TITLE 25.HEALTH SERVICES

Part 2. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL RETARDATION

Chapter 412. LOCAL AUTHORITY RESPONSIBILITIES

Subchapter G. MENTAL HEALTH COMMUNITY SERVICES STANDARDS

1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

25 TAC §412.303

The Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (TDMHMR) proposes an amendment to §412.303, concerning definitions, of Chapter 412, Subchapter G, governing Mental Health Community Services Standards. The amendment to §412.303 would expand the definition of "crisis" to include situations other than those in which the individual believes that he or she presents an immediate danger to self or others or that his or her mental or physical health is at risk of serious deterioration. In addition, this amendment will make the definition of "crisis" synonymous with the definition of "crisis" included in new Chapter 419, Subchapter L, governing Mental Health Rehabilitative Services which is contemporaneously proposed in this issue of the Texas Register .

Kevin Nolting, Acting Chief Financial Officer, has determined that for each year of the first five year period that the proposed amendment is in effect, enforcing or administering the proposed amendment does not have foreseeable implications relating to costs or revenues of state or local governments.

It is not anticipated that the proposed amendment will have an adverse economic effect on small businesses or micro-businesses.

It is not anticipated that the proposed amendment will affect a local economy.

Sam Shore, Acting Director of Community Mental Health Services, has determined that for each year of the first five years the proposed amendment is in effect, the public benefit will be the promulgation of clear requirements that better ensure the safety and protection of individuals in psychiatric crisis. It is not anticipated that there will be any additional economic cost to persons required to comply with the proposed amendment.

Comments concerning the proposed amendment may be submitted in writing to Linda Logan, Director, Policy Development, Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, P.O. Box 12668, Austin, Texas 78711-2668; by fax to (512) 206-4750; or by e-mail to policy.co@mhmr.state.tx.us within 30 days of publication.

The amendment is proposed under Texas Health and Safety Code (THSC), §532.015(a), which provides the Texas Mental Health and Mental Retardation Board with broad rulemaking authority; THSC, §571.006, which provides the board with the authority to adopt rules as necessary for the proper and efficient treatment of persons with mental illness; THSC, §534.052(a), which provides the board with the authority to adopt rules and standards necessary to ensure adequate provision of community-based mental health services through the local mental health authority.

The proposed amendment would affect THSC, §§532.015, 534.052 and 571.006.

§412.303.Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) - (11) (No change.)

(12) Crisis--A situation in which : [ an individual believes that because of a mental health condition, he or she presents an immediate danger to self or others or that his or her mental or physical health is at risk of serious deterioration. ]

(A) because of a mental health condition:

(i) the individual presents an immediate danger to self or others; or

(ii) the individual's mental or physical health is at risk of serious deterioration; or

(B) an individual believes that he or she presents an immediate danger to self or others or that his or her mental or physical health is at risk of serious deterioration.

(13) - (45) (No change.)

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.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 14, 2004.

TRD-200403285

Rodolfo Arredondo

Chairman, Texas MHMR Board

Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 27, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 206-4581


Subchapter I. MENTAL HEALTH CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES

25 TAC §§412.401 - 412.417

The Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (TDMHMR) proposes new §§412.401 - 412.417 of Chapter 412, Subchapter I governing Mental Health Case Management Services. The repeals of existing §§412.451 - 412.466 of Chapter 412, Subchapter J, governing Service Coordination, are contemporaneously proposed in this issue of the Texas Register .

The proposed subchapter describes the requirements for the provision of mental health (MH) case management services. In addition, the proposed subchapter addresses the requirement in Texas Health and Safety Code (THSC) §533.0354 that the provision of mental health services for adults with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or clinically severe depression and for children with serious emotional illnesses be accomplished using disease management practices.

The requirements for the provision of MH case management services described in the proposed subchapter are based on TDMHMR's Resiliency and Disease Management model. This model promotes the uniform provision of services that are based on clinical evidence and recognized best practices. In addition, the model promotes effective MH case management services by utilizing individual-specific information that identifies an individual's mental health care needs, matches those needs to a particular type(s) of case management service, and evaluates the effectiveness of the service provided.

Proposed new §412.404 sets forth the general requirements for a provider of MH case management services. Further, the proposed section details a provider's responsibility to ensure that an individual with an assigned case manager has an alternate case manager acting when the assigned case manager is not available.

Proposed new §412.405 specifies eligibility requirements for an individual to receive MH case management services, including that the individual must qualify for a level-of-care.

Proposed new §412.406 requires a provider to obtain authorization for a type, amount, and duration of MH case management services prior to the delivery of such services. In addition, this proposed section describes the circumstances under which reauthorization for services is required.

The proposed new subchapter describes the two types of MH case management services in §412.407: routine and intensive. In addition, the proposed section describes the responsibilities of a case manager for both types of MH case management services.

For clarification, the proposed new §412.408 prohibits a case manager from providing services to certain family members and describes activities that do not constitute MH case management services.

The proposed new §412.409 describes the circumstances under which a provider must notify the department because the individual may no longer be available or eligible for MH case management services.

To ensure case managers are adequately prepared to understand the complexity of medical and psychosocial interventions that are required to effectively treat mental illness and emotional disturbance, the proposed new §412.410 sets forth the minimum qualifications for case managers and supervisors of case managers.

Proposed new §412.411 describes the training required for staff members providing MH case management services and the training for staff members supervising the provision of MH case management services. This proposed section also sets forth the requirements for the documentation and frequency of staff member training.

The proposed new §412.412 sets forth the requirements for documentation of MH case management services. The requirements vary depending on whether the service provided was routine or intensive and whether it involved face-to-face contact with the individual receiving MH case management services.

The proposed new §412.413 provides examples of activities that may and may not be reimbursed as MH case management services.

The proposed new §412.414 reiterates an individual's right to request a fair hearing based on federal law and regulations. In addition, this proposed section requires the provider to give an individual notice of the right to request a fair hearing in the form and manner prescribed by TDMHMR.

Proposed new §412.415 contains a list of exhibits referenced in the proposed subchapter and how such exhibits may be obtained.

Proposed new §412.416 contains a list of laws and rules cited throughout the proposed subchapter.

Kevin Nolting, Acting Chief Financial Officer, has determined that for each year of the first five year period that the new sections are in effect, enforcing or administering the program provider rules does not have foreseeable implications relating to costs or revenues of state or local government.

It is not anticipated that the new sections will have an adverse economic effect on small businesses or micro-businesses. It is not anticipated that there will be any additional economic cost to persons required to comply with the new sections.

Sam Shore, Acting Director, Community Mental Health Services, has determined that, for each year of the first five years the proposed new sections are in effect, the public benefit expected is the adoption of new rules that are based on the department's Resiliency and Disease Management model, which promotes the provision of high quality and effective community-based mental health services by individual-specific information that identifies an individual's mental health care needs, matches those needs to a particular type(s) of MH case management services, and evaluates the effectiveness of the service provided.

It is not anticipated that the new sections will affect a local economy.

Comments concerning the proposed new sections may be submitted in writing to Linda Logan, Director, Policy Development, Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, P.O. Box 12668, Austin, Texas 78711-2668; by fax to (512) 206-4750; or by e-mail to policy.co@mhmr.state.tx.us within 30 days of publication.

A hearing to accept oral and written testimony from members of the public concerning this and other related proposals has been scheduled for 1:30 p.m., Monday, June 14, 2004, in the department's Central Office Auditorium in Building 2, 909 West 45th Street, Austin, Texas. Persons requiring an interpreter for the deaf or hearing impaired should contact the department's Central Office operator at least 72 hours prior to the hearing at TDD (512) 206-5330. Persons requiring other accommodations for a disability should notify Martha Durham, at least 72 hours prior to the hearing at (512) 206-4541 or at the TDY phone number of Texas Relay, 1-800-735-2988.

The new sections are proposed under the Texas Health and Safety Code, §532.015(a), which provides the Texas Board of Mental Health and Mental Retardation with broad rulemaking authority; the Texas Health and Safety Code, §533.0354, which requires the provision of mental health services for adults with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or clinically severe depression and for children with serious emotional illnesses be accomplished using disease management practices; the Texas Government Code, §531.021(a), and the Texas Human Resources Code, §32.021(a), which provide HHSC with the authority to administer the federal medical assistance (Medicaid) program in Texas; Acts 1995, 74th Legislature, Chapter 6, §1, (Senate Bill 509), which clarifies the authority of HHSC to delegate the operation of all or part of a Medicaid program to a health and human services agency; and the Human Resources Code, §32.021(c), which provides an agency operating part of the Medicaid program with the authority to adopt necessary rules for the proper and efficient operation of the program. HHSC has delegated to TDMHMR the authority to operate the Medicaid program for MH case management services.

The proposed new sections affect the THSC, §533.0354, the Texas Government Code, §531.021(a), and the Texas Human Resources Code, §32.021.

§412.401.Purpose.

This subchapter describes requirements for the provision of mental health case management services (MH case management services) funded by or through the department.

§412.402.Application.

This subchapter applies to providers of MH case management services.

§412.403.Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) Adolescent--An individual who is at least 13 years of age, but younger than 18 years of age.

(2) Adult--An individual who is 18 years of age or older.

(3) Business day--Any day except a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday listed in the Texas Government Code, §662.021.

(4) Case manager--A person who provides MH case management services.

(5) Case management plan--A written document developed by a case manager, in collaboration with an individual and the individual's LAR or primary caregiver, that identifies services needed by the individual and sets forth a plan for how the individual may gain access to the identified services.

(6) Child--An individual who is at least three years of age, but younger than 13 years of age.

(7) Community-based--Provided in an individual's community.

(8) CMHC or community mental health center--An entity established in accordance with the Texas Health and Safety Code, §534.001, as a community mental health center or a community mental health and mental retardation center.

(9) CSSP or community services specialist--A staff member who, as of August 31, 2004:

(A) has received:

(i) a high school diploma; or

(ii) a high school equivalency certificate issued in accordance with the law of the issuing state; and

(B) had three continuous years of documented full time experience in the provision of MH case management services.

(10) Crisis--A situation in which:

(A) because of a mental health condition:

(i) the individual presents an immediate danger to self or others: or

(ii) the individual's mental or physical health is at risk of serious deterioration; or

(B) an individual believes that he or she presents an immediate danger to self or others or that his or her mental or physical health is at risk of serious deterioration.

(11) Day--A calendar day, unless otherwise specified.

(12) Department--The Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation or its successor.

(13) Employee--A staff member who receives a W2 Wage and Tax Statement from a provider.

(14) Individual--A person seeking or receiving MH case management services.

(15) IMD or institution for mental diseases--Based on 42 CFR §435.1009, a hospital, nursing facility, or other institution of more than 16 beds that is primarily engaged in providing psychiatric diagnosis, treatment, or care of individuals with mental illness, including medical attention, nursing care, and related services.

(16) LAR or legally authorized representative--A person authorized by law to act on behalf of a child or adolescent with regard to a matter described in this subchapter, and who may be a parent, guardian, or managing conservator.

(17) LOC or level of care--A designation given to the department's standardized packages of mental health services, based on the uniform assessments and the utilization management guidelines, which specify the type, amount, and duration of MH case management services to be provided to an individual.

(18) Life domains--Areas of life in which a child or adolescent has unmet needs, including but are not limited to safety, health, emotional, psychological, social, educational, cultural, and legal.

(19) Mental health (MH) case management services--Services to assist an individual in gaining and coordinating access to necessary care and services appropriate to the individual's needs.

(20) Primary caregiver--A person 18 years of age or older who has actual care, control, and possession of a child or adolescent.

(21) Provider--An entity that has an agreement with the department to provide general revenue-funded MH case management services, Medicaid-funded MH case management services, or both.

(22) QMHP-CS or qualified mental health professional-community services--A staff member who meets the definition of a QMHP-CS set forth in Subchapter G of this chapter (relating to Mental Health Services Standards).

(23) Site-based--Provided at a case manager's work site.

(24) Staff member--Personnel of a provider including a full-time and part-time employee, contractor, and intern, but excluding a volunteer.

(25) Uniform assessments--Assessments promulgated by the department that include the Adult Texas Recommended Authorization Guidelines, the Texas Implementation of Medication Algorithms scales for adults, and the Children and Adolescent Texas Recommended Authorization Guidelines.

(26) Utilization management guidelines--Guidelines promulgated by the department that establish the type, amount, and duration of MH case management services for each LOC.

(27) Wraparound planning--A strength-based, family-centered, community-based planning process approved by the department through which a case management plan is developed.

§412.404.Provider Requirements.

(a) A provider must be a community mental health center (CMHC).

(b) A provider must comply with Subchapter G of this chapter (relating to Mental Health Community Services Standards).

(c) A provider must assign a case manager to an individual within two business days of receiving notification from the department or its designee that the individual has been authorized to receive MH case management services.

(d) A provider must ensure that if an individual's assigned case manager is not available, an alternate case manager will act as the individual's assigned case manager.

(e) A provider must maintain case manager-to-individual ratios sufficient to perform the responsibilities of a case manager in accordance with this subchapter.

(f) A provider shall be responsible for a case manager's compliance with this subchapter.

§412.405.Eligibility for MH Case Management Services.

(a) An individual is eligible for general revenue-funded MH case management services if the individual:

(1) is a resident of the state of Texas;

(2) is an adult with a severe and persistent mental illness, or a child or adolescent with a serious emotional disturbance;

(3) does not have a single diagnosis of mental retardation, pervasive developmental disorder, or substance use disorder; and

(4) qualifies for a LOC that, according to the utilization management guideline, includes MH case management;

(b) An individual is eligible for Medicaid-funded MH case management services if, in addition to the criteria set forth in subsection (a) of this section, the individual is:

(1) eligible for Medicaid;

(2) not an inmate of a public institution, as defined in 42 CFR §435.1009;

(3) not a resident of an intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation as described in 42 CFR §440.150;

(4) not a resident of an IMD, unless the individual is over 65 years or older and is expected to be discharged from an IMD to a non-institutional setting within 180 days;

(5) not a resident of a Medicaid-certified nursing facility, unless the individual has been determined through a pre-admission screening and annual resident review assessment to be eligible for the specialized service of MH case management services;

(6) not a recipient of case management services under another Medicaid program, e.g. the Home and Community Services (HCS) waiver program or Texas Health Steps; and

(7) not a patient of a general medical hospital.

