Document:

Medicaid Contract with Texas Health & Human Services Commission

 Exhibit 10.23 
  

 Contractual Document (CD)

 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

					
	Subject: Attachment A – HHSC Uniform Managed Care Contract Terms & Conditions	  	Version 1.6	  	

  

 

 
 Texas Health & Human Services Commission 
 Uniform Managed Care Contract Terms & Conditions 
 Version 1.6 

 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

					
	Subject: Attachment A – HHSC Uniform Managed Care Contract Terms & Conditions	  	Version 1.6	  	

  

 TABLE OF CONTENTS 
  

					
	 Article 1. Introduction
	  	2
			
	 Section 1.01
	 	Purpose	  	2
	 Section 1.02
	 	Risk-based contract.	  	2
	 Section 1.03
	 	Inducements	  	2
	 Section 1.04
	 	Construction of the Contract.	  	2
	 Section 1.05
	 	No implied authority.	  	3
	 Section 1.06
	 	Legal Authority.	  	3
		
	 Article 2. Definitions
	  	3
		
	 Article 3. General Terms & Conditions
	  	15
			
	 Section 3.01
	 	Contract elements	  	15
	 Section 3.02
	 	Term of the Contract.	  	15
	 Section 3.03
	 	Funding.	  	15
	 Section 3.04
	 	Delegation of authority.	  	15
	 Section 3.05
	 	No waiver of sovereign immunity.	  	15
	 Section 3.06
	 	Force majeure	  	15
	 Section 3.07
	 	Publicity	  	15
	 Section 3.08
	 	Assignment.	  	16
	 Section 3.09
	 	Cooperation with other vendors and prospective vendors.	  	16
	 Section 3.10
	 	Renegotiation and reprocurement rights.	  	16
	 Section 3.11
	 	RFP errors and omissions	  	16
	 Section 3.12
	 	Attorneys’ fees.	  	16
	 Section 3.13
	 	Preferences under service contracts	  	16
	 Section 3.14
	 	Time of the essence	  	16
	 Section 3.15
	 	Notice	  	17
		
	 Article 4. Contract Administration & Management
	  	17
			
	 Section 4.01
	 	Qualifications, retention and replacement of HMO employees.	  	17
	 Section 4.02
	 	HMO’s Key Personnel	  	17
	 Section 4.03
	 	Executive Director	  	17
	 Section 4.04
	 	Medical Director.	  	18
	 Section 4.04.1
	 	STAR+PLUS Service Coordinator	  	18
	 Section 4.05
	 	Responsibility for HMO personnel and Subcontractors	  	18
	 Section 4.06
	 	Cooperation with HHSC and state administrative agencies.	  	19
	 Section 4.07
	 	Conduct of HMO personnel	  	19
	 Section 4.08
	 	Subcontractors	  	20
	 Section 4.09
	 	HHSC’s ability to contract with Subcontractors.	  	21
	 Section 4.10
	 	HMO Agreements with Third Parties	  	21
		
	 Article 5. Member Eligibility & Enrollment
	  	21
			
	 Section 5.01
	 	Eligibility Determination	  	21
	 Section 5.02
	 	Member Enrollment & Disenrollment	  	21
	 Section 5.03
	 	STAR enrollment for pregnant women and infants	  	22
	 Section 5.04
	 	CHIP eligibility and enrollment.	  	22
	 Section 5.05
	 	Span of Coverage	  	23
	 Section 5.06
	 	Verification of Member Eligibility.	  	23
	 Section 5.07
	 	Special Temporary STAR Default Process	  	23
	 Section 5.08
	 	Special Temporary STAR+PLUS Default Process	  	23
		
	 Article 6. Service Levels & Performance Measurement
	  	24
			
	 Section 6.01
	 	Performance measurement	  	24
		
	 Article 7. Governing Law & Regulations
	  	24
			
	 Section 7.01
	 	Governing law and venue.	  	24
	 Section 7.02
	 	HMO responsibility for compliance with laws and regulations	  	24

 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

					
	Subject: Attachment A – HHSC Uniform Managed Care Contract Terms & Conditions	  	Version 1.6	  	

  

					
	 Section 7.03
	 	TDI licensure/ANHC certification and solvency	  	25
	 Section 7.04
	 	Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.	  	25
	 Section 7.05
	 	Compliance with state and federal anti-discrimination laws.	  	25
	 Section 7.06
	 	Environmental protection laws.	  	25
	 Section 7.07
	 	HIPAA.	  	26
		
	 Article 8. Amendments & Modifications
	  	26
			
	 Section 8.01
	 	Mutual agreement.	  	26
	 Section 8.02
	 	Changes in law or contract	  	26
	 Section 8.03
	 	Modifications as a remedy.	  	26
	 Section 8.04
	 	Modifications upon renewal or extension of Contract	  	26
	 Section 8.05
	 	Modification of HHSC Uniform Managed Care Manual.	  	26
	 Section 8.06
	 	CMS approval of Medicaid amendments	  	26
	 Section 8.07
	 	Required compliance with amendment and modification procedures.	  	26
		
	 Article 9. Audit & Financial Compliance
	  	27
			
	 Section 9.01
	 	Financial record retention and audit	  	27
	 Section 9.02
	 	Access to records, books, and documents	  	27
	 Section 9.03
	 	Audits of Services, Deliverables and inspections	  	27
	 Section 9.04
	 	SAO Audit	  	28
	 Section 9.05
	 	Response/compliance with audit or inspection findings.	  	28
		
	 Article 10. Terms & Conditions of Payment
	  	28
			
	 Section 10.01
	 	Calculation of monthly Capitation Payment	  	28
	 Section 10.02
	 	Time and Manner of Payment	  	28
	 Section 10.03
	 	Certification of Capitation Rates	  	29
	 Section 10.04
	 	Modification of Capitation Rates	  	29
	 Section 10.05
	 	STAR Capitation Structure	  	29
	 Section 10.05.1
	 	STAR+PLUS Capitation Structure.	  	30
	 Section 10.06
	 	CHIP Capitation Rates Structure	  	30
	 Section 10.07
	 	HMO input during rate setting process	  	30
	 Section 10.08
	 	Adjustments to Capitation Payments.	  	31
	 Section 10.09
	 	Delivery Supplemental Payment for CHIP, CHIP Perinatal and STAR HMOs.	  	31
	 Section 10.10
	 	Administrative Fee for SSI Members	  	31
	 Section 10.11
	 	STAR, CHIP, and CHIP Perinatal Experience Rebate	  	32
	 Section 10.11.1
	 	STAR+PLUS Experience Rebate	  	33
	 Section 10.12
	 	Payment by Members.	  	34
	 Section 10.13
	 	Restriction on assignment of fees.	  	35
	 Section 10.14
	 	Liability for taxes.	  	35
	 Section 10.15
	 	Liability for employment-related charges and benefits.	  	35
	 Section 10.16
	 	No additional consideration	  	35
	 Section 10.17
	 	Federal Disallowance	  	35
		
	 Article 11. Disclosure & Confidentiality of Information
	  	35
			
	 Section 11.01
	 	Confidentiality	  	35
	 Section 11.02
	 	Disclosure of HHSC’s Confidential Information	  	36
	 Section 11.03
	 	Member Records	  	36
	 Section 11.04
	 	Requests for public information	  	36
	 Section 11.05
	 	Privileged Work Product	  	36
	 Section 11.06
	 	Unauthorized acts.	  	37
	 Section 11.07
	 	Legal action	  	37
		
	 Article 12. Remedies & Disputes
	  	37
			
	 Section 12.01
	 	Understanding and expectations	  	37
	 Section 12.02
	 	Tailored remedies.	  	37
	 Section 12.03
	 	Termination by HHSC.	  	39
	 Section 12.04
	 	Termination by HMO.	  	41
	 Section 12.05
	 	Termination by mutual agreement	  	41

 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

					
	Subject: Attachment A – HHSC Uniform Managed Care Contract Terms & Conditions	  	Version 1.6	  	

  

					
	 Section 12.06
	 	Effective date of termination	  	41
	 Section 12.07
	 	Extension of termination effective date.	  	41
	 Section 12.08
	 	Payment and other provisions at Contract termination	  	42
	 Section 12.09
	 	Modification of Contract in the event of remedies.	  	42
	 Section 12.10
	 	Turnover assistance	  	42
	 Section 12.11
	 	Rights upon termination or expiration of Contract.	  	42
	 Section 12.12
	 	HMO responsibility for associated costs.	  	42
	 Section 12.13
	 	Dispute resolution.	  	42
	 Section 12.14
	 	Liability of HMO	  	43
		
	 Article 13. Assurances & Certifications
	  	43
			
	 Section 13.01
	 	Proposal certifications.	  	43
	 Section 13.02
	 	Conflicts of interest	  	43
	 Section 13.03
	 	Organizational conflicts of interest.	  	43
	 Section 13.04
	 	HHSC personnel recruitment prohibition	  	44
	 Section 13.05
	 	Anti-kickback provision	  	44
	 Section 13.06
	 	Debt or back taxes owed to State of Texas	  	44
	 Section 13.07
	 	Certification regarding status of license, certificate, or permit.	  	44
	 Section 13.08
	 	Outstanding debts and judgments	  	44
		
	 Article 14. Representations & Warranties
	  	44
			
	 Section 14.01
	 	Authorization.	  	44
	 Section 14.02
	 	Ability to perform.	  	44
	 Section 14.03
	 	Minimum Net Worth.	  	45
	 Section 14.04
	 	Insurer solvency.	  	45
	 Section 14.05
	 	Workmanship and performance.	  	45
	 Section 14.06
	 	Warranty of deliverables.	  	45
	 Section 14.07
	 	Compliance with Contract.	  	45
	 Section 14.08
	 	Technology Access	  	45
		
	 Article 15. Intellectual Property
	  	46
			
	 Section 15.01
	 	Infringement and misappropriation	  	46
	 Section 15.02
	 	Exceptions	  	46
	 Section 15.03
	 	Ownership and Licenses	  	46
		
	 Article 16. Liability
	  	47
			
	 Section 16.01
	 	Property damage	  	47
	 Section 16.02
	 	Risk of Loss	  	47
	 Section 16.03
	 	Limitation of HHSC’s Liability.	  	47
		
	 Article 17. Insurance & Bonding
	  	48
			
	 Section 17.01
	 	Insurance Coverage	  	48
	 Section 17.02
	 	Performance Bond.	  	49
	 Section 17.03
	 	TDI Fidelity Bond	  	49

  

 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

					
	Subject: Attachment A – HHSC Uniform Managed Care Contract Terms & Conditions	  	Version 1.6	  	

  

 Article 1. Introduction 
 Section 1.01 Purpose. 
 The purpose of this Contract is to set
forth the terms and conditions for the HMO’s participation as a managed care organization in one or more of the HMO Programs administered by HHSC. Under the terms of this Contract, HMO will provide comprehensive health care services to
qualified Program recipients through a managed care delivery system. 
 Section 1.02 Risk-based contract.

 This is a Risk-based contract. 
 Section 1.03 Inducements. 
 In making the award of this Contract, HHSC relied on HMO’s
assurances of the following: 
 (1) HMO is an established health maintenance organization that arranges for the delivery
of health care services, is currently licensed as such in the State of Texas and is fully authorized to conduct business in the Service Areas; 
 (2) HMO and the HMO Administrative Service Subcontractors have the skills, qualifications, expertise, financial resources and experience necessary to provide the Services and Deliverables described in the RFP,
HMO’s Proposal, and this Contract in an efficient, cost-effective manner, with a high degree of quality and responsiveness, and has performed similar services for other public or private entities; 
 (3) HMO has thoroughly reviewed, analyzed, and understood the RFP, has timely raised all questions or objections to the RFP, and has
had the opportunity to review and fully understand HHSC’s current program and operating environment for the activities that are the subject of the Contract and the needs and requirements of the State during the Contract term; 
 (4) HMO has had the opportunity to review and understand the State’s stated objectives in entering into this Contract and, based
on such review and understanding, HMO currently has the capability to perform in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Contract; 
 (5) HMO also has reviewed and understands the risks associated with the HMO Programs as described in the RFP, including the risk of non-appropriation of funds. 
 Accordingly, on the basis of the terms and conditions of this Contract, HHSC desires to engage HMO to perform the Services and provide the Deliverables
described in this Contract under the terms and conditions set forth in this Contract. 
 Section 1.04 Construction of the
Contract. 
 (a) Scope of Introductory Article. 
 The provisions of any introductory article to the Contract are intended to be a general introduction and are not intended to expand the scope of the Parties’ obligations under the Contract or to alter the plain
meaning of the terms and conditions of the Contract. 
 (b) References to the “State.” 
 References in the Contract to the “State” shall mean the State of Texas unless otherwise specifically indicated and shall be interpreted, as
appropriate, to mean or include HHSC and other agencies of the State of Texas that may participate in the administration of the HMO Programs, provided, however, that no provision will be interpreted to include any entity other than HHSC as the
contracting agency. 
 (c) Severability. 
 If any
provision of this Contract is construed to be illegal or invalid, such interpretation will not affect the legality or validity of any of its other provisions. The illegal or invalid provision will be deemed stricken and deleted to the same extent
and effect as if never incorporated in this Contract, but all other provisions will remain in full force and effect. 
 (d) Survival of terms. 
 Termination or expiration of this Contract for any reason will not release either Party from any liabilities or obligations set forth in this Contract
that: 
 (1) The Parties have expressly agreed shall survive any such termination or expiration; or 
 (2) Arose prior to the effective date of termination and remain to be performed or by their nature would be intended to be applicable
following any such termination or expiration. 
 (e) Headings. 
 The article, section and paragraph headings in this Contract are for reference and convenience only and may not be considered in the interpretation of this Contract. 
 (f) Global drafting conventions. 
 (1) The terms
“include,” “includes,” and “including” are terms of inclusion, and where used in this Contract, are deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” 
 (2) Any references to “sections,” “appendices,” “exhibits” or “attachments” are deemed to be references to
sections, appendices, exhibits or attachments to this Contract. 
 (3) Any references to laws, rules, regulations, and manuals in this
Contract are deemed references to these documents as amended, modified, or supplemented from time to time during the term of this Contract. 
  

 Page 2 of 49 

 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

					
	Subject: Attachment A – HHSC Uniform Managed Care Contract Terms & Conditions	  	Version 1.6	  	

  

 Section 1.05 No implied authority. 
 The authority delegated to HMO by HHSC is limited to the terms of this Contract. HHSC is the state agency designated by the Texas Legislature to
administer the HMO Programs, and no other agency of the State grants HMO any authority related to this program unless directed through HHSC. HMO may not rely upon implied authority, and specifically is not delegated authority under this Contract to:

 (1) make public policy; 
 (2) promulgate, amend or disregard administrative regulations or program policy decisions made by State and federal agencies responsible for administration of HHSC Programs; or 
 (3) unilaterally communicate or negotiate with any federal or state agency or the Texas Legislature on behalf of HHSC regarding the HHSC Programs.

 HMO is required to cooperate to the fullest extent possible to assist HHSC in communications and negotiations with state and federal
governments and agencies concerning matters relating to the scope of the Contract and the HMO Program(s), as directed by HHSC. 
 Section 1.06
Legal Authority. 
 (a) HHSC is authorized to enter into this Contract under Chapters 531 and 533, Texas Government
Code; Section 2155.144, Texas Government Code; and/or Chapter 62, Texas Health & Safety Code. HMO is authorized to enter into this Contract pursuant to the authorization of its governing board or controlling owner or officer.

 (b) The person or persons signing and executing this Contract on behalf of the Parties, or representing themselves as signing and
executing this Contract on behalf of the Parties, warrant and guarantee that he, she, or they have been duly authorized to execute this Contract and to validly and legally bind the Parties to all of its terms, performances, and provisions.

 Article 2. Definitions 
 As used in this Contract, the following terms and conditions shall have the meanings assigned below: 
 [Definition added by Version 1.1] 

1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver means the HHSC waiver program that provides home and community based services to aged and disabled adults
as cost-effective alternatives to institutional care in nursing homes.  
 Abuse means provider practices that are
inconsistent with sound fiscal, business, or medical practices and result in an unnecessary cost to the Medicaid or CHIP Program, or in reimbursement for services that are not Medically Necessary or that fail to meet professionally recognized
standards for health care. It also includes Member practices that result in unnecessary cost to the Medicaid or CHIP Program. 
 Account Name means the name of the individual who lives with the child(ren) and who applies for the Children’s Health Insurance Program coverage on behalf of the child(ren). 
 Action (Medicaid only) means: 
 (1) the denial or limited authorization of a requested Medicaid service, including the type or level of service; 
 (2) the
reduction, suspension, or termination of a previously authorized service; 
 (3) the denial in whole or in part of payment for service;

 (4) the failure to provide services in a timely manner; 
 (5) the failure of an HMO to act within the timeframes set forth in the Contract and 42 C.F.R. §438.408(b); or 
 (6) for a resident of a rural area with only one HMO, the denial of a Medicaid Members’ request to obtain services outside of the Network. 
 An Adverse Determination is one type of Action.  
 Acute Care means preventive care, primary care, and other medical care provided under the direction of a physician for a condition having a relatively short duration. 
 Acute Care Hospital means a hospital that provides acute care services.  
 Adjudicate means to deny or pay a clean claim. 
 Administrative Services see HMO Administrative Services. 
 Administrative Services
Contractor see HHSC Administrative Services Contractor. 
 Adverse Determination means a determination by an HMO or
Utilization Review agent that the Health Care Services furnished, or proposed to be furnished to a patient, are not Medically Necessary or not appropriate. 
 Affiliate means any individual or entity owning or holding more than a five percent (5%) interest in the HMO or in which the HMO owns or holds more than a five percent (5%) interest; any parent
entity; or subsidiary entity of the HMO, regardless of the organizational structure of the entity. 
 Agreement or Contract
means this formal, written, and legally enforceable contract and amendments thereto between the Parties. 
 Allowable Expenses
means all expenses related to the Contract between HHSC and the HMO that are incurred during the Contract Period, are not reimbursable or recovered from another source, and that conform with the HHSC Uniform Managed Care Manual’s “Cost
Principles for Administrative Expenses.” 
  

