TITLE: Relating to the participation of speech-language pathologists as providers under the Medicaid program.

SUMMARY: Relating to the participation of speech-language pathologists as providers under the Medicaid program.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the participation of speech-language pathologists as providers under the Medicaid program. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 32.027, Human Resources Code, is amended by adding Subsection (n) to read as follows: (n) The commission shall assure that a recipient of medical assistance under this chapter may select a licensed speech-language pathologist, as defined by Section 401.001, Occupations Code, to perform any health care service covered under the medical assistance program if the pathologist is authorized by law to perform the service. SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code, is amended by adding Section 32.081 to read as follows: Sec. 32.081. PRIVATE PRACTICE SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS AS MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDERS. (a) The commission shall ensure that licensed speech-language pathologists, as defined by Section 401.001, Occupations Code, in private practice may: (1) enroll under the medical assistance program as independent practice providers or as a group practice provider composed of multiple speech-language pathologists, provided that each speech-language pathologist in the group practice is individually enrolled as a medical assistance provider; and (2) once enrolled as a medical assistance provider, serve all medical assistance recipients without being limited to participation in the Texas Health Steps Comprehensive Care Program. (b) This section does not authorize a provider to provide speech-language pathology services to recipients as home health services without an appropriate license under Section 142.002, Health and Safety Code. SECTION 3. If before implementing any provision of this Act a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the waiver or authorization is granted. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.