§412.406.Establishing Type, Amount, and Duration of MH Case Management Services.

(a) The department or its designee will make the initial determination of an individual's LOC using the uniform assessments which are referenced as Exhibit A in §412.415 of this title (relating to Exhibits); and the utilization management guidelines which are referenced as Exhibit B in §419.468 of this title (relating to Exhibits). If the LOC includes MH case management services, the department or its designee will authorize the individual to receive either routine or intensive MH case management services.

(b) A provider must:

(1) ensure that a QMHP-CS administers a uniform assessment to the individual at intervals specified by the department or its designee and applies the utilization management guidelines to obtain a recommended LOC for the individual; and

(2) clinically evaluate the needs of the individual to determine if the amount of MH case management services associated with the recommended LOC is sufficient to meet those needs.

(c) If the provider determines that the amount of MH case management services associated with the recommended LOC is sufficient to meet the individual's needs, the provider must submit to the department or its designee a request for service authorization in accordance with the recommended LOC.

(d) If the provider determines that the amount of MH case management services associated with the recommended LOC is not sufficient to meet the individual's needs, the provider must submit to the department or its designee:

(1) a request for an authorization of an LOC that is sufficient to meet the individual's need or a request for authorization of additional units of service; and

(2) clinical justification for the request.

(e) Upon receipt of a request submitted in accordance with subsection (c) or (d) of this section, the department or its designee will:

(1) review the documentation submitted by the provider;

(2) based on the review of documentation and an evaluation of available resources, authorize or deny an LOC for the individual; and

(3) if applicable, authorize or deny a request for additional units of service.

(f) If the department authorizes an LOC that includes MH case management services in accordance with subsection (e)(2) of this section, the department will authorize the individual to receive either routine or intensive MH case management services.

§412.407.MH Case Management Services.

(a) MH case management services assist an individual in gaining and coordinating access to necessary care and services appropriate to the individual's needs. There are two types of MH case management services:

(1) routine MH case management, for an adult, a child, or adolescent, which is primarily site-based; and

(2) intensive MH case management, for a child or adolescent, which is primarily community-based.

(b) A case manager assigned to an individual who is authorized to receive routine MH case management services must:

(1) meet face-to-face with the individual, and the individual's LAR or primary caregiver if individual is a child or adolescent, within 14 days after the case manager is assigned to the individual in accordance with §412.404(c) of this title (relating to Provider Requirements), or document why the meeting did not occur;

(2) meet face-to-face with the individual upon the request of the individual, the LAR, or the primary caregiver at the case manager's work site or document why the meeting did not occur;

(3) identify the immediate need of the individual and assist the individual in gaining access to a community resource that may address that need;

(4) document the identified need and the assistance given to address the identified need; and

(5) if notified that the individual is in crisis, coordinate with the appropriate providers of emergency services to respond to the crisis, as described in §412.314 of this title (relating to Crisis Services).

(c) A case manager assigned to an individual who is authorized to receive intensive MH case management services must:

(1) meet face-to-face with the individual and the individual's LAR or primary caregiver within seven days after the case manager was assigned to the individual or within seven days after discharge from an inpatient psychiatric setting, whichever is later or document the reasons the meeting did not occur;

(2) meet face-to-face with the individual and the individual's LAR or primary caregiver in accordance with the individual's case management plan or document why the meeting did not occur;

(3) meet face-to-face with the individual and the individual's LAR or primary caregiver upon notification of a clinically significant change in the individual's functioning, life status, or service needs or document why the meeting did not occur;

(4) meet face-to-face with the individual and the individual's LAR or primary caregiver at the request of the individual, the LAR or primary caregiver or document why the meeting did not occur;

(5) gather information about the individual's strengths and service needs across life domains from relevant sources, including:

(A) the individual;

(B) the individual's LAR or primary caregiver;

(C) other agencies and organizations providing services to the individual;

(D) the individual's clinical record; and

(E) other sources identified by the LAR or primary caregiver;

(6) utilize wraparound planning to develop a case management plan that addresses the individual's unmet needs across life domains and that includes:

(A) a prioritized list of the individual's unmet needs;

(B) a description of the objective and measurable outcomes for each of the unmet needs;

(C) a description of the actions the individual, the case manager, and other designated people will take to achieve those outcomes;

(D) a list of the necessary services and service providers;

(E) a description of the MH case management services to be provided by the case manager; and

(F) a statement of the maximum period of time between face-to-face contacts with the individual, and the individual's LAR or primary caregiver, determined in accordance with the utilization management guidelines;

(7) assist the individual in gaining access to the needed services and service providers including:

(A) making referrals to potential service providers;

(B) initiating contact with potential service providers;

(C) arranging initial meetings and non-routine appointments;

(D) arranging transportation to ensure the individual's attendance;

(E) advocating with service providers; and

(F) providing relevant information to service providers;

(8) monitor the individual's progress toward the outcomes set forth in the case management plan including;

(A) gathering information from the individual, current service providers, and other resources;

(B) reviewing pertinent documentation, including the individual's clinical records, and assessments;

(C) ensuring the MH case management plan was implemented as agreed upon;

(D) ensuring needed services were provided;

(E) determining if progress toward the desired outcomes was made;

(F) identifying barriers to accessing services or to obtain maximum benefit from services;

(G) advocating for the modification of services to address the changes in the needs or status of the individual;

(H) identifying emerging unmet service needs;

(I) determining if the MH case management plan needs to be modified to address the individual's unmet service needs more adequately; and

(J) revising the MH case management plan as necessary to address the individual's unmet service needs.

(9) upon notification that the individual is in crisis, coordinate with the appropriate providers of emergency services to respond to the crisis, as described in §412.314 of this title.

§412.408.Service Limitations.

(a) A case manager may not provide MH case management services to his or her child, parent, spouse, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, stepchild, stepparent, grandchild, or sibling.

(b) The following activities do not constitute MH case management services:

(1) performing an activity that does not assist an individual in gaining or coordinating access to needed services, such as:

(A) merely accompanying an individual to:

(i) a social or recreational event or other entertainment; or

(ii) locations to conduct the individual's personal affairs (e.g. shopping, interviewing for a job, visiting friends or relatives, getting a haircut, or finding housing);

(B) merely helping the individual with domestic or financial affairs, such as cleaning house or balancing a checkbook;

(2) performing an activity that is an integral and inseparable part of a service other than MH case management services, such as:

(A) conducting skills training;

(B) arranging a medical referral resulting from a physician's appointment;

(C) providing counseling or therapy;

(D) providing crisis services described in the Mental Health Community Services Standards §412.314 of this title (relating to Crisis Services);

(E) developing a treatment plan for services other than MH case management; and

(F) administering an assessment for a service other than MH case management;

(3) providing medical or nursing services, such as:

(A) taking the temperature or vital signs of an individual;

(B) consulting between medical professionals; and

(C) refilling an individual's prescription;

(4) performing pre-admission or intake activities;

(5) providing services to the LAR or primary caregiver of the individual, such as:

(A) assisting the person to access services to address their own needs;

(B) teaching parenting skills; and

(C) helping the person find employment;

(6) transporting the individual, the individual's LAR or primary caregiver;

(7) monitoring the individual's general health status when such information is not required to gain access or coordinate needed services such as:

(A) inquiring about the individual's general well-being;

(B) monitoring the individual's self-administration of medications; and

(C) monitoring the physical safety of the individual;

(8) performing outreach activities to inform the public of MH case management services that are available or to locate individuals who are potentially Medicaid eligible;

(9) performing quality oversight of a service provider, such as determining provider compliance with rules or regulation; and

(10) conducting utilization review activities; and

(11) authorizing services.

§412.409.Notification and Terminations.

(a) The provider must notify the department or its designee if the provider has reason to believe:

(1) the individual no longer meets the eligibility criteria for MH case management services as set forth in §412.405 of this title (relating to Eligibility for MH Case Management Services);

(2) the LAR of a child or adolescent has refused MH case management services on behalf of the child or adolescent;

(3) the adult has refused MH case management services;

(4) the provider cannot locate the individual and the provider has documented multiple attempts to locate the individual over a period of two consecutive months;

(5) the individual has died; or

(6) the individual has established or intends to establish residency outside of the provider's service area.

(b) The department or its designee will terminate MH case management services:

(1) to an individual, if the department or its designee determines that any one of the conditions described in subsection (a)(1) - (5) of this section exists; or

(2) to an individual who is not eligible for Medicaid, if the department or its designee determines that there are insufficient resources to provide MH case management services to the individual.

§412.410.Staff Qualifications.

(a) A case manager for an adult must be:

(1) a QMHP-CS or a CSSP;

(2) an employee of the provider; and

(3) trained in accordance with §412.411 of the title (relating to Staff Training).

(b) A case manager for a child or adolescent must be:

(1) a QMHP-CS;

(2) an employee of the provider; and

(3) trained in accordance with §412.411 of the title.

(c) The provider may require additional education and experience for a case manager.

(d) A staff member who supervises the provision of MH case management services must:

(1) meet the requirements set forth in subsection (b)(1) - (3) of this section; and

(2) have experience providing MH case management services.

§412.411.Staff Training.

(a) A staff member who provides MH case management services or supervises the provision of MH case management services must receive training and demonstrate competency in the following areas:

(1) the nature of mental illness and serious emotional disturbance;

(2) the dignity and rights of an individual;

(3) interacting with an individual who has a special physical need such as a hearing or visual impairment;

(4) responding to an individual's language and cultural needs through knowledge of customs, beliefs, and values of various, racial, ethnic, religious, and social groups;

(5) identifying, preventing, and reporting abuse and neglect;

(6) the requirements of this subchapter;

(7) the uniform assessments;

(8) the utilization management guidelines;

(9) developing and implementing a case management plan;

(10) identifying an individual in crisis;

(11) appropriate actions to take in managing a crisis;

(12) co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders, as described in Chapter 411, Subchapter N of this title (relating to Standards for Services to Persons with Co-Occurring Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders);

(13) the developmental needs of children, adolescents, and adults;

(14) the wraparound planning process approved by the department, if the case manager is providing intensive MH case management services to a child or adolescent;

(15) health and human services available to children as described in Texas Government Code §531.0244, if the case manager is providing intensive MH case management to a child or adolescent;

(16) the availability of resources within the local community; and

(17) strategies for advocating effectively for individuals.

(b) The provider must document the training, competencies, and experience in the personnel record of each person who received the training described in this section.

§412.412.Documentation of MH Case Management Services.

(a) A case manager must document the provision of MH case management services as follows:

(1) if the service involves face-to-face contact with the individual, document:

(A) the date of the contact;

(B) start and stop time of the contact;

(C) a description of the MH case management service provided;

(D) the individual's response to the services being provided;

(E) if the individual is receiving intensive MH case management services, the progress or lack of progress in addressing the individual's outcomes as identified in the case management plan; and

(F) the case manager's signature and credentials including the title "case manager;"

(2) if the service does not involve face-to-face contact with the individual, document:

(A) the date(s) of the service;

(B) a description of the MH case management service provided;

(C) if the service involves face-to-face or telephone contact, the person with whom the contact was made;

(D) the outcome of the service; and

(E) a case manager's signature and credentials including the title "case manager."

(b) The provider must retain documentation in compliance with applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.

§412.413.Medicaid Reimbursement.

(a) A provider may file a claim for Medicaid MH case management services, if a billable event occurs. A billable event is a face-to-face contact between an individual who is eligible for Medicaid and a case manager who provides an MH case management service:

(1) during the contact; and

(2) in accordance with §412.407 of this title (relating to MH Case Management Services).

(b) A unit of service for MH case management services is 15 continuous minutes.

(c) The department will not reimburse a provider for Medicaid MH case management services if:

(1) the individual who was provided the service did not meet the eligibility requirements set forth in §412.405 of this title (relating to Recipient Eligibility for MH Case Management Services) at the time the service was provided;

(2) the service provided was an integral and inseparable part of another service;

(3) the service was provided by a person who was not qualified in accordance with §412.410(a) of this title (related to Staff Qualifications);

(4) the service provided was not the type, amount and duration authorized by the department or its designee; or

(5) the service was not provided or documented in accordance with this subchapter.

(d) The department will not reimburse a provider for Medicaid MH case management services for coordination activities that are included in the provision of:

(1) rehabilitative crisis intervention services, as defined in §419.457 of this title (relating to Crisis Intervention Services); or

(2) psychosocial rehabilitation services, as defined in §419.459 of this title (relating to Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services).

§412.414.Fair Hearings.

(a) Any Medicaid eligible individual whose request for eligibility for MH case management services is denied or is not acted upon with reasonable promptness, or whose MH case management services have been terminated, suspended, or reduced by the department is entitled to a fair hearing in accordance with Texas Administrative Code, Title 1, Chapter 357 (relating to Medicaid Fair Hearings).

(b) A provider must, in the form and manner described by the department, give a Medicaid eligible individual notice of the right to request a fair hearing.

§412.415.Exhibits.

The following exhibits are referenced in this subchapter. For information about obtaining copies of the exhibits contact Behavioral Health Services, P.O. Box 12668, Austin, TX 78711-2668:

(1) Exhibit A:

(A) Adult Texas Recommended Authorization Guidelines;

(B) Texas Implementation of Medication Algorithms Scales for Adults; and

(C) Child and Adolescent Texas Recommended Authorization Guidelines.

(2) Exhibit B:

(A) Adult Utilization Management Guidelines; and

(B) Child and Adolescent Utilization Management Guidelines.

§412.416.References.

The following laws and rules are referenced in this subchapter:

(1) Texas Administrative Code, Title 1, Chapter 357;

(2) Texas Government Code §531.0244 and §662.021;

(3) Texas Health and Safety Code, §534.001 and §591.003(13);

(4) Chapter 411, Subchapter N of this title (relating to Standards for Services to Persons with Co-Occurring Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders);

(5) Subchapter G of this chapter (relating to Mental Health Community Services Standards);

(6) Chapter 419, Subchapter L of this title (relating to Mental Health Rehabilitative Services); and

(7) 42 CFR §435.1009 and §440.150.

§412.417.Distribution.

(a) This subchapter shall be distributed to:

(1) members of the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation Board or the applicable council;

(2) executive, management, and program staff of the department;

(3) executive directors of all community mental health centers; and

(4) advocates and advocacy organizations.

(b) The executive director of each community mental health center is responsible for disseminating copies of this subchapter to:

(1) all appropriate staff; and

(2) any individual, family member, employee, or other person desiring a copy.