 Page 3 of 49 

 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

					
	Subject: Attachment A – HHSC Uniform Managed Care Contract Terms & Conditions	  	Version 1.6	  	

  

 AAP means the American Academy of Pediatrics. 
 Approved Non-Profit Health Corporation (ANHC) means an organization formed in compliance with Chapter 844 of the Texas Insurance Code and
licensed by TDI. See also HMO. 
 Appeal (Medicaid only) means the formal process by which a Member or his or her
representative request a review of the HMO’s Action, as defined above.  
 [Definition amended by Version 1.3] 
 Appeal (CHIP and CHIP Perinatal Program only) means the formal process by which a Utilization Review agent addresses Adverse Determinations.

 Auxiliary Aids and Services includes: 
 (1) qualified interpreters or other effective methods of making aurally delivered materials understood by persons with hearing impairments; 
 (2) taped texts, large print, Braille, or other effective methods to ensure visually delivered materials are available to individuals with visual
impairments; and 
 (3) other effective methods to ensure that materials (delivered both aurally and visually) are available to those
with cognitive or other Disabilities affecting communication. 
 Behavioral Health Services means Covered Services for the
treatment of mental, emotional, or chemical dependency disorders. 
 Benchmark means a target or standard based on historical
data or an objective/goal. 
 Business Continuity Plan or BCP means a plan that provides for a quick and smooth restoration of
MIS operations after a disruptive event. BCP includes business impact analysis, BCP development, testing, awareness, training, and maintenance. This is a day-to-day plan. 
 Business Day means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or a state or federal holiday on which HHSC’s offices are closed, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
 CAHPS means the Consumer Assessment of Health Plans Survey. This survey is conducted annually by the EQRO. 
 Call Coverage means arrangements made by a facility or an attending physician with an appropriate level of health care provider who agrees
to be available on an as-needed basis to provide medically appropriate services for routine, high risk, or Emergency Medical Conditions or Emergency Behavioral Health Conditions that present without being scheduled at the facility or when the
attending physician is unavailable. 
 Capitation Rate means a fixed predetermined fee paid by HHSC to the HMO each month in
accordance with the Contract, for each enrolled Member in a defined Rate Cell, in exchange for the HMO arranging for or providing a defined set of Covered Services to such a Member, regardless of the amount of Covered Services used by the enrolled
Member. 
 Capitation Payment means the aggregate amount paid by HHSC to the HMO on a monthly basis for the provision of
Covered Services to enrolled Members in accordance with the Capitation Rates in the Contract. 
 Case Head means the head of
the household that is applying for Medicaid. 
 C.F.R. means the Code of Federal Regulations. 
 Chemical Dependency Treatment means treatment provided for a chemical dependency condition by a Chemical Dependency Treatment facility,
chemical dependency counselor or hospital. 
 Children’s Health Insurance Program or CHIP means the health
insurance program authorized and funded pursuant to Title XXI, Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 1397aa-1397jj) and administered by HHSC. 
 Child (or Children) with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) means a child (or children) who: 
 (1) ranges in age from birth up to age nineteen (19) years; 
 (2) has a serious ongoing illness, a
complex chronic condition, or a disability that\ has lasted or is anticipated to last at least twelve (12) continuous months or more; 
 (3) has an illness, condition or disability that results (or without treatment would be expected to result) in limitation of function, activities, or social roles in comparison with accepted pediatric age-related
milestones in the general areas of physical, cognitive, emotional, and/or social growth and/or development; 
 (4) requires regular, ongoing therapeutic intervention and evaluation by appropriately trained health care personnel; and 
 (5) has a need for health and/or health-related services at a level significantly above the usual for the child’s age. 
 CHIP HMO Program, or CHIP Program, means the State of Texas program in which HHSC contracts with HMOs to provide, arrange for, and coordinate Covered Services for enrolled CHIP Members. 
 CHIP HMOs means HMOs participating in the CHIP HMO Program. 
 [Definition added by Version 1.3] 
 CHIP Perinatal HMOs means HMOs participating in the CHIP
Perinatal Program. 
 [Definition added by Version 1.3] 
 CHIP Perinatal Program means the State of Texas program in which HHSC contracts with HMOs to provide, arrange for, and coordinate Covered Services for enrolled CHIP Perinate and CHIP Perinate Newborn
Members. Although the CHIP 

  

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 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

					
	Subject: Attachment A – HHSC Uniform Managed Care Contract Terms & Conditions	  	Version 1.6	  	

  

 
Perinatal Program is part of the CHIP Program, for Contract administration purposes it is identified independently in this Contract. An HMO must specifically
contract with HHSC as a CHIP Perinatal HMO in order to participate in this part of the CHIP Program. 
 [Definition added by Version 1.3] 
 CHIP Perinate means a CHIP Perinatal Program Member identified prior to birth. 
 [Definition added by Version 1.3] 
 CHIP Perinate
Newborn means a CHIP Perinate who has been born alive. 
 Chronic or Complex Condition means a physical, behavioral, or
developmental condition which may have no known cure and/or is progressive and/or can be debilitating or fatal if left untreated or under-treated. 
 Clean Claim means a claim submitted by a physician or provider for medical care or health care services rendered to an enrollee, with documentation reasonably necessary for the HMO to process the claim. The HMO may not require
a physician or provider to submit documentation that conflicts with the requirements of Texas Administrative Code, Title 28, Part 1, Chapter 21, Subchapters C and T. 
 CMS means the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, formerly known as the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), which is the federal agency responsible for administering Medicare and
overseeing state administration of Medicaid and CHIP. 
 COLA means the Cost of Living Adjustment. 
 [Definition added by Version 1.1] 
 Community-based
Long Term Care Services means services provided to STAR+PLUS Members in their home or other community based settings necessary to provide assistance with activities of daily living to allow the Member to remain in the most integrated setting
possible. Community-based Long-term Care includes services available to all STAR+PLUS Members as well as those services available only to STAR+PLUS Members who qualify under the 1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver services. 
 Community Resource Coordination Groups (CRCGs) means a statewide system of local interagency groups, including both public and private
providers, which coordinate services for “multi-need” children and youth. CRCGs develop individual service plans for children and adolescents whose needs can be met only through interagency cooperation. CRCGs address Complex Needs in a
model that promotes local decision-making and ensures that children receive the integrated combination of social, medical and other services needed to address their individual problems. 
 [Definition modified by Version 1.3] 
 Complainant means a Member or a treating provider or
other individual designated to act on behalf of the Member who filed the Complaint. 
 Complaint (CHIP and CHIP Perinatal
Programs only) means any dissatisfaction, expressed by a Complainant, orally or in writing to the HMO, with any aspect of the HMO’s operation, including, but not limited to, dissatisfaction with plan administration, procedures related to
review or Appeal of an Adverse Determination, as defined in Texas Insurance Code, Chapter 843, Subchapter G; the denial, reduction, or termination of a service for reasons not related to medical necessity; the way a service is provided; or
disenrollment decisions. The term does not include misinformation that is resolved promptly by supplying the appropriate information or clearing up the misunderstanding to the satisfaction of the CHIP Member. 
 Complaint (Medicaid only) means an expression of dissatisfaction expressed by a Complainant, orally or in writing to the HMO, about any
matter related to the HMO other than an Action. As provided by 42 C.F.R. §438.400, possible subjects for Complaints include, but are not limited to, the quality of care of services provided, and aspects of interpersonal relationships such as
rudeness of a provider or employee, or failure to respect the Medicaid Member’s rights. 
 Complex Need means a condition
or situation resulting in a need for coordination or access to services beyond what a PCP would normally provide, triggering the HMO’s determination that Care Coordination is required. 
 Comprehensive Care Program: See definition for Texas Health Steps. 
 Confidential Information means any communication or record (whether oral, written, electronically stored or transmitted, or in any other
form) consisting of: 
 (1) Confidential Client information, including HIPAA-defined protected health information;

 (2) All non-public budget, expense, payment and other financial information; 
 (3) All Privileged Work Product; 
 (4) All information designated by HHSC or any other State agency as confidential, and all information designated as confidential under the Texas Public Information Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 552;

 (5) The pricing, payments, and terms and conditions of the Contract, unless disclosed publicly by HHSC or the State;
and 
 (6) Information utilized, developed, received, or maintained by HHSC, the HMO, or participating State agencies for
the purpose of fulfilling a duty or obligation under this Contract and that has not been disclosed publicly. 
  

 Page 5 of 49 

 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

					
	Subject: Attachment A – HHSC Uniform Managed Care Contract Terms & Conditions	  	Version 1.6	  	

  

 Consumer-Directed Services means the Member of his legal guardian is the employer of
and retains control over the hiring, management, and termination of an individual providing personal assistance or respite. 
 Continuity of Care means care provided to a Member by the same PCP or specialty provider to ensure that the delivery of care to the Member remains stable, and services are consistent and unduplicated. 
 Contract or Agreement means this formal, written, and legally enforceable contract and amendments thereto between the
Parties. 
 Contract Period or Contract Term means the Initial Contract Period plus any and all Contract
extensions. 
 Contractor or HMO means the HMO that is a party to this Contract and is an insurer licensed by TDI
as an HMO or as an ANHC formed in compliance with Chapter 844 of the Texas Insurance Code. 
 Core Service Area (CSA) means the
core set Service Area counties defined by HHSC for the STAR and/or CHIP HMO Programs in which Eligibles will be required to enroll in an HMO. (See Attachment B-6 to the HHSC Managed Care Contract document for detailed information on the Service Area
counties.)  
 Copayment (CHIP only) means the amount that a Member is required to pay when utilizing certain benefits
within the health care plan. Once the copayment is made, further payment is not required by the Member. 
 Corrective Action
Plan means the detailed written plan that may be required by HHSC to correct or resolve a deficiency or event causing the assessment of a remedy or damage against HMO. 
 [Definition modified by Version 1.1] 
 Court-Ordered Commitment means a commitment of a STAR,
STAR+PLUS or CHIP Member to a psychiatric facility for treatment ordered by a court of law pursuant to the Texas Health and Safety Code, Title VII Subtitle C. 
 [Definition modified by Version 1.3] 
 Covered Services means Health Care Services the HMO must arrange to provide to
Members, including all services required by the Contract and state and federal law, and all Value-added Services negotiated by the Parties (see Attachments B-2, B-2.1, B-2.2 and B-3 of the HHSC Managed Care Contract relating to
“Covered Services” and “Value-added Services”). Covered Services include Behavioral Health Services. 
 Credentialing means the process of collecting, assessing, and validating qualifications and other relevant information pertaining to a health care provider to determine eligibility and to deliver Covered Services. 

Cultural Competency means the ability of individuals and systems to provide services effectively to people of various cultures, races,
ethnic backgrounds, and religions in a manner that recognizes, values, affirms, and respects the worth of the individuals and protects and preserves their dignity. 
 Date of Disenrollment means the last day of the last month for which HMO receives payment for a Member. 
 Day means a calendar day unless specified otherwise. 
 [Definition modified by Version 1.1 and
1.3] 
 Default Enrollment means the process established by HHSC to assign a mandatory STAR, STAR+PLUS, or CHIP Perinate
enrollee who has not selected an MCO to an MCO. 
 Deliverable means a written or recorded work product or data prepared,
developed, or procured by HMO as part of the Services under the Contract for the use or benefit of HHSC or the State of Texas. 
 [Definition
modified by Version 1.3] 
 Delivery Supplemental Payment means a onetime per pregnancy supplemental payment for STAR, CHIP and
CHIP Perinatal HMOs. 
 DADS means the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services or its successor agency (formerly
Department of Human Services). 
 DSHS means the Texas Department of State Health Services or its successor agency (formerly
Texas Department of Health and Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation). 
 Disease Management means a system
of coordinated healthcare interventions and communications for populations with conditions in which patient self-care efforts are significant. 
 Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) means a hospital that serves a higher than average number of Medicaid and other low-income patients and receives additional reimbursement from the State. 
 Disabled Person or Person with Disability means a person under sixty-five (65) years of age, including a child, who qualifies for
Medicaid services because of a disability.  
 Disability means a physical or mental impairment that substantially
limits one or more of an individual’s major life activities, such as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and/or working.  
 Disability-related Access means that facilities are readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities, and that auxiliary
aids and services are provided to ensure effective communication, in compliance with Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. 
 Disaster Recovery Plan means the document developed by the HMO that outlines details for the restoration of the MIS in the event of an emergency or disaster. 
  

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 DSM-IV means the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth
Edition, which is the American Psychiatric Association’s official classification of behavioral health disorders. 
 [Definition added by Version
1.1] 
 Dual Eligibles means Medicaid recipients who are also eligible for Medicare. 
 ECI means Early Childhood Intervention, a federally mandated program for infants and children under the age of three with or at risk for
developmental delays and/or disabilities. The federal ECI regulations are found at 34 §C.F.R. 303.1 et seq. The State ECI rules are found at 25 TAC §621.21 et seq. 
 EDI means electronic data interchange.  
 Effective Date means the effective date of this Contract, as specified in the HHSC Managed Care Contract document. 
 Effective Date of Coverage means the first day of the month for which the HMO has received payment for a Member. 
 [Definition modified by Versions 1.1 and 1.3] 
 Eligibles means individuals residing in one of the Service Areas and
eligible to enroll in a STAR, STAR+PLUS, CHIP, or CHIP Perinatal HMO, as applicable. 
 Emergency Behavioral Health Condition
means any condition, without regard to the nature or cause of the condition, which in the opinion of a prudent layperson possessing an average knowledge of health and medicine: 
 (1) requires immediate intervention and/or medical attention without which Members would present an immediate danger to themselves or
others, or 
 (2) which renders Members incapable of controlling, knowing or understanding the consequences of their
actions. 
 Emergency Services means covered inpatient and outpatient services furnished by a provider that is qualified to
furnish such services under the Contract and that are needed to evaluate or stabilize an Emergency Medical Condition and/or an Emergency Behavioral Health Condition, including Post-stabilization Care Services. 
 Emergency Medical Condition means a medical condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of recent onset and sufficient severity
(including severe pain), such that a prudent layperson, who possesses an average knowledge of health and medicine, could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical care could result in: 
 (1) placing the patient’s health in serious jeopardy; 
 (2) serious impairment to bodily functions; 
 (3) serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part; 
 (4) serious disfigurement; or

 (5) in the case of a pregnant women, serious jeopardy to the health of a woman or her unborn child. 
 Encounter means a Covered Service or group of Covered Services delivered by a Provider to a Member during a visit between the Member and
Provider. This also includes Value-added Services. 
 Encounter Data means data elements from Fee-for-Service claims or
capitated services proxy claims that are submitted to HHSC by the HMO in accordance with HHSC’s required format for Medicaid and CHIP HMOs. 
 Enrollment Report/Enrollment File means the daily or monthly list of Eligibles that are enrolled with an HMO as Members on the day or for the month the report is issued. 
 EPSDT means the federally mandated Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment program contained at 42 U.S.C. 1396d(r). The name
has been changed to Texas Health Steps (THSteps) in the State of Texas. 
 Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) means the
vendor contracted with HHSC to operate the CHIP EPO in Texas. 
 Expansion Area means a county or Service Area that has not
previously provided healthcare to HHSC’s HMO Program Members utilizing a managed care model. 
 Expansion Children means
children who are generally at least one, but under age 6, and live in a family whose income is at or below 133 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). Children in this coverage group have either elected to bypass TANF or are not eligible for
TANF in Texas. 
 [Definition modified by Versions 1.2 and 1.3] 
 Experience Rebate means the portion of the HMO’s net income before taxes that is returned to the State in accordance with Section 10.11 for the STAR, CHIP and CHIP Perinatal Programs and
10.11.1 for the STAR+PLUS Program (“Experience Rebate”).  
 Expedited Appeal means an appeal to the HMO in
which the decision is required quickly based on the Member’s health status, and the amount of time necessary to participate in a standard appeal could jeopardize the Member’s life or health or ability to attain, maintain, or regain maximum
function. 
 Expiration Date means the expiration date of this Contract, as specified in HHSC’s Managed Care Contract
document. 
 External Quality Review Organization (EQRO) means the entity that contracts with HHSC to provide external review
of access to and quality of healthcare provided to Members of HHSC’s HMO Programs. 
 Fair Hearing means the process
adopted and implemented by HHSC in 25 T.A.C. Chapter 1, in compliance with federal regulations and state rules relating to Medicaid Fair Hearings. 
  

