaid plan, collect and analyze data on the impact to maternal and infant health outcomes that nutrition support services have on pilot program participants, and submit a written report that includes a summary of the pilot program outcomes and recommendations for legislative or other action.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2025.
According to HHSC, updates to claims and provider enrollment processes would be necessary to implement the provisions of the bill. This analysis assumes that these costs, costs related to the pilot program, and any other costs associated with the bill could be absorbed using existing resources.
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.