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.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 14, 2004.

TRD-200403283

Rodolfo Arredondo

Chairman, Texas MHMR Board

Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 27, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 206-4581


Subchapter J. SERVICE COORDINATION

25 TAC §§412.451 - 412.466

(Editor's note: The text of the following sections proposed for repeal will not be published. The sections may be examined in the offices of the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation or in the Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (TDMHMR) proposes the repeal of §§412.451 - 412.466 of Chapter 412, Subchapter J, governing Service Coordination. New §§412.401 - 412.417 of Chapter 412, Subchapter I, governing Mental Health Case Management Services, is contemporaneously proposed in this issue of the Texas Register .

The repeals would allow for the adoption of new rules governing the provision of mental health case management services funded by or through the department.

Kevin Nolting, Acting Chief Financial Officer, has determined that for each year of the first five-year period that the proposed repeal is in effect, there will not be foreseeable implications relating to costs or revenues of state or local government.

Sam Shore, Acting Director, Community Mental Health Services, has determined that, for each year of the first five years the proposed repeal is in effect, the public benefit expected is the adoption of new rules that are based on the department's Resiliency and Disease Management model, which promotes the provision of high quality and effective community-based mental health services by individual-specific information that identifies an individual's mental health care needs, matches those needs to a particular type(s) of mental health case management services, and evaluates the effectiveness of the service provided. It is not anticipated that there will be any additional economic cost to persons required to comply with the proposed repeal.

It is not anticipated that the proposed repeal will affect a local economy.

It is not anticipated that the proposed repeal will have an adverse effect on small businesses or micro-businesses because the proposed repeal does not place requirements on small businesses or micro-businesses.

Written comments on the proposed repeal may be sent to Linda Logan, Director, Policy Development, Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, P.O. Box 12668, Austin, Texas 78711-2668, within 30 days of publication.

The repeal is proposed under the Texas Health and Safety Code, §532.015, which provides the Texas Mental Health and Mental Retardation Board (board) with broad rulemaking authority; the Texas Health and Safety Code, §533.0354, which requires the provision of mental health services for adults with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or clinically severe depression and for children with serious emotional illnesses be accomplished using disease management practices; the Texas Government Code, §531.021(a), and the Texas Human Resources Code, §32.021(a), which provide the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (THHSC) with the authority to administer the federal medical assistance (Medicaid) program in Texas; Acts 1995, 74th Legislature, Chapter 6, §1, (Senate Bill 509), which clarifies the authority of THHSC to delegate the operation of all or part of a Medicaid program to a health and human services agency; and the Human Resources Code, §32.021(c), which provides an agency operating part of the Medicaid program with the authority to adopt necessary rules for the proper and efficient operation of the program. THHSC has delegated to the department the authority to operate the Medicaid program for mental health case management.

The proposed repeal would affect the Texas Health and Safety Code, §533.0354; the Texas Government Code, §531.021(a); and the Texas Human Resources Code, §32.021.

§412.451.Purpose.

§412.452.Application.

§412.453.Definitions.

§412.454.Organizational Structure.

§412.455.Eligibility.

§412.456.Assessing the Need for Service Coordination.

§412.457.Local Authority Responsibilities.

§412.458.Caseloads.

§412.459.Quality Management.

§412.460.Termination of Service Coordination.

§412.461.Minimum Qualifications.

§412.462.Staff Training.

§412.463.Documentation of Service Coordination.

§412.464.Fair Hearings.

§412.465.References.

§412.466.Distribution.

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.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 14, 2004.

TRD-200403284

Rodolfo Arredondo

Chairman, Texas MHMR Board

Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 27, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 206-4581


Subchapter L. SERVICE COORDINATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL RETARDATION

25 TAC §§412.551 - 412.565

The Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (department) proposes new §§412.551 - 412.565 of new Chapter 412, Subchapter L, governing service coordination for individuals with mental retardation.

The new rules describe the provision of service coordination to individuals in the mental retardation priority population who live in the community. Currently, Chapter 412, Subchapter J, addresses service coordination for individuals living in the community in either the mental retardation priority population or the mental health priority population. As a result of significant changes being made to the mental health service array, the department has developed separate rules to address service coordination for the two populations. New Chapter 412, Subchapter I, governing mental health case management services, is proposed contemporaneously in this issue of the Texas Register , and addresses the provision of case management services (formerly referred to as service coordination) to individuals in the mental health priority population.

The provision of service coordination, as described in the proposed new rules, will not differ substantively from the manner in which service coordination currently is provided to individuals in the mental retardation priority population who are living in the community. Many of the requirements in the existing sections that are not addressed in the new sections have been applicable only to persons in the mental health priority population.

The provision in the existing subchapter that service coordination be provided by an employee of the mental retardation authority (MRA) for the local service area in which the individual resides is retained in new §412.559(a). Minor changes have been made to the minimum qualifications for an MRA employee who will be providing service coordination, including deletion of a provision permitting certification as a licensed chemical dependency counselor or a physician's assistant to be the sole qualification for providing service coordination. In addition, new §412.559(b)(2) clarifies the qualifications of an MRA employee who will provide service coordination if the employee has either a high school diploma or equivalent, but does not have a college degree. In addition, new §412.559(d) permits an MRA, at its discretion, to permit an employee who was authorized by the MRA to provide service coordination prior to April 1, 1999 (the original effective date of the current subchapter), to continue to provide service coordination without meeting the minimum qualifications described in subsection (b).

In a provision that is not described in the existing subchapter, new §412.462(b) states that if an MRA decides to deny, involuntarily reduce, or terminate service coordination for a non-Medicaid-eligible individual, then the MRA must notify the individual or legally authorized representative (LAR) in writing of the decision and provide an explanation of the procedure for the individual or LAR to request a review by the MRA as required by §401.464 of this title (relating to Notification and Appeals Process).

Kevin Nolting, Acting Chief Financial Officer, has determined that, for each year of the first five year period that the proposed new sections are in effect, there are no foreseeable fiscal implications relating to costs or revenues of state or local government. The department does not anticipate that the proposed new sections will have an adverse effect on small or micro-businesses. The department does not anticipate that there will be any additional economic cost to persons required to comply with the proposed new sections. The department does not anticipate that the proposed new sections will affect a local economy.

Barry Waller, Acting Director, Community Mental Retardation Services, has determined that, for each year of the first five-year period the proposed new sections are in effect, the public benefit expected is the promulgation of rules which clearly describe the provision of service coordination to individuals in the department's mental retardation priority population who live in the community.

Comments concerning the proposed new sections must be submitted in writing to Linda Logan, Director, Policy Development, by mail to P.O. Box 12668, Austin, Texas 78711, by fax to (512) 206-4744, or by e-mail to policy.co@mhmr.state.tx.us within 30 days of publication of this notice.

The new sections are proposed under the Texas Health and Safety Code, §532.015(a), which provides the Texas Board of Mental Health and Mental Retardation with broad rulemaking authority; the Texas Government Code (TGC), §531.021(a), and the Texas Human Resources Code (THRC), §32.021(a), which provide the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (THHSC) with the authority to administer the federal medical assistance (Medicaid) program in Texas; Acts 1995, 74th Texas Legislature, Chapter 6, §1, (Senate Bill 509), which clarifies the authority of THHSC to delegate the operation of all or part of a Medicaid program to a health and human services agency; and THRC, §32.021(c), which provides an agency operating part of the Medicaid program with the authority to adopt necessary rules for the proper and efficient operation of the program. THHSC has delegated to the department the authority to provide service coordination to Medicaid-eligible individuals in the mental retardation priority population.

The proposed new sections affect TGC, §531.021(a); THSC, Title 7, Subchapter D (Persons with Mental Retardation Act); and THRC, §32.021(a) and (c).

§412.551.Purpose.

This subchapter describes requirements for service coordination delivered by the mental retardation authority (MRA) to an individual in the mental retardation priority population (MR priority population) who desires services.

§412.552.Application.

This subchapter applies to all mental retardation authorities (MRAs).

§412.553.Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) Actively involved person--For an individual who lacks the ability to provide legally adequate consent and who does not have a legally authorized representative (LAR), a person whose significant and ongoing involvement with the individual is determined by the individual's designated MRA to be supportive of the individual based on the person's:

(A) observed interactions with the individual;

(B) knowledge of and sensitivity to the individual's preferences, values, and beliefs;

(C) availability to the individual for assistance or support; and

(D) advocacy for the individual's preferences, values, and beliefs.

(2) CARE--The department's Client Assignment and Registration System, a database into which an MRA, state MR facility, or state MH facility enters demographic and other data about an individual who has requested services and supports (or on whose behalf services and supports have been requested) or who is receiving services and supports.

(3) Department--The Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation or its successor.

(4) Designated MRA--As indicated in CARE, the MRA responsible for assisting an individual and LAR or actively involved person to access mental retardation services and supports.

(5) Duration--The specified period of time during which service coordination is provided to an individual.

(6) Frequency--The number of times during a specified period that an individual is contacted by a person providing service coordination.

(7) General revenue--Funds appropriated by the Texas Legislature for use by the department.

(8) HCS Program--A Medicaid waiver program operated by the department.

(9) ICF/MR--An intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation or a related condition.

(10) ICF/MR Program--The Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation Program, which provides Medicaid-funded residential services to individuals with mental retardation or a related condition.

(11) Institution for mental diseases (IMD)--As defined in §419.373 of this title (relating to Definitions), a hospital of more than 16 beds that is primarily engaged in providing psychiatric diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with mental diseases, including medical care, nursing care, and related services.

(12) Individual--A person who is or is believed to be a member of the mental retardation priority population.

(13) LAR (legally authorized representative)--A person authorized by law to act on behalf of an individual with regard to a matter described in this subchapter, and who may be a parent, guardian, or managing conservator of a child, or the guardian of an adult.

(14) Local service area--A geographic area composed of one or more Texas counties.

(15) Mental retardation--Consistent with Texas Health and Safety Code (THSC), §591.003, significantly subaverage general intellectual functioning existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior and manifested during the developmental period.

(16) MRA (mental retardation authority)--As defined in THSC, §531.002, an entity to which the Texas Mental Health and Mental Retardation Board delegates its authority and responsibility within a specified region for planning, policy development, coordination, and resource development and allocation, and for supervising and ensuring the provision of mental retardation services to persons in one or more local service areas.

(17) Mental retardation priority population or MR priority population--Those individuals who:

(A) have mental retardation;

(B) have a pervasive developmental disorder (PDD);

(C) have a related condition and are eligible for services in a Medicaid program operated by the department;

(D) are nursing facility residents and eligible for specialized services for mental retardation or a related condition pursuant to §1919(e)(7) of the Social Security Act; or

(E) are children eligible for early childhood intervention (ECI) services provided in accordance with 40 TAC Chapter 108 (relating to Early Childhood Intervention Services).

(18) Parent Case Management Program--A program that utilizes experienced, trained parents of individuals with disabilities to provide case management for other families.

(19) Partners in Policy Making--A leadership training program administered by the Texas Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities for self-advocates and parents.

(20) Permanency planning--A philosophy and planning process that focuses on the outcome of family support for an individual under 22 years of age by facilitating a permanent living arrangement in which the primary feature is an enduring and nurturing parental relationship.

(21) Person-directed planning--A philosophy and planning process that empowers an individual and, on the individual's behalf, an LAR or actively involved person, to direct the development of a plan of services and supports.

(22) PDD (pervasive developmental disorder)--As described in the most current edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), a severe and pervasive impairment in the developmental areas of reciprocal social interaction skills or communication skills, or the presence of stereotyped behaviors, interests, and activities manifested during the developmental period, usually before 10 years of age.

(23) Plan of services and supports--A written plan that:

(A) describes the desired outcomes identified by the individual, or LAR or actively involved person on behalf of the individual; and

(B) describes the services and supports (including service coordination services) to be provided to the individual, with specifics concerning frequency and duration.

(24) Related condition--As defined in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 42, §435.1009, a severe and chronic disability that:

(A) is attributable to:

(i) cerebral palsy or epilepsy; or

(ii) any other condition, other than mental illness, found to be closely related to mental retardation because the condition results in impairment of general intellectual functioning or adaptive behavior similar to that of persons with mental retardation, and requires treatment or services similar to those required for those persons with mental retardation;

(B) is manifested before the person reaches 22 years of age;

(C) is likely to continue indefinitely; and

(D) results in substantial functional limitation in three or more of the following areas of major life activity:

(i) self-care;

(ii) understanding and use of language;

(iii) learning;

(iv) mobility;

(v) self-direction; and

(vi) capacity for independent living.

(25) Service coordination--Assistance in accessing medical, social, educational, and other appropriate services and supports that will help an individual achieve a quality of life and community participation acceptable to the individual (and LAR on the individual's behalf) as follows:

(A) crisis prevention and management--linking and assisting the individual and LAR or actively involved person to secure services and supports that will enable them to prevent or manage a crisis;

(B) monitoring--ensuring that the individual receives needed services, evaluating the effectiveness and adequacy of services, and determining if identified outcomes are meeting the individual's needs and desires as indicated by the individual and LAR or actively involved person;

(C) assessment--identifying the individual's needs and the services and supports that address those needs as they relate to the nature of the individual's presenting problem and disability; and

(D) service planning and coordination--identifying, arranging, advocating, collaborating with other agencies, and linking for the delivery of outcome-focused services and supports that address the individual's needs and desires as indicated by the individual and LAR or actively involved person.

(26) Subaverage general intellectual functioning--Consistent with THSC, §591.003, measured intelligence on standardized general intelligence tests of two or more standard deviations (not including standard error of measurement adjustments) below the age-group mean for the tests used.

(27) State MH facility (state mental health facility)--A state hospital or state center with an inpatient psychiatric component operated by the department.

(28) State MR facility (state mental retardation facility)--A state school or a state center with a mental retardation residential component operated by the department.

(29) THSC--The Texas Health and Safety Code.

(30) TxHmL Program or Texas Home Living Program--A Medicaid waiver program operated by the department.

(31) Waiver services--Home and community-based services provided through a Medicaid waiver program approved by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as described in §1915(c) of the Social Security Act.

§412.554.Eligibility.

