TITLE 1.ADMINISTRATION

Part 5. TEXAS BUILDING AND PROCUREMENT COMMISSION

Chapter 113. PROCUREMENT DIVISION

Subchapter A. PURCHASING

1 TAC §113.11

The Texas Building and Procurement Commission adopts an amendment to §113.11, concerning Delegated Purchases. Section 113.11 is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the April 11, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 3005). The text will not be republished.

The amended rule will change the requirement to reflect that of three (3) bids that must be taken, two (2) must come from HUB vendors. The amendments to T.A.C. will increase involvement of a wider variety of HUB vendors in the state procurement process.

One comment was received.

Comment: Commentator took exception to the statement, "Women are the most utilized of all HUB vendors" and suggests postponement of adoption of this amendment for two years until evaluation of the newly created "high risk" classifications can determine some historical utilization figures.

Response: The TBPC finding is based on information gathered from several sources and is thought to be an accurate reflection of participation rate of the various HUB groups. It is thought that changing the rule as proposed will not adversely affect any HUB group, but will allow state agencies the flexibility to better meet the goals and requirements of the HUB program.

The amendment to §113.11 is adopted under the authority of the Texas Government code, Title 10, Subtitle D, Chapter 2155, §2155,132, which provides the Texas building and Procurement commission with the authority to promulgate rules necessary to implement the sections related to delegated purchases.

The following code is affected by these rules: Government Code, Title 10, Subtitle D, Chapter 2155.

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 28, 2003.

TRD-200303289

Cynthia de Roch

General Counsel

Texas Building and Procurement Commission

Effective date: June 17, 2003

Proposal publication date: April 11, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 475-2400


Part 15. TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION

Chapter 354. MEDICAID HEALTH SERVICES

Subchapter F. PHARMACY SERVICES

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (Commission) adopts an amendment to Subchapter F concerning Pharmacy Services. Specifically, the Commission adopts amendments to §§354.1801, 354.1802, 354.1804, 354.1807, 354.1809, 354.1811, 354.1815, 354.1831, 354.1837, 354.1861, 354.1863, 354.1867, 354.1871, 354.1873, 354.1892, 354.1901, 354.1905, 354.1907, 354.1911, 354.1921, 354.1923, 354.1925 and 354.1927, and the repeal of §§354.1839, 354.1853, 354.1855, 354.1869, and 354.1903, without changes to the proposed text as published in the March 7, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 2005) and will not be republished.

Justification for the amendments is that they revise language to reflect the transfer of the Vendor Drug Program from the Texas Department of Health to the HHSC and transfer of the rules from Title 25 to Title 1 of the Administrative Code. They also change references to forms and delete references to obsolete committees and processes. The repealed rules have been determined to be obsolete or their content has been incorporated into other rules.

HHSC received no comments regarding adoption of the amendments and repeals.

1. PARTICIPATION

1 TAC §§354.1801, 354.1802, 354.1804, 354.1807, 354.1809, 354.1811, 354.1815

The amendments are adopted under the Human Resources Code §32.021 and the Texas Government Code, §531.021, which provides the Commission with the authority to adopt rules to administer the State's medical assistance program.

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 30, 2003.

TRD-200303318

Steve Aragón

General Counsel

Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Effective date: June 19, 2003

Proposal publication date: March 7, 2003

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


2. ADMINISTRATION

1 TAC §354.1831, §354.1837

The amendments are adopted under the Human Resources Code §32.021 and the Texas Government Code, §531.021, which provides the Commission with the authority to adopt rules to administer the State's medical assistance program.

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 30, 2003.

TRD-200303319

Steve Aragón

General Counsel

Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Effective date: June 19, 2003

Proposal publication date: March 7, 2003

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


1 TAC §354.1839

The repeal is adopted under the Human Resources Code §32.021 and the Texas Government Code, §531.021, which provides the Commission with the authority to adopt rules to administer the State's medical assistance program.

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 30, 2003.

TRD-200303320

Steve Aragón

General Counsel

Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Effective date: June 19, 2003

Proposal publication date: March 7, 2003

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


3. MEDICATIONS

1 TAC §354.1853, §354.1855

The repeals are adopted under the Human Resources Code §32.021 and the Texas Government Code, §531.021, which provides the Commission with the authority to adopt rules to administer the State's medical assistance program.

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 30, 2003.

TRD-200303321

Steve Aragón

General Counsel

Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Effective date: June 19, 2003

Proposal publication date: March 7, 2003

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


4. LIMITATIONS

1 TAC §§354.1861, 354.1863, 354.1867, 354.1871, 354.1873

The amendments are adopted under the Human Resources Code §32.021 and the Texas Government Code, §531.021, which provides the Commission with the authority to adopt rules to administer the State's medical assistance program.

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 30, 2003.

TRD-200303322

Steve Aragón

General Counsel

Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Effective date: June 19, 2003

Proposal publication date: March 7, 2003

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


1 TAC §354.1869

The repeal is adopted under the Human Resources Code §32.021 and the Texas Government Code, §531.021, which provides the Commission with the authority to adopt rules to administer the State's medical assistance program.

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 30, 2003.

