TITLE social-services-and-assistance

Part I. Texas Department of Human Services

Chapter 15. Medicaid Eligibility

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) adopts amendments to §§15.100, 15.300, 15.305, 15.435, 15.441, 15.442, 15.451, 15.460, and 15.503, concerning the Medicaid Eligibility rule chapter, without changes to the proposed text published in the November 8, 1996, issue of the Texas Register (21 TexReg 10974).

The justification for the amendments is to clarify and streamline policy regarding re- establishing eligibility after absence from the U.S.; term insurance; out-of-state homesteads; income from self-employment; application for all other benefits; and payments to victims of Nazi persecution. Changes in rule language is consistent with federal directives.

The amendments will function by ensuring that DHS policy will track federal policy and directives.

A comment was received from the Houston Welfare Rights Organization in support of the adoption of the amendments to §15.305(k) and §15.460(b)(34).

Subchapter A. General Information

40 TAC §15.100

The amendment is adopted under the Human Resources Code, Title 2, Chapters 22 and 32, which provides the department with the authority to administer public and medical assistance programs and under Texas Government Code, §531.021, which provides the Health and Human Services Commission with the Authority to administer federal assistance funds.

The amendment implements the Human Resources Code §§22.001-22.030 and §§32.001-32.042.

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.

Issued in Austin, Texas, on December 20, 1996.

TRD-9618584

Glenn Scott

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: February 1, 1997

Proposal publication date: November 8, 1996

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3765


Subchapter C. Texas Department of Human Services

40 TAC §15.300, §15.305

The amendments are adopted under the Human Resources Code, Title 2, Chapters 22 and 32, which provides the department with the authority to administer public and medical assistance programs and under Texas Government Code, §531.021, which provides the Health and Human Services Commission with the Authority to administer federal assistance funds.

The amendments implement the Human Resources Code §§22.001-22.030 and §§32.001-32.042.

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.

Issued in Austin, Texas, on December 20, 1996.

TRD-9618585

Glenn Scott

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: February 1, 1997

Proposal publication date: November 8, 1996

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3765


Subchapter C. Basic Program Requirements

40 TAC §15.315, §15.316

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) adopts an amendment to §15.315 and new §15.316, concerning basic program requirements, in its Medicaid Eligibility chapter, without changes to the proposed text published in the November 8, 1996, issue of the Texas Register (21 TexReg 10977).

The justification for the amendment is to ensure proper allocation of resources to the neediest individuals by incorporating the nursing facility risk criteria specified in the Resident Assessment Instrument- Home Care Assessment. The justification for the new section is to include risk criteria regarding nursing facility placement, functional deficits in the activities of daily living, certain neurological diagnoses, urinary incontinence, recent falls, and significant functional decline.

The amendment and new section will function by targeting individuals who may be at risk for institutionalization, ensuring proper allocation of resources to the neediest individuals.

No comments were received regarding the proposed sections.

The amendment and new section are proposed under the Human Resources Code, Title 2, Chapters 22 and 32, which authorizes the department to administer public and medical assistance programs; and under Texas Government Code, §531.021, which provides the Health and Human Services Commission with the authority to administer federal medical assistance funds.

The amendment and new section implement the Human Resources Code, §§22.001-22.030 and §§32.001-32.042.

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.

Issued in Austin, Texas, on December 20, 1996.

TRD-9618589

Glenn Scott

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: February 1, 1997

Proposal publication date: November 8, 1996

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3765


Subchapter D. Resources

40 TAC §§15.435, 15.441, 15.442

The amendments are adopted under the Human Resources Code, Title 2, Chapters 22 and 32, which provides the department with the authority to administer public and medical assistance programs and under Texas Government Code, §531.021, which provides the Health and Human Services Commission with the Authority to administer federal assistance funds.

The amendments implement the Human Resources Code, §§22.001-22.030 and §§32.001-32.042.

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.

Issued in Austin, Texas, on December 20, 1996.

TRD-9618586

Glenn Scott

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: February 1, 1997

Proposal publication date: November 8, 1996

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3765


Subchapter E. Income

40 TAC §15.451, §15.460

The amendments are adopted under the Human Resources Code, Title 2, Chapters 22 and 32, which provides the department with the authority to administer public and medical assistance programs and under Texas Government Code, §531.021, which provides the Health and Human Services Commission with the Authority to administer federal assistance funds.

The amendments implement the Human Resources Code, §§22.001-22.030 and §§32.001-32.042.

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.

Issued in Austin, Texas, on December 20, 1996.

TRD-9618587

Glenn Scott

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: February 1, 1997

Proposal publication date: November 8, 1996

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3765


Subchapter F. Budget and Payment Plans

40 TAC §15.503

The amendment is adopted under the Human Resources Code, Title 2, Chapters 22 and 32, which provides the department with the authority to administer public and medical assistance programs and under Texas Government Code, §531.021, which provides the Health and Human Services Commission with the Authority to administer federal assistance funds.

The amendment implements the Human Resources Code, §§22.001-22.030 and §§32.001-32.042.

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.

Issued in Austin, Texas, on December 20, 1996.

TRD-9618588

Glenn Scott

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: February 1, 1997

Proposal publication date: November 8, 1996

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3765


Chapter 19. Nursing Facility Requirements for Licensure and Medicaid Certification

Subchapter S. Reimbursement Methodology for Nursing Facilities

40 TAC §19.1807

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) adopts an amendment to §19.1807, without changes to the proposed text published in the October 22, 1996, issue of the Texas Register (21 TexReg 10421).

Justification for the amendment is to update rules for the reimbursement of nurse aide training expenses.

The amendment will function by delineating the criteria for the submission and processing of reimbursement requests for nurse aide training above the DHS cost ceiling.

The department received no comments regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the Human Resources Code, Title 2, Chapters 22 and 32, which authorizes the department to administer public and medical assistance programs; and under Texas Government Code, §531.021, which provides the Health and Human Services Commission with the authority to administer federal medical assistance funds.

The amendment implements the Human Resources Code, §§22.001-22.030 and §§32.001-32.042.

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.

Issued in Austin, Texas, on December 20, 1996.

TRD-9618590

Glenn Scott

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: February 1, 1997

Proposal publication date: October 22, 1996

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3765