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 Fee-for-Service means the traditional Medicaid Health Care Services payment system
under which providers receive a payment for each unit of service according to rules adopted pursuant to Chapter 32, Texas Human Resources Code. 
 Force Majeure Event means any failure or delay in performance of a duty by a Party under this Contract that is caused by fire, flood, hurricane, tornadoes, earthquake, an act of God, an act of war, riot, civil disorder, or any
similar event beyond the reasonable control of such Party and without the fault or negligence of such Party. 
 FQHC means a
Federally Qualified Health Center, certified by CMS to meet the requirements of §1861(aa)(3) of the Social Security Act as a federally qualified health center, that is enrolled as a provider in the Texas Medicaid program. 
 FPL means the Federal Poverty Level.  
 Fraud means an intentional deception or misrepresentation made by a person with the knowledge that the deception could result in some unauthorized benefit to himself or some other person. It includes any
act that constitutes fraud under applicable federal or state law. 
 FSR means Financial Statistical Report. 
 [Definition added by Version 1.1] 
 Functionally
Necessary Covered Services means Community-based Long Term Care services provided to assist STAR+PLUS Members with activities of daily living based on a functional assessment of the Member’s activities of daily living and a
determination of the amount of supplemental supports necessary for the STAR+PLUS Member to remain independent or in the most integrated setting possible. 
 Habilitative and Rehabilitative Services means Health Care Services described in Attachment B-2 that may be required by children who fail to reach (habilitative) or have lost (rehabilitative) age
appropriate developmental milestones. 
 Health Care Services means the Acute Care, Behavioral Health Care and health-related
services that an enrolled population might reasonably require in order to be maintained in good health. 
 Health and Human Services
Commission or HHSC means the administrative agency within the executive department of Texas state government established under Chapter 531, Texas Government Code, or its designee, including, but not limited to, the HHS
Agencies. 
 Health-related Materials are materials developed by the HMO or obtained from a third party relating to the
prevention, diagnosis or treatment of a medical condition. 
 HEDIS, the Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set,
is a registered trademark of NCQA. HEDIS is a set of standardized performance measures designed to reliably compare the performance of managed health care plans. HEDIS is sponsored, supported and maintained by NCQA. 
 HHS Agency means the Texas health and human service agencies subject to HHSC’s oversight under Chapter 531, Texas Government Code, and
their successor agencies. 
 [Definition modified by Versions 1.1 and 1.3] 
 HHSC Administrative Services Contractor (ASC) means an entity performing HMO administrative services functions, including member
enrollment functions, for STAR, STAR+PLUS, CHIP, or CHIP Perinatal HMO Programs under contract with HHSC. 
 [Definition modified by Versions
1.1 and 1.3] 
 HHSC HMO Programs or HMO Programs mean the STAR, STAR+PLUS, CHIP, and CHIP Perinatal HMO Programs. 

HHSC Uniform Managed Care Manual means the manual published by or on behalf of HHSC that contains policies and procedures required of
all HMOs participating in the HHSC Programs. 
 HIPAA means the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996,
P.L. 104-191 (August 21, 1996), as amended or modified. 
 HMO or Contractor means the HMO that is a party to
this Contract, and is either: 
 (1) an insurer licensed by TDI as a Health Maintenance Organization in accordance with
Chapter 843 of the Texas Insurance Code, or 
 (2) a certified Approved Non-Profit Health Corporation (ANHC) formed in
compliance with Chapter 844 of the Texas Insurance Code. 
 HMO Administrative Services means the performance of services or
functions, other than the direct delivery of Covered Services, necessary for the management of the delivery of and payment for Covered Services, including but not limited to Network, utilization, clinical and/or quality management, service
authorization, claims processing, management information systems operation and reporting. 
 HMO’s Service Area means all
the counties included in any HHSC-defined Core or Optional Service Area, as applicable to each HMO Program and within which the HMO has been selected to provide HMO services. 
 Home and Community Support Services Agency or HCSS means an entity licensed to provide home health, hospice, or personal assistance
services provided to individuals in their own home or independent living environment as prescribed by a physician or individualized service plan. Each HCSS must provide clients with a plan of care that includes specific services the agency agrees to
perform. The agencies are licensed and monitored by DADS or its successor. 

  

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 Hospital means a licensed public or private institution as defined by Chapter 241,
Texas Health and Safety Code, or in Subtitle C, Title 7, Texas Health and Safety Code. 
 ICF-MR means an intermediate care
facility for the mentally retarded. 
 Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) means the plan for services required by the Early
Childhood Intervention (ECI) Program and developed by an interdisciplinary team. 
 Initial Contract Period means the Effective
Date of the Contract through August 31, 2008. 
 Inpatient Stay means at least a 24-hour stay in a facility licensed to
provide hospital care. 
 JCAHO means Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations. 
 Joint Interface Plan (JIP) means a document used to communicate basic system interface information. This information includes: file
structure, data elements, frequency, media, type of file, receiver and sender of the file, and file I.D. The JIP must include each of the HMO’s interfaces required to conduct business under this Contract. The JIP must address the coordination
with each of the HMO’s interface partners to ensure the development and maintenance of the interface; and the timely transfer of required data elements between contractors and partners. 
 Key HMO Personnel means the critical management and technical positions identified by the HMO in accordance with Article 4. 

 Linguistic Access means translation and interpreter services, for written and spoken language to ensure effective
communication. Linguistic access includes sign language interpretation, and the provision of other auxiliary aids and services to persons with disabilities. 
 Local Health Department means a local health department established pursuant to Health and Safety Code, Title 2, Local Public Health Reorganization Act §121.031. 
 Local Mental Health Authority (LMHA) means an entity within a specified region responsible for planning, policy development, coordination,
and resource development and allocation and for supervising and ensuring the provision of mental health care services to persons with mental illness in one or more local service areas. 
 [Definition modified by Version 1.3] 
 Major Population Group means any population, which
represents at least 10% of the Medicaid, CHIP, and/or CHIP Perinatal Program population in any of the counties in the Service Area served by the HMO. 
 Material Subcontractor or Major Subcontractor means any entity that contracts with the HMO for all or part of the HMO Administrative Services, where the value of the subcontracted HMO
Administrative Service(s) exceeds $100,000, or is reasonably expected to exceed $100,000, per State Fiscal Year. Providers in the HMO’s Provider Network are not Material Subcontractors. 
 Mandated or Required Services means services that a state is required to offer to categorically needy clients under a state Medicaid plan.

 Marketing means any communication from the HMO to a Medicaid or CHIP Eligible who is not enrolled with the HMO that can
reasonably be interpreted as intended to influence the Eligible to: 
 (1) enroll with the HMO; or 
 (2) not enroll in, or to disenroll from, another MCO. 
 Marketing Materials means materials that are produced in any medium by or on behalf of the HMO and can reasonably be interpreted as intending to market to potential Members. Health-related Materials are
not Marketing Materials. 
 MCO means managed care organization. 
 Medicaid means the medical assistance entitlement program authorized and funded pursuant to Title XIX, Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
§1396 et seq.) and administered by HHSC. 
 [Definition modified by Version 1.1] 
 Medicaid HMOs means contracted HMOs participating in STAR and/or STAR+PLUS. 
 [Definition added by Version 1.1] 
 Medical Assistance Only (MAO) means a
person that does not receive SSI benefits but qualifies financially and functionally for limited Medicaid assistance. 
 Medical
Home means a PCP or specialty care Provider who has accepted the responsibility for providing accessible, continuous, comprehensive and coordinated care to Members participating in a HHSC HMO Program. 
 Medically Necessary means: 
 (1) Non-behavioral health related Health Care Services that are: 
 (a) reasonable and
necessary to prevent illnesses or medical conditions, or provide early screening, interventions, and/or treatments for conditions that cause suffering or pain, cause physical deformity or limitations in function, threaten to cause or worsen a
handicap, cause illness or infirmity of a Member, or endanger life; 
 (b) provided at appropriate facilities and at the
appropriate levels of care for the treatment of a Member’s health conditions; 
  

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 (c) consistent with health care practice guidelines and standards that are endorsed
by professionally recognized health care organizations or governmental agencies; 
 (d) consistent with the diagnoses of the
conditions; 
 (e) no more intrusive or restrictive than necessary to provide a proper balance of safety, effectiveness, and
efficiency; 
 (f) are not experimental or investigative; and 
 (g) are not primarily for the convenience of the Member or Provider; and 
 (2) Behavioral Health Services that are: 
 (a) are reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of a mental health or chemical dependency disorder, or to improve, maintain, or prevent deterioration of functioning resulting from such a disorder;

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

 (c) are furnished in the most appropriate and least restrictive setting in which services can be safely provided;

 (d) are the most appropriate level or supply of service that can safely be provided; 
 (e) could not be omitted without adversely affecting the Member’s mental and/or physical health or the quality of care rendered;

 (f) are not experimental or investigative; and 
 (g) are not primarily for the convenience of the Member or Provider. 
 [Definition modified by Versions 1.1 and 1.3] 
 Member means a person who:

 (1) is entitled to benefits under Title XIX of the Social Security Act and Medicaid, is in a Medicaid eligibility category
included in the STAR or STAR+PLUS Program, and is enrolled in the STAR or STAR+PLUS Program and the HMO’s STAR or STAR+PLUS HMO; 
 (2) is entitled to benefits under Title XIX of the Social Security Act and Medicaid, is in a Medicaid eligibility category included as a voluntary participant in the STAR or STAR+PLUS Program, and is enrolled in the
STAR or STAR+PLUS Program and the HMO’s STAR or STAR+PLUS HMO; 
 (3) has met CHIP eligibility criteria and is enrolled
in the HMO’s CHIP HMO; or 
 (4) has met CHIP Perinatal Program eligibility criteria and is enrolled in the HMO’s
CHIP Perinatal Program. 
 Member Materials means all written materials produced or authorized by the HMO and distributed to
Members or potential members containing information concerning the HMO Program(s). Member Materials include, but are not limited to, Member ID cards, Member handbooks, Provider directories, and Marketing Materials. 
 Member Month means one Member enrolled with the HMO during any given month. The total Member Months for each month of a year comprise the
annual Member Months. 
 Member(s) with Special Health Care Needs (MSHCN) includes a Child or Children with a Special Health
Care Need (CSHCN) and any adult Member who: 
 (1) has a serious ongoing illness, a Chronic or Complex Condition, or a
Disability that has lasted or is anticipated to last for a significant period of time, and 
 (2) requires regular, ongoing
therapeutic intervention and evaluation by appropriately trained health care personnel. 
 [Definition added by Version 1.1] 
 Minimum Data Set for Home Care (MDS-HC) means the assessment instrument included in the Uniform Managed Care Manual that is used to
collect data such as health, social support and service use information on persons receiving long term care services outside of an institutional setting. 
 MIS means Management Information System. 
 National Committee for Quality Assurance
(NCQA) means the independent organization that accredits HMOs, managed behavioral health organizations, and accredits and certifies disease management programs. HEDIS and the Quality Compass are registered trademarks of NCQA. 
 Net Income before Taxes means an aggregate excess of Revenues over Allowable Expenses. 
 Network or Provider Network means all Providers that have a contract with the HMO, or any Subcontractor, for the delivery of Covered
Services to the HMO’s Members under the Contract.  
 Network Provider or Provider means an appropriately
credentialed and licensed individual, facility, agency, institution, organization or other entity, and its employees and subcontractors, that has a contract with the HMO for the delivery of Covered Services to the HMO’s Members. 
 Non-capitated Services means those Medicaid services identified in Attachment B-1, Section 8.2.2.8. 
 Non-provider Subcontracts means contracts between the HMO and a third party that performs a function, excluding delivery of health care
services, that the HMO is required to perform under its Contract with HHSC. 
  

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 [Definition added by Version 1.1] 
 Nursing Facility Cost Ceiling means the annualized cost of serving a client in a nursing facility. A per diem cost is established for each Medicaid nursing facility resident based on the level of care
needed. This level of care is referred to as the Texas Index for Level of Effort or the TILE level. The per diem cost is annualized to achieve the nursing facility ceiling. 
 [Definition added by Version 1.1] 
 Nursing Facility Level of Care means the determination that
the level of care required to adequately serve a STAR+PLUS Member is at or above the level of care provided by a nursing facility. 
 OB/GYN means obstetrician-gynecologist. 
 Open Panel means Providers who are accepting new
patients for the HMO Program(s) served. 
 Operational Start Date means the first day on which an HMO is responsible for
providing Covered Services to Members of an HMO Program in a Service Area in exchange for a Capitation Payment under the Contract. The Operational Start Date may vary per HMO Program and Service Area. The Operational Start Date(s) applicable to this
Contract are set forth in the HHSC Managed Care Contract document. 
 [Definition modified by Version 1.3] 
 Optional Service Area (OSA) means an HHSC defined county or counties, contiguous to a CSA, in which CHIP or CHIP Perinatal HMOs provide
health care coverage to CHIP Eligibles. The CHIP or CHIP Perinatal HMO must serve the associated Core Service Area in order to provide coverage in the OSA. The HHSC Managed Care Contract document includes OSAs, if applicable. 
 Operations Phase means the period of time when HMO is responsible for providing the Covered Services and all related Contract functions for
a Service Area. The Operations Phase begins on the Operational Start Date, and may vary by HMO Program and Service Area. 
 [Definition added by Version 1.1]

 Outpatient Hospital Services means diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative services that are provided to Members in an
organized medical facility, for less than a 24-hour period, by or under the direction of a physician. To distinguish between the types of services being billed, hospitals must indicate a three-digit type of bill (TOB) code in block 4 of the UB-92
claim form. Most commonly for hospitals, this code will be 131 for an outpatient hospital claims. 
 Out-of-Network (OON) means
an appropriately licensed individual, facility, agency, institution, organization or other entity that has not entered into a contract with the HMO for the delivery of Covered Services to the HMO’s Members. 
 Parties means HHSC and HMO, collectively. 
 Party means either HHSC or HMO, individually. 
 Pended Claim means a claim for
payment, which requires additional information before the claim can be adjudicated as a clean claim. 
 Population Risk Group
means a distinct group of members identified by age, age range, gender, type of program, or eligibility category. 
 Post-stabilization
Care Services means Covered Services, related to an Emergency Medical Condition that are provided after a Medicaid Member is stabilized in order to maintain the stabilized condition, or, under the circumstances described in 42
§§C.F.R. 438.114(b)&(e) and 42 C.F.R. §422.113(c)(iii) to improve or resolve the Medicaid Member’s condition. 
 Primary Care Physician or Primary Care Provider (PCP) means a physician or provider who has agreed with the HMO to provide a Medical Home to Members and who is responsible for providing initial and primary care to patients,
maintaining the continuity of patient care, and initiating referral for care. 
 Provider types that can be PCPs are from any of the
following practice areas: General Practice, Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Obstetrics/Gynecology (OB/GYN), Pediatric and Family Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) and Physician Assistants (when practicing under the supervision of a
physician specializing in Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics or Obstetrics/Gynecology who also qualifies as a PCP under this contract), , Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and similar community
clinics; and specialist physicians who are willing to provide a Medical Home to selected Members with special needs and conditions. 
 Proposal means the proposal submitted by the HMO in response to the RFP. 
 Provider or Network Provider
means an appropriately credentialed and licensed individual, facility, agency, institution, organization or other entity, and its employees and subcontractors, that has a contract with the HMO for the delivery of Covered Services to the
HMO’s Members. 
 Provider Contract means a contract entered into by a direct provider of health care services and the HMO
or an intermediary entity. 
 Provider Network or Network means all Providers that have contracted with the HMO for the
applicable HMO Program. 
 Proxy Claim Form means a form submitted by Providers to document services delivered to Members under
a capitated arrangement. It is not a claim for payment. 
 Public Health Entity means a HHSC Public Health Region, a Local
Health Department, or a hospital district. 
  

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 Public Information means information that: 
 (1) Is collected, assembled, or maintained under a law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by a governmental body
or for a governmental body; and 
 (2) The governmental body owns or has a right of access to. 
 [Definition added by Version 1.1] 
 Qualified and
Disabled Working Individual (QDWI) means an individual whose only Medicaid benefit is payment of the Medicare Part A premium. 
 [Definition added by
Version 1.1] 
 Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) means a Medicare beneficiary whose only Medicaid benefits are payment of
Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance for individuals who are entitled to Medicare Part A, whose income does not exceed 100% of the federal poverty level, and whose resources do not exceed twice the resource limit of the SSI program. 

 Quality Improvement means a system to continuously examine, monitor and revise processes and systems that support and
improve administrative and clinical functions. 
 Rate Cell means a Population Risk Group for which a Capitation Rate has been
determined. 
 Rate Period 1 means the period of time beginning on the Operational Start Date and ending on August 31,
2007. 
 Rate Period 2 means the period of time beginning on September 1, 2007 and ending on August 31, 2008.

 Real-Time Captioning (also known as CART, Communication Access Real-Time Translation) means a process by which a trained
individual uses a shorthand machine, a computer, and real-time translation software to type and simultaneously translate spoken language into text on a computer screen. Real Time Captioning is provided for individuals who are deaf, have hearing
impairments, or have unintelligible speech. It is usually used to interpret spoken English into text English but may be used to translate other spoken languages into text. 
 Readiness Review means the assurances made by a selected HMO and the examination conducted by HHSC, or its agents, of HMO’s ability,
preparedness, and availability to fulfill its obligations under the Contract. 
 Request for Proposals or RFP
means the procurement solicitation instrument issued by HHSC under which this Contract was awarded and all RFP addenda, corrections or modifications, if any. 
 Revenue means all managed care revenue received by the HMO pursuant to this Contract during the Contract Period, including retroactive adjustments made by HHSC. This would include any funds earned on
Medicaid or CHIP managed care funds such as investment income, earned interest, or third party administrator earnings from services to delegated Networks. 
 Risk means the potential for loss as a result of expenses and costs of the HMO exceeding payments made by HHSC under the Contract. 
 Routine Care means health care for covered preventive and medically necessary Health Care Services that are non-emergent or non-urgent.