(a) To be eligible for service coordination, an individual must be a member of the MR priority population and must meet at least one of the following criteria:

(1) have two or more documented needs that require services and supports other than service coordination;

(2) be in the process of enrolling in:

(A) the HCS Program; or

(B) the ICF/MR Program;

(3) be in the process of enrolling in, or currently enrolled in the TxHmL Program;

(4) be seeking admission to a state MR facility;

(5) be transitioning from an ICF/MR, including a state MR facility, to community-based mental retardation services and supports other than another ICF/MR or a nursing facility licensed in accordance with THSC, Chapter 242; or

(6) be transitioning from a state MH facility to community-based mental retardation services and supports other than in an ICF/MR or a nursing facility licensed in accordance with THSC, Chapter 242.

(b) Service coordination may be funded by:

(1) personal funds or third-party insurance other than Medicaid;

(2) Medicaid targeted case management; or

(3) general revenue.

(c) Service coordination funded by Medicaid targeted case management:

(1) may be provided only to an individual who is a Medicaid recipient and:

(A) who meets at least one of the criteria described in subsection (a)(1), (2), (3), (4), or (5) of this section; or

(B) who resides in a nursing facility licensed in accordance with THSC, Chapter 242, and who has been determined through a preadmission screening and annual resident review (PASARR) assessment to require specialized services; and

(2) may not be provided to an individual:

(A) who is not a Medicaid recipient;

(B) who resides in an institution for mental diseases (IMD); or

(C) who is receiving waiver services through any waiver program except the TxHmL Program.

§412.555.Assessing an Individual's Need for Service Coordination.

(a) If an individual is eligible for service coordination and the individual or LAR or actively involved person desires service coordination, then the designated MRA must use the Service Coordination Assessment--Mental Retardation Services form to determine the individual's need for service coordination.

(b) If the designated MRA determines an individual needs service coordination, the MRA must develop a plan of services and supports as described in §412.556(a) of this title (relating to MRA's Responsibilities).

(c) A copy of the Service Coordination Assessment--Mental Retardation Services form may be obtained by contacting the Office of Long Term Services and Supports, Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, P.O. Box 12668, Austin, Texas 78711 or by accessing the department's website at www.mhmr.state.tx.us.

§412.556.MRA's Responsibilities.

(a) Developing a plan of services and supports.

(1) If the MRA determines an individual needs service coordination, the MRA must develop a plan of services and supports for the individual using a person-directed planning process that is consistent with the department's Person Directed Planning and Family Directed Planning Guidelines for Individuals with Mental Retardation .

(2) The plan of services and supports must include a component that addresses the individual's service coordination needs, which:

(A) is based on the results from the assessment performed in accordance with §412.555(a) of this title (relating to Assessing an Individual's Need for Service Coordination);

(B) describes one or more of the elements of service coordination (as defined) needed; and

(C) identifies the frequency (which must be at least every 90 calendar days) and duration of service coordination to be provided.

(b) Provision of service coordination.

(1) The MRA must ensure that service coordination:

(A) is provided to the individual in accordance with the individual's plan of services and supports; and

(B) is not provided by a staff person who is a member of the individual's family.

(2) The MRA may provide crisis prevention and management to the individual without having first identified the need for such services in the individual's plan of services and supports.

(c) Reviewing the plan of services and supports. The MRA must ensure that the plan of services and supports of each individual receiving service coordination is reviewed quarterly to determine the appropriateness and effectiveness of the services and supports provided by all community providers and to ensure that the needs of the individual are being addressed.

(d) Minimum contact. The MRA must ensure that the staff person providing service coordination meets face-to-face with the individual at least every 90 calendar days. This contact must involve at least one of the four elements of service coordination (as defined).

(e) Individuals enrolled in the TxHmL Program. In addition to the requirements in this subchapter, the MRA must ensure service coordination is provided to individuals enrolled in the TxHmL Program in accordance with the requirements contained in Chapter 419, Subchapter N of this title (relating to Texas Home Living (TxHmL) Program).

§412.557.Caseloads.

The MRA is responsible for determining the number of cases per staff person who provides service coordination based on factors such as individuals' needs, the frequency and duration of contacts, and travel time.

§412.558.Termination of Service Coordination.

The MRA must terminate service coordination for an individual if:

(1) the individual no longer meets the eligibility criteria for service coordination as set forth in §412.554 of this title (relating to Eligibility); or

(2) the individual or the LAR no longer desires service coordination.

§412.559.Minimum Qualifications.

(a) Service coordination may be provided only by an employee of the MRA.

(b) Except as provided by subsection (d) of this section, a staff person providing service coordination must have:

(1) a bachelor's or advanced degree from an accredited college or university with a major in a social, behavioral, or human service field including, but not limited to, psychology, social work, medicine, nursing, rehabilitation, counseling, sociology, human development, gerontology, educational psychology, education, and criminal justice; or

(2) a high school diploma or a certificate recognized by a state as the equivalent of a high school diploma and:

(A) two years of paid experience as a case manager in a state or federally funded Parent Case Management Program or have graduated from Partners in Policy Making; and

(B) personal experience as an immediate family member of an individual with mental retardation.

(c) The MRA, at its discretion, may require additional education and experience for staff who provide service coordination.

(d) At the discretion of the MRA, a staff person who was authorized by an MRA to provide service coordination prior to April 1, 1999, may provide service coordination without meeting the minimum qualifications described in subsection (b) of this section.

§412.560.Staff Training.

(a) An MRA must ensure that the following staff receive training as described in subsection (b) of this section within the first 90 days of performing their service coordination duties:

(1) staff who provide service coordination; and

(2) staff who supervise or oversee the provision of service coordination.

(b) Training must address:

(1) appropriate MRA policies, procedures, and standards;

(2) the MRA's performance contract/memorandum requirements regarding service coordination and case management;

(3) plan of services and supports development and implementation;

(4) person-directed planning consistent with the department's Person Directed Planning and Family Directed Planning Guidelines for Individuals with Mental Retardation ;

(5) permanency planning;

(6) crisis prevention and management, monitoring, assessment, and service planning and coordination;

(7) community support services availability and management; and

(8) advocacy for individuals.

(c) The MRA must document the training provided in accordance with this section in the personnel record of each staff person providing, supervising, or overseeing service coordination.

§412.561.Documentation of Service Coordination.

(a) The MRA must document the required contacts described in the individual's plan of services and supports, including:

(1) the date of contact;

(2) the description of the element(s) of service coordination provided;

(3) the progress or lack of progress in achieving goals or outcomes;

(4) the person with whom the contact occurred; and

(5) the staff who provided the contact and his or her professional discipline, if applicable.

(b) The MRA must ensure that service coordination activities are documented in the individual's record.

(c) The MRA must identify the appropriate service code in CARE for all individuals receiving service coordination.

(d) The MRA must retain documentation in compliance with applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.

§412.562.Review Process.

(a) Medicaid-eligible individuals. Any Medicaid-eligible individual whose request for eligibility for service coordination is denied or is not acted upon with reasonable promptness, or whose service coordination has been terminated, suspended, or reduced by the department is entitled to a fair hearing in accordance with 1 TAC Chapter 357 (relating to Medical Fair Hearings).

(b) Non-Medicaid-eligible individuals. If an MRA decides to deny, involuntarily reduce, or terminate service coordination for a non-Medicaid-eligible individual, the MRA must notify the individual or LAR in writing of the decision and provide an explanation of the procedure for the individual or LAR to request a review by the MRA as required by §401.464 of this title (relating to Notification and Appeals Process).

§412.563.Subchapter Supersedes Chapter 412, Subchapter J.

For individuals with mental retardation seeking or receiving service coordination, this subchapter supersedes Chapter 412, Subchapter J (relating to Service Coordination), upon the effective date of this subchapter.

§412.564.References.

References are made to the following state and federal statutes and Texas Administrative Code:

(1) Social Security Act, §1915(c) and §1919(e)(7);

(2) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 42, §435.1009;

(3) THSC, Chapter 242, §531.002, and §591.003;

(4) 1 TAC Chapter 357 (relating to Medical Fair Hearings);

(5) 40 TAC Chapter 108 (relating to Early Childhood Intervention Services);

(6) Chapter 412, Subchapter J of this title (relating to Service Coordination);

(7) §401.464 of the title (relating to Notification and Appeals Process); and

(8) Chapter 419, Subchapter N of this title (relating to Texas Home Living (TxHmL) Program).

§412.565.Distribution.

(a) This subchapter shall be distributed to:

(1) members of the Texas MHMR Board;

(2) executive, management, and program staff of Central Office;

(3) executive directors of MRAs; and

(4) advocates and advocacy organizations.

(b) The executive director of each MRA must ensure that copies of this subchapter are distributed to:

(1) all appropriate staff; and

(2) any individual, family member, employee, or other person desiring a copy.

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.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 14, 2004.

TRD-200403277

Rodolfo Arredondo

Chairman, Texas MHMR Board

Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 27, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 206-4516


Chapter 419. MEDICAID STATE OPERATING AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES

Subchapter D. HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES (HCS) PROGRAM

25 TAC §419.155

The Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (department) proposes amendments to §419.155 (relating to Eligibility Criteria) of Chapter 419, Subchapter D, governing Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) Program.

Currently, the financial eligibility criteria in §419.155(b)(4) excludes applicants and individuals under the age of 19 years receiving foster care services from the Department of Family and Protective Services when the foster care payment exceeds Level II. The proposed amendments would 1) remove the payment restriction; 2) extend the age to under 20 years because young adults may receive foster care services under certain conditions; and 3) clarify that the residence in which the applicant or individual resides is a foster family home or foster group home in which the primary caregiver is a foster parent living in the home.

The proposed amendments would also add an eligibility requirement that an applicant not be enrolled in the HCS Program and another Medicaid 1915(c) waiver program simultaneously. The proposed language is consistent with the language in the waiver approved by CMS. Additionally, the amendments would change the reference to the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (TDPRS) to Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS).

Kevin Nolting, Acting Chief Financial Officer, has determined that, for each year of the first five year period that the proposed amendments are in effect, there are no foreseeable implications relating to costs or revenues of state or local government. The department does not anticipate that the proposed amendments will have an adverse effect on small or micro-businesses. The department does not anticipate that there will be any additional economic cost to persons required to comply with the proposed amendments. The department does not anticipate that the proposed amendments will affect a local economy.

Barry Waller, Acting Director, Community Mental Retardation Services, has determined that, for each year of the first five-year period the proposed amendments are in effect, the public benefit expected is the promulgation of Medicaid waiver program rules that extend program eligibility to children who receive foster care services from TDFPS when the foster care payments for their care exceed TDFPS payment Level II.

Comments concerning the proposed amendments must be submitted in writing to Linda Logan, Director, Policy Development, by mail to P.O. Box 12668, Austin, Texas 78711, by fax to (512) 206-4744, or by e-mail to policy.co@mhmr.state.tx.us within 30 days of publication of this notice.

The amendments are proposed under the Texas Health and Safety Code, §532.015(a), which provides the Texas Board of Mental Health and Mental Retardation with broad rulemaking authority; the Texas Government Code, §531.021(a), and the Texas Human Resources Code, §32.021(a), which provide the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (THHSC) with the authority to administer the federal medical assistance (Medicaid) program in Texas; Acts 1995, 74th Texas Legislature, Chapter 6, §1, (Senate Bill 509), which clarifies the authority of THHSC to delegate the operation of all or part of a Medicaid program to a health and human services agency; and the Human Resources Code, §32.021(c), which provides an agency operating part of the Medicaid program with the authority to adopt necessary rules for the proper and efficient operation of the program. THHSC has delegated to the department the authority to operate the HCS Program.

The proposed amendments affect Texas Government Code, §531.021(a), and the Texas Human Resources Code, §32.021(a) and (c).

§419.155.Eligibility Criteria.

(a) An applicant or individual is eligible for HCS program services if he or she:

(1) (No change.)

(2) meets one of the following criteria:

(A) - (B) (No change.)

(C) qualifies for the ICF/MR LOC I as defined in §419.238 of this title (relating to Level of Care Criteria I) or ICF/MR VIII LOC as defined in §419.239 of this title (relating to ICF/MR Level of Care VIII Criteria) in ICF/MR Program rules at Chapter 419, Subchapter E, as determined by the department according to §419.159 of this title (relating to Level of Care Determination), and has been determined by the department or TDHS:

(i) - (ii) (No change.)

(iii) to be inappropriately placed in a Medicaid certified nursing facility based on an annual resident review conducted in accordance with the requirements of Texas Administrative Code, Title 40, §19.2500; [ and ]

(3) has an approved IPC for which the IPC cost does not exceed 125% of the annual ICF/MR reimbursement rate paid to a small ICF/MR, as defined in 1 TAC §355.456 (relating to Rate Setting Methodology) for the individual's level of need as it would be assigned under §419.240 of this title (relating to Level of Need) or 125% of the estimated annualized per capita cost for ICF/MR services, whichever is greater ; and [ . ]

(4) is not enrolled in another Medicaid 1915(c) waiver program.

(b) An applicant or individual is financially eligible for the HCS Program if he or she:

(1) - (3) (No change.)

(4) is under 20 years of age and:

(A) financially the responsibility of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS) in whole or in part; and

(B) is being cared for in a foster home or group home:

(i) that is licensed or certified and supervised by TDFPS or a licensed public or private nonprofit child placing agency; and

(ii) in which a foster parent is the primary caregiver residing in the home;

[(4) is under age 19 and financially the responsibility of the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (TDPRS), in whole or in part (not to exceed Level II foster care payment), and being cared for in a family foster home licensed or certified and supervised by:]

[(A) TDPRS; or]

[(B) a licensed public or private nonprofit child placing agency; or]

(5) - (6) (No change.)

(c) - (d) (No change.)

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.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 14, 2004.

TRD-200403278

Rodolfo Arredondo

Chairman, Texas MHMR Board

Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 27, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 206-4516


Subchapter L. MEDICAID REHABILITATIVE SERVICES

25 TAC §§419.451 - 419.466

(Editor's note: The text of the following sections proposed for repeal will not be published. The sections may be examined in the offices of the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation or in the Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (department) proposes the repeal of §§419.451 - 419.466 of Chapter 419, Subchapter L, governing Medicaid rehabilitative services. New §§419.451 - 419.470 of Chapter 419, Subchapter L, governing mental health rehabilitative services, which would replace the repealed rules, are contemporaneously proposed in this issue of the Texas Register .

The repeal would allow for the adoption of new rules governing mental health rehabilitative services.

