Proposed Rules Regarding Medicaid Hospital Participation Requirements and Reimbursement Rates

Proposed rules regarding Medicaid hospital participation requirements and reimbursement rates for hospitals providing inpatient services to supplemental security income (SSI) and SSI-related clients will be published in the Texas Register on June 23, 2006. The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) anticipates an effective date of September 1, 2006, for the proposed rules listed below.

Reimbursement Adjustment
This rule revised Title 1, Section 355.8064 in the Texas Administrative Code. The amendment will reduce inpatient reimbursement rates by 8 percent. In addition, a percent discount as determined by HHSC will be applied to the reimbursement rates in order to achieve necessary budgetary savings.

Provider Participation Requirements
This rule revised Title 1, Section 354.1077 in the Texas Administrative Code. The amendment obligates hospitals to comply with the reimbursement provisions of hospital reimbursement rates in order to participate in the Texas Medicaid Program.

HHSC welcomes written comments on the proposed rules. The public comment period for the proposed rules will expire on July 23, 2006. Written comments may be submitted to:

Scott Reasonover
Director of Rate Analysis for Hospital Services
Fax: 512-491-1998
E-mail: Scott.Reasonover@hhsc.state.tx.us
Mailing address:
HHSC Rate Analysis for Hospital Services
Mail Code H-400
P.O. Box 85200
Austin, TX 78708-5200

Arnulfo Gomez
Policy Development Support
Fax: 512-491-1953
E-mail: Arnulfo.Gomez@hhsc.state.tx.us
Mailing address:
HHSC MMC/CHIP Policy Development Support
Mail Code H-600
P.O. Box 85200
Austin, TX 78708-5200