 Rural Health Clinic (RHC) means an entity that meets all of the requirements for designation as a rural health clinic under
1861(aa)(1) of the Social Security Act and approved for participation in the Texas Medicaid Program. 
 [Definition added by Version 1.1]

 Service Coordination means a specialized care management service that is performed by a Service Coordinator and that includes
but is not limited to: 
 (1) identification of needs, including physical health, mental health services and for
STAR+PLUS Members, long term support services, 
 (2) development of a Service Plan to address those identified needs;

 (3) assistance to ensure timely and a coordinated access to an array of providers and Covered Services; 
 (4) attention to addressing unique needs of Members; and 
 (5) coordination of Plan services with social and other services delivered outside the Plan, as necessary and appropriate.

 [Definition added by Version 1.1] 
 Service Coordinator means the person with primary responsibility for providing service coordination and care management to STAR+PLUS Members. 
 Scope of Work means the description of Services and Deliverables specified in this Contract, the RFP, the HMO’s Proposal, and any agreed modifications to these documents. 
 SDX means State Data Exchange. 
 SED means severe emotional disturbance as determined by a Local Mental Health Authority. 
 Service Area
means the counties included in any HHSC-defined Core and Optional Service Area as applicable to each HMO Program. 
 [Definition modified by
Version 1.3] 
 Service Management is an administrative service in the STAR, CHIP and CHIP Perinatal Programs performed by the
HMO to facilitate development of a Service Plan and coordination of services among a Member’s PCP, specialty providers and non-medical providers to ensure Members with Special Health Care Needs and/or Members needing high-cost treatment have
access to, and appropriately utilize, Medically Necessary Covered Services, Non-capitated Services, and other services and supports. 
  

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 Service Plan (SP) means an individualized plan developed with and for Members with
Special Health Care Needs, including persons with disabilities or chronic or complex conditions. The SP includes, but is not limited to, the following: 
 (1) the Member’s history; 
 (2) summary of current medical and social needs and
concerns; 
 (3) short and long term needs and goals; 
 (4) a list of services required, their frequency, and 
 (5) a description of who will provide such services. 
 The Service Plan should incorporate as a component of the plan the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) for members in the Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Program. 
 The Service Plan may include information for services outside the scope of covered benefits such as how to access affordable, integrated housing.

 Services means the tasks, functions, and responsibilities assigned and delegated to the HMO under this Contract. 

Significant Traditional Provider or STP (for Medicaid) means primary care providers and long-term care providers, identified by HHSC as
having provided a significant level of care to Fee-for-Service clients. Disproportionate Share Hospitals (DSH) are also Medicaid STPs. 
 Significant Traditional Provider or STP (for CHIP) means primary care providers participating in the CHIP HMO Program prior to May 2004, and Disproportionate Share Hospitals (DSH). 
 Skilled Nursing Facility Services (CHIP only) Services provided in a facility that provides nursing or rehabilitation services and Medical
supplies and use of appliances and equipment furnished by the facility. 
 Software means all operating system and applications
software used by the HMO to provide the Services under this Contract.  
 SPMI means severe and persistent mental
illness as determined by the Local Mental Health Authority. 
 Specialty Hospital means any inpatient hospital that is not a
general Acute Care hospital. 
 Specialty Therapy means physical therapy, speech therapy or occupational therapy. 

[Definition added by Version 1.1] 
 Specified
Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) means a Medicare beneficiary whose only Medicaid benefit is payment of the Medicare Part B premium. 
 SSA means the Social Security Administration.  
 SSI Administrative Fee means the monthly per
member per month fee paid to an HMO to provide administrative services to manage the healthcare of the HMO’s voluntary SSI beneficiaries. These services are described in more detail under Section 10.10 of this document. 
 Stabilize means to provide such medical care as to assure within reasonable medical probability that no deterioration of the condition is
likely to result from, or occur from, or occur during discharge, transfer, or admission of the Member. 
 [Definition modified by Version 1.1]

 STAR+PLUS or STAR+PLUS Program means the State of Texas Medicaid managed care program in which HHSC contracts with HMOs to
provide, arrange, and coordinate preventive, primary, acute and long term care Covered Services to adult persons with disabilities and elderly persons age 65 and over who qualify for Medicaid through the SSI program and/or the MAO program. Children
under age 21, who qualify for Medicaid through the SSI program, may voluntarily participate in the STAR+PLUS program. 
 [Definition added by
Version 1.1] 
 STAR+PLUS HMOs means contracted HMOs participating in the STAR+PLUS Program. 
 State Fiscal Year (SFY) means a 12-month period beginning on September 1 and ending on August 31 the following year. 

Subcontract means any agreement between the HMO and other party to fulfill the requirements of the Contract. 
 Subcontractor means any individual or entity, including an Affiliate, that has entered into a Subcontract with HMO. 
 Subsidiary means an Affiliate controlled by such person or entity directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries. 
 [Definition added by Version 1.1] 
 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) means a Federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes) designed to help aged, blind and disabled people with little or no income by providing
cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing and shelter. 
 T.A.C. means Texas Administrative Code.  
 TDD means telecommunication device for the deaf. It is interchangeable with the term Teletype machine or TTY. 
 TDI means the Texas Department of Insurance. 
 Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) means the federally funded program that provides assistance to single parent families with children who meet the categorical requirements for aid. This
program was formerly known as the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program.  
 Texas Health Network (THN)
is the name of the Medicaid primary care case management program in Texas. 
  

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 Texas Health Steps (THSteps) is the name adopted by the State of Texas for the
federally mandated Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) program. It includes the State’s Comprehensive Care Program extension to EPSDT, which adds benefits to the federal EPSDT requirements contained in 42 U.S.C.
§1396d(r), and defined and codified at 42 C.F.R. §§440.40 and 441.56-62. HHSC’s rules are contained in 25 T.A.C., Chapter 33 (relating to Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment). 
 Texas Medicaid Bulletin means the bi-monthly update to the Texas Medicaid Provider Procedures Manual. 
 Texas Medicaid Provider Procedures Manual means the policy and procedures manual published by or on behalf of HHSC that contains policies
and procedures required of all health care providers who participate in the Texas Medicaid program. The manual is published annually and is updated bi-monthly by the Texas Medicaid Bulletin. 
 Texas Medicaid Service Delivery Guide means an attachment to the Texas Medicaid Provider Procedures Manual. 
 Third Party Liability (TPL) means the legal responsibility of another individual or entity to pay for all or part of the services provided
to Members under the Contract (see 1 TAC §354.2301 et seq., relating to Third Party Resources). 
 Third Party Recovery
(TPR) means the recovery of payments on behalf of a Member by HHSC or the HMO from an individual or entity with the legal responsibility to pay for the Covered Services. 
 TP 40 means Type Program 40, which is a Medicaid program eligibility type assigned to pregnant women under 185% of the federal poverty
level (FPL). 
 TP 45 means Type Program 45, which is a Medicaid program eligibility code assigned to newborns (under 12 months
of age) who are born to mothers who are Medicaid eligible at the time of the child’s birth. 
 Transition Phase includes
all activities the HMO is required to perform between the Contract Effective Date and the Operational Start Date for a Service Area. 
 Turnover Phase includes all activities the HMO is required to perform in order to close out the Contract and/or transition Contract activities and operations for a Service Area to HHSC or a subsequent contractor. 

Turnover Plan means the written plan developed by HMO, approved by HHSC, to be employed during the Turnover Phase. The Turnover Plan
describes HMO’s policies and procedures that will assure: 
 (1) The least disruption in the delivery of Health Care
Services to those Members who are enrolled with the HMO during the transition to a subsequent health plan; 
 (2) Cooperation
with HHSC and the subsequent health plan in notifying Members of the transition and of their option to select a new plan, as requested and in the form required or approved by HHSC; and 
 (3) Cooperation with HHSC and the subsequent health plan in transferring information to the subsequent health plan, as requested and in
the form required or approved by HHSC. 
 URAC /American Accreditation Health Care Commission means the independent
organization that accredits Utilization Review functions and offers a variety of other accreditation and certification programs for health care organizations.  
 Urgent Behavioral Health Situation means a behavioral health condition that requires attention and assessment within twenty-four (24) hours but which does not place the Member in immediate danger to
himself or herself or others and the Member is able to cooperate with treatment. 
 Urgent Condition means a health condition
including an Urgent Behavioral Health Situation that is not an emergency but is severe or painful enough to cause a prudent layperson, possessing the average knowledge of medicine, to believe that his or her condition requires medical treatment
evaluation or treatment within twenty-four (24) hours by the Member’s PCP or PCP designee to prevent serious deterioration of the Member’s condition or health. 
 Utilization Review means the system for retrospective, concurrent, or prospective review of the medical necessity and appropriateness of
Health Care Services provided, being provided, or proposed to be provided to a Member. The term does not include elective requests for clarification of coverage. 
 Value-added Services means additional services for coverage beyond those specified in the RFP. Value-added Services must be actual health care services or benefits rather than gifts, incentives, health
assessments or educational classes. Temporary phones, cell phones, additional transportation benefits, and extra home health services may be Value-added Services, if approved by HHSC. Best practice approaches to delivering Covered Services are not
considered Value-added Services. 
 Waste means practices that are not cost-efficient. 
  

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 Article 3. General Terms & Conditions 
 Section 3.01 Contract elements. 
 (a) Contract documentation. 
 The Contract between the Parties will consist of the HHSC Managed Care Contract document and all
attachments and amendments. 
 (b) Order of documents. 
 In the event of any conflict or contradiction between or among the contract documents, the documents shall control in the following order of precedence: 
 (1) The final executed HHSC Managed Care Contract document, and all amendments thereto; 
 (2) HHSC Managed Care Contract Attachment A – “HHSC’s Uniform Managed Care Contract Terms and Conditions,” and
all amendments thereto; 
 (3) HHSC Managed Care Contract Attachment B – “Scope of Work/Performance
Measures,” and all attachments and amendments thereto; 
 (4) The HHSC Uniform Managed Care Manual, and all
attachments and amendments thereto; 
 (5) HHSC Managed Care Contract Attachment C-3 – “Agreed Modifications
to HMO’s Proposal;” 
 (6) HHSC Managed Care Contract Attachment C-2, “HMO Supplemental Responses,”
and 
 (7) HHSC Managed Care Contract Attachment C-1 – “HMO’s Proposal.” 
 Section 3.02 Term of the Contract. 
 The term of the Contract will begin on the Effective Date and will conclude on the Expiration Date. The Parties may renew the Contract for an additional
period or periods, but the Contract Term may not exceed a total of eight (8) years. All reserved contract extensions beyond the Expiration Date will be subject to good faith negotiations between the Parties and mutual agreement to the
extension(s). 
 Section 3.03 Funding. 
 This Contract is expressly conditioned on the availability of state and federal appropriated funds. HMO will have no right of action against HHSC in the
event that HHSC is unable to perform its obligations under this Contract as a result of the suspension, termination, withdrawal, or failure of funding to HHSC or lack of sufficient funding of HHSC for any activities or functions contained within the
scope of this Contract. If funds become unavailable, the provisions of Article 12 (“Remedies and Disputes”) will apply. HHSC will use all reasonable efforts to ensure that such funds are available, and will negotiate in good faith
with HMO to resolve any HMO claims for payment that represent accepted Services or Deliverables that are pending at the time funds become unavailable. HHSC shall make best efforts to provide reasonable written advance notice to HMO upon learning
that funding for this Contract may be unavailable. 
 Section 3.04 Delegation of authority.

 Whenever, by any provision of this Contract, any right, power, or duty is imposed or conferred on HHSC, the right, power, or duty
so imposed or conferred is possessed and exercised by the Commissioner unless any such right, power, or duty is specifically delegated to the duly appointed agents or employees of HHSC. The Commissioner will reduce any such delegation of authority
to writing and provide a copy to HMO on request. 
 Section 3.05 No waiver of sovereign immunity. 

The Parties expressly agree that no provision of this Contract is in any way intended to constitute a waiver by HHSC or the State of Texas of any
immunities from suit or from liability that HHSC or the State of Texas may have by operation of law. 
 Section 3.06 Force majeure. 
 Neither Party will be liable for any
failure or delay in performing its obligations under the Contract if such failure or delay is due to any cause beyond the reasonable control of such Party, including, but not limited to, unusually severe weather, strikes, natural disasters, fire,
civil disturbance, epidemic, war, court order, or acts of God. The existence of such causes of delay or failure will extend the period of performance in the exercise of reasonable diligence until after the causes of delay or failure have been
removed. Each Party must inform the other in writing with proof of receipt within five (5) Business Days of the existence of a force majeure event or otherwise waive this right as a defense. 
 Section 3.07 Publicity. 
 (a) HMO may use the name of HHSC, the State of Texas, any HHS Agency, and the name of the HHSC HMO Program in any media release, public announcement, or public disclosure relating to the Contract or its subject matter
only if, at least seven (7) calendar days prior to distributing the material, the HMO submits the information to HHSC for review and comment. If HHSC has not responded within seven (7) calendar days, the HMO may use the submitted
information. HHSC reserves the right to object to and require changes to the publication if, at HHSC’s sole discretion, it determines that the publication does not accurately reflect the terms of the Contract or the HMO’s performance under
the Contract. . 
 (b) HMO will provide HHSC with one (1) electronic copy of any information described in Subsection 3.07(a) prior to
public release. HMO will provide additional copies, including hard copies, at the request of HHSC. 
  

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 c) The requirements of Subsection 3.07(a) do not apply to: 
 (1) proposals or reports submitted to HHSC, an administrative agency of the State of Texas, or a governmental agency or unit of another
state or the federal government; 
 (2) information concerning the Contract’s terms, subject matter, and estimated value:

 (a) in any report to a governmental body to which the HMO is required by law to report such information, or 
 (b) that the HMO is otherwise required by law to disclose; and 
 (3) Member Materials (the HMO must comply with the Uniform Managed Care Manual’s provisions regarding the review and approval
of Member Materials). 
 Section 3.08 Assignment. 
 (a) Assignment by HMO. 
 HMO shall not assign all or any portion of its rights under or interests in the
Contract or delegate any of its duties without prior written consent of HHSC. Any written request for assignment or delegation must be accompanied by written acceptance of the assignment or delegation by the assignee or delegation by the delegate.
Except where otherwise agreed in writing by HHSC, assignment or delegation will not release HMO from its obligations pursuant to the Contract. An HHSC-approved Material Subcontract will not be considered to be an assignment or delegation for
purposes of this section. 
 (b) Assignment by HHSC. 
 HMO understands and agrees HHSC may in one or more transactions assign, pledge, transfer, or hypothecate the Contract. This assignment will only be made to another State agency or a non-State agency that is contracted to perform agency
support. 
 (c) Assumption. 
 Each party to whom
a transfer is made (an “Assignee”) must assume all or any part of HMO’S or HHSC’s interests in the Contract, the product, and any documents executed with respect to the Contract, including, without limitation, its obligation for
all or any portion of the purchase payments, in whole or in part. 
 Section 3.09 Cooperation with other vendors and prospective
vendors. 
 HHSC may award supplemental contracts for work related to the Contract, or any portion thereof. HMO will reasonably
cooperate with such other vendors, and will not commit or permit any act that may interfere with the performance of work by any other vendor. 
 Section 3.10 Renegotiation and reprocurement rights. 
 (a) Renegotiation of Contract terms. 
 Notwithstanding anything in the Contract to the contrary, HHSC may at any time during the term of the Contract exercise the option to notify HMO that HHSC
has elected to renegotiate certain terms of the Contract. Upon HMO’s receipt of any notice pursuant to this Section, HMO and HHSC will undertake good faith negotiations of the subject terms of the Contract, and may execute an amendment to the
Contract in accordance with Article 8. 
 (b) Reprocurement of the services or procurement of additional services. 
 Notwithstanding anything in the Contract to the contrary, whether or not HHSC has accepted or rejected HMO’s Services and/or Deliverables provided
during any period of the Contract, HHSC may at any time issue requests for proposals or offers to other potential contractors for performance of any portion of the Scope of Work covered by the Contract or Scope of Work similar or comparable to the
Scope of Work performed by HMO under the Contract. 
 (c) Termination rights upon reprocurement. 
 If HHSC elects to procure the Services or Deliverables or any portion of the Services or Deliverables from another vendor in accordance with this Section,
HHSC will have the termination rights set forth in Article 12 (“Remedies and Disputes”). 
 Section 3.11 RFP errors
and omissions. 
 HMO will not take advantage of any errors and/or omissions in the RFP or the resulting Contract. HMO must
promptly notify HHSC of any such errors and/or omissions that are discovered. 
 Section 3.12 Attorneys’ fees.