Kevin Nolting, Acting Chief Financial Officer, has determined that for each year of the first five-year period that the proposed repeal is in effect, there will not be foreseeable implications relating to costs or revenues of state or local government.

Sam Shore, Acting Director, Community Mental Health Services, has determined that, for each year of the first five years the proposed repeal is in effect, the public benefit expected is the adoption of new rules that are based on the department's Resiliency and Disease Management model, which promotes the provision of high quality and effective community-based mental health services by individual-specific information that identifies an individual's mental health care needs, matches those needs to a particular type(s) of rehabilitative services, and evaluates the effectiveness of the service provided. It is not anticipated that there will be any additional economic cost to persons required to comply with the proposed repeal.

It is not anticipated that the proposed repeal will affect a local economy.

It is not anticipated that the proposed repeal will have an adverse effect on small businesses or micro-businesses because the proposed repeal does not place requirements on small businesses or micro-businesses.

Written comments on the proposed repeal may be sent to Linda Logan, Director, Policy Development, Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, P.O. Box 12668, Austin, Texas 78711-2668, within 30 days of publication.

The repeal is proposed for repeal under the Texas Health and Safety Code, §532.015, which provides the Texas Mental Health and Mental Retardation Board (board) with broad rulemaking authority; the Texas Health and Safety Code, §533.0354, which requires the provision of mental health services for adults with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or clinically severe depression and for children with serious emotional illnesses be accomplished using disease management practices; the Texas Government Code, §531.021(a), and the Texas Human Resources Code, §32.021(a), which provide the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (THHSC) with the authority to administer the federal medical assistance (Medicaid) program in Texas; Acts 1995, 74th Legislature, Chapter 6, §1, (Senate Bill 509), which clarifies the authority of THHSC to delegate the operation of all or part of a Medicaid program to a health and human services agency; and the Human Resources Code, §32.021(c), which provides an agency operating part of the Medicaid program with the authority to adopt necessary rules for the proper and efficient operation of the program. THHSC has delegated to the department the authority to operate the Medicaid program for mental health rehabilitative services.

The proposed repeal would affect the Texas Health and Safety Code, §533.0354; the Texas Government Code, §531.021(a); and the Texas Human Resources Code, §32.021.

§419.451.Purpose.

§419.452.Application.

§419.453.Definitions.

§419.454.Eligibility of Individuals for Rehabilitative Services Reimbursed by Medicaid.

§419.455.Rehabilitative Services: General Requirements.

§419.456.Community Support Services.

§419.457.Day Programs for Acute Needs.

§419.458.Day Programs for Skills Training.

§419.459.Day Programs for Skills Maintenance.

§419.460.Rehabilitative Treatment Plan Oversight.

§419.461.Documentation Requirements.

§419.462.Medicaid Reimbursement.

§419.463.Medicaid Provider Participation Requirements.

§419.464.Fair Hearings.

§419.465.References.

§419.466.Distribution.

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.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 14, 2004.

TRD-200403282

Rodolfo Arredondo

Chairman, Texas MHMR Board

Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 27, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 206-4581


Subchapter L. MENTAL HEALTH REHABILITATIVE SERVICES

25 TAC §§419.451 - 419.470

The Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (TDMHMR) proposes new §§419.451 - 419.470 of Chapter 419, Subchapter L governing mental health rehabilitative services. The repeal of existing §§419.451 - 419.466 of Chapter 419, Subchapter L, governing Medicaid rehabilitative services which the new sections will replace, are proposed contemporaneously in this issue of the Texas Register .

The proposed subchapter describes the requirements for the provision of mental health (MH) rehabilitative services that are reimbursed by Medicaid. In addition, the proposed subchapter addresses the requirement in Texas Health and Safety Code (THSC) §533.0354 that the provision of mental health services for adults with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or clinically severe depression and for children with serious emotional illnesses be accomplished using disease management practices.

The requirements for the provision of MH rehabilitative services that are described in the proposed subchapter are based on TDMHMR's Resiliency and Disease Management model. This model promotes the uniform provision of services that are based on clinical evidence and recognized best practices. In addition, the model promotes effective MH rehabilitative services by utilizing individual-specific information that identifies an individual's mental health care needs, matches those needs to a particular type(s) of rehabilitative service, and evaluates the effectiveness of the service provided.

Proposed new §419.454 describes general requirements for providers of MH rehabilitative services including the reiteration of a provider's responsibility to comply with Chapter 412, Subchapter G, governing Mental Health Community Services Standards. In addition, §419.454 includes provisions regarding a provider's subcontracting for the delivery of MH rehabilitative services and providing services at the same time and on the same day. Further, this proposed section includes prohibitions about unlawful discrimination and retaliation based on an individual's refusal of a service.

Proposed new §419.455 describes the eligibility criteria an individual must meet in order to receive MH rehabilitative services.

Proposed new §419.456 requires that a provider obtain authorization for a type, amount, and duration of MH rehabilitative services prior to the delivery of any type of MH rehabilitative service except for crisis services. In addition, this proposed section describes the circumstances under which reauthorization is required and the requirements for the development, review, and revision of a treatment plan.

The proposed new subchapter describes the following six types of MH rehabilitative services in §§419.457 - 419.462, respectively: crisis intervention services, medication training and support services, psychosocial rehabilitation services, rehabilitative counseling and psychotherapy, skills training and development services, and day programs for acute needs. In addition, each proposed section describing the type of service includes conditions with which a provider must comply in delivering the service (e.g. where the service may be delivered and what type of staff member may deliver the service).

Proposed new §419.463 describes the requirements for the documentation of MH rehabilitative services including the specific documentation required for each type of MH rehabilitative service as well as the frequency of documentation.

Proposed new §419.464 describes the training required for staff members providing MH rehabilitative services and the training for staff members supervising the provision of MH rehabilitative services. This proposed section also sets forth the requirements for the documentation and frequency of staff member training.

Proposed new §419.465 sets forth the requirement that a provider may only bill for MH rehabilitative services that are provided face-to-face. In addition, this proposed section describes activities that may not be billed by a provider because the cost of conducting such activities are included in the reimbursement rate. Further, §419.465 describes activities which are not reimbursed by TDMHMR.

Proposed new §419.466 describes the qualifications an entity must meet in order to become a provider of MH rehabilitative services and the general areas of compliance of a provider.

Proposed new §419.467 reiterates an individual's right to request a fair hearing based on federal law and regulations. In addition, this proposed section requires the provider to give an individual notice of the right to request a fair hearing in the form and manner prescribed by TDMHMR.

Proposed new §419.468 contains a list of exhibits referenced in the proposed subchapter and how such exhibits may be obtained.

Proposed new §419.469 contains a list of laws and rules cited throughout the proposed subchapter.

Kevin Nolting, Acting Chief Financial Officer, has determined that for each year of the first five year period that the proposed new sections are in effect, enforcing or administering the proposed sections does not have foreseeable implications relating to costs or revenues of state or local governments.

It is not anticipated that the new sections will have an adverse economic effect on small businesses or micro-businesses.

Sam Shore, Acting Director, Community Mental Health Services, has determined that for each year of the first five years the proposed new sections are in effect, the public benefit will be a uniform approach to service delivery that is based on clinical evidence and that results in more effective MH rehabilitative services for adults with severe mental illness and for children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance. It is not anticipated that there will be any additional economic cost to persons required to comply with the proposed new sections.

It is not anticipated that the proposed new sections will affect a local economy.

Comments concerning the proposed new sections may be submitted in writing to Linda Logan, Director, Policy Development, Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, P.O. Box 12668, Austin, Texas 78711-2668; by fax to (512) 206-4750; or by e-mail to policy.co@mhmr.state.tx.us within 30 days of publication.

A hearing to accept oral and written testimony from members of the public concerning this and other related proposals has been scheduled for 1:30 p.m., Monday, June 14, 2004, in the department's Central Office Auditorium in Building 2, 909 West 45th Street, Austin, Texas. Persons requiring an interpreter for the deaf or hearing impaired should contact the department's Central Office operator at least 72 hours prior to the hearing at TDD (512) 206-5330. Persons requiring other accommodations for a disability should notify Martha Durham, at least 72 hours prior to the hearing at (512) 206-4541 or at the TDY phone number of Texas Relay, 1-800-735-2988.

The new sections are proposed under THSC, §532.015(a), which provides the Texas Board of Mental Health and Mental Retardation with broad rulemaking authority; THSC, §533.0354, which requires the provision of mental health services for adults with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or clinically severe depression and for children with serious emotional illnesses be accomplished using disease management practices, Texas Government Code, §531.021(a), and Texas Human Resources Code, §32.021(a), which provide Health and Human Services Commission with the authority to administer the federal medical assistance (Medicaid) program in Texas; Acts 1995, 74th Legislature, Chapter 6, §1, (Senate Bill 509), which clarifies the authority of HHSC to delegate the operation of all or part of a Medicaid program to a health and human services agency; and Human Resources Code, §32.021(c), which provides an agency operating part of the Medicaid program with the authority to adopt necessary rules for the proper and efficient operation of the program. HHSC has delegated to TDMHMR the authority to operate the MH rehabilitative services Medicaid program.

The proposed new sections affect THSC, §532.015(a) and §533.0354, Texas Government Code, §531.021(a), and Texas Human Resources Code, §32.021.

§419.451.Purpose.

The purpose of this subchapter is to describe the requirements for the provision of mental health rehabilitative services reimbursed by Medicaid.

§419.452.Application.

This subchapter applies to Medicaid providers of mental health rehabilitative services.

§419.453.Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) Adolescent--An individual who is at least 13 years of age, but younger than 18 years of age.

(2) Adult--An individual who is 18 years of age or older.

(3) Advanced practice nurse--A staff member who is a registered nurse approved by the Texas State Board of Nurse Examiners to practice as an advanced practice nurse, in accordance with Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 301. The term is synonymous with "advanced nurse practitioner."

(4) Arrangement--A contract between a Medicaid provider and a person or entity for the provision of MH rehabilitative services that are reimbursed by Medicaid.

(5) Authorization period--The duration period for which the Medicaid provider has obtained authorization in accordance with §419.456(a) of this title (relating to Service Authorization and Treatment Plan).

(6) Business day--Any day except a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday listed in Texas Government Code, §662.021.

(7) CFR--The Code of Federal Regulations.

(8) Child--An individual who is at least three years of age, but younger than 13 years of age.

(9) CSSP or community services specialist--A staff member who, as of August 30, 2004:

(A) has received:

(i) a high school diploma; or

(ii) a high school equivalency certificate issued in accordance with the law of the issuing state; and

(B) has had three continuous years of documented full time experience in the provision of MH rehabilitative services.

(10) Crisis--A situation in which:

(A) because of a mental health condition:

(i) the individual presents an immediate danger to self or others; or

(ii) the individual's mental or physical health is at risk of serious deterioration; or

(B) an individual believes that he or she presents an immediate danger to self or others or that his or her mental or physical health is at risk of serious deterioration.

(11) CSU or crisis stabilization unit--A crisis stabilization unit licensed under Chapter 577, of the Texas Health and Safety Code and Chapter 134 of this title (relating to Private Psychiatric Hospitals and Crisis Stabilization Units Licensing Rules).

(12) Day--Calendar day, unless otherwise specified.

(13) Department--The Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation or its successor.

(14) Face-to-face--Within the physical presence of another person.

(15) Group--A service delivery modality involving two to eight individuals (for adults) or two to six individuals (for children and adolescents) and at least one staff member.

(16) Individual--A person seeking or receiving MH rehabilitative services.

(17) IMD or institution for mental diseases--Based on 42 CFR §435.1009, a hospital, nursing facility, or other institution of more than 16 beds that is primarily engaged in providing diagnosis, treatment, or care of individuals with mental illness, including medical attention, nursing care, and related services.

(18) In-vivo--The individual's natural environment (e.g. the individual's residence, work place, or school).

(19) LAR or legally authorized representative--A person authorized by law to act on behalf of a child or adolescent with regard to a matter described in this subchapter, and who may be a parent, guardian, or managing conservator.

(20) LOC or level of care--A designation given to the department's standardized packages of MH rehabilitative services, based on the uniform assessment and utilization management guidelines, which specify the type, amount, and duration of MH rehabilitative services to be provided to an individual.

(21) Licensed marriage and family therapist--An individual who is licensed as a licensed marriage and family therapist by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists in accordance with Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 502.

(22) Licensed medical personnel--A staff member who is:

(A) a physician;

(B) a physician assistant;

(C) an RN;

(D) an LVN; or

(E) a pharmacist.

(23) Licensed professional counselor--A person who is licensed as a licensed professional counselor by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors in accordance with Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 503.

(24) LPHA or licensed practitioner of the healing arts--A staff member who is:

(A) a physician;

(B) a licensed professional counselor;

(C) a licensed clinical social worker (formally a licensed master social worker-advanced clinical practitioner) as determined by the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners in accordance with Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 505;

(D) a psychologist;

(E) an advanced practice nurse recognized by the Board of Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas as a clinical nurse specialist in psych/mental health or nurse practitioner in psych/mental health; or

(F) a licensed marriage and family therapist.

(25) LVN or vocational nurse--A person who is licensed as a vocational nurse by the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners in accordance with Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 301 or, prior to February 1, 2004, was licensed as a licensed vocational nurse by the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners in accordance with Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 302.

(26) Master's level professional--A staff member who has completed a master's degree that is a prerequisite for licensure as one of the professionals listed in the definition of LPHA and is actively pursuing such licensure.

(27) Medical necessity--The need for a service that:

(A) is reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of a mental health disorder or a mental health and substance use disorder in order to improve or maintain an individual's level of functioning;

(B) is in accordance with professionally accepted clinical guidelines and standards of practice in behavioral health care;

(C) is furnished in the most appropriate and least restrictive setting in which the service can be safely provided;

(D) is provided at the most appropriate level and supply that is safe for the individual; and

(E) could not be omitted without adversely affecting the individual's mental or physical health or the quality of care rendered.

(28) Medicaid provider--An entity with which the department has a provider agreement to provide MH rehabilitative services that are reimbursed by Medicaid.

