TITLE examining-boards

Part XVIII. Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners

Chapter 376. Violations and Penalties

22 TAC §376.1

The Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners proposes an amendment to §376.1, concerning Violations and Penalties. The amendments are being proposed to comply with Chapter 36, Subdivision D, §36.131 of the Human Resources Code regarding medicaid fraud.

Allen M. Hymans, Executive Director, has determined that for each year of the first five years the sections are in effect there will be no fiscal implications as a result of enforcing or administering these sections.

Mr. Hymans also has determined that for each year for the first five years the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be better control over podiatric physicians who commit medicaid fraud.

Comments on or about the proposal may be submitted to Janie Alonzo, Staff Services Officer I, Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners, P.O. Box 12216, Austin, Texas 78711- 2216.

The amendment is proposed under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4568(j), which provides the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners with the authority to adopt all reasonable or necessary rules, regulations, and by-laws not inconsistent with the law regulating the practice of podiatric medicine, the laws of this state, or of the United States; to govern its proceedings and activities, the regulation of the practice of podiatric medicine, and the enforcement of the law regulating the practice of podiatric medicine.

The proposed amendment implements Chapter 36, Subdivision D §36.131 of the Human Resources Code.

§376.1. Penalties.

(a)

Any podiatric physician who violates any provision of these rules, or any provision of the Podiatric Medical Practice Act of Texas shall be, at the discretion of the Board, subject to the following penalties:

(1)-(7)

(No change.)

(b)

The Board shall revoke a license by their authority to a podiatric physician (licensee) if that licensee has been convicted of a felony under Chapter 36, Subdivision D, §36.131 of the Human Resources Code, to wit:

(1)

a state jail felony if the value of any payment or monetary in-kind benefit provided under the Medicaid program, directly or indirectly, as a result of an unlawful act is $1,500 or more but less than $20,000;

(2)

a felony of the third degree if the value of any payment or monetary benefit provided under the Medicaid program, directly or indirectly, as a result of an unlawful act is $20,000 or more, but less than $100,000;

(3)

a felony of the second degree if the value of any payment or monetary or in-kind benefit provided under the Medicaid program, directly or indirectly, as a result of the unlawful act is $100,000 or more but less than $200,000;

(4)

a felony of the first degree if the value of the payment or monetary or in-kind benefit provided under the Medicaid program, directly or indirectly, as a result of the unlawful act is $200,000 or more.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Issued in Austin, Texas, on December 31, 1997.

TRD-9800032

Janie Alonzo

Staff Services Officer I

Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: February 16, 1998

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7000


Chapter 378. Continuing Education

22 TAC §378.1, §378.8

The Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners proposes an amendment to §378.1 and §378.8, concerning Continuing Education. The amendments are being proposed to change the due dates for continuing medical education to be submitted to the Board.

Allen M. Hymans, Executive Director, has determined that for each year of the first five years the sections are in effect there will be no fiscal implications as a result of enforcing or administering these sections.

Mr. Hymans also has determined that for each year for the first five years the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be more knowledgeable podiatric physicians. No additional cost is anticipated for the podiatric physicians or the public.

Comments on or about the proposal may be submitted to Janie Alonzo, Staff Services Officer I, Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners, P.O. Box 12216, Austin, Texas 78711- 2216.

The amendments are proposed under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4568(j), which provides the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners with the authority to adopt all reasonable or necessary rules, regulations, and by-laws not inconsistent with the law regulating the practice of podiatric medicine, the laws of this state, or of the United States; to govern its proceedings and activities, the regulation of the practice of podiatric medicine, and the enforcement of the law regulating the practice of podiatric medicine.

The proposed amendments implement the Podiatric Medical Practice Act, Article 4571(c).

§378.1. Continuing Education Required.

(a)

Each person licensed to practice podiatric medicine in the State of Texas is required to have 30 [ 15 ] hours of continuing education bi-annually [ annually ] for the renewal of their license to practice podiatric medicine. Two hours [ One hour ] of the required 30 [ 15 ] hours of annual continuing education may be a course, class, seminar, or workshop in Ethics.