 In the event of any litigation, appeal, or other legal action to enforce any provision of the Contract, HMO agrees to pay all
reasonable expenses of such action, including attorneys’ fees and costs, if HHSC is the prevailing Party. 
 Section 3.13
Preferences under service contracts. 
 HMO is required in performing the Contract to purchase products and materials
produced in the State of Texas when they are available at a price and time comparable to products and materials produced outside the State. 
 Section 3.14 Time of the essence. 
 In consideration of the need to ensure uninterrupted and
continuous HHSC HMO Program performance, time is of the essence in the performance of the Scope of Work under the Contract. 
  

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 Section 3.15 Notice 
 (a) Any notice or other legal communication required or permitted to be made or given by either Party pursuant to the Contract will be in writing and in
English, and will be deemed to have been given: 
 (1) Three (3) Business Days after the date of mailing if sent by
registered or certified U.S. mail, postage prepaid, with return receipt requested; 
 (2) When transmitted if sent by
facsimile, provided a confirmation of transmission is produced by the sending machine; or 
 (3) When delivered if
delivered personally or sent by express courier service. 
 (b) The notices described in this Section may not be sent by electronic mail.

 (c) All notices must be sent to the Project Manager identified in the HHSC Managed Care Contract document. In addition, legal
notices must be sent to the Legal Contact identified in the HHSC Managed Care Contract document. 
 (d) Routine communications
that are administrative in nature will be provided in a manner agreed to by the Parties. 
 Article 4. Contract Administration &
Management 
 Section 4.01 Qualifications, retention and replacement of HMO employees. 
 HMO agrees to maintain the organizational and administrative capacity and capabilities to carry out all duties and responsibilities under this Contract.
The personnel HMO assigns to perform the duties and responsibilities under this Contract will be properly trained and qualified for the functions they are to perform. Notwithstanding transfer or turnover of personnel, HMO remains obligated to
perform all duties and responsibilities under this Contract without degradation and in accordance with the terms of this Contract. 
 Section 4.02 HMO’s Key Personnel. 
 (a) Designation of Key Personnel. 
 HMO must designate key management and technical personnel who will be assigned to the Contract. For the purposes of this requirement, Key Personnel are
those with management responsibility or principal technical responsibility for the following functional areas for each HMO Program included within the scope of the Contract: 
 (1) Member Services; 
 (2) Management Information Systems; 
 (3) Claims Processing, 
 (4) Provider Network Development and Management; 
 (5) Benefit Administration and Utilization and Care Management; 
 (6) Quality Improvement; 
 (7) Behavioral Health Services; 
 (8) Financial Functions; 
 (9) Reporting; 
 (10) Executive Director(s) for applicable HHSC HMO Program(s) as defined in Section 4.03 (“Executive Director”); 
 (11) Medical Director(s) for applicable HHSC HMO Program(s) as defined in Section 4.04 (“Medical Director”); and 
 [Section 4.04(a)(12) added by Version 1.1] 
 (12) STAR+PLUS Service Coordinators for STAR+PLUS HMOs as
defined in Section 4.04.1 (“STAR+PLUS Service Coordinator.”) 
 (b) Support and Replacement of Key Personnel. 
 The HMO must maintain, throughout the Contract Term, the ability to supply its Key Personnel with the required resources necessary to meet Contract
requirements and comply with applicable law. The HMO must ensure project continuity by timely replacement of Key Personnel, if necessary, with a sufficient number of persons having the requisite skills, experience and other qualifications.
Regardless of specific personnel changes, the HMO must maintain the overall level of expertise, experience, and skill reflected in the Key HMO Personnel job descriptions and qualifications included in the HMO’s proposal. 
 (c) Notification of replacement of Key Personnel. 
 HMO must
notify HHSC within fifteen (15) Business Days of any change in Key Personnel. Hiring or replacement of Key Personnel must conform to all Contract requirements. If HHSC determines that a satisfactory working relationship cannot be established
between certain Key Personnel and HHSC, it will notify the HMO in writing. Upon receipt of HHSC’s notice, HHSC and HMO will attempt to resolve HHSC’s concerns on a mutually agreeable basis. 
 Section 4.03 Executive Director. 
 (a) The HMO must employ a qualified individual to serve as the Executive Director for its HHSC HMO Program(s). Such Executive Director must be employed full-time by the HMO, be primarily dedicated to HHSC HMO
Program(s), and must hold a Senior Executive or Management position in the HMO’s organization, except that the HMO may propose an alternate structure for the Executive Director position, subject to HHSC’s prior review and written approval.

 (b) The Executive Director must be authorized and empowered to represent the HMO regarding all matters pertaining to the Contract prior to
such representation. The Executive Director must act as 

  

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liaison between the HMO and the HHSC and must have responsibilities that include, but are not limited to, the following: 
 (1) ensuring the HMO’s compliance with the terms of the Contract, including securing and coordinating resources necessary for
such compliance; 
 (2) receiving and responding to all inquiries and requests made by HHSC related to the Contract, in
the time frames and formats specified by HHSC. Where practicable, HHSC must consult with the HMO to establish time frames and formats reasonably acceptable to the Parties; 
 (3) attending and participating in regular HHSC HMO Executive Director meetings or conference calls; 
 (4) attending and participating in regular HHSC Regional Advisory Committees (RACs) for managed care (the Executive Director may
designate key personnel to attend a RAC if the Executive Director is unable to attend); 
 (5) making best efforts to
promptly resolve any issues identified either by the HMO or HHSC that may arise and are related to the Contract; 
 (6) meeting with HHSC representative(s) on a periodic or as needed basis to review the HMO’s performance and resolve issues, and 
 (7) meeting with HHSC at the time and place requested by HHSC, if HHSC determines that the HMO is not in compliance with the requirements of the Contract. 
 Section 4.04 Medical Director. 
 [Section 4.04(a) modified by Version 1.2] 
 (a) The HMO must have a qualified individual to serve as the Medical Director for
its HHSC HMO Program(s). The Medical Director must be currently licensed in Texas under the Texas Medical Board as an M.D. or D.O. with no restrictions or other licensure limitations. The Medical Director must comply with the requirements of 28
T.A.C. §11.1606 and all applicable federal and state statutes and regulations. 
 (b) The Medical Director, or his or her physician
designee meeting the same Contract qualifications that apply to the Medical Director, must be available by telephone 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for Utilization Review decisions. The Medical Director, and his/her designee, must either possess
expertise with Behavioral Health Services, or ready access to such expertise to ensure timely and appropriate medical decisions for Members, including after regular business hours. 
 (c) The Medical Director, or his or her physician designee meeting the same Contract qualifications that apply to the Medical Director, must be
authorized and empowered to represent the HMO regarding clinical issues, Utilization Review and quality of care inquiries. The Medical Director, or his or her physician designee, must exercise independent medical judgment in all decisions relating
to medical necessity. The HMO must ensure that its decisions relating to medical necessity are not adversely influenced by fiscal management decisions. HHSC may conduct reviews of decisions relating to medical necessity upon reasonable notice.

 Section 4.04.1 STAR+PLUS Service Coordinator 
 [Section 4.04.1 added by Version 1.1] 
 (a) STAR+PLUS HMOs must employ as Service
Coordinators persons experienced in meeting the needs of people with disabilities, old and young, and vulnerable populations who have Chronic or Complex Conditions. A Service Coordinator must have an undergraduate and/or graduate degree in social
work or a related field, or be a Registered Nurse, Licensed Vocational Nurse, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, or a Physician Assistant. 
 (b)
The STAR+PLUS HMO must monitor the Service Coordinator’s workload and performance to ensure that he or she is able to perform all necessary Service Coordination functions for the STAR+PLUS Members in a timely manner. 
 (c) The Service Coordinator must be responsible for working with the Member or his or her representative, the PCP and other Providers to develop a
seamless package of care in which primary, Acute Care, and long-term care service needs are met through a single, understandable, rational plan. Each Member’s Service Plan must also be well coordinated with the Member’s family and
community support systems, including Independent Living Centers, Area Agencies on Aging and Mental Retardation Authorities. The Service Plan should be agreed to and signed by the Member or the Member’s representative to indicate agreement with
the plan. The plan should promote consumer direction and self-determination and may include information for services outside the scope of Covered Services such as how to access affordable, integrated housing. For dual eligible Members, the STAR+PLUS
HMO is responsible for meeting the Member’s Community Long- term Care Service needs. 
 (d) The STAR+PLUS HMO must empower its Service
Coordinators to authorize the provision and delivery of Covered Services, including Community Long-term Care Covered Services. 
 Section 4.05 Responsibility for HMO personnel and Subcontractors. 
 (a) HMO’s
employees and Subcontractors will not in any sense be considered employees of HHSC or the State of Texas, but will be considered for all purposes as the HMO’s employees or its Subcontractor’s employees, as applicable. 
 (b) Except as expressly provided in this Contract, neither HMO nor any of HMO’s employees or Subcontractors may act in any sense as agents or
representatives of HHSC or the State of Texas. 
  

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 (c) HMO agrees that anyone employed by HMO to fulfill the terms of the Contract is an employee of HMO
and remains under HMO’s sole direction and control. HMO assumes sole and full responsibility for its acts and the acts of its employees and Subcontractors. 
 (d) HMO agrees that any claim on behalf of any person arising out of employment or alleged employment by the HMO (including, but not limited to, claims of discrimination against HMO, its officers, or its agents) is
the sole responsibility of HMO and not the responsibility of HHSC. HMO will indemnify and hold harmless the State from any and all claims asserted against the State arising out of such employment or alleged employment by the HMO. HMO understands
that any person who alleges a claim arising out of employment or alleged employment by HMO will not be entitled to any compensation, rights, or benefits from HHSC (including, but not limited to, tenure rights, medical and hospital care, sick and
annual/vacation leave, severance pay, or retirement benefits). 
 (e) HMO agrees to be responsible for the following in respect to its
employees: 
 (1) Damages incurred by HMO’s employees within the scope of their duties under the Contract; and

 (2) Determination of the hours to be worked and the duties to be performed by HMO’s employees. 
 (f) HMO agrees and will inform its employees and Subcontractor(s) that there is no right of subrogation, contribution, or indemnification against HHSC
for any duty owed to them by HMO pursuant to this Contract or any judgment rendered against the HMO. HHSC’s liability to the HMO’s employees, agents and Subcontractors, if any, will be governed by the Texas Tort Claims Act, as amended or
modified (TEX. CIV. PRACT. & REM. CODE §101.001et seq.). 
 (g) HMO understands that HHSC does not assume liability for the actions of, or judgments rendered against, the HMO, its employees, agents or Subcontractors. HMO agrees that it has no right to indemnification or contribution from HHSC for
any such judgments rendered against HMO or its Subcontractors. 
 Section 4.06 Cooperation with HHSC and state
administrative agencies. 
 (a) Cooperation with Other MCOs. 
 HMO agrees to reasonably cooperate with and work with the other MCOs in the HHSC HMO Programs, Subcontractors, and third-party representatives as requested by HHSC. To the extent permitted by HHSC’s financial and
personnel resources, HHSC agrees to reasonably cooperate with HMO and to use its best efforts to ensure that other HHSC contractors reasonably cooperate with the HMO. 
 (b) Cooperation with state and federal administrative agencies. 
 HMO must ensure that HMO personnel will
cooperate with HHSC or other state or federal administrative agency personnel at no charge to HHSC for purposes relating to the administration of HHSC programs including, but not limited to the following purposes: 
 (1) The investigation and prosecution of fraud, abuse, and waste in the HHSC programs; 
 (2) Audit, inspection, or other investigative purposes; and 
 (3) Testimony in judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings relating to the Services and/or Deliverables under this Contract or other
delivery of information to HHSC or other agencies’ investigators or legal staff. 
 Section 4.07 Conduct of HMO
personnel. 
 (a) While performing the Scope of Work, HMO’s personnel and Subcontractors must: 
 (1) Comply with applicable State rules and regulations and HHSC’s requests regarding personal and professional conduct generally
applicable to the service locations; and 
 (2) Otherwise conduct themselves in a businesslike and professional manner.

 (b) If HHSC determines in good faith that a particular employee or Subcontractor is not conducting himself or herself in accordance with
this Contract, HHSC may provide HMO with notice and documentation concerning such conduct. Upon receipt of such notice, HMO must promptly investigate the matter and take appropriate action that may include: 
 (1) Removing the employee from the project; 
 (2) Providing HHSC with written notice of such removal; and 
 (3) Replacing the employee with a similarly qualified individual acceptable to HHSC. 
 (c) Nothing in the Contract will prevent HMO, at the request of HHSC, from replacing any personnel who are not adequately performing their assigned
responsibilities or who, in the reasonable opinion of HHSC’s Project Manager, after consultation with HMO, are unable to work effectively with the members of the HHSC’s staff. In such event, HMO will provide replacement personnel with
equal or greater skills and qualifications as soon as reasonably practicable. Replacement of Key Personnel will be subject to HHSC review. The Parties will work together in the event of any such replacement so as not to disrupt the overall project
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 (d) HMO agrees that anyone employed by HMO to fulfill the terms of the Contract remains under
HMO’s sole direction and control. 
 (e) HMO shall have policies regarding disciplinary action for all employees who have failed to
comply with federal and/or state laws and the HMO’s standards of conduct, policies and procedures, and Contract requirements. HMO shall have policies regarding disciplinary action for all employees who have engaged in illegal or unethical
conduct. 
 Section 4.08 Subcontractors. 
 (a) HMO remains fully responsible for the obligations, services, and functions performed by its Subcontractors to the same extent as if such obligations,
services, and functions were performed by HMO’s employees, and for purposes of this Contract such work will be deemed work performed by HMO. HHSC reserves the right to require the replacement of any Subcontractor found by HHSC to be
unacceptable and unable to meet the requirements of the Contract, and to object to the selection of a Subcontractor. 
 (b) HMO must:

 (1) actively monitor the quality of care and services, as well as the quality of reporting data, provided under a
Subcontract; 
 (2) notify HHSC in writing at least 60 days prior to reprocurement of services provided by any Material
Subcontractor; 
 (3) notify HHSC in writing within three (3) Business Days after making a decision to terminate a
Subcontract with a Material Subcontractor or upon receiving notification from the Material Subcontractor of its intent to terminate such Subcontract; 
 (4) notify HHSC in writing within one (1) Business Day of making a decision to enter into a Subcontract with a new Material Subcontractor, or a new Subcontract for newly procured services of an existing
Material Subcontractor; and 
 (5) provide HHSC with a copy of TDI filings of delegation agreements. 
 (c) During the Contract Period, Readiness Reviews by HHSC or its designated agent may occur if: 
 (1) a new Material Subcontractor is employed by HMO; 
 (2) an existing Material Subcontractor provides services in a new Service Area; 
 (3) an existing Material Subcontractor provides services for a new HMO Program; 
 (4) an existing Material Subcontractor changes locations or changes its MIS and or operational functions; 
 (5) an existing Material Subcontractor changes one or more of its MIS subsystems, claims processing or operational functions; or

 (6) a Readiness Review is requested by HHSC. 
 The HMO must submit information required by HHSC for each proposed Material Subcontractor as indicated in Attachment B-1, Section 7.

 (d) HMO must not disclose Confidential Information of HHSC or the State of Texas to a Subcontractor unless and until such
Subcontractor has agreed in writing to protect the confidentiality of such Confidential Information in the manner required of HMO under this Contract. 
 (e)HMO must identify any Subcontractor that is a subsidiary or entity formed after the Effective Date of the Contract, whether or not an Affiliate of HMO, substantiate the proposed Subcontractor’s ability to
perform the subcontracted Services, and certify to HHSC that no loss of service will occur as a result of the performance of such Subcontractor. The HMO will assume responsibility for all contractual responsibilities whether or not the HMO performs
them. Further, HHSC considers the HMO to be the sole point of contact with regard to contractual matters, including payment of any and all charges resulting from the Contract. 
 (f) Except as provided herein, all Subcontracts must be in writing and must provide HHSC the right to examine the Subcontract and all Subcontractor
records relating to the Contract and the Subcontract. This requirement does not apply to agreements with utility or mail service providers. 
 (g) A Subcontract whereby HMO receives rebates, recoupments, discounts, payments, or other consideration from a Subcontractor (including without limitation Affiliates) pursuant to or related to the execution of this Contract must be in
writing and must provide HHSC the right to examine the Subcontract and all records relating to such consideration. 
 (h) All Subcontracts
described in subsections (f) and (g) must show the dollar amount, the percentage of money, or the value of any consideration that HMO pays to or receives from the Subcontractor. 
 (i) HMO must submit a copy of each Material Subcontract executed prior to the Effective Date of the Contract to HHSC no later than thirty (30) days
after the Effective Date of the Contract. For Material Subcontracts executed after the Effective Date of the Contract, HMO must submit a copy to HHSC no later than five (5) Business Days after execution. 
  

