The following legislative and state agency health care hearings have been scheduled between December 24 and January 16.
1/5/2015
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
January 5, 2015 – 09:00 AM
Brown-Heatly Building , Public Hearing Room , 4900 North Lamar Blvd., Austin
Proposed new rules concerning Community First Choice. Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will conduct a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed new rules §§354.1360 – 354.1366 under Part 15, Chapter 354, Subchapter A, Community First Choice. The proposed new rules were published in the December 5, 2014, issue of the Texas Register. See 39 Tex. Reg. 9444 December 5, 2014. Written Comments. Written comments on the proposed amendments to the rule may be submitted to Jennie Costilow, Senior Policy Advisor, Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program Division, HHSC, at 4900 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, Texas 78751 or by email to jennie.costilow@hhsc.state.tx.us within 30 days of publication of the proposed new rule in the Texas Register.
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
January 5, 2015 – 10:00 AM
Brown-Heatly Building , Public Hearing Room , 4900 North Lamar Blvd., Austin
Proposed new rule concerning Reimbursement Methodology for Community First Choice. Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will conduct a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed new rule §355.9090 under Chapter 355, Subchapter M, Division 7 Community First Choice. The proposed new rule was published in the December 5, 2014, issue of the Texas Register. See 39 Tex. Reg. 9447, December 5, 2014. Written Comments. Written comments on the proposed amendments to the rule may be submitted to Jennie Costilow, Senior Policy Advisor, Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program Division, HHSC, at 4900 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, Texas 78751 or by email to jennie.costilow@hhsc.state.tx.us within 30 days of publication of the proposed new rule in the Texas Register.
Texas Board of Nursing
January 5, 2015 – 10:00 AM
333 Guadalupe Street, Room 102, Austin
Agenda for Eligibility & Disciplinary Advisory Committee Meeting 1.1 Call to Order. 1.2 Review and Approval of the Agenda. 1.3 Review and Approval of the Meeting Minutes of August 1, 2014. 1.4 Review of the Board.s April, 2012, Charge to Committee. 1.5 Update on recent rule changes to Board Rules 213.32, 213.34, and 213.35 1.6 Review of the changes recommended to Board policies and rules by the Committee at the October 11, 2013, and August 1, 2014 meetings. 1.7 Review and discussion of proposed amendments to the Board.s Eligibility and Disciplinary Sanction Policies based upon the Committee.s recommendations. 1.8 Review and discussion of proposed amendments to Board Rules 213.27 and 213.29 based 1.9 Items for Future Agenda. 1.10 Set Future Meeting Date. 1.11 Adjournment. The Committee will break for lunch at the discretion of the Committee Chair. Additional Information Contact: Rene McDonald, 512/305-6878
1/6/2015
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
January 6, 20150 – 9:00 AM
1401 E. Eighth St. (Knapp Medical Center), Weslaco
Texas Medicaid Managed Care Initiatives Provider Trainings HHSC staff and Medicaid managed care organization representatives will conduct provider training sessions to offer information on and respond to questions about three Medicaid managed care initiatives that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will implement March 1, 2015: Community First Choice; Texas Dual Eligibles Integrated Care Demonstration Project (Dual Demonstration); and the inclusion of nursing facility services in STAR+PLUS managed care program. Community First Choice will be implemented in the STAR+PLUS and STAR Health programs, and the Dual Demonstration and nursing facility project will impact the STAR+PLUS program. These provider trainings will be held across the state to educate providers that currently serve or that will begin serving individuals in STAR+PLUS or STAR Health about what changes to expect. This training session will be divided into three portions: The Community First Choice session will be directed towards providers of Community First Choice services. The Dual Demonstration session will be directed towards providers of Medicare and Medicaid services. The nursing facility session will be directed towards nursing facilities and providers who service nursing facility residents. You can learn more about these Medicaid managed care initiatives by visiting the following websites: Community First Choice – http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/medicaid/ managed-care/community-first- choice/ Dual Demonstration – http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/medicaid/ managed-care/dual-eligible/ Nursing Facility Project – http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/medicaid/ managed-care/mmc/starplus-adding -nursing.shtml 1. Community First Choice 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. 2. Dual Demonstration 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 3. Nursing Facility Project 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Additional Information Contact: Heather Kuhlman, 512/730-7437
Department of State Health Services
January 6, 2015 – 10:00 AM
Brown-Heatly Building, Room 1410/1420, 4900 N Lamar Blvd., Austin
Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) and Preventable Adverse Events (PAE) Advisory Panel The Panel will meet to discuss and possibly act on the following agenda: 1. Welcome and introductions 2. Announcements 3. Review of August 29, 2014 meeting minutes 4. HAI/PAE program a. Staffing update b. HAI/PAE rule changes/amendments c. PAE reporting status update d. HAI reporting data summary e. Facility HAI data audit report f. Status report on Multidrug resistant acinetobacter(MDR-A) and Carbapenem resistant enerococcus (CRE) reporting g. Status report on Clostridium difficle exceptional item activities 5. Update on Website activities 6. Report on recent training/educational activities 7. Review of items from the last meeting 8. Agenda items for next meeting 9. Adjournment. Additional Information Contact: 512/776-6355
