Bill: SB 1140, 86(R) - 2019

Committee

Senate Health & Human Services

2nd Chamber Committee

House Human Services

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral

Author(s)

Kirk Watson

Co-Author(s)

Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa
Royce West

Sponsor(s)

James Frank

Bill Caption

Relating to an independent medical review of certain determinations by the Health and Human Services Commission or a Medicaid managed care organization.

Fiscal Notes

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB 1140, As Engrossed: a negative impact of ($1,384,518) through the biennium ending August 31, 2021.

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill. 

Bill Analysis

SB 1140 would require the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), using money appropriated for the purpose, to contract with at least three independent, third party arbiters to resolve appeals of HHSC or managed care organization (MCO) adverse benefit determinations, or reduction in or denial of health care services on the basis of medical necessity. Also, a third party arbiter must maintain a website through which a recipient may track the status and final disposition of an appeal.

This appeal of a Medicaid MCO adverse benefit determination would occur after the Medicaid MCO internal appeal decision and before the Medicaid fair hearing, and the appeal would be granted when a recipient contests the internal appeal decision. Any other appeal would occur after HHSC's denial is issued or action is taken, and before the Medicaid fair hearing.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action remains neutral on SB 1140 because it does not affect our liberty principles. This bill would merely add an independent arbitration process to the current appeals process to determine whether a procedure is medically necessary, similar to the appeals process for commercial insurance.


Source URL (retrieved on 03/28/2024 07:03 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/86r/sb1140?print_view=true