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 (j) Network Provider Contracts must include the mandatory provisions included in the HHSC Uniform
Managed Care Manual. 
 (k) HHSC reserves the right to reject any Subcontract or require changes to any provisions that do not comply
with the requirements or duties and responsibilities of this Contract or create significant barriers for HHSC in monitoring compliance with this Contract. 
 Section 4.09 HHSC’s ability to contract with Subcontractors. 
 The HMO may not
limit or restrict, through a covenant not to compete, employment contract or other contractual arrangement, HHSC’s ability to contract with Subcontractors or former employees of the HMO. 
 Section 4.10 HMO Agreements with Third Parties 
 (a) If the HMO intends to report compensation paid to a third party (including without limitation an Affiliate) as an Allowable Expense under this
Contract, and the compensation paid to the third party exceeds $100,000, or is reasonably anticipated to exceed $100,000, in a State Fiscal Year, then the HMO’s agreement with the third party must be in writing. The agreement must provide HHSC
the right to examine the agreement and all records relating to the agreement. 
 (b) All agreements whereby HMO receives rebates,
recoupments, discounts, payments, or other consideration from a third party (including without limitation Affiliates) pursuant to or related to the execution of this Contract, must be in writing and must provide HHSC the right to examine the
agreement and all records relating to such consideration. . 
 (c) All agreements described in subsections (a) and (b) must show
the dollar amount, the percentage of money, or the value of any consideration that HMO pays to or receives from the third party. 
 (d) HMO
must submit a copy of each third party agreement described in subsections (a) and (b) to HHSC. If the third party agreement is entered into prior to the Effective Date of the Contract, HMO must submit a copy no later than thirty
(30) days after the Effective Date of the Contract. If the third party agreement is executed after the Effective Date of the Contract, HMO must submit a copy no later than five (5) Business Days after execution. 
 (e) For third party agreements valued under $100,000 per State Fiscal Year that are reported as Allowable Expenses, the HMO must maintain financial
records and data sufficient to verify the accuracy of such expenses in accordance with the requirements of Article 9. 
 (f) HHSC
reserves the right to reject any third party agreement or require changes to any provisions that do not comply with the requirements or duties and responsibilities of this Contract or create significant barriers for HHSC in monitoring compliance
with this Contract. 
 (g) This section shall not apply to Provider Contracts, or agreements with utility or mail service providers.

 Article 5. Member Eligibility & Enrollment 
 Section 5.01 Eligibility Determination 
 The State or its designee
will make eligibility determinations for each of the HHSC HMO Programs. 
 Section 5.02 Member Enrollment &
Disenrollment. 
 (a) The HHSC Administrative Services Contractor will enroll and disenroll eligible individuals in the HMO Program.
To enroll in an HMO, the Member’s permanent residence must be located within the HMO’s Service Area. The HMO is not allowed to induce or accept disenrollment from a Member. The HMO must refer the Member to the HHSC Administrative Services
Contractor. 
 (b) HHSC makes no guarantees or representations to the HMO regarding the number of eligible Members who will ultimately be
enrolled into the HMO or the length of time any such enrolling Members remain enrolled with the HMO beyond the minimum mandatory enrollment periods established for each HHSC HMO Program. 
 (c) The HHSC Administrative Services Contractor will electronically transmit to the HMO new Member information and change information applicable to
active Members. 
 (d) As described in the following Sections, depending on the HMO Program, special conditions may also apply to enrollment
and span of coverage for the HMO. 
 [Section 5.02(e) modified by Version 1.2] 
 (e) HMO has a limited right to request a Member be disenrolled from HMO without the Member’s consent. HHSC must approve any HMO request for
disenrollment of a Member for cause. HHSC may permit disenrollment of a Member under the following circumstances: 
 (1) Member misuses
or loans Member’s HMO membership card to another person to obtain services. 
 (2) Member is disruptive, unruly, threatening or
uncooperative to the extent that Member’s membership seriously impairs HMO’s or Provider’s ability to provide services to Member or to obtain new Members, and Member’s behavior is not caused by a physical or behavioral health
condition. 
 (3) Member steadfastly refuses to comply with managed care restrictions (e.g., repeatedly using emergency room in
combination with refusing to allow HMO to treat the underlying medical condition). 
  

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 (4) HMO must take reasonable measures to correct Member behavior prior to requesting
disenrollment. Reasonable measures may include providing education and counseling regarding the offensive acts or behaviors. 
 (5) For
STAR+PLUS HMOs, under limited conditions, the HMO may request disenrollment of members who are totally dependent on a ventilator or who have been diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease. 
 (f) HHSC must notify the Member of HHSC’s decision to disenroll the Member if all reasonable measures have failed to remedy the problem. 

(g) If the Member disagrees with the decision to disenroll the Member from HMO, HHSC must notify the Member of the availability of the Complaint
procedure and, for Medicaid Members, HHSC’s Fair Hearing process. 
 (h) HMO cannot request a disenrollment based on adverse change in
the member’s health status or utilization of services that are Medically Necessary for treatment of a member’s condition. 
 [Section 5.02(i)
modified by Version 1.2] 
 (i) Upon implementation of the Comprehensive Healthcare Program for Foster Care, STAR and CHIP Members taken into
conservatorship by the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) will be disenrolled effective the date of conservatorship. 
 Section 5.03 STAR enrollment for pregnant women and infants. 
 (a) The HHSC
Administrative Services Contractor will retroactively enroll some pregnant Members in a Medicaid HMO based on their date of eligibility. 
 (b) The HHSC Administrative Services Contractor will enroll newborns born to Medicaid eligible mothers who are enrolled in a STAR HMO in the same HMO for 90 days following the date of birth, unless the mother requests a plan change as a
special exception. The Administrative Service Contractor will consider such requests on a case-by-case basis. The HHSC Administrative Services Contractor will retroactively, to date of birth, enroll newborns in the applicable STAR HMO. 

Section 5.04 CHIP eligibility and enrollment. 
 [Section 5.04(a) modified by Version 1.5] 
 (a) Continuous coverage. 
 Except as provided in 1 T.A.C. §370.307, a child who is CHIP-eligible will have six (6) months of continuous coverage. Children enrolling in
CHIP for the first time, or returning to CHIP after disenrollment, will be subject to a waiting period before coverage actually begins, except as provided in 1 T.A.C. §370.46. The waiting period for a child is determined by the date on which
he/she is found eligible for CHIP, and extends for a duration of three months. If the child is found eligible for CHIP on or before the 15th day of a month, then the waiting period begins on the first day of that same month. If the child is found
eligible on or after the 16th day of a month, then the waiting period begins on the first day of the next month. 
 [Section 5.04(b)
modified by Version 1.2] 
 (b) Pregnant Members and Infants. 
 (1) The HHSC Administrative Contractor will refer pregnant CHIP Members, with the exception of Legal Permanent Residents and other legally qualified aliens barred from Medicaid due to federal eligibility restrictions,
to Medicaid for eligibility determinations. Those CHIP Members who are determined to be Medicaid Eligible will be disenrolled from HMO’s CHIP plan. Medicaid coverage will be coordinated to begin after CHIP eligibility ends to avoid gaps in
health care coverage. 
 (2) In the event the HMO remains unaware of a Member’s pregnancy until delivery, the delivery will be covered
by CHIP. Babies are automatically enrolled in the mother’s CHIP health plan at birth with CHIP eligibility and re-enrollment following the timeframe as that of the mother. The HHSC Administrative Services Contractor will then set the
Member’s eligibility expiration date at the later of (1) the end of the second month following the month of the baby’s birth or (2) the Member’s original eligibility expiration date. 
 Section 5.04.1 CHIP Perinatal eligibility, enrollment, and disenrollment 
 [Section 5.04.1 added by Version 1.3] 
 (a) The HHSC Administrative Contractor will
electronically transmit to the HMO new CHIP Perinate Member information based on the appropriate CHIP Perinate or CHIP Perinate Newborn Rate Cell. There is no waiting period for CHIP Perinatal Program Members. 
 (b) CHIP Perinate Newborns are eligible for 12 months continuous enrollment, beginning with the month of enrollment as a CHIP Perinate (month of
enrollment plus 11 months). A CHIP Perinate Newborn will maintain coverage in his or her CHIP Perinatal health plan. 
 (c) If only one CHIP
Perinatal HMO operates in a Service Area, HHSC will automatically enroll a prospective member in that CHIP Perinatal HMO. If multiple CHIP Perinatal HMOs offer coverage in the Service Area, HHSC will send an enrollment packet to the prospective
Member’s household. If the household of a prospective member does not make a selection within 15 calendar days, the HHSC Administrative Services Contractor will notify the household that the prospective member has been assigned to a CHIP
Perinatal HMO (“Default Enrollment”). When this occurs the household has 30 calendar days to select another CHIP Perinatal HMO for the Member. 
  

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 (d) HHSC’s Administrative Services Contractor will assign prospective members to CHIP Perinatal
HMOs in a Service Area in a rotational basis. Should HHSC implement one or more administrative rules governing the Default Enrollment processes, such administrative rules will take precedence over the Default Enrollment process set forth herein.

 (e) When a member of a household enrolls in the CHIP Perinatal Program, all traditional CHIP members in the household will be disenrolled
from their current health plans and prospectively enrolled in the CHIP Perinatal Program Member’s health plan. All members of the household must remain in the same health plan through the end of the CHIP Perinatal Program Member’s
enrollment period. 
 [Section 5.04.1 modified by Version 1.5] 
 (f) In the 10th month of the CHIP Perinate Newborn’s coverage, the family will receive a CHIP renewal form. The family must complete and submit the renewal form, which will be pre-populated to include the CHIP
Perinate Newborn’s and the CHIP Program Members’ information. Once the child’s CHIP Perinatal Program coverage expires, the child will be added to his or her siblings’ existing CHIP program case. 
 Section 5.05 Span of Coverage 
 (a) Medicaid HMOs. 
 (1) HHSC will conduct continuous open enrollment for Medicaid Eligibles and the HMO must accept all persons who
choose to enroll as Members in the HMO or who are assigned as Members in the HMO by HHSC, without regard to the Member’s health status or any other factor. Persons in a hospital on the enrollment date will not be enrolled until they are
discharged from the hospital. 
 (2) Members who are disenrolled because they are temporarily ineligible for Medicaid will be automatically
re-enrolled into the same health plan, if available. Temporary loss of eligibility is defined as a period of six months or less. 
 (3) A
Member cannot change from one Medicaid MCO to another Medicaid MCO during an inpatient hospital stay. The MCO responsible for the hospital charges at the start of an Inpatient Stay remains responsible for hospital charges until the time of
discharge, or until such time that there is a loss of Medicaid eligibility. Medicaid MCOs are responsible for professional charges during every month for which the MCO receives a full capitation for a Member. 
 (b) CHIP HMOs. 
 If a CHIP Member’s Effective Date
of Coverage occurs while the CHIP Member is confined in a hospital, HMO is responsible for the CHIP Member’s costs of Covered Services beginning on the Effective Date of Coverage. If a CHIP Member is disenrolled while the CHIP Member is
confined in a hospital, HMO’s responsibility for the CHIP Member’s costs of Covered Services terminates on the Date of Disenrollment. 
 (c) CHIP
Perinatal HMOs. 
 [Section 5.05(c) added by Version 1.3] 
 If a CHIP Perinate’s Effective Date of Coverage occurs while the CHIP Perinate is confined in a Hospital, HMO is responsible for the CHIP Perinate’s costs of Covered Services beginning on the Effective Date
of Coverage. If a CHIP Perinate is disenrolled while the CHIP Perinate is confined in a Hospital, the HMO’s responsibility for the CHIP Perinate’s costs of Covered Services terminates on the Date of Disenrollment. 
 Section 5.06 Verification of Member Eligibility. 
 Medicaid MCOs are prohibited from entering into an agreement to share information regarding their Members with an external vendor that provides
verification of Medicaid recipients’ eligibility to Medicaid providers. All such external vendors must contract with the State and obtain eligibility information from the State. 
 Section 5.07 Special Temporary STAR Default Process 
 (a) STAR
HMOs that did not contract with HHSC prior to the Effective Date of the Contract to provide Medicaid Health Care Services will be assigned a limited number of Medicaid-eligibles, who have not actively made a STAR HMO choice, for a finite period. The
number will vary by Service Area as set forth below. To the extent possible, the special default assignment will be based on each eligible’s prior history with a PCP and geographic proximity to a PCP. 
 (b) For the Bexar, Dallas, El Paso, Harris, Tarrant, and Travis Service Areas, the special default process will begin with the Operational Start Date and
conclude when the HMO has achieved an enrollment of 15,000 mandatory STAR members, or at the end of six months, whichever comes first. 
 (c)
For the Lubbock Service Area, the special default process will begin with the Operational Start Date and conclude when the HMO has achieved an enrollment of 5,000 mandatory STAR members, or at the end of six months, whichever comes first.

 (d) Special default periods may be extended for one or more Service Areas if consistent with HHSC administrative rules. 
 (e) This Section does not apply to the Nueces Service Area. 
 Section 5.08 Special Temporary STAR+PLUS Default Process 
 [Section 5.08 added by
Version 1.5] 
 (a) STAR+PLUS HMOs that did not contract with HHSC to provide STAR+PLUS services in Harris County prior to the Effective Date
of the Contract will be assigned a limited number of STAR+PLUS 

  

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Medicaid-eligibles in Harris County, who have not actively made a STAR+PLUS HMO choice, for a finite period. To the extent possible, the special default
assignment will be based on each eligible’s prior history with a PCP and geographic proximity to a PCP. 
 (b) For the Harris Service
Area, the special default process will begin on the Operational Start Date. All defaults for Harris County will be awarded to the new HMO during the special default process. The special default process will conclude at the end of the first 6-month
period following the Operational Start Date, or when the HMO has achieved a total enrollment of 8,000 STAR+PLUS Members for the entire Harris Service Area (includes Harris and Harris Contiguous counties), whichever comes first. 
 (c) The special default process will apply to Harris County only. The Harris Contiguous counties will follow the standard default process. 
 (d) This Section does not apply to the Bexar, Nueces or Travis Service Areas for STAR+PLUS. 
 Article 6. Service Levels & Performance Measurement 
 Section 6.01
Performance measurement. 
 Satisfactory performance of this Contract will be measured by: 
 (a) Adherence to this Contract, including all representations and warranties; 
 (b) Delivery of the Services and Deliverables described in Attachment B; 
 (c) Results of audits performed by HHSC or its representatives in accordance with Article 9 (“Audit and Financial Compliance”);

 (d) Timeliness, completeness, and accuracy of required reports; and 
 (e) Achievement of performance measures developed by HMO and HHSC and as modified from time to time by written agreement during the term of this
Contract. 
 Article 7. Governing Law & Regulations 
 Section 7.01 Governing law and venue. 
 This Contract is governed by
the laws of the State of Texas and interpreted in accordance with Texas law. Provided HMO first complies with the procedures set forth in Section 12.13 (“Dispute Resolution,”) proper venue for claims arising from this Contract
will be in the State District Court of Travis County, Texas. 
 Section 7.02 HMO responsibility for compliance with
laws and regulations. 
 (a) HMO must comply, to the satisfaction of HHSC, with all provisions set forth in this Contract, all
applicable provisions of state and federal laws, rules, regulations, federal waivers, policies and guidelines, and any court-ordered consent decrees, settlement agreements, or other court orders that govern the performance of the Scope of Work
including, but not limited to: 
 (1) Titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act; 
 (2) Chapters 62 and 63, Texas Health and Safety Code; 
 (3) Chapters 531 and 533, Texas Government Code; 
 (4) 42 C.F.R. Parts 417 and 457, as applicable;

 (5) 45 C.F.R. Parts 74 and 92; 
 [Section 7.02(a)(6) modified by Version 1.2] 
 (6) 48 C.F.R. Part 31, or OMB Circular A-122, based on whether the entity is
for-profit or nonprofit; 
 (7) 1 T.A.C. Part 15, Chapters 361, 370, 391, and 392; and 
 (8) all State and Federal tax laws, State and Federal employment laws, State and Federal regulatory requirements, and licensing provisions.

 (b) The Parties acknowledge that the federal and/or state laws, rules, regulations, policies, or guidelines, and court-ordered consent
decrees, settlement agreements, or other court orders that affect the performance of the Scope of Work may change from time to time or be added, judicially interpreted, or amended by competent authority. HMO acknowledges that the HMO Programs will
be subject to continuous change during the term of the Contract and, except as provided in Section 8.02, HMO has provided for or will provide for adequate resources, at no additional charge to HHSC, to reasonably accommodate such changes. The
Parties further acknowledge that HMO was selected, in part, because of its expertise, experience, and knowledge concerning applicable Federal and/or state laws, regulations, policies, or guidelines that affect the performance of the Scope of Work.
In keeping with HHSC’s reliance on this knowledge and expertise, HMO is responsible for identifying the impact of changes in applicable Federal or state legislative enactments and regulations that affect the performance of the Scope of Work or
the State’s use of the Services and Deliverables. HMO must timely notify HHSC of such changes and must work with HHSC to identify the impact of such changes on how the State uses the Services and Deliverables. 
 (c) HHSC will notify HMO of any changes in applicable law, regulation, policy, or guidelines that HHSC becomes aware of in the ordinary course of its
business. 
 (d) HMO is responsible for any fines, penalties, or disallowances imposed on the State or HMO arising from any noncompliance
with the laws and regulations relating to the delivery of the Services or Deliverables by the HMO, its Subcontractors or agents. 
  

