TITLE 1.ADMINISTRATION

Part 10. DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION RESOURCES

Chapter 201. PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT OF INFORMATION RESOURCES TECHNOLOGIES

1 TAC §201.4

The Department of Information Resources (department) adopts 1 T.A.C.§201.4, Historically Underutilized Business Program, adopting, by reference, the Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program rules of the General Services Commission (commission) as such rules may be amended from time to time by the commission. The HUB rules of the commission are published at 1 T.A.C. §§111.11-111.27. The proposed rule was published for comment in the November 17, 2000 Texas Register at 25 TexReg 11351. No comments were received in response to the proposed rule.

The rule is adopted in accordance with Texas Government Code §2161.003, which requires state agencies to adopt the commission's HUB rules under §2161.002 and Texas Government Code §2054.052(a), which provides the department may adopt rules as necessary to implement its responsibilities. The HUB rules address policy and purpose, definitions, annual procurement utilization goals, subcontracts, agency planning responsibilities, state agency reporting requirements, certification requirements, protests, recertification, revocation, certification and compliance reviews, use of the HUB certification directory, graduation procedures, program review by the commission, the memorandum of understanding between the commission and the Texas Department of Economic Development, HUB coordinator responsibilities, and HUB forum programs for state agencies.

Texas Government Code §2161.002 is affected by the proposed rule.

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 February 8, 2001.

TRD-200100840

Renee Mauzy

General Counsel

Department of Information Resources

Effective date: February 28, 2001

Proposal publication date: November 17, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 475-2153


1 TAC §201.13

The Department of Information Resources adopts amended §201.13 concerning information resource standards. The amendment deletes from §201.13 subsection (c), relating to use of the TEX-AN network by state agencies, and deletes subsection (e), relating to date standard. The elimination of subsection (c) of §201.13 is a result of the department's review of subsections (c) and (d) of §201.13 in accordance with the notice of intention to review and consider for readoption, revision, or repeal, Title 1, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 201, §201.13, subsections (c) and (d). The proposed amendment was published September 8, 2000, at 25 TexReg 8818 and is adopted without changes to what was proposed therein.

Subsection (c) of §201.13 is no longer necessary, because Article IX, §9-10.05, General Appropriations Act, of the 76th legislature, gives waiver request evaluation to the Telecommunications Planning Group, rather than to the department. The Telecommunications Planning Group is created by Subchapter H, Chapter 2054, Texas Government Code. The Telecommunications Planning Group has established "TEX-AN Waiver Criteria and Waiver Evaluation Information" which is accessible on the Telecommunications Planning Group site at http://www.state.tx.us/TPG.

Subsection (e) of §201.13 is deleted because the Year 2000 passed without significant impact to the state's technology infrastructure, and the date standard rule contained in subsection (e) is no longer necessary.

The amendment is adopted in accordance with Texas Government Code §2054.052(a), which provides the department may adopt rules as necessary to implement its responsibilities.

No comments were received in response to the proposed amendment to §201.13.

The amended rule is adopted under Texas Government Code §2054.052(a), which authorizes the department to adopt rules as necessary to carry out its responsibility under the Information Resources Management Act.

Subchapter H of Chapter 2054, Texas Government Code is affected by the amended rule.

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 February 8, 2001.

TRD-200100844

Renee Mauzy

General Counsel

Department of Information Resources

Effective date: February 28, 2001

Proposal publication date: September 8, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 475-2153


Part 15. TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION

Chapter 355. MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT RATES

The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) adopts amendments to Chapter 355, Medicaid Reimbursement Rates; Subchapter D, §§355.451-355.458, relating to Reimbursement Methodology for the Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation (ICF/MR) Program; and Subchapter F, §§355.701-355.709, 355.722, 355.723, 355.732, 355.733, 355.741-355.743, 355.761, 355.773, 355.775, and 355.781, relating to General Reimbursement Methodology for all Medical Assistance Programs, without changes to the text of the proposed rules published in the December 15, 2000, issue of the Texas Register (25 TexReg 12277).

The adopted rules implement §531.021, Government Code, entitled "Administration of Medicaid Program." The adopted rules revise reimbursement methodologies for Medicaid programs operated by the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (TDMHMR).

