H.B. No. 3295
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the delivery of certain Medicaid services to certain
  persons.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 534.111, Government Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 534.111.  CONCLUSION OF PILOT PROGRAMS;
  EXPIRATION.  On September 1, 2019 [2018]:
               (1)  each pilot program established under this
  subchapter that is still in operation must conclude; and
               (2)  this subchapter expires.
         SECTION 2.  Section 534.201(b), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b)  On September 1, 2020 [2018], the commission shall
  transition the provision of Medicaid benefits to individuals to
  whom this section applies to the STAR + PLUS Medicaid managed care
  program delivery model or the most appropriate integrated capitated
  managed care program delivery model, as determined by the
  commission based on cost-effectiveness and the experience of the
  STAR + PLUS Medicaid managed care program in providing basic
  attendant and habilitation services and of the pilot programs
  established under Subchapter C, subject to Subsection (c)(1).
         SECTION 3.  (a)  Using existing resources, the Health and
  Human Services Commission shall:
               (1)  identify and evaluate barriers preventing
  Medicaid recipients enrolled in the STAR + PLUS Medicaid managed
  care program or a home and community-based services waiver program
  from choosing the consumer directed services option and develop
  recommendations for increasing the percentage of Medicaid
  recipients enrolled in those programs who choose the consumer
  directed services option; and
               (2)  study the feasibility of establishing a community
  attendant registry to assist Medicaid recipients enrolled in the
  community attendant services program in locating providers.
         (b)  Not later than December 1, 2018, the Health and Human
  Services Commission shall submit a report containing the
  commission's findings and recommendations under Subsection (a) of
  this section to the governor, the legislature, and the Legislative
  Budget Board.  The report required by this subsection may be
  combined with any other report required by this Act or other law.
         SECTION 4.  (a)  The Health and Human Services Commission
  shall conduct a study of the provision of dental services to adults
  with disabilities under the Medicaid program, including:
               (1)  the types of dental services provided, including
  preventive dental care, emergency dental services, and
  periodontal, restorative, and prosthodontic services;
               (2)  limits or caps on the types and costs of dental
  services provided;
               (3)  unique considerations in providing dental care to
  adults with disabilities, including additional services necessary
  for adults with particular disabilities; and
               (4)  the availability and accessibility of dentists who
  provide dental care to adults with disabilities, including the
  availability of dentists who provide additional services necessary
  for adults with particular disabilities.
         (b)  In conducting the study under Subsection (a) of this
  section, the Health and Human Services Commission shall:
               (1)  identify the number of adults with disabilities
  whose Medicaid benefits include limited or no dental services and
  who, as a result, have sought medically necessary dental services
  during an emergency room visit;
               (2)  if feasible, estimate the number of adults with
  disabilities who are receiving services under the Medicaid program
  and who have access to alternative sources of dental care,
  including pro bono dental services, faith-based dental services
  providers, and other public health care providers; and
               (3)  collect data on the receipt of dental services
  during emergency room visits by adults with disabilities who are
  receiving services under the Medicaid program, including the
  reasons for seeking dental services during an emergency room visit
  and the costs of providing the dental services during an emergency
  room visit, as compared to the cost of providing the dental services
  in the community.
         (c)  Not later than December 1, 2018, the Health and Human
  Services Commission shall submit a report containing the results of
  the study conducted under Subsection (a) of this section and the
  commission's recommendations for improving access to dental
  services in the community for and reducing the provision of dental
  services during emergency room visits to adults with disabilities
  receiving services under the Medicaid program to the governor, the
  legislature, and the Legislative Budget Board.  The report required
  by this subsection may be combined with any other report required by
  this Act or other law.
         SECTION 5.  If before implementing any provision of 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 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 3295 was passed by the House on May 4,
  2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 144, Nays 0, 2 present, not
  voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
  No. 3295 on May 26, 2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 140, Nays 0,
  2 present, not voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 3295 was passed by the Senate, with
  amendments, on May 24, 2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays
  0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate   
  APPROVED: __________________
                  Date       
   
           __________________
                Governor