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 (e) HMO is responsible for ensuring each of its employees, agents or Subcontractors who provide
Services under the Contract are properly licensed, certified, and/or have proper permits to perform any activity related to the Services. 
 (f) HMO warrants that the Services and Deliverables will comply with all applicable Federal, State, and County laws, regulations, codes, ordinances, guidelines, and policies. HMO will indemnify HHSC from and against any losses, liability,
claims, damages, penalties, costs, fees, or expenses arising from or in connection with HMO’s failure to comply with or violation of any such law, regulation, code, ordinance, or policy. 
 Section 7.03 TDI licensure/ANHC certification and solvency. 
 (a) Licensure 
 HMO must be either licensed by the TDI as an HMO or a certified ANHC in all counties for the
Service Areas included within the scope of the Contract. 
 (b) Solvency 
 HMO must maintain compliance with the Texas Insurance Code and rules promulgated and administered by the TDI requiring a fiscally sound operation. HMO must have a plan and take appropriate measures to ensure adequate
provision against the risk of insolvency as required by TDI. Such provision must be adequate to provide for the following in the event of insolvency: 
 (1) continuation of benefits, until the time of discharge, to Members who are confined on the date of insolvency in a Hospital or other inpatient facility; 
 (2) payment to unaffiliated health care providers and affiliated health care providers whose agreements do not contain member
“hold harmless” clauses acceptable to TDI, and 
 (3) continuation of benefits for the duration of the Contract
period for which HHSC has paid a Capitation Payment. 
 Provision against the risk of insolvency must be made by establishing adequate reserves, insurance or
other guarantees in full compliance with all financial requirements of TDI. 
 Section 7.04 Immigration Reform and
Control Act of 1986. 
 HMO shall comply with the requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 and the Immigration
Act of 1990 (8 U.S.C. §1101, et seq.) regarding employment verification and retention of verification forms for any individual(s) hired on or after November 6, 1986, who will perform any labor or services under this Contract.

 Section 7.05 Compliance with state and federal anti-discrimination laws. 
 HMO shall comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 (Public Law 88-352), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973 (Public Law 93-112), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-336), and all amendments to each, and all requirements imposed by the regulations issued pursuant to these Acts. In addition, HMO shall comply with Title 40,
Chapter 73 of the Texas Administrative Code, “Civil Rights,” to the extent applicable to this Contract. These provide in part that no persons in the United States must, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability,
political beliefs, or religion, be excluded from participation in, or denied, any aid, care, service or other benefits provided by Federal or State funding, or otherwise be subjected to any discrimination. 
 Section 7.06 Environmental protection laws. 
 HMO shall comply with the applicable provisions of federal environmental protection laws as described in this Section: 
 (a) Pro-Children Act of 1994. 
 HMO shall comply with the Pro-Children Act of 1994 (20 U.S.C. §6081 et seq.), as
applicable, regarding the provision of a smoke-free workplace and promoting the non-use of all tobacco products. 
 (b) National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969. 
 HMO shall comply with any applicable provisions relating to the institution of environmental quality control measures
contained in the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. §4321 et seq.) and Executive Order 11514 (“Protection and Enhancement of Environmental Quality”). 
 (c) Clean Air Act and Water Pollution Control Act regulations. 
 HMO shall comply with any applicable provisions relating to required notification of facilities violating the requirements of Executive Order 11738 (“Providing for Administration of the Clean Air Act and the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act with Respect to Federal Contracts, Grants, or Loans”). 
 (d) State Clean Air Implementation Plan. 
 HMO shall comply with any applicable provisions requiring conformity of federal actions to State (Clean Air) Implementation Plans under §176(c) of
the Clean Air Act of 1955, as amended (42 U.S.C. §740 et seq.). 
 (e) Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974. 
 HMO shall comply with applicable provisions relating to the protection of underground sources of drinking water under the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974,
as amended (21 U.S.C. § 349; 42 U.S.C. §§ 300f to 300j-9). 
  

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 Section 7.07 HIPAA. 
 HMO shall comply with applicable provisions of HIPAA. This includes, but is not limited to, the requirement that the HMO’s MIS system comply with
applicable certificate of coverage and data specification and reporting requirements promulgated pursuant to HIPAA. HMO must comply with HIPAA EDI requirements. 
 Article 8. Amendments & Modifications 
 Section 8.01 Mutual agreement.

 This Contract may be amended at any time by mutual agreement of the Parties. The amendment must be in writing and signed by
individuals with authority to bind the Parties. 
 Section 8.02 Changes in law or contract. 
 If Federal or State laws, rules, regulations, policies or guidelines are adopted, promulgated, judicially interpreted or changed, or if contracts are
entered or changed, the effect of which is to alter the ability of either Party to fulfill its obligations under this Contract, the Parties will promptly negotiate in good faith appropriate modifications or alterations to the Contract and any
schedule(s) or attachment(s) made a part of this Contract. Such modifications or alterations must be in writing and signed by individuals with authority to bind the parties, equitably adjust the terms and conditions of this Contract, and must be
limited to those provisions of this Contract affected by the change. 
 Section 8.03 Modifications as a remedy.

 This Contract may be modified under the terms of Article 12 ( “Remedies and Disputes”). 
 Section 8.04 Modifications upon renewal or extension of Contract. 
 (a) If HHSC seeks modifications to the Contract as a condition of any Contract extension, HHSC’s notice to HMO will specify those modifications to
the Scope of Work, the Contract pricing terms, or other Contract terms and conditions. 
 (b) HMO must respond to HHSC’s proposed
modification within the timeframe specified by HHSC, generally within thirty (30) days of receipt. Upon receipt of HMO’s response to the proposed modifications, HHSC may enter into negotiations with HMO to arrive at mutually agreeable
Contract amendments. In the event that HHSC determines that the Parties will be unable to reach agreement on mutually satisfactory contract modifications, then HHSC will provide written notice to HMO of its intent not to extend the Contract beyond
the Contract Term then in effect. 
 Section 8.05 Modification of HHSC Uniform Managed Care Manual.

 (a) HHSC will provide HMO with at least thirty (30) days advance written notice before implementing a substantive and material
change in the HHSC Uniform Managed Care Manual (a change that materially and substantively alters the HMO’s ability to fulfill its obligations under the Contract). The Uniform Managed Care Manual, and all modifications thereto made during the
Contract Term, are incorporated by reference into this Contract. HHSC will provide HMO with a reasonable amount of time to comment on such changes, generally at least ten (10) Business Days. HHSC is not required to provide advance written
notice of changes that are not material and substantive in nature, such as corrections of clerical errors or policy clarifications. 
 (b)
The Parties agree to work in good faith to resolve disagreements concerning material and substantive changes to the HHSC Uniform Managed Care Manual. If the Parties are unable to resolve issues relating to material and substantive changes, then
either Party may terminate the agreement in accordance with Article 12 (“Remedies and Disputes”). 
 (c) Changes will be
effective on the date specified in HHSC’s written notice, which will not be earlier than the HMO’s response deadline, and such changes will be incorporated into the HHSC Uniform Managed Care Manual. If the HMO has raised an objection to a
material and substantive change to the HHSC Uniform Managed Care Manual and submitted a notice of termination in accordance with Section 12.04(d), HHSC will not enforce the policy change during the period of time between the receipt of
the notice and the date of Contract termination. 
 Section 8.06 CMS approval of Medicaid amendments

 [Section 8.06 modified by Version 1.1] 
 The implementation of amendments, modifications, and changes to STAR and STAR+PLUS HMO contracts is subject to the approval of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS.”) 
 Section 8.07 Required compliance with amendment and modification procedures. 
 No different or additional services, work, or products will be authorized or performed except as authorized by this Article. No waiver of any term,
covenant, or condition of this Contract will be valid unless executed in compliance with this Article. HMO will not be entitled to payment for any services, work or products that are not authorized by a properly executed Contract amendment or
modification. 
  

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 Article 9. Audit & Financial Compliance 
 Section 9.01 Financial record retention and audit. 
 HMO agrees to maintain, and require its Subcontractors to maintain, supporting financial information and documents that are adequate to ensure that
payment is made and the Experience Rebate is calculated in accordance with applicable Federal and State requirements, and are sufficient to ensure the accuracy and validity of HMO invoices. Such documents, including all original claims forms, will
be maintained and retained by HMO or its Subcontractors for a period of five (5) years after the Contract Expiration Date or until the resolution of all litigation, claim, financial management review or audit pertaining to this Contract,
whichever is longer. 
 Section 9.02 Access to records, books, and documents. 
 (a) Upon reasonable notice, HMO must provide, and cause its Subcontractors to provide, the officials and entities identified in this Section with prompt,
reasonable, and adequate access to any records, books, documents, and papers that are related to the performance of the Scope of Work. 
 (b)
HMO and its Subcontractors must provide the access described in this Section upon HHSC’s request. This request may be for, but is not limited to, the following purposes: 
 (1) Examination; 
 (2) Audit; 
 (3) Investigation; 
 (4) Contract administration; or 
 (5) The making of copies, excerpts, or transcripts. 
 (c) The access required must be provided to the
following officials and/or entities: 
 (1) The United States Department of Health and Human Services or its designee;

 (2) The Comptroller General of the United States or its designee; 
 (3) HMO Program personnel from HHSC or its designee; 
 (4) The Office of Inspector General; 
 (5) Any independent verification and validation contractor or quality assurance contractor acting on behalf of HHSC; 
 (6) The Office of the State Auditor of Texas or its designee; 
 (7) A State or
Federal law enforcement agency; 
 (8) A special or general investigating committee of the Texas Legislature or its
designee; and 
 (9) Any other state or federal entity identified by HHSC, or any other entity engaged by HHSC. 
 (d) HMO agrees to provide the access described wherever HMO maintains such books, records, and supporting documentation. HMO further agrees to
provide such access in reasonable comfort and to provide any furnishings, equipment, and other conveniences deemed reasonably necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Section. HMO will require its Subcontractors to provide comparable
access and accommodations. 
 Section 9.03 Audits of Services, Deliverables and inspections. 
 (a) Upon reasonable notice from HHSC, HMO will provide, and will cause its Subcontractors to provide, such auditors and inspectors as HHSC may from time
to time designate, with access to: 
 (1) HMO service locations, facilities, or installations; and 
 (2) HMO Software and Equipment. 
 (b) The access described in this Section will be for the purpose of examining, auditing, or investigating: 
 (1) HMO’s capacity to bear the risk of potential financial losses; 
 (2) the Services and
Deliverables provided; 
 (3) a determination of the amounts payable under this Contract; 
 (4) detection of fraud, waste and/or abuse; or 
 (5) other purposes HHSC deems necessary to perform its regulatory function and/or enforce the provisions of this Contract.

 (c) HMO must provide, as part of the Scope of Work, any assistance that such auditors and inspectors reasonably may require to complete
such audits or inspections. 
 (d) If, as a result of an audit or review of payments made to the HMO, HHSC discovers a payment error or
overcharge, HHSC will notify the HMO of such error or overcharge. HHSC will be entitled to recover such funds as an offset to future payments to the HMO, or to collect such funds directly from the HMO. HMO must return funds owed to HHSC within
thirty (30) days after receiving notice of the error or overcharge, or interest will accrue on the amount due. HHSC will calculate interest at the Department of Treasury’s Median Rate (resulting from the Treasury’s auction of 13-week
bills) for the week in which liability is assessed. In the event that an audit reveals that errors in reporting by the HMO have resulted in errors in payments to the HMO or errors in the calculation of the Experience Rebate, the HMO will indemnify
HHSC for any losses resulting from such errors, including the cost of audit. 
  

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 Section 9.04 SAO Audit 
 The HMO understands that acceptance of funds under this Contract acts as acceptance of the authority of the State Auditor’s Office (“SAO”), or any
successor agency, to conduct an investigation in connection with those funds. The HMO further agrees to cooperate fully with the SAO or its successor in the conduct of the audit or investigation, including providing all records requested. The HMO
will ensure that this clause concerning the authority to audit funds received indirectly by Subcontractors through HMO and the requirement to cooperate is included in any Subcontract it awards, and in any third party agreements described in
Section 4.10 (a-b). 
 Section 9.05 Response/compliance with audit or inspection findings.

 (a) HMO must take action to ensure its or a Subcontractor’s compliance with or correction of any finding of noncompliance with
any law, regulation, audit requirement, or generally accepted accounting principle relating to the Services and Deliverables or any other deficiency contained in any audit, review, or inspection conducted under this Article. This action will include
HMO’S delivery to HHSC, for HHSC’S approval, a Corrective Action Plan that addresses deficiencies identified in any audit(s), review(s), or inspection(s) within thirty (30) calendar days of the close of the audit(s), review(s), or
inspection(s). 
 (b) HMO must bear the expense of compliance with any finding of noncompliance under this Section that is: 
 (1) Required by Texas or Federal law, regulation, rule or other audit requirement relating to HMO’s business; 
 (2) Performed by HMO as part of the Services or Deliverables; or 
 (3) Necessary due to HMO’s noncompliance with any law, regulation, rule or audit requirement imposed on HMO. 
 (c) As part of the Scope of Work, HMO must provide to HHSC upon request a copy of those portions of HMO’s and its Subcontractors’ internal
audit reports relating to the Services and Deliverables provided to HHSC under the Contract. 
 Article 10. Terms & Conditions of
Payment 
 Section 10.01 Calculation of monthly Capitation Payment. 
 (a) This is a Risk-based contract. For each applicable HMO Program, HHSC will pay the HMO fixed monthly Capitation Payments based on the number of
eligible and enrolled Members. HHSC will calculate the monthly Capitation Payments by multiplying the number of Members by each applicable Member Rate Cell. In consideration of the Monthly Capitation Payment(s), the HMO agrees to provide the
Services and Deliverables described in this Contract. 
 (b) HMO will be required to provide timely financial and statistical information
necessary in the Capitation Rate determination process. Encounter Data provided by HMO must conform to all HHSC requirements. Encounter Data containing non-compliant information, including, but not limited to, inaccurate client or member
identification numbers, inaccurate provider identification numbers, or diagnosis or procedures codes insufficient to adequately describe the diagnosis or medical procedure performed, will not be considered in the HMO’s experience for
rate-setting purposes. 
 (c) Information or data, including complete and accurate
Encounter Data, as requested by HHSC for rate-setting purposes, must be provided to HHSC: (1) within thirty (30) days of receipt of the letter from HHSC requesting the information or data; and (2) no later than
March 31st of each year. 
 [Section 10.01(d)(4) added by Version 1.2] 
 (d) The fixed monthly Capitation Rate consists of the
following components: 
 (1) an amount for Health Care Services performed during the month; 
 (2) an amount for administering the program, 
 (3) an amount for the HMO’s Risk margin, and 
 (4) with respect to the Medicaid program, pass through funds for high-volume providers. 
 Capitation Rates for each HMO Program may vary by Service Area and MCO. HHSC will employ or retain qualified actuaries to perform data analysis and calculate the
Capitation Rates for each Rate Period. 
 (e) HMO understands and expressly assumes the risks associated with the performance of the duties
and responsibilities under this Contract, including the failure, termination or suspension of funding to HHSC, delays or denials of required approvals, and cost overruns not reasonably attributable to HHSC. 
 Section 10.02 Time and Manner of Payment. 
 (a) During the Contract Term and beginning after the Operational Start Date, HHSC will pay the monthly Capitation Payments by the 10th Business Day of each month. 
 (b) The HMO must accept Capitation Payments by direct deposit into the HMO’s account. 
 (c) HHSC may adjust the monthly Capitation Payment to the HMO in the case of an overpayment to the HMO, for Experience Rebate amounts due and unpaid, and
if money damages are assessed in accordance with Article 12 (“Remedies and Disputes”). 
 (d) HHSC’s payment of monthly
Capitation Payments is subject to availability of federal and state appropriations. If appropriations are not available to pay the full monthly Capitation Payment, HHSC may: 
 (1) equitably adjust Capitation Payments for all participating Contractors, and reduce scope of service requirements as appropriate
in accordance with Article 8, or 
  

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 (2) terminate the Contract in accordance with Article 12 (“Remedies
and Disputes”). 
 Section 10.03 Certification of Capitation Rates. 
 HHSC will employ or retain a qualified actuary to certify the actuarial soundness of the Capitation Rates contained in this Contract. HHSC will also
employ or retain a qualified actuary to certify all revisions or modifications to the Capitation Rates. 
 Section 10.04
Modification of Capitation Rates. 
 The Parties expressly understand and agree that the agreed Capitation Rates are subject
to modification in accordance with Article 8 (“Amendments and Modifications,”) if changes in state or federal laws, rules, regulations or policies affect the rates or the actuarial soundness of the rates. HHSC will provide the HMO
notice of a modification to the Capitation Rates 60 days prior to the effective date of the change, unless HHSC determines that circumstances warrant a shorter notice period. If the HMO does not accept the rate change, either Party may terminate the
Contract in accordance with Article 12 (“Remedies and Disputes”). 
 Section 10.05 STAR Capitation
Structure. 
 (a) STAR Rate Cells. 
 STAR
Capitation Rates are defined on a per Member per month basis by Rate Cells and Service Areas. STAR Rate Cells are: 
 (1) TANF
adults; 
 (2) TANF children over 12 months of age; 
 (3) Expansion children over 12 months of age; 
 (4) Newborns less than or equal to 12 months of age; 
 (5) TANF children less than or equal to 12 months of age; 
 (6) Expansion children less than or equal to 12 months of age; 
 (7) Federal mandate children; and 
 (8) Pregnant women. 
 (b) STAR Capitation Rate development: 
 (1) Capitation Rates for Rate Periods 1 and 2 for Service Areas with historical STAR Program participation. 
 For Service Areas where HHSC operated the STAR Program prior to the Effective Date of this Contract, HHSC will develop base Capitation
Rates by analyzing historical STAR Encounter Data and financial data for the Service Area. This analysis will apply to all MCOs in the Service Area, including MCOs that have no historical STAR Program participation in the Service Area. The analysis
will include a review of historical enrollment and claims experience information; any changes to Covered Services and covered populations; rate changes specified by the Texas Legislature; and any other relevant information. If the HMO participated
in the STAR Program in the Service Area prior to the Effective Date of this Contract, HHSC may modify the Service Area base Capitation Rates using diagnosis-based risk adjusters to yield the final Capitation Rates. 
 (2) Capitation Rates for Rate Periods 1 and 2 for Service Areas with no historical STAR Program participation. 
 For Service Areas where HHSC has not operated the STAR Program prior to the Effective Date of this Contract, HHSC will establish base
Capitation Rates for Rate Periods 1 and 2 by analyzing Fee-for-Service claims data for the Service Area. This analysis will include a review of historical enrollment and claims experience information; any changes to Covered Services and covered
populations; rate changes specified by the Texas Legislature; and any other relevant information. 
 (3) Capitation Rates for
subsequent Rate Periods for Service Areas with no historical STAR Program participation. 
 For Service Areas where HHSC has
not operated the STAR Program prior to the Effective Date of this Contract, HHSC will establish base Capitation Rates for the Rate Periods following Rate Period 2 by analyzing historical STAR Encounter Data and financial data for the Service Area.
This analysis will include a review of historical enrollment and claims experience information; any changes to Covered Services and covered populations; rate changes specified by the Texas Legislature; and any other relevant information. 