The majority of the adopted amendments are non-substantive revisions to current rules that update chapter titles to more accurately reflect current operations, clarify the respective responsibilities of HHSC and TDMHMR regarding the determination and payment of reimbursement rates to Medicaid providers enrolled in TDMHMR Medicaid programs, and delete obsolete provisions of the rules that governed cost determination or reimbursement rates for particular years. The proposed amended rules also delete provisions that currently require rate proposals to be reviewed by the Board of Mental Health and Mental Retardation.

HHSC received a joint written comment filed on behalf of the Private Providers Association of Texas, The Arc of Texas, and the Texas Council of Community MHMR Centers, Inc. The commenters requested that HHSC restore language to the amended rules that requires reimbursement rate methodologies and proposed reimbursement rates Medicaid providers to be reviewed and approved by the Board of Mental Health and Mental Retardation. The commenters stated that the amended rules imply a change in the intent of HHSC to maintain close connection between Medicaid rates and policymaking for Medicaid programs.

HHSC appreciates the comment but believes the amended rules more accurately reflect current policy for the entire Medicaid program. As single state agency for the state Medicaid program, HHSC is ultimately accountable for administration of the program, including the establishment of policy for Medicaid programs. Section 531.021(b), Government Code, requires HHSC to adopt rules and standards to govern the determination of fees, charges, and rates for medical assistance payments under Chapter 32, Human Resources Code, in consultation with the agencies that operate the Medicaid program. Under current HHSC rules, provider reimbursement methodologies for other Medicaid programs are developed by HHSC with the assistance and input of the agencies that operate the particular Medicaid program.

In addition, rulemaking and ratesetting are subject to separate public processes that provide interested parties several opportunities to communicate concerns about Medicaid provider reimbursement policy and rates. HHSC believes these processes enable HHSC to maintain the close connection between reimbursement rate determination and program policymaking, which also is subject to prior review and approval by HHSC. This process also confirms HHSC's primary responsibility and ultimate accountability for provider reimbursement rate setting. HHSC does not believe the adopted rules are at cross purposes with the goals expressed by the commenters. Accordingly, HHSC does not believe changes to the proposed rules are necessary at this time.

Subchapter D. REIMBURSEMENT METHODOLOGY FOR THE INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITIES FOR PERSONS WITH MENTAL RETARDATION (ICF/MR) PROGRAM

1 TAC §§355.451-355.458

Statutory Authority

The amended rules are adopted under §531.021(b), Government Code, which requires HHSC to adopt reasonable rules and standards to govern the determination of fees, charges, and rates for medical assistance payments under Chapter 32, Human Resources Code, in consultation with the agencies that operate the Medicaid program ; and § 531.033, Government Code, which provides the commissioner of health and human services with authority to adopt rules necessary to carry the duties of HHSC under Chapter 531, Government Code.

The amended rules implement §531.021(b), Government Code, concerning the adoption of rules and standards to govern the determination of fees, charges, and rates for medical assistance payments under Chapter 32, Human Resources Code, and §32.0281, Human Resources Code, concerning the adoption of rules regarding Medicaid reimbursement rates.

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 February 9, 2001.

TRD-200100858

Marina S. Henderson

Executive Deputy Commissioner

Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Effective date: March 1, 2001

Proposal publication date: December 15, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 424-6576


Subchapter F. GENERAL REIMBURSEMENT METHODOLOGY FOR ALL MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

1 TAC §§355.701-355.709, 355.722, 355.723, 355.732, 355.733, 355.741-355.743, 355.761, 355.773, 355.775, 355.781

The amended rules are adopted under §531.021(b), Government Code, which requires HHSC to adopt reasonable rules and standards to govern the determination of fees, charges, and rates for medical assistance payments under Chapter 32, Human Resources Code, in consultation with the agencies that operate the Medicaid program ; and §531.033, Government Code, which provides the commissioner of health and human services with authority to adopt rules necessary to carry the duties of HHSC under Chapter 531, Government Code.

The amended rules implement §531.021(b), Government Code, concerning the adoption of rules and standards to govern the determination of fees, charges, and rates for medical assistance payments under Chapter 32, Human Resources Code, and §32.0281, Human Resources Code, concerning the adoption of rules regarding Medicaid reimbursement rates.

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 February 9, 2001.

TRD-200100859

Marina S. Henderson

Executive Deputy Commissioner

Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Effective date: March 1, 2001

Proposal publication date: December 15, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 424-6576