Subscribe to receive our Floor Reports covering all the action on the Texas House and Senate floor!
The bill would amend
Chapter 531 of the Government Code and Chapter 32 of the Human Resources Code.
The bill would require the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to
develop and the executive commissioner to adopt rules for peer specialists that
establish training, certification, and supervision requirements, define the scope
of services, and protect the health and safety of persons receiving peer
services.
The bill would add peer support services provided by certified mental health and substance abuse peer specialists to the covered services in the Medicaid program. The bill would require HHSC to establish a separate provider type for peer specialists to allow for enrollment and reimbursement as Medicaid providers.
The bill would direct HHSC to request any federal
waiver or authorization necessary to implement the provisions of the bill and
authorizes the agencies to delay implementation of any provision until such
waiver or authorization is granted.
While we recognize the need to address the mental health workforce shortage in Texas, allowing peer support services to be covered under the Medicaid program would increase health care costs. We remain neutral on HB 1541.
Read Bill & Check Bill Status