(b)

These hours of continuing education must be obtained in the 24-month [ 12- month ] period immediately preceding the years [ year ] for which the license is issued. The two-year period will begin on September 1 and end on August 31 two years later. The cme requirement will be either odd or even based on whether the original licensure was in an odd or even year. A licensee who completes more than the required 30 [ 15 ] hours during the preceding cme [ licensing ] period may carry forward a maximum of 10 [ five ] hours for the next cme [ license ] period. Each licensee shall maintain records for four [ three ] years evidencing completion of the continuing education programs completed by the licensee.

[ (1)

The year will begin annually on September 1 and will extend until August 31 of the following year.]

[ (2) ]

Notice is hereby given that receipt for proof of completion of the required 30 [ 15 ] hours must be received by the State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners no later than August 31, of the relevant 2 year cme period [ year ]. Receipt of completion of such requirement after August 31 date subjects the practitioners to the penalty fees for late license renewal as provided in §379.2 of this title (relating to Fees and License Renewal).

(c)

(No change.)

(d)

Continuing Education obtained as part of a disciplinary action is not acceptable credit towards the total of 30 [ 15 ] hours required bi-annually [ annually ].

§378.8. Inactive License Status.

(a)-(b)

(No change.)

(c)

A licensee may remain on inactive status for four [ three ] years. In order for a licensee to return to active status, the licensee must complete 15 hours of continuing education per year of inactive status not to exceed four [ three ] years in addition to any outstanding hours of continuing education and pay the required renewal license fees prior to the expiration of the four [ three ] years. If licensee does not return to active status prior to the expiration of three years, the license is delinquent and the licensee must pay a late renewal penalty in addition to the requirements for returning to active status.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Issued in Austin, Texas, on December 31, 1997.

TRD-9800033

Janie Alonzo

Staff Services Officer I

Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: February 16, 1998

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7000


Chapter 380. Hyperbaric Oxygen Guidelines

22 TAC §380.1

The Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners proposes an amendment to §380.1, concerning Hyperbaric Oxygen Guidelines. The amendments are being proposed to better clarify the procedures a podiatric physician must follow in order to be granted authority to use Hyperbaric Oxygen in his/her practice.

Allen M. Hymans, Executive Director, has determined that for each year of the first five years the sections are in effect there will be no fiscal implications as a result of enforcing or administering these sections.

Mr. Hymans also has determined that for each year for the first five years the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be more control over who utilizes Hyperbaric Oxygen.

Comments on or about the proposal may be submitted to Janie Alonzo, Staff Services Officer I, Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners, P.O. Box 12216, Austin, Texas 78711- 2216.

The amendment is proposed under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4568(j), which provides the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners with the authority to adopt all reasonable or necessary rules, regulations, and by-laws not inconsistent with the law regulating the practice of podiatric medicine, the laws of this state, or of the United States; to govern its proceedings and activities, the regulation of the practice of podiatric medicine, and the enforcement of the law regulating the practice of podiatric medicine.

No other code, statute or article are affected by this amendment.

§380.1. Hyperbaric Oxygen Guidelines.

A podiatric physician shall be recognized and permitted to supervise and administer hyperbaric oxygen following the published recommendations [ under the guidelines ] of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Inc. (UHMS) and within the credentials and bylaws of the hospital that operates the hyperbaric unit with the following stipulations:

(1)

(No change.)

(2)

The podiatric physician must, in addition, show that he has attended and successfully completed a course of hyperbaric training that is recognized by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society [ and is certified by that training agency to be competent in the utilization of ]. That person may only utilize hyperbaric oxygen in the treatment of the foot as recognized by the Podiatric Medical Practice Act, Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4567, et. seq. A person shall be regarded as practicing podiatric medicine within the meaning of this law and shall be deemed and construed to be a podiatric physician, who shall treat or offer to treat any disease or disorder, physical injury, or deformity, or ailment of the human foot by any system or method.

(3)

(No change.)

(4)

A copy of the published recommendations [ guidelines ] of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Inc., are available from the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners, P.O. Box 12216, Austin, Texas 78711-2216.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Issued in Austin, Texas, on December 31, 1997.

TRD-9800031

Janie Alonzo

Staff Services Officer I

Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: February 16, 1998

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7000