TRD-200303323

Steve Aragón

General Counsel

Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Effective date: June 19, 2003

Proposal publication date: March 7, 2003

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


5. AUDITS

1 TAC §354.1892

The amendment is adopted under the Human Resources Code §32.021 and the Texas Government Code, §531.021, which provides the Commission with the authority to adopt rules to administer the State's medical assistance program.

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 30, 2003.

TRD-200303324

Steve Aragón

General Counsel

Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Effective date: June 19, 2003

Proposal publication date: March 7, 2003

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


6. PHARMACY CLAIMS

1 TAC §§354.1901, 354.1905, 354.1907, 354.1911

The amendments are adopted under the Human Resources Code §32.021 and the Texas Government Code, §531.021, which provides the Commission with the authority to adopt rules to administer the State's medical assistance program.

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 30, 2003.

TRD-200303325

Steve Aragón

General Counsel

Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Effective date: June 19, 2003

Proposal publication date: March 7, 2003

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


1 TAC §354.1903

The repeal is adopted under the Human Resources Code §32.021 and the Texas Government Code, §531.021, which provides the Commission with the authority to adopt rules to administer the State's medical assistance program.

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 30, 2003.

TRD-200303326

Steve Aragón

General Counsel

Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Effective date: June 19, 2003

Proposal publication date: March 7, 2003

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


7. TEXAS DRUG CODE INDEX--ADDITIONS, RETENTIONS, AND DELETIONS

1 TAC §§354.1921, 354.1923, 354.1925, 354.1927

The amendments are adopted under the Human Resources Code §32.021 and the Texas Government Code, §531.021, which provides the Commission with the authority to adopt rules to administer the State's medical assistance program.

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 30, 2003.

TRD-200303327

Steve Aragón

General Counsel

Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Effective date: June 19, 2003

Proposal publication date: March 7, 2003

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


Chapter 354. MEDICAID HEALTH SERVICES

Subchapter F. PHARMACY SERVICES

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) adopts amendments to §354.1833 and §354.1891, without changes to the proposed text as published in the March 7, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 2013). The text of the rules will not be republished.

Justification for the amendments is that they clarify the meaning of dispensing and make processes for Vendor Drug Provider audit resolution consistent with other HHSC processes for provider resolution.

In addition, references in the rules to the Texas Department of Health have been changed to HHSC, to reflect that HHSC is the agency responsible for administration of the Vendor Drug Program.

HHSC received no comments regarding adoption of the amendments.

2. ADMINISTRATION

1 TAC §354.1833

The amendment is adopted under the Human Resources Code §32.021 and the Texas Government Code, §531.021, which provides the Commission with the authority to adopt rules to administer the State's medical assistance program.

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 30, 2003.

TRD-200303328

Steve Aragón

General Counsel

Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Effective date: June 19, 2003

Proposal publication date: March 7, 2003

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


5. AUDITS

1 TAC §354.1891

The amendment is adopted under the Human Resources Code §32.021 and the Texas Government Code, §531.021, which provides the Commission with the authority to adopt rules to administer the State's medical assistance program.

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 30, 2003.

TRD-200303329

Steve Aragón

General Counsel

Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Effective date: June 19, 2003

Proposal publication date: March 7, 2003

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


Subchapter W. PHARMACY LIMITATIONS

1 TAC §354.3047

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) adopts amendments to §354.3047, Quantity Limitations. Those amendments limit the reimbursable number of days supply of prescription drugs to 34 for Medicaid recipients who are allowed an unlimited number of prescriptions and require a minimum reimbursable number of days supply for most medications. The amended section is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the March 7, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 2013). The text of the rule will not be republished. The amendment is adopted in order that they will to limit waste attributable to the dispensing of unnecessarily large supplies of medications. There will also be savings from the prevention elimination of inappropriate payment of inappropriate additional dispensing fees for small quantities of medication. In additions, the limitation to approximately a month's supply of medication is consistent with limitations imposed by many other third party payers.

HHSC received no comments regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under Texas Government Code §531.033 which provides the 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 federal Medical assistance (Medicaid) program in Texas.

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 27, 2003.

TRD-200303247

Steve Aragón

General Counsel

Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Effective date: June 16, 2003

Proposal publication date: March 7, 2003

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


Chapter 355. MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT RATES

Subchapter A. COST DETERMINATION PROCESS

1 TAC §355.114

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) adopts an amendment to §355.114, without changes to the proposed text published in the March 7, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 2014).

Justification for the amendment is to have the name of the payment option reflect the types of available services and be consistent with the name used in approved applicable Medicaid waivers and Medicaid State Plan amendments. The payment option name was changed to consumer directed services (CDS) to better describe the nature of the service delivery. The amendment also expands the CDS payment option to other services besides attendant services. This expansion was recommended by the voucher payment program work group established in the Government Code, §531.052.

HHSC received no comments regarding adoption of the amendment.

The Texas Department of Human Services is adopting related policy in its Chapter 41 in this issue of the Texas Register .

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 implements 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 28, 2003.

TRD-200303278

Steve Aragón

General Counsel

Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Effective date: June 17, 2003

Proposal publication date: March 7, 2003

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