(c) Acuity adjustment. 
 HHSC may evaluate and implement
an acuity adjustment methodology, or alternative reasonable methodology, that appropriately reimburses the HMO for acuity and cost differences that deviate from that of the community average, if HHSC in its sole discretion determines that such a
methodology is reasonable and appropriate. The community average is a uniform rate for all HMOs in a Service Area, and is determined by combining all the experience for all HMOs in a Service Area to get an average rate for the Service Area. 

  

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 Value-added Services will not be included in the rate-setting process. 
 Section 10.05.1STAR+PLUS Capitation Structure. 
 [Section 10.05.1 added by Version 1.1] 
 (a) STAR+PLUS Rate Cells. 
 STAR+PLUS Capitation Rates are defined on a per Member per month basis by Rate Cells. STAR+PLUS Rate Cells are based on client category as follows:

 (1) Medicaid Only Standard Rate 
 (2) Medicaid Only 1915 (c) Nursing Facility Waiver Rate 
 (3) Dual Eligible Standard Rate 
 (4) Dual Eligible 1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver Rate 
 (5) Nursing Facility
– Medicaid only 
 (6) Nursing Facility - Dual Eligible 
 These Rate Cells are subject to change after Rate Period 2. 
 (b) STAR+PLUS Capitation Rates 
 For All Service Areas, HHSC will establish base Capitation Rates by Service Area based on
fee-for-service experience in the counties included in the Service Area. For the base Capitation Rate in the Harris Service Area, the encounter data from existing STAR+PLUS plans in Harris County will be blended with the fee-for-service experience
from the balance of counties in the Harris Service Area. HHSC may adjust the base Capitation Rate by the HMO’s Case Mix Index to yield the final Capitation Rates. 
 HHSC reserves the right to trend forward these rates until sufficient Encounter Data is available to base Capitation Rates on Encounter Data. 
 Section 10.06 CHIP Capitation Rates Structure. 
 (a) CHIP Rate Cells.

 CHIP Capitation Rates are defined on a per Member per month basis by the Rate Cells applicable to a Service Area. CHIP Rate Cells are based
on the Member’s age group as follows: 
 (1) under age one (1); 
 (2) ages one (1) through five (5); 
 (3) ages six (6) through fourteen (14); and 
 (4) ages fifteen
(15) through eighteen (18). 
 (b) CHIP Capitation Rate development: 
 HHSC will establish base Capitation Rates by analyzing Encounter Data and financial data for each Service Area. This analysis will include a review of historical enrollment and claims experience information; any
changes to Covered Services and covered populations; rate changes specified by the Texas Legislature; and any other relevant information. HHSC may modify the Service Area base Capitation Rate using diagnosis based risk adjusters to yield the final
Capitation Rates. 
 (c) Acuity adjustment. 
 HHSC may evaluate and implement an acuity adjustment methodology, or alternative reasonable methodology, that appropriately reimburses the HMO for acuity and cost differences that deviate from that of the community average, if HHSC in its
sole discretion determines that such a methodology is reasonable and appropriate. The community average is a uniform rate for all HMOs in a Service Area, and is determined by combining all the experience for all HMOs in a Service Area to get an
average rate for the Service Area. 
 (d) Value-added Services will not be included in the rate-setting process. 
 Section 10.06.1 CHIP Perinatal Program Capitation Structure. 
 [Section 10.06.1 added by Version 1.3] 
 (a) CHIP Perinatal Program Rate Cells. 
 CHIP Perinatal Capitation Rates are defined on a per Member per month basis by the Rate Cells applicable to a Service Area. CHIP Perinatal Rate Cells are
based on the Member’s birth status and household income as follows: 
 [Section 10.06.1 Modified by Version 1.5] 
 (1) CHIP Perinate 0% - 185% of FPL; 
 (2) CHIP Perinate 186% - 200% of FPL; 
 (3) CHIP Perinate Newborn 0% - 185% of FPL;
and 
 (4) CHIP Perinate Newborn 186% - 200% of FPL. 
 (b) CHIP Perinatal Program Capitation Rate Development 
 Until such time as adequate encounter data is
available to set rates, CHIP Perinatal Program capitation rates will be established based on experience from comparable populations in the Medicaid Fee-for-Service and STAR programs. This analysis will include: a review of historical enrollment and
claims experience information; changes to Covered Services and covered populations; rate changes specified by the Texas Legislature; and any other relevant information. HHSC may modify the Service Area based Capitation Rate using diagnosis-based
risk adjusters to yield the final Capitation Rates. 
 (c) Value-added Services will not be included in the rate-setting process. 
 Section 10.07 HMO input during rate setting process. 
 (1) In Service Areas with historical STAR or CHIP Program participation, HMO must provide certified Encounter Data and financial data as prescribed in
HHSC’s Uniform Managed Care Manual. Such information may include, without limitation: claims lag information by Rate Cell, 

  

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capitation expenses, and stop loss reinsurance expenses. HHSC may request clarification or for additional financial information from the HMO. HHSC will
notify the HMO of the deadline for submitting a response, which will include a reasonable amount of time for response. 
 (2) HHSC will allow
the HMO to review and comment on data used by HHSC to determine base Capitation Rates. In Service Areas with no historical STAR Program participation, this will include Fee-for-Service data for Rate Periods 1 and 2. HHSC will notify the HMO of
deadline for submitting comments, which will include a reasonable amount of time for response. HHSC will not consider comments received after the deadline in its rate analysis. 
 (3) During the rate setting process, HHSC will conduct at least two (2) meetings with the HMO. HHSC may conduct the meetings in person, via
teleconference, or by another method deemed appropriate by HHSC. Prior to the first meeting, HHSC will provide the HMO with proposed Capitation Rates. During the first meeting, HHSC will describe the process used to generate the proposed Capitation
Rates, discuss major changes in the rate setting process, and receive input from the HMO. HHSC will notify the HMO of the deadline for submitting comments, which will include a reasonable amount of time to review and comment on the proposed
Capitation Rates and rate setting process. After reviewing such comments, HHSC will conduct a second meeting to discuss the final Capitation Rates and changes resulting from HMO comments, if any. 
 Section 10.08 Adjustments to Capitation Payments. 
 (a) Recoupment. 
 HHSC may recoup a payment made to the HMO for a Member if: 
 (1) the Member is enrolled into the HMO in error, and the HMO provided no Covered Services to the Member during the month for which
the payment was made; 
 (2) the Member moves outside the United States, and the HMO has not provided Covered Services to
the Member during the month for which the payment was made; 
 (3) the Member dies before the first day of the month for
which the payment was made; or 
 (4) a Medicaid Member’s eligibility status or program type is changed, corrected
as a result of error, or is retroactively adjusted. 
 (b) Appeal of recoupment. 
 The HMO may appeal the recoupment or adjustment of capitations in the above circumstances using the HHSC dispute resolution process set forth in
Section 12.13, (“Dispute Resolution”). 
 Section 10.09 Delivery Supplemental Payment for CHIP,
CHIP Perinatal and STAR HMOs. 
 (a) The Delivery Supplemental Payment (DSP) is a function of the average delivery cost in each
Service Area. Delivery costs include facility and professional charges. 
 [Section 10.09(b) modified by Version 1.3] 
 (b) CHIP and STAR HMOs will receive a Delivery Supplemental Payment (DSP) from HHSC for each live or stillbirth by a Member. CHIP Perinatal HMOs will
receive a DSP from HHSC for each live or stillbirth by a mother of a CHIP Perinatal Program Member in the 186% to 200% FPL (measured at the time of enrollment in the CHIP Perinatal Program). CHIP Perinatal HMOs will not receive a DSP from HHSC for a
live or stillbirth by the mother of a CHIP Perinatal Program Member in the 100%-185% FPL. For STAR, CHIP and CHIP Perinatal Program HMOs, the one-time DSP payment is made in the amount identified in the HHSC Managed Care Contract document
regardless of whether there is a single birth or there are multiple births at time of delivery. A delivery is the birth of a live born infant, regardless of the duration of the pregnancy, or a stillborn (fetal death) infant of twenty (20) weeks
or more of gestation. A delivery does not include a spontaneous or induced abortion, regardless of the duration of the pregnancy. 
 (c) HMO
must submit a monthly DSP Report as described in Attachment B-1, Section 8 to the HHSC Managed Care Contract document, in the format prescribed in HHSC’s Uniform Managed Care Manual. 
 (d) HHSC will pay the Delivery Supplemental Payment within twenty (20) Business Days after receipt of a complete and accurate report from the HMO.

 (e) The HMO will not be entitled to Delivery Supplemental Payments for deliveries that are not reported to HHSC within 210 days after the
date of delivery, or within thirty (30) days from the date of discharge from the hospital for the stay related to the delivery, whichever is later. 
 (f) HMO must maintain complete claims and adjudication disposition documentation, including paid and denied amounts for each delivery. The HMO must submit the documentation to HHSC within five (5) Business Days
after receiving a request for such information from HHSC. 
 Section 10.10 Administrative Fee for SSI Members

 (a) Administrative Fee. 
 STAR HMOs
will receive a monthly fee for administering benefits to each SSI Beneficiary who voluntarily enrolls in the HMO (a “Voluntary SSI Member”), in the amount identified in the HHSC Managed Care Contract document. The HHSC will pay for
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Members under the Medicaid Fee-for-Services program. SSI Beneficiaries in all Service Areas except Nueces may voluntarily participate in the STAR Program;
however, HHSC reserves the right to discontinue such voluntary participation. 
 (b) Administrative services and functions. 
 (1) HMO must perform the same administrative services and functions for Voluntary SSI Members as are performed for other Members under this contract.
These administrative services and functions include, but are not limited to: 
 (i) prior authorization of services; 
 (ii) all Member services functions, including linguistic services and Member materials in alternative formats for the blind and disabled; 

(iii) health education; 
 (iv) utilization management using HHSC Administrative Services Contractor encounter data to provide service management and appropriate interventions; 
 (v) quality assessment and performance improvement activities; 
 (vi) coordination to link
Voluntary SSI Members with applicable community resources and Non-capitated services. 
 (2) HMO must require Network Providers to submit
claims for health and health-related services to the HHSC Administrative Services Contractor for claims adjudication and payment. 
 (3) HMO
must provide services to Voluntary SSI Members within the HMO’s Network unless necessary services are unavailable within Network. HMO must also allow referrals to Out-of-Network providers if necessary services are not available within the
HMO’s Network. Records must be forwarded to Member’s PCP following a referral visit. 
 [Section 10.10(c) modified by Version 1.2] 

(c) Members who become eligible for SSI 
 A Member’s
SSI status is effective the date the State’s eligibility system identifies the Member as Type Program 13 (TP13). On this effective date, the Member becomes a voluntary STAR enrollee. The State is responsible for updating the State’s
eligibility system within 45 days of official notice of the Member’s Federal SSI eligibility by the Social Security Administration (SSA). 
 [Section 10.11 modified by Versions 1.1 and 1.3] 
 Section 10.11 STAR, CHIP, and CHIP Perinatal
Experience Rebate 
 (a) HMO’s duty to pay. 
 At the end of each Rate Year beginning with Rate Year 1, the HMO must pay an Experience Rebate for the STAR, CHIP, and CHIP Perinatal Programs to HHSC if the HMO’s Net Income before Taxes is greater than 3% of the total Revenue for the
period. The Experience Rebate is calculated in accordance with the tiered rebate method set forth below based on the consolidated Net Income before Taxes for all of the HMO’s STAR, CHIP, and CHIP Perinatal Service Areas included within the
scope of the Contract, as measured by any positive amount on the Financial-Statistical Report (FSR) as reviewed and confirmed by HHSC. 
 (b) Graduated
Experience Rebate Sharing Method. 
  

							
	 Experience Rebate as a % of Revenues
	  	HMO Share	 	 	HHSC Share	 
	 £ 3%
	  	100	%	 	0	%
	 > 3% and £ 7%
	  	75	%	 	25	%
	 > 7% and £ 10%
	  	50	%	 	50	%
	 > 10% and £ 15%
	  	25	%	 	75	%
	 > 15%
	  	0	%	 	100	%

 HHSC and the HMO will share the Net Income before Taxes for the STAR, CHIP, and CHIP Perinatal Programs as
follows, unless HHSC provides the HMO an Experience Rebate Reward in accordance with Section 6 of Attachment B-1 to the HHSC Managed Care Contract document and HHSC’s Uniform Managed Care Manual: 
 (1) The HMO will retain all Net Income before Taxes that is equal to or less than 3% of the total Revenues received by the HMO. 
 (2) HHSC and the HMO will share that portion of the Net Income before Taxes that is over 3% but less than or equal to 7% of the total Revenues received
with 75% to the HMO and 25% to HHSC. 
 (3) HHSC and the HMO will share that portion of the Net Income before Taxes that is over 7% but less
than or equal to 10% of the total Revenues received with 50% to the HMO and 50% to HHSC. 
 (4) HHSC and the HMO will share that portion of
the Net Income before Taxes that is over 10% but less than or equal to 15% of the total Revenues received with 25% to the HMO and 75% to HHSC. 
 (5) HHSC will be paid the entire portion of the Net Income before Taxes that exceeds 15% of the total Revenues. 
 (c) Net income before taxes.

 The HMO must compute the Net Income before Taxes in accordance with the HHSC Uniform Managed Care Manual’s “Cost Principles
for Administrative Expenses” and “FSR Instructions for Completion” and applicable federal regulations. The Net Income before Taxes will be confirmed by HHSC or its agent for the Rate Year relating to all revenues and
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 “Cost Principles for Administrative Expenses” and “FSR Instructions for Completion”
found in HHSC’s Uniform Managed Care Manual in accordance with Section 8.05. 
 (d) Carry forward of prior Rate Year losses. 
 Losses incurred by a STAR, CHIP, or CHIP Perinatal HMO for one Rate Year may be carried forward to the next Rate Year, and applied as an offset against a
STAR, CHIP, or CHIP Perinatal Experience Rebate. Prior losses may be carried forward for only one Rate Year for this purpose. If the HMO offsets a loss against another STAR, CHIP, or CHIP Perinatal Service Area, only that portion of the loss that
was not used as an offset may be carried forward to the next Rate Year. Losses incurred by a STAR, CHIP, CHIP Perinatal HMO cannot be offset against the STAR+PLUS Program. 
 (e) Settlements for payment. 
 (1) There will be two settlements for HMO payment(s) of the State share of the
Experience Rebate for the STAR, CHIP, and CHIP Perinatal Programs. The first settlement shall equal 100% of the State share of the Experience Rebate as derived from the FSR, and shall be paid on the same day the 90-day FSR Report is submitted to
HHSC, accompanied by an actuarial opinion certifying the reserve. 
 (2) The second settlement shall be an adjustment to the first settlement
and shall be paid by the HMO to HHSC on the same day that the 334-day FSR is submitted to HHSC if the adjustment is a payment from the HMO to HHSC. 
 (3) HHSC or its agent may audit or review the FSRs. If HHSC determines that corrections to the FSRs are required, based on an HHSC audit/review or other documentation acceptable to HHSC, to determine an adjustment to the amount of the
second settlement, then final adjustment shall be made within three years from the date that the HMO submits the 334-day FSR. 
 (4) HHSC may
offset any Experience Rebates owed to the State from future Capitation Payments, or collect such sums directly from the HMO. HHSC must receive the first and second settlements by the specified due dates for the first and second FSRs respectively or
HMO will incur interest on the amounts due at the current prime interest rate as set forth below. HHSC may adjust the Experience Rebate if HHSC determines the HMO has paid amounts for goods or services that are not reasonable, necessary, and
allowable in accordance with the HHSC Uniform Managed Care Manual’s “Cost Principles for Administrative Expenses” and “FSR Instructions for Completion” and applicable federal regulations. HHSC has final
authority in auditing and determining the amount of the Experience Rebate. 
 (f) