Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES
CHIP
ERVICES/Medicaid /Medicaid and
77 th Texas Legislature
• replace the current system for determining the dental necessity for hospitalization and general
anesthesia with a more objective and comprehensive system; and
• require a participating dentist to comply with a minimum standard of documentation and record
keeping for each patient. The HHSC must develop this standard in cooperation with the State
Board of Dental Examiners; and
• take all necessary actions to eliminate Medicaid fraud in the provision of dental services under the
program.
Requires DHS, in setting reimbursement rates for dental services under the program, to:
• set the reimbursement rate for a stainless steel crown at an amount equal to the reimbursement
rate for an amalgam or resin filling;
• reduce the amount of the hospitalization fee in effect on December 1, 2000, and eliminate the
nutritional consultation fee. DHS must redistribute amounts made available through reduction or
elimination of those fees to other commonly billed dental services for which adequate
accountability measures exist; and
• provide for reimbursement of a behavior management fee only if certain criteria are met. DHS
must redistribute amounts made available through limitation of the fee to other commonly billed
dental services for which adequate accountability measures exist.
Provides that if a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a federal agency is necessary
for implementation of any provision of this Act, the agency must request the waiver or authorization and
may delay implementing that provision until it is granted.
Minimum Personal Needs Allowance of Certain Medicaid Recipients - H.B. 154
by Representatives Thompson and Chavez
Senate Sponsor: Senator Gallegos
Under current law the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) provides a minimum personal
needs allowance of $30 a month to Medicaid residents in long-term care facilities. This allowance enables
residents to purchase simple goods and services that can help maintain feelings of control over their lives.
Increases the minimum personal needs allowance to $60 a month.
Requires HHSC to develop an early warning system to detect fraud in the handling of the personal handling
of the personal needs allowance and other funds of residents of long-term care facilities.
Study of a Buy-In Option for CHIP - H.B. 835
by Representative Kitchen, et al.
Senate Research Center 146