Bill Text: TX HB1295 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to early childhood intervention and rehabilitative and habilitative services.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-02-27 - Referred to Human Services [HB1295 Detail]
Download: Texas-2019-HB1295-Introduced.html
86R4305 KFF-D | ||
By: Davis of Harris | H.B. No. 1295 |
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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: | ||
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 533, Government Code, is | ||
amended by adding Section 533.00521 to read as follows: | ||
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 [ |
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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 [ |
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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) [ |
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this section if the child is: | ||
(A) [ |
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delay; | ||
(B) [ |
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delay; or | ||
(C) [ |
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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; [ |
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(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 [ |
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[ |
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that complies with this subchapter. | ||
[ |
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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 [ |
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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 [ |
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(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 [ |
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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. | ||
SECTION 18. Section 533.00521(b), Government Code, as added | ||
by this Act, applies to a contract entered into or renewed on or | ||
after the effective date of this Act. A contract entered into or | ||
renewed before that date is governed by the law in effect on the | ||
date the contract was entered into or renewed, and that law is | ||
continued in effect for that purpose. | ||
SECTION 19. Subchapter E, Chapter 1367, Insurance Code, as | ||
amended by this Act, applies only to a health benefit plan | ||
delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, | ||
2020. A health benefit plan delivered, issued for delivery, or | ||
renewed before January 1, 2020, is governed by the law as it existed | ||
immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is | ||
continued in effect for that purpose. | ||
SECTION 20. (a) As soon as practicable after the effective | ||
date of this Act, but not later than January 1, 2020, the Health and | ||
Human Services Commission shall develop and implement the | ||
tele-connective pilot program required by Chapter 74, Human | ||
Resources Code, as added by this Act. | ||
(b) Immediately after the effective date of this Act, the | ||
Health and Human Services Commission shall 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 implement Section 73.00521, Human | ||
Resources Code, as added by this Act. The commission may delay | ||
implementing Section 73.00521, Human Resources Code, as added by | ||
this Act, until the waiver or authorization is granted. | ||
(c) If before implementing any provision of this Act other | ||
than Sections 73.00521 and 73.012(a)(1), Human Resources Code, as | ||
added by this Act, a state agency determines that a waiver or | ||
authorization from a federal agency is necessary for implementation | ||
of that provision, the agency affected by the provision shall | ||
request the waiver or authorization and may delay implementing that | ||
provision until the waiver or authorization is granted. | ||
SECTION 21. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |