TITLE 1.ADMINISTRATION

Part 15. TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION

Chapter 355. MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT RATES

Subchapter C. REIMBURSEMENT METHODOLOGY FOR NURSING FACILITIES

1 TAC §355.311

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) adopts an amendment to §355.311 without changes to the proposed text published in the March 26, 2004, issue of the Texas Register (29 TexReg 2996).

HHSC is adopting the amendment to make the process of determining interim reimbursement rates for state veterans homes more efficient. Currently, the interim rate determination is made based on the lower of an estimated per diem cost that requires time-consuming calculations or on the semi-private basic daily rate in effect on the first day of the rate period. Since the semi-private daily rate is historically the lower of the two rates, HHSC determined to remove the option and require the use of the semi-private basic daily rate as the interim rate. In the course of preparing the amendment, HHSC deleted several definitions from the rule that were no longer necessary and corrected the section titles to several cross-references.

HHSC received no comments regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the Government Code, §531.033, which authorizes the commissioner of HHSC to adopt rules necessary to carry out the commission's duties, and §531.021(b), which establishes HHSC as the agency responsible for adopting reasonable rules governing the determination of fees, charges, and rates for medical assistance payments under Human Resources Code, Chapter 32.

The amendment affects the Government Code, §531.033 and §531.021(b).

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 May 12, 2004.

TRD-200403227

Steve Aragón

General Counsel

Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Effective date: June 1, 2004

Proposal publication date: March 26, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3734