The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will conduct a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed amendment to §354.1143, under Title 1, Part 15, Chapter 354, Subchapter A, Division 11, Coordination of Medicaid with Medicare Parts A, B, and C.

The Texas Medicaid program pays the coinsurance and deductibles for Medicare services provided to certain individuals, referred to as dual eligibles, who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.  Effective Jan. 1, 2012, revisions to §354.1143 were made that limited payments for Medicare Part B services provided to dual eligibles to no more than the Medicaid payment amount for the same service, with the exception of renal dialysis services. This proposed rule amendment would authorize HHSC to make higher cost-sharing payments for dual eligibles for certain services, if HHSC determines that a higher payment amount is necessary to ensure adequate access to care or would be more cost-effective to the state.

Written Comments.  Written comments on the proposed amendments to the rule may be submitted to Carisa Magee, Policy Advisor, Medicaid/Children’s Health Insurance Program Division, HHSC, at 11209 Metric Blvd, Bldg. H, Mail Code H-600, Austin, Texas 78758; by fax to 512-491-1953; or by e-mail to carisa.magee@hhsc.state.tx.us within 30 days of publication of this proposal in the Texas Register.