TITLE 1.ADMINISTRATION

Part 15. TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION

Chapter 355. MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT RATES

Subchapter J. PURCHASED HEALTH SERVICES

5. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

1 TAC §355.8091

The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) adopts new §355.8091, concerning reimbursement to licensed professional counselors, licensed master social worker-advanced clinical practitioners, and licensed marriage and family therapists without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 24, 1999, issue of the Texas Register (24 TexReg 11649), and therefore the section will not be republished.

This adopted rule will move a portion of a Texas Department of Health rule on Medicaid rates to HHSC rules, and will add reimbursement for licensed marriage and family therapists. Although the new rule also addresses the reimbursement to licensed professional counselors and licensed master social worker- advanced clinical practitioners, these providers currently participate in the Texas Medicaid Program and are reimbursed at 70% of the existing fee for similar services provided by psychiatrists and psychologists. This does not represent a policy change for licensed professional counselors or licensed master social worker-advanced clinical practitioners.

No comments were received on the proposal during the comment period.

The new section is adopted under the Human Resources Code, §32.021, and Government Code, §531.021 and §531.033, which provide the Texas Health and Human Services Commission with the authority to administer federal medical assistance funds and the state's medical assistance program and authorize the commissioner to adopt rules necessary to carry out its statutory duties.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on March 10, 2000.

TRD-200001837

Steve Aragon

General Counsel

Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Effective date: April 1, 2000

Proposal publication date: December 24, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 424-6500