1/7/2015
Department of State Health Services
January 7, 2015 – 10:00 AM
Capital Area Trauma Regional Advisory Council's Office, 4100 Ed Bluestein Blvd., Suite 200, Austin
Air Medical Committee of the Governor's EMS and Trauma Advisory Council (GETAC).The Committee will meet to discuss and possibly act on the following agenda: Call to Order/Roll Call 1. Review and make recommendations for the revision of GETAC's 2002 document, entitled: "A Strategic Plan for the Texas EMS/Trauma System." Agenda: General Public Comment (Comment time may be limited at Chair's discretion) Summary of this meeting for the February 2015 quarterly GETAC meeting Announcements Review and list agenda items for next meeting Next Meeting Date Adjournment. Additional Information Contact: Phil Lockwood, 512/834-6700 X 2032
1/8/2015
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
January 8, 2015 – 10:00 AM
701 West 51st St., DADS, Winters Bldg, Public Hearing Rm, Austin
Medicaid Health Information Exchange Advisory Committee. The Council meeting can be viewed live and on demand via streaming internet. The link to register for the council meeting is: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/547152506. After completing the online registration form, you will receive an email with instructions for how to access the conference call and download the presentation materials that will be used during the forum. 1. Welcome and Introductions 2. Committee Minutes (vote required)* 3. State and Federal Developments* 4. Statewide Health Information Exchange Activities* 5. Texas Health and Human Services Enterprise Health Services Gateway Cost Estimate* 6. Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program and Meaningful Use* 7. Healthcare Access San Antonio (HASA)* 8. Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services State Balancing Incentive Program State Supported Living Centers Electronic Health Records and Electronic Life Records Project* 9. Medicaid Electronic Health Information Exchange System Preliminary Provider Pilot Results* 10. Public Comment 11. Adjourn. Information Contact: David Fulton, 512/462-6233
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
January 8, 2015 – 10:00 AM
1937 E. Bustamante St. (UTSA Health Science Center, D.D. Hachar Building, Room 2.400 Auditorium), Laredo
Texas Medicaid Managed Care Initiatives Provider Training – Laredo HHSC staff and Medicaid managed care organization representatives will conduct provider training sessions to offer information on and respond to questions about two Medicaid managed care initiatives that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will implement March 1, 2015: Community First Choice and the inclusion of nursing facility services in STAR+PLUS managed care. Community First Choice will be implemented in the STAR+PLUS and STAR Health programs, and the nursing facility project will impact the STAR+PLUS program. These provider trainings will be held across the state to educate providers who currently serve or will begin serving individuals in STAR+PLUS or STAR Health about what changes to expect. This training session will be divided into two portions: The morning session will be directed towards providers of Community First Choice services. The afternoon session will be directed towards nursing facilities and providers who service nursing facility residents. You can learn more about these Medicaid managed care initiatives by visiting the following websites: Community First Choice – http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/medicaid/ managed-care/community-first- choice/ Nursing Facility Project – http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/medicaid/ managed-care/mmc/starplus- adding-nursing.shtml 1. Community First Choice 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 2. Nursing Facility Project 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Additional Information Contact: Heather Kuhlman, 512/730-7437
1/9/2015
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
January 9, 2015 – 10:00 AM
4900 N. Lamar Blvd. (HHSC, Brown-Heatly Bldg., Room 4530), Austin
Interagency Coordinating Council for HIV and Hepatitis 1. Welcome and introductions. 2. Update on Medicaid coverage of new hepatitis C treatments – Josh Dominguez, Health and Human Services Commission, Vendor Drug Program. 3. Update on Health and Human Services agencies' Sunset review. 4. Discussion on members. current agency initiatives related to HIV and hepatitis. 5. Discussion on the 2015 Interagency Coordinating Council for HIV and Hepatitis Report. 6. Discussion and identification of future agenda items and potential dates for future meetings. 7. Public comment. 8. Adjourn. Additional Information Contact: Clare Seagraves, 512/424-6967
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
January 9, 2015 – 12:30 PM
4900 N. Lamar Blvd. (HHSC, Brown-Heatly Bldg., Room 1410, Austin
Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Council. 1. Call to order and determination of quorum. 2. Welcome and introductions. 3. Approval of October 10, 2014 and December 9, 2014 Minutes (vote required *). 4. Report by the Chair. 5. Member activity reports and announcements. 6. Report by the Office of Acquired Brain Injury. 7. Discuss 2015 Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Council Action Plan. 8. Committee Reports and Assignments: a. Membership Committee: New member solicitation and nominations (vote required*). b. Education and Resources Committee c. Legislative Committee d. Pediatric and Young Adult Outcomes Committee 9. Acceptance of Committee Reports (vote required *). 10. General Public Comment. 11. Adjourn. *Public comment will be taken on this agenda item. Contact: Princess Katana, Manager, Office of Acquired Brain Injury, Health and Human Services Commission, 512-706-7191, Princess.Katana@hhsc.state.tx.us.
1/12/2015
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
January 12, 2015 – 9:00 AM
249 W. Thornhill Dr. (Catholic Charities), Fort Worth
Texas Medicaid Managed Care Initiatives Provider Training The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) staff and Medicaid managed care organization representatives will conduct provider training sessions to offer information on and respond to questions about three Medicaid managed care initiatives that the HHSC will implement March 1, 2015: Community First Choice; Texas Dual Eligibles Integrated Care Demonstration Project (Dual Demonstration); and the inclusion of nursing facility services in STAR+PLUS managed care program. Community First Choice will be implemented in the STAR+PLUS and STAR Health programs, and the Dual Demonstration and nursing facility project will impact the STAR+PLUS program. These provider trainings will be held across the state to educate providers that currently serve or that will begin serving individuals in STAR+PLUS or STAR Health about what changes to expect. This training session will be divided into three portions: The Community First Choice session will be directed towards providers of Community First Choice services. The Dual Demonstration session will be directed towards providers of Medicare and Medicaid services. The nursing facility session will be directed towards nursing facilities and providers who service nursing facility residents. You can learn more about these Medicaid managed care initiatives by visiting the following websites: Community First Choice – http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/medicaid/managed-care/community- first-choice/ Dual Demonstration – http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/ medicaid/managed-care/dual-eligible/ Nursing Facility Project – http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/medicaid/ managed-care/mmc/starplus-adding- nursing.shtml 1. Community First Choice 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. 2. Dual Demonstration 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 3. Nursing Facility Project 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Additional Information Contact: Heather Kuhlman, 512/730-7437
1/13/2015
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
January 13, 2015 – 09:00 AM
1515 Young St. (Dallas Public Library), Dallas
Texas Medicaid Managed Care Initiatives Provider Training – Dallas The Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) staff and Medicaid managed care organization representatives will conduct provider training sessions to offer information on and respond to questions about three Medicaid managed care initiatives that HHSC will implement March 1, 2015: Community First Choice; Texas Dual Eligibles Integrated Care Demonstration Project (Dual Demonstration); and the inclusion of nursing facility services in STAR+PLUS managed care program. Community First Choice will be implemented in the STAR+PLUS and STAR Health programs, and the Dual Demonstration and nursing facility project will impact the STAR+ PLUS program. These provider trainings will be held across the state to educate providers that currently serve or that will begin serving individuals in STAR+PLUS or STAR Health about what changes to expect. This training session will be divided into three portions: The Community First Choice session will be directed towards providers of Community First Choice services. The Dual Demonstration session will be directed towards providers of Medicare and Medicaid services. The nursing facility session will be directed towards nursing facilities and providers who service nursing facility residents. You can learn more about these Medicaid managed care initiatives by visiting the following websites: Community First Choice – http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/medicaid/managed-care/community- first-choice/ Dual Demonstration – http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/ medicaid/managed-care/dual-eligible/ Nursing Facility Project – http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/medicaid/ managed-care/mmc/starplus-adding- nursing.shtml 1. Community First Choice 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. 2. Dual Demonstration 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 3. Nursing Facility Project 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Additional Information Contact: Heather Kuhlman, 512/730-7437
1/15/2015
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
January 15, 2015 – 12:30 PM
909 W. 45th St. (HHSC, Building II), Public Hearing Room 164, Austin
Employment First Task Force. 1. Call to Order 2. Welcome & Introductions 3. Review of October 21, 2014 Meeting Summary 4. Public Comment 5. Agency Updates Concerning Employment First Task Force Recommendations 6. Updates a. Home and Community Based Services Rule Review Update b. State Policy Updates c. Other Updates 7. Outreach and Training Activities 8. Future Task Force Meetings a. Meeting Protocols b. Task Force Workgroups c. Next Meeting 9. Announcements 10. Adjourn Contact: Marc Mullins, Employment Initiatives, Department of Aging and Disability Services, 512-438-3641, Marc.Mullins@dads.state.tx.us.
1/16/2015
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
January 16, 2015 – 10:00 AM
3925 W. Braker Ln. (JJ Pickle Center, West Pickle Research Building), Austin
Texas Medicaid Managed Care Initiatives Provider Training The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) staff and Medicaid managed care organization representatives will conduct provider training sessions to offer information on and respond to questions about two Medicaid managed care initiatives that HHSC will implement March 1, 2015: Community First Choice and the inclusion of nursing facility services in STAR+PLUS managed care. Community First Choice will be implemented in the STAR+PLUS and STAR Health programs, and the nursing facility project will impact the STAR+PLUS program. These provider trainings will be held across the state to educate providers who currently serve or will begin serving individuals in STAR+PLUS or STAR Health about what changes to expect. This training session will be divided into two portions: The morning session will be directed towards providers of Community First Choice services. The afternoon session will be directed towards nursing facilities and providers who service nursing facility residents. You can learn more about these Medicaid managed care initiatives by visiting the following websites: Community First Choice – http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/medicaid/managed-care/community- first-choice/ Nursing Facility Project – http://www.hhsc.state. tx.us/medicaid/managed-care/mmc/starplus-adding- nursing.shtml 1. Community First Choice 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 2. Nursing Facility Project 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Additional Information Contact: Heather Kuhlman, 512/730-7437
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