TITLE 1.ADMINISTRATION

Part 15. TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION

Chapter 371. MEDICAID AND OTHER HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES FRAUD AND ABUSE PROGRAM INTEGRITY

Subchapter C. UTILIZATION REVIEW

1 TAC §371.204, §371.208

The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) adopts amendments to §371.204 and §371.208, relating the Hospital Screening Criteria for Texas Medical Review Program (TMRP), Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA), and LoneSTAR Select II Contract Reviews and Appeals Related to Utilization Review Department Review Decisions. The amendments to §371.204 and §371.208 are adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the May 12, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 3763) and will not be republished.

Section 371.204 establishes new criteria for utilization reviews of inpatient hospital stays because the existing "physician-developed and physician-approved inpatient hospital" criteria are no longer available for use.

Section 371.208 clarifies the HHSC section responsible for reviewing appeals related to utilization review decisions.

A public hearing was held on May 24, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. in the Lone Star Conference Room at 11209 Metric Boulevard, Building H, Austin, Texas. No comments were received during the comment period.

The amendments are adopted under the Texas Government Code, §531.033, which provides the Executive Commissioner of HHSC with broad rulemaking authority; the Human Resources Code, §32.021, and the Texas Government Code, §531.021(a), which provide HHSC with the authority to administer the Texas Medicaid program; and Government Code §2001.006, which allows state agencies to adopt rules in preparation for the implementation of legislation. HHSC has the authority to obtain any information or technology necessary to enable the office to meet its responsibilities under §531.102(a), relating to Office of Inspector General.

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 June 29, 2006.

TRD-200603527

Steve Aragón

Chief Counsel

Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Effective date: August 1, 2006

Proposal publication date: May 12, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 424-6900