(29) Mental health (MH) rehabilitative services--Services that are reimbursed by Medicaid and are:

(A) individualized age-appropriate training and instructional guidance that address an individual's functional deficits due to severe and persistent mental illness or serious emotional disturbance;

(B) designed to improve or maintain the individual's ability to remain in the community as a fully integrated and functioning member of that community; and

(C) consist of the following services:

(i) crisis intervention services;

(ii) medication training and support services;

(iii) psychosocial rehabilitation services which consist of the following component services:

(I) independent living services;

(II) coordination services;

(III) employment related services;

(IV) housing related services; and

(V) medication related services;

(iv) rehabilitative counseling and psychotherapy;

(v) skills training and development services; and

(vi) day programs for acute needs which consist of the following component services;

(I) psychiatric nursing services;

(II) pharmacological instruction;

(III) symptom management training; and

(IV) functional skills training.

(30) Nursing services--Services provided or delegated by an RN acting within the scope of his or her practice, as described in Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 301.

(31) On-site--A location operated by the Medicaid provider or a person or entity under arrangement with the Medicaid provider at which MH rehabilitative services are provided, such as a clinic, clubhouse, or office.

(32) Pharmacist--A person who is licensed as a pharmacist by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy in accordance with Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 558.

(33) Physician--A staff member who is:

(A) licensed as a physician by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners in accordance with Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 155; or

(B) authorized to perform medical acts under an institutional permit at a Texas postgraduate training program approved by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education, the American Osteopathic Association, or the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners.

(34) Physician assistant--A person who is licensed as a physician assistant by the Texas State Board of Physician Assistant Examiners in accordance with Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 204.

(35) Primary caregiver--A person 18 years of age or older who has actual care, control, and possession of a child or adolescent.

(36) Problem solving--The use of specific steps and strategies to analyze and evaluate a problematic situation in order to determine a course of action to resolve the problematic situation.

(37) Psychologist--A person who is licensed as a psychologist by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists in accordance with Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 501.

(38) QMHP-CS or qualified mental health professional-community services--A staff member who meets the definition of a QMHP-CS set forth in Chapter 412, Subchapter G of this title (relating to Mental Health Community Services Standards).

(39) RN or registered nurse--A staff member who is licensed as a registered nurse by the Texas State Board of Nurse Examiners in accordance with Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 301.

(40) Staff member--Personnel of a Medicaid provider including a full-time and part-time employee, contractor, and intern, but excluding a volunteer.

(41) Therapeutic team--A group of mental health professionals working together in a coordinated manner for the purpose of providing comprehensive mental health services to an individual.

(42) Uniform assessment--An assessment promulgated by the department that includes the Adult Texas Recommended Authorization Guidelines, the Texas Implementation of Medication Algorithms Scales for Adults, and the Children and Adolescent Texas Recommended Authorization Guidelines.

(43) Utilization management guidelines--Guidelines promulgated by the department that establish the type, amount, and duration of MH rehabilitative services for each LOC.

§419.454.General Requirements for Providers of MH Rehabilitative Services.

(a) Compliance with MH community standards. In addition to complying with this subchapter, a Medicaid provider must also comply with Chapter 412, Subchapter G of this title (relating to Mental Health Community Services Standards) in the provision of MH rehabilitative services, as described in §412.304(a)(5) and (b)(4) of this title (relating to Responsibility for Compliance).

(b) Service provision under arrangement.

(1) A Medicaid provider may choose to have any MH rehabilitative service provided by a person or entity under arrangement.

(2) A Medicaid provider must ensure that if MH rehabilitative services are provided under arrangement, then the person or entity delivering the MH rehabilitative services under arrangement complies with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations, and any provider manuals and policy clarification letters promulgated by the department.

(c) Services provided same time and same day.

(1) A Medicaid provider is prohibited from providing more than one MH rehabilitative service to an individual at the same time and on the same day.

(2) A Medicaid provider is not prohibited from providing an MH rehabilitative service to a child or adolescent's LAR or primary caregiver at the same time and on the same day the child or adolescent is receiving another MH rehabilitative service.

(d) Prohibitions against discrimination and retaliation.

(1) A Medicaid provider may not unlawfully discriminate against an individual based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, co-occurring disorder or political affiliation. A Medicaid provider may not deny MH rehabilitative services to an individual based on sexual orientation.

(2) A Medicaid provider must ensure that an individual's refusal of any service offered by the Medicaid provider, does not preclude the individual from accessing a needed MH rehabilitative service.

§419.455.Eligibility.

An individual is eligible for MH rehabilitative services if:

(1) the individual:

(A) is a resident of the state of Texas;

(B) is eligible for Medicaid;

(C) if an adult, has a severe and persistent mental illness or, if a child or adolescent, has a serious emotional disturbance;

(D) qualifies for a LOC;

(E) is not an inmate of a public institution as defined in 42 CFR §435.1009;

(F) is not a resident of an intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation as described in 42 CFR §440.150;

(G) is not a resident in an IMD;

(H) is not a resident in a Medicaid-certified nursing facility unless the individual has been determined through a pre-admission screening and annual resident review assessment to be eligible for the specialized service of MH rehabilitative services; and

(I) is not a patient in a general medical hospital; and

(2) a determination that there is a medical necessity for MH rehabilitative services for the individual has been made by:

(A) an employee of the department; or

(B) an employee or a contractor of an entity designated to make such determinations on behalf of the department.

§419.456.Service Authorization and Treatment Plan.

(a) Prerequisites to provision of services.

(1) Except as provided for crisis intervention services in subsection (b) of this section, prior to a Medicaid provider providing MH rehabilitative services to an individual the provider must:

(A) obtain authorization from the department or its designee for the type(s), amount, and duration of MH rehabilitative service to be provided to the individual in accordance with the uniform assessment which is referenced as Exhibit A in §419.468 of this title (relating to Exhibits); and the utilization management guidelines which are referenced as Exhibit B in §419.468 of this title; and

(B) in collaboration with the individual, develop a treatment plan for the individual in accordance with §412.315(b) of this title (relating to Assessment and Treatment Planning) that also includes a list of the type(s) of MH rehabilitative services authorized in accordance with subparagraph (A) of this paragraph.

(2) A Medicaid provider must develop the treatment plan required by paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection within ten days after the date it obtains authorization from the department or its designee for the type(s), amount, and duration of MH rehabilitative services.

(b) Authorization and treatment plan requirements for crisis intervention services.

(1) An LPHA must, within two business days after the provision of the crisis intervention services:

(A) determine whether there is a medical necessity for the crisis intervention services; and

(B) if a determination is made that there is a medical necessity for crisis intervention services, authorize such services.

(2) A Medicaid provider is not required to develop a treatment plan for the provision of crisis intervention services.

(c) Reauthorization of MH rehabilitative services.

(1) Prior to the expiration of the authorization period or of the depletion of the amount of services authorized, the Medicaid provider must make a determination of whether the individual continues to need MH rehabilitative services.

(2) If the determination is that the individual continues to need MH rehabilitative services, the Medicaid provider must:

(A) request another authorization from the department or its designee for the same type and amount of MH rehabilitative service previously authorized; or

(B) if the Medicaid provider determines that the type or amount of MH rehabilitative services previously authorized is inappropriate to address the individual's needs, submit a request to the department or its designee, with documented clinical reasons for such request, to change the type or amount of MH rehabilitative services previously authorized.

(d) Review of treatment plan.

(1) The Medicaid provider must review a treatment plan as follows to determine if the plan adequately addresses the needs of the individual:

(A) at least every 90 days;

(B) as clinically indicated; and

(C) at the request of the individual or the LAR or primary caregiver of a child or adolescent.

(2) At the time the treatment plan is reviewed, the Medicaid provider must:

(A) solicit input from the individual and the LAR or primary caregiver of a child or adolescent about whether they are satisfied with the services provided; and

(B) document such input.

(e) Revisions to the treatment plan. If, after review of the treatment plan the Medicaid provider determines that the treatment plan does not adequately address the needs of the individual, the Medicaid provider must, as appropriate:

(1) revise the content of the treatment plan; or

(2) request authorization for a change in the type or amount of the MH rehabilitative services authorized.

§419.457.Crisis Intervention Services.

(a) Description. Crisis intervention services are interventions provided in response to a crisis in order to reduce symptoms of severe and persistent mental illness or serious emotional disturbance and to prevent admission of an individual to a more restrictive environment. Crisis intervention services include:

(1) an assessment of dangerousness of the individual to self or others;

(2) the coordination of emergency care services in accordance with §412.314 of this title (relating to Crisis Services);

(3) behavior skills training to assist the individual in reducing stress and managing symptoms;

(4) problem-solving;

(5) reality orientation to help the individual identify and manage their symptoms of mental illness; and

(6) providing guidance and structure to the individual in adapting to and coping with stressors.

(b) Conditions. Crisis intervention services:

(1) may be provided to a child, an adolescent, or an adult;

(2) must be provided one-to-one;

(3) may be provided on-site or in-vivo;

(4) must be provided by a QMHP-CS;

(5) may not be provided to an individual who is currently admitted to a CSU;

(6) may be provided to an individual without first obtaining authorization from the department or its designee in accordance with §419.456 of this title (relating to Service Authorization and Treatment Plan); and

(7) may be provided without a treatment plan described in §419.456 of this title.

§419.458.Medication Training and Support Services.

(a) Description. Medication training and support services are training based on curricula promulgated by the department, which is referenced as Exhibit C in §419.468 of this title (relating to Exhibits), to assist an individual in:

(1) understanding the nature of an adult's severe and persistent mental illness or a child or adolescent's serious emotional disturbance;

(2) understanding the role of the individual's prescribed medications in reducing symptoms and increasing or maintaining the individual's functioning;

(3) identifying and managing the individual's symptoms and potential side-effects of the individual's medication;

(4) learning the contraindications of the individual's medication;

(5) understanding the overdose precautions of the individual's medication; and

(6) learning self-administration of the individual's medication.

(b) Conditions. Medication training and support services:

(1) may be provided to:

(A) a child or adolescent;

(B) the LAR or primary caregiver of a child or adolescent; or

(C) an adult;

(2) may be provided one-to-one or in a group;

(3) may be provided on-site or in-vivo;

(4) must be provided by a QMHP-CS or licensed medical personnel; and

(5) may not be provided to an individual who is currently admitted to a CSU.

(c) Frequency and duration. The provision of medication training and support services must be in accordance with the amount and duration for which the Medicaid provider has obtained authorization in accordance with §419.456 of this title (relating to Service Authorization and Treatment Plan).

§419.459.Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services.

(a) Description. Psychosocial rehabilitation services are social, educational, vocational, behavioral, and cognitive interventions that address deficits in the individual's ability to develop and maintain social relationships, occupational or educational achievement, and independent living skills that are the result of a severe and persistent mental illness in adults. Psychosocial rehabilitation services may also address the impact of co-occurring disorders upon the individual's ability to reduce symptomology and increase daily functioning. Psychosocial rehabilitation services consist of the following component services:

(1) independent living services;

(2) coordination services;

(3) employment related services;

(4) housing related services; and

(5) medication related services.

(b) Conditions.

(1) Psychosocial rehabilitative services:

(A) may only be provided an adult;

(B) may be provided one-to-one or in a group;

(C) may be provided on-site or in-vivo; and

(D) except as required in paragraph (2) of this subsection, must be provided by a member of the individual's therapeutic team who is:

(i) licensed medical personnel;

(ii) a QMHP-CS; or

(iii) a CSSP; and

(E) may not be provided to an individual who is currently admitted to a CSU;

(2) Medication related services, as described in subsection (c)(5) of this section, must be provided by licensed medical personnel who are members of the individual's therapeutic team.

(3) As part of the provision of coordination services described in subsection (c)(2) of this section, a QMHP-CS must conduct ongoing uniform assessments at intervals specified by the department to determine the type, amount, and duration of MH rehabilitative services.

(c) Components of psychosocial rehabilitation services.

(1) Independent living services are services to assist an individual in acquiring the most immediate, fundamental functional skills needed to enable the individual to reside in the community and avoid more restrictive levels of treatment. Such independent services include training in symptom management, personal hygiene, nutrition, food preparation, exercise, and community integration activities.

(2) Coordination services are services to assist an individual in gaining and coordinating access to necessary care and services appropriate to the needs of the individual. Such coordination services include:

(A) assessment of the individual to determine the individual's need for services (e.g., medical, educational, social, or substance use services), which includes the administration of the uniform assessment;

(B) treatment planning with the individual to develop goals and identify a course of action to respond to the assessed needs;

(C) referral to the appropriate medical, social, educational, substance use providers or other programs and services;

(D) referral to support services and advocacy groups; and

(E) monitoring and follow-up to ensure that the treatment plan developed in accordance with §412.315(b) and (c) of this title (relating to assessment and treatment planning) is implemented effectively and adequately addresses the needs of the individual.

(3) Employment related services are services to provide supports and skills training that are not job-specific and focus on developing skills to reduce or manage the symptoms of mental illness that interfere with an individual's ability to make vocational choices or obtain or retain employment. Such employment services include:

(A) instruction in dress, grooming, socially acceptable behaviors, and etiquette necessary to obtain and retain employment;

(B) training in task focus, maintaining concentration, task completion, and planning and managing activities to achieve outcomes;

(C) instruction in obtaining appropriate clothing, arranging transportation, utilizing public transportation, accessing and utilizing available resources related to obtaining employment, and accessing employment-related programs and benefits (e.g., unemployment, workers compensation, and Social Security);

(D) interventions or supports provided on or off the job site to reduce behaviors or symptoms of mental illness that interfere with job performance or that interfere with the development of skills that would enable the individual to obtain or retain employment; and

(E) interventions designed to develop natural supports on or off the job site to compensate for skill deficits that interfere with job performance.

(4) Housing related services are services to develop an individual's ability to manage the symptoms of the individual's mental illness that interfere with the individual's ability to obtain or maintain tenure in independent integrated housing. Such services include:

(A) skills training related to:

(i) home maintenance and cleanliness;

(ii) problem solving with the individual's landlord and neighbors; and

(iii) maintaining appropriate interpersonal boundaries; and

(B) supportive contacts with the individual to reduce or manage the behaviors or symptoms related to the individual's mental illness that interfere with maintaining independent integrated housing.

(5) Medication related services provide training regarding an individual's medications in order to increase the individual's compliance with medication treatment. Such services include training in:

(A) the self-administration of the individual's medication;

(B) the importance of the individual taking the medications as prescribed;

(C) determining the effectiveness of the individual's medications; and

(D) identifying side-effects of the individual's medications.

(d) Frequency and duration. The provision of psychosocial rehabilitative services must be in accordance with the amount and duration for which the Medicaid provider has obtained authorization in accordance with §419.456 of this title (relating to Service Authorization and Treatment Plan).

§419.460.Rehabilitative Counseling and Psychotherapy.

(a) Description. Rehabilitative counseling and psychotherapy is cognitive behavior therapy focused on the reduction or elimination of an individual's symptoms of severe and persistent mental illness and increasing the individual's ability to perform activities of daily living.

(b) Conditions. Rehabilitative counseling and psychotherapy:

(1) may only be provided to an individual who is 21 years of age or older;

(2) may be provided one-to-one or in a group;

(3) may be provided on-site or in-vivo; and

(4) must be provided by:

(A) an LPHA; or

(B) a master's level professional working under the supervision of an LPHA in accordance with rules adopted by the applicable licensing board; and

(5) may not be provided to an individual who is currently admitted to a CSU.

(c) Frequency and duration. The provision of rehabilitative counseling and psychotherapy must be in accordance with the amount and duration for which the Medicaid provider has obtained authorization in accordance with §419.456 of this title (relating to Service Authorization and Treatment Plan).

§419.461.Skills Training and Development Services.

(a) Description.

(1) Skills training and development services is training provided to an individual or the LAR or primary caregiver of a child or adolescent. Such training:

(A) addresses severe and persistent mental illness or serious emotional disturbance and symptom-related problems that interfere with the individual's functioning and living, working, and learning environment;

(B) provides opportunities for the individual to acquire and improve skills needed to function as appropriately and independently as possible in the community; and

(C) facilitates the individual's community integration and increase his or her community tenure.

(2) Skills training and development services include teaching an individual the following skills:

(A) skills for managing daily responsibilities (e.g. paying bills, attending school and performing chores);

(B) communication skills (e.g., effective communication and recognizing or change problematic communication styles);

(C) pro-social skills (e.g., replacing problematic behaviors with behaviors that are socially acceptable);

(D) problem-solving skills;

(E) assertiveness skills (e.g., resisting peer pressure, replacing aggressive behaviors with assertive behaviors, and expressing one's own opinion acceptably);

(F) social skills (e.g. selection of appropriate friends and activities);

(G) stress reduction (e.g., progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing exercises, guided imagery, and selected visualization);

(H) anger management skills (e.g., identification of antecedents to anger, calming down, stopping and thinking before acting, handling criticism, avoiding and disengaging from explosive situations);

(I) skills to manage the symptoms of mental illness and to recognize and modify unreasonable beliefs, thoughts and expectations;

(J) skills to identify and utilize community resources and informal supports;

(K) skills to identify and utilize acceptable leisure time activities (e.g., identifying pleasurable leisure time activities that will foster acceptable behavior); and

(L) independent living skills (e.g. money management, accessing and using transportation, grocery shopping, maintaining housing, maintaining a job, and decision making).

(3) Skills training and development services include training an LAR or primary caregiver to assist the child or adolescent in learning the skills described in paragraph (2) of this subsection.

(b) Conditions. Skills training and development services:

(1) may be provided to:

(A) a child or adolescent;

(B) the LAR or primary caregiver of a child or adolescent; or

(C) an adult;

(2) must be provided one-to-one to a child or adolescent, except that the LAR or primary caregiver may be present;

(3) must be provided one-to-one to the LAR or primary caregiver, except that the child or adolescent may be present;

(4) may be provided one-to-one or in a group to an adult;

(5) may be provided on-site or in vivo;

(6) for a child or adolescent must be provided according to curricula approved by the department which is referenced as Exhibit D in §419.468 of this title (relating to Exhibits);

(7) for an adult, must be provided by a QMHP-CS or a CSSP;

(8) for a child or adolescent, must be provided by a QMHP-CS,

(9) for an LAR or primary caregiver of a child or adolescent, must be provided by a QMHP-CS; and

(10) may not be provided to an individual who is currently admitted to a CSU.

(c) Frequency and Duration. The provision of skills training and development services must be in accordance with the amount and duration for which the Medicaid provider has obtained authorization in accordance with §419.456 of this title (relating to Service Authorization and Treatment Plan).

§419.462.Day Programs for Acute Needs.

(a) Description. Day programs for acute needs provide short-term, intensive treatment to an individual who requires multidisciplinary treatment in order to stabilize acute psychiatric symptoms or prevent admission to a more restrictive setting. Day programs for acute needs:

(1) are provided in a highly structured and safe environment with constant supervision;

(2) ensure an opportunity for frequent interaction between an individual and staff members; and

(3) are services that are goal-oriented and focus on:

(A) reality orientation;

(B) symptom reduction and management;

(C) appropriate social behavior;

(D) improving peer interactions;

(E) improving stress tolerance; and

(F) the development of coping skills.

(4) Day programs for acute needs consist of the following component services:

(A) psychiatric nursing services;

(B) pharmacological instruction;

(C) symptom management training; and

(D) functional skills training.

(b) Conditions.

(1) Day programs for acute needs:

(A) may only be provided to adults;

(B) may be provided in a setting with any number of individuals;

(C) may be provided on-site or in a short-term, crisis-resolution oriented residential treatment setting that is not:

(i) a general medical hospital;

(ii) a psychiatric hospital; or

(iii) an IMD;

(D) except as provided by paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection must be provided by a QMHP-CS or a CSSP; and

(E) must, at all times:

(i) have a sufficient number of staff members to ensure safety and program adequacy; and

(ii) at a minimum include:

(I) one RN for every 16 individuals at the day program's location;

(II) one physician to be available by phone, with a response time not to exceed 15 minutes;

(III) two staff members who are QMHP-CSs or CSSPs at the day program's location;

(IV) one additional QMHP-CS who is not assigned full time to another day program, to be physically available, with a response time not to exceed 30 minutes; and

(V) additional QMHP-CSs or CSSPs at the day program's location sufficient to maintain a ratio of one staff member to every four individuals.

(2) Psychiatric nursing services, as described in subsection (c)(1) of this section, must be provided by an RN at the day program's location.

(3) Pharmacological instruction, as described in subsection (c)(2) of this section, must be provided by licensed medical personnel.

(c) Components of day programs for acute needs.

(1) Psychiatric nursing services consist of:

(A) a nursing assessment;

(B) the coordination of medical activities (e.g., referrals to specialists and scheduling medical laboratory tests);

(C) the administration of medication;

(D) laboratory specimen collections and screenings (e.g., the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale);

(E) emergency medical interventions as ordered by a physician; and

(F) other nursing services.

(2) Pharmacological instruction is training to an individual that addresses medication issues related to the crisis precipitating the provision of day programs for acute needs. Such medication issues include:

(A) the role of the individual's medications in stabilizing acute psychiatric symptoms or preventing admission to a more restrictive setting;

(B) the identification of substances that reduce the effectiveness of the individual's medications;

(C) appropriate interventions to reduce side-effects of the medications and increase the individual's compliance with medication treatment; and

(D) the self-administration of the individual's medication.

(3) Symptom management training assists an individual in recognizing and reducing the acuity of her or his symptoms and includes training the individual on:

(A) the identification of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that indicate the onset of acute psychiatric symptoms;

(B) ways to avoid florid occurrences;

(C) techniques for developing an internal locus of control regarding symptoms;

(D) developing coping strategies to address the symptoms;

(E) identification of external circumstances that trigger the onset of the acute psychiatric symptoms; and

(F) relapse prevention strategies;

(4) Functional skills training assists an individual in acquiring the most immediate, fundamental functional skills needed to enable the individual to reside in the community and avoid more restrictive levels of treatment and includes training the individual on:

(A) personal hygiene;

(B) nutrition;

(C) food preparation;

(D) exercise; and

(E) integrating into community activities.

(d) Frequency and duration. The provision of day programs for acute needs must be in accordance with the amount and duration for which the Medicaid provider has obtained authorization in accordance with §419.456 of this title (relating to Service Authorization and Treatment Plan).

§419.463.Documentation Requirements.

(a) General documentation. A Medicaid provider must document the following for all MH rehabilitative services:

(1) the name of the individual to whom the service was provided;

(2) the type of service provided;

(3) the specific skill(s) trained on and the method used to provide the training;

(4) the date the service was provided;

(5) the begin and end time of the service;

(6) the location where the service was provided;

(7) the signature of the staff member providing the service and a notation as to whether the staff member is an LPHA, QMHP-CS, or CSSP; and

(8) any pertinent event or behavior relating to the individual's treatment which occurs during the provision of the service.

(b) Service documentation. In addition to the requirements described in subsection (a) of this section, a Medicaid provider must document the following:

(1) for crisis intervention services:

(A) the documentation required by §412.314(c) of this title (relating to Documentation of Crisis Services); and

(B) the outcome of the individual's crisis;

(2) for medication training and support services and skills training and development services, the name of the primary caregiver or LAR to whom the service was provided, if applicable;

(3) for psychosocial rehabilitative coordination services:

(A) a description of the coordination service provided;

(B) if the service involves face-to-face or telephone contact, the person with whom the contact was made; and

(C) the outcome of the service;

(4) for MH rehabilitative services other than crisis intervention services and day programs for acute needs:

(A) a summary of the activities that occurred;

(B) the modality of service provision (i.e. one-to-one or group);

(C) the treatment plan goal(s) that was the focus of the service; and

(D) the progress or lack of progress in achieving treatment plan goal(s);

(5) for day programs for acute needs, the progress or lack of progress in stabilizing the individual's acute psychiatric symptoms;

(c) Frequency of Documentation.

(1) For day programs for acute needs, the documentation required by subsections (a) and (b)(1) of this section must be made daily.

(2) For MH rehabilitative services other than day programs for acute needs, the documentation required by subsections (a) and (b)(2), (3) and (4) of this section must be made after each face-to-face contact that occurs to provide the MH rehabilitative service.

(3) A Medicaid provider must retain documentation in compliance with applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.

§419.464.Staff Member Training.

(a) Training of staff members. A Medicaid provider must provide training to a staff member to ensure competency in the provision of MH rehabilitative services. Such training must be provided in accordance with the following:

(1) A staff member who provides MH rehabilitative services or supervises the provision of MH rehabilitative services must receive training and demonstrate competency in the following areas:

(A) the requirements of this subchapter and of Chapter 412, Subchapter G of this title (relating to the Mental Health Community Services Standards);

(B) the nature of severe and persistent mental illness and serious emotional disturbances;

(C) the dignity and rights of an individual in accordance with Chapter 404, Subchapter E of this title (relating to Rights of Persons Receiving Mental Health Services);

(D) identifying, preventing, and reporting abuse, neglect, and exploitation in accordance with Chapter 414, Subchapter L of this title (relating to Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation in Local Authorities and Community Centers);

(E) interacting with an individual who has a special physical need such as a hearing or visual impairment;

(F) responding to an individual's language and cultural needs through knowledge of customs, beliefs, and values of various, racial, ethnic, religious, and social groups;

(G) the uniform assessment;

(H) the utilization management guidelines;

(I) developing and implementing an individualized treatment plan;

(J) identifying an individual in crisis;

(K) appropriate actions to take in managing a crisis;

(L) skills training techniques;

(M) the treatment of co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders as described in Chapter 411, Subchapter N of this title (relating to Standards for Services to Persons with Co-Occurring Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders);

(N) the availability of resources within the local community; and

(O) strategies for effectively advocating for an individual.

(2) A staff member who routinely provides or supervises the provision of MH rehabilitative services to a child or adolescent must receive training and demonstrate competency in the following areas:

(A) the aspects of a child's growth and development (including physical, emotional, cognitive, educational and social) and the treatment needs of child and of an adolescent; and

(B) the department's approved skills training curricula which is referenced as Exhibit D in §419.468 of this title (relating to Exhibits).

(3) A staff member who supervises the provision of rehabilitative services must be a QMHP-CS.

(b) Frequency. A staff member must receive the training required by subsection (a) of this section before assuming responsibilities in providing or supervising the provision of MH rehabilitative services.

(c) Documentation of training. A Medicaid provider must document that a staff member has successfully completed the training described in subsection (a) of this section.

§419.465.Medicaid Reimbursement.

(a) Billable and non-billable activities.

(1) A Medicaid provider may only bill for MH rehabilitative services that are provided face-to-face to:

(A) an individual; or

(B) the LAR or primary caregiver of a child or adolescent.

(2) The cost of the following activities are included in the Medicaid MH rehabilitative services reimbursement rate(s) and may not be directly billed by the Medicaid provider:

(A) developing and revising the treatment plan and interventions that are appropriate to an individual's needs;

(B) staffing and team meetings to discuss the provision of MH rehabilitative services to a specific individual;

(C) monitoring and evaluating outcomes of interventions, including contacts with a person other than the individual;

(D) documenting the provision of MH rehabilitative services;

(E) a staff member traveling to and from a location to provide MH rehabilitative services;

(F) all services provided within a day program for acute needs that are delivered by a staff member, including services delivered in response to a crisis or an episode of acute psychiatric symptoms; and

(G) administering the uniform assessment.

(b) Non-reimbursable activities.

(1) The department will not reimburse a Medicaid provider for any combination of MH rehabilitative services, other than crisis intervention services, delivered in excess of 8 hours per individual per day. In addition the department will not reimburse a Medicaid provider for more than:

(A) two hours per individual per day of medication training and support services;

(B) four hours per individual per day of psychosocial rehabilitation services;

(C) four hours per individual per day of rehabilitative counseling and psychotherapy;

(D) four hours per individual per day of skills training and development services; and

(E) six hours per individual per day of day programs for acute needs.

(2) The department will not reimburse a Medicaid provider for:

(A) except for crisis intervention services authorized in accordance with §419.456(b) of this title (relating to Service Authorization and Treatment Plan), an MH rehabilitative service that is not included in the individual's treatment plan;

(B) an MH rehabilitative service that is not authorized in accordance with §419.456 of this title;

(C) an MH rehabilitative service provided in excess of the amount authorized in accordance with §419.456(a)(1) of this title;

(D) an MH rehabilitative service provided outside of the duration authorized in accordance with §419.456(a)(1) of this title;

(E) a psychosocial rehabilitative services provided to an individual receiving MH case management services in accordance with Chapter 412, Subchapter I of this title (relating to Mental Health Case Management);

(F) an MH rehabilitative service that is not documented in accordance with §419.463 of this title (relating to Documentation Requirements);

(G) an MH rehabilitative service provided to an individual who does not meet the eligibility criteria as described in §419.455 of this title (relating to Eligibility);

(H) an MH rehabilitative service provided to an individual who is not present, awake, and participating during such service;

(I) psychiatric nursing services as described in §419.462(c)(1) of this title (relating to Day Programs for Acute Needs), medication training and support services, and medication related services as described in section §419.459(c)(5) of this title (relating to Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services), that are incidental to another service such as an office visit with a physician;

(J) a medical evaluation, examination, or treatment that is otherwise reimbursable as a separate and distinct Medicaid-covered benefit;

(K) an individual's room and board;

(L) a service provided in an inpatient hospital setting;

(M) a service provided to an individual with a single diagnosis of substance use disorder, mental retardation, or pervasive developmental disorder;

(N) an activity that does not involve achieving the goals that are listed in an individual's treatment plan. Examples of such activities include:

(i) merely accompanying an individual to:

(I) a social or recreational event or other entertainment; or

(II) locations to conduct the individual's personal affairs (e.g. shopping, interviewing for a job, visiting friends or relatives, getting a haircut, or finding housing);

(ii) merely helping the individual with domestic or financial affairs, such as cleaning house or balancing a checkbook;

(O) having a casual conversation with an individual about the individual's interests or general well-being that is not related to service provision or identification of the individual's needs;

(P) assisting the individual in obtaining or maintaining Medicaid eligibility;

(Q) training in areas that are not generally recognized to address deficits due to the severe and persistent mental illness or serious emotional disturbance. Examples of such areas include:

(i) cardiopulmonary resuscitation;

(ii) first aid;

(iii) defensive driving; and

(iv) recreational activities such as swimming, horseback riding, and piano lessons;

(R) educational services such as:

(i) remedial instruction and tutoring related to academics;

(ii) preparation for taking a high school equivalency exam; and

(iii) formal academic classes;

(S) job specific vocational services such as:

(i) training on a job specific task;

(ii) seeking employment for an individual;

(iii) assisting an individual in completing an application for employment; and

(iv) prompting an individual to perform a job task when such prompting is not related to a deficit caused by the mental illness;

(T) an activity provided as an integral and inseparable part of a service other than an MH rehabilitative service. Examples of such activities include:

(i) pharmacological management by a physician;

(ii) a service incidental to a physician's visit;

(iii) a referral or medical consultation between medical personnel;

(iv) substance use disorder counseling;

(v) development of a treatment plan; and

(vi) administration of an assessment;

(U) a service that specifically addresses an individual's substance use without addressing the impact of the use on the individual's severe and persistent mental illness or serious emotional disturbance;

(V) nursing services except as provided in accordance with §419.462 of this title;

(W) requesting a refill of an individual's medication, filling an individual's pill pack, unlocking an individual's medication box, or obtaining or delivering an individual's medication;

(X) any type of counseling or psychotherapy provided to an individual except for that provided in accordance with §419.460 of this title (relating to Rehabilitative Counseling and Psychotherapy);

(Y) admission and pre-admission activities such as:

(i) determination of an individual's eligibility for MH rehabilitative services;

(ii) obtaining demographic information, information about the individual's finances and information about the individual's insurance benefits; and

(iii) completion of admission documentation;

(Z) any services provided to a person other than the individual, (e.g. school personnel) except for the services provided to an LAR or primary caregiver in accordance with §419.458 of this title (relating to Medication Training and Support Services) and §419.461 of this title (relating to Skills Training and Development Services);

(AA) any skills training provided to an LAR or primary caregiver that does not address the individual's skill deficits such as:

(i) instruction regarding basic parenting skills;

(ii) guidance on how to advocate for a child or adolescent; and

(iii) teaching on how to cope with stress;

(BB) skills training provided concurrently with academic instruction;

(CC) monitoring of an individual that is not an integral and inseparable part of the provision of an MH rehabilitative service. Examples of such monitoring include:

(i) assessing the individual's general well-being;

(ii) assessing the individual's general medical condition;

(iii) monitoring the self-administration of medications;

(iv) supervising a child or adolescent; and

(v) preventing an individual from hurting self or others;

(DD) outreach activities to inform the public of MH rehabilitative services that are available or to locate individuals who are potentially Medicaid eligible;

(EE) recreational activities; or

(FF) services provided in transit unless the specific skill being addressed is an identified deficit in accessing or using public transportation.

§419.466.Medicaid Provider Participation Requirements.

(a) Qualifications. To become a Medicaid provider of MH rehabilitative services, an entity must:

(1) be established as a community mental health center in accordance with Texas Health and Safety Code, §534.001, that:

(A) provides services comparable to MH rehabilitative services and the services described in the Texas Health and Safety Code, §534.053(a)(1) - (7);

(B) is in compliance with Chapter 412, Subchapter G of this title (relating to Mental Health Community Services Standards);

(C) conducts criminal history clearances on all contractors delivering MH rehabilitative services and all employees and applicants of the Medicaid provider to whom an offer of employment is made and ensures that individuals do not come in contact with and are not provided services by an employee or contractor of the Medicaid provider (or employee or contractor of contractors delivering MH rehabilitative services under a contract with the Medicaid provider) who has a conviction for any of the criminal offenses listed in §414.504(g) of this title (relating to Pre-employment and Pre-assignment Clearance) or for any criminal offense that the Medicaid provider has determined to be a contraindication to employment; and

(D) have a Medicaid provider agreement with the department to provide MH rehabilitative services that are reimbursed by Medicaid; or

(2) be a corporation incorporated or registered to do business in the state of Texas that:

(A) has completed an application evidencing that it:

(i) provides services comparable to MH rehabilitative services and the services described in the Texas Health and Safety Code, §534.053(a)(1) - (7);

(ii) is in compliance with Chapter 412, Subchapter G of this title;

(iii) has demonstrated a history of providing, as well as the capacity to continue to provide, services to individuals required to submit to mental health treatment:

(I) under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 17.032 (relating to Release on Personal Bond of Certain Mentally Ill Defendants), or Article 42.12 §11(d) (relating to Community Supervision); and

(II) under the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 573 (relating to Emergency Detention) and Chapter 574 (relating to Court Ordered Mental Health Services);

(iv) conducts criminal history clearances on all contractors delivering MH rehabilitative services and all employees and applicants of the corporation to whom an offer of employment is made and ensures that individuals do not come in contact with and are not provided services by an employee or contractor of the corporation (or employee or contractor of contractors delivering MH rehabilitative services under a contract with the corporation) who has a conviction for any of the criminal offenses listed in §414.504(g) of this title or for any criminal offense that the corporation has determined to be a contraindication to employment;

(B) has had its application information confirmed by an on-site visit by the department;

(C) has had its application approved by the department; and

(D) has signed a Medicaid provider agreement with the department to provide MH rehabilitative services that are reimbursed by Medicaid.

(b) Compliance. A Medicaid provider must:

(1) comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations, and any Medicaid provider manuals and policy clarification letters promulgated by the department;

(2) document and bill for reimbursement of MH rehabilitative services in the manner and format prescribed by the department;

(3) allow the department access to all individuals and individuals' records;

(4) maintain capacity to provide those services that are described in the Texas Health and Safety Code, §534.053(a)(1) - (7); and

(5) maintain capacity to provide services to individuals required to submit to mental health treatment:

(A) under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 17.032 (relating to Release on Personal Bond of Certain Mentally Ill Defendants), or Article 42.12 §11(d) (relating to Community Supervision); and

(B) under the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 573 (relating to Emergency Detention) and Chapter 574 (relating to Court Ordered Mental Health Services).

§419.467.Fair Hearings.

(a) Right to request a fair hearing. Any individual whose request for eligibility for MH rehabilitative services is denied or is not acted upon with reasonable promptness, or whose MH rehabilitative services have been terminated, suspended, or reduced by the department is entitled to a fair hearing in accordance with Texas Administrative Code, Title 1, Chapter 357 (relating to Medical Fair Hearings).

(b) Notice. The Medicaid provider must, in the form and manner prescribed by the department, give an individual notice of the right to request a fair hearing.

§419.468.Exhibits.

The following exhibits are referenced in this subchapter. For information about obtaining copies of the exhibits contact Behavioral Health Services, P.O. Box 12668, Austin, TX 78711-2668:

(1) Exhibit A:

(A) Adult Texas Recommended Authorization Guidelines;

(B) Texas Implementation of Medication Algorithms Scales for Adults; and

(C) Child and Adolescent Texas Recommended Authorization Guidelines.

(2) Exhibit B:

(A) Adult Utilization Management Guidelines; and

(B) Child and Adolescent Utilization Management Guidelines.

(3) Exhibit C:

(A) Adult Patient/Family Education Program; and

(B) Child and Adolescent-Patient/Family Education Program Adult.

(4) Exhibit D: Department's approved skills training curricula for children and adolescents.

§419.469.References.

The following laws and rules are referenced in this subchapter:

(1) Texas Administrative Code, Title 1, Chapter 357 (relating to Medical Fair Hearings);

(2) Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4514, §8, and Articles 4512c-1, §§4495b, 4512g, and 1528f;

(3) Human Resources Code, Chapter 50;

(4) Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapters 134, 241, 573, 574, and 577; §§534.001, 533.035(a), and 534.053(a)(1) - (7);

(5) Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 17.032 and Article 42.12, Section 11(d);

(6) Texas Government Code, §662.021;

(7) Texas Occupations Code, Chapters 155, 204, 301, 302, 501, 502, 503, 505, and 588;

(8) 42 CFR, §435.1009 and §440.150;

(9) Chapter 404, Subchapter E of this title (relating to Rights of Persons Receiving Mental Health Services);

(10) Chapter 411, Subchapter N of this title (relating to Standards for Services to Persons with Co-Occurring Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders);

(11) Chapter 412, Subchapter G of this title (relating to Mental Health Community Services Standards);

(12) Chapter 412, Subchapter I of this title (relating to Mental Health Case Management);

(13) Chapter 414, Subchapter L of this title (relating to Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation in Local Authorities and Community Centers); and

(14) Section 414.504(g) of this title (relating to Pre-employment and Pre-Assignment Clearance) of Chapter 414, Subchapter K of this title (relating to Criminal History Clearances).

§419.470.Distribution.

(a) This subchapter shall be distributed to:

(1) members of the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation Board or the applicable council;

(2) executive, management, and program staff of the department;

(3) chief executive officers of all Medicaid providers; and

(4) advocates and advocacy organizations.

(b) The chief executive officer of each Medicaid provider must provide a copy of this subchapter to all persons and entities delivering MH rehabilitative services under arrangement.

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.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 14, 2004.

TRD-200403281

Rodolfo Arredondo

Chairman, Texas MHMR Board

Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 27, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 206-4581


Subchapter N. TEXAS HOME LIVING (TxHmL) PROGRAM

25 TAC §419.556

The Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (department) proposes amendments to §419.556 (relating to Eligibility Criteria) of Chapter 419, Subchapter N, governing Texas Home Living (TxHmL) Program.

Currently, the financial eligibility criteria in §419.556(b)(3) excludes applicant and individuals under the age of 19 years receiving foster care services from the Department of Family and Protective Services when the foster care payment exceeds Level II. The proposed amendments would 1) remove the payment restriction; 2) extend the age to under 20 years because young adults may receive foster care services under certain conditions; and 3) clarify that the residence in which the applicant or individual resides is a foster family home or foster group home in which the primary caregiver is a foster parent living in the home. The proposed amendments would also change the reference to the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (TDPRS) to Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS).

Kevin Nolting, Acting Chief Financial Officer, has determined that, for each year of the first five year period that the proposed amendments are in effect, there are no foreseeable implications relating to costs or revenues of state or local government. The department does not anticipate that the proposed amendments will have an adverse effect on small or micro-businesses. The department does not anticipate that there will be any additional economic cost to persons required to comply with the proposed amendments. The department does not anticipate that the proposed amendments will affect a local economy.

Barry Waller, Acting Director, Community Mental Retardation Services, has determined that, for each year of the first five-year period the proposed amendments are in effect, the public benefit expected is the promulgation of Medicaid waiver program rules that extend program eligibility to children who receive foster care services from TDFPS when the foster care payments for their care exceed TDFPS payment Level II.

Comments concerning the proposed amendments must be submitted in writing to Linda Logan, Director, Policy Development, by mail to P.O. Box 12668, Austin, Texas 78711, by fax to (512) 206-4744, or by e-mail to policy.co@mhmr.state.tx.us within 30 days of publication of this notice.

The amendments are proposed under the Texas Health and Safety Code, §532.015(a), which provides the Texas Board of Mental Health and Mental Retardation with broad rulemaking authority; the Texas Government Code, §531.021(a), and the Texas Human Resources Code, §32.021(a), which provide the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (THHSC) with the authority to administer the federal medical assistance (Medicaid) program in Texas; Acts 1995, 74th Texas Legislature, Chapter 6, §1, (Senate Bill 509), which clarifies the authority of THHSC to delegate the operation of all or part of a Medicaid program to a health and human services agency; and the Human Resources Code, §32.021(c), which provides an agency operating part of the Medicaid program with the authority to adopt necessary rules for the proper and efficient operation of the program. THHSC has delegated to the department the authority to operate the TxHmL Program.

The proposed amendments affect Texas Government Code, §531.021(a), and the Texas Human Resources Code, §32.021(a) and (c).

§419.556.Eligibility Criteria.

(a) (No change.)

(b) An applicant or individual is financially eligible for the TxHmL Program if he or she:

(1) - (2) (No change.)

(3) is under 20 years of age and:

(A) financially the responsibility of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS) in whole or in part; and

(B) is being cared for in a foster home or group home:

(i) that is licensed or certified and supervised by TDFPS or a licensed public or private nonprofit child placing agency; and

(ii) in which a foster parent is the primary caregiver residing in the home;

[(3) is under age 19 and financially the responsibility of the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (TDPRS), in whole or in part (not to exceed Level II foster care payment), and being cared for in a family foster home licensed or certified and supervised by:]

[(A) TDPRS; or]

[(B) a licensed public or private nonprofit child placing agency;]

(4) is currently receiving Medicaid for Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care (Transitional Medicaid) because he or she formerly received foster care through TDFPS [ TDPRS ] and was under the financial responsibility of TDFPS [ TDPRS ]; or

(5) (No change.)

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.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 14, 2004.

TRD-200403279

Rodolfo Arredondo

Chairman, Texas MHMR Board

Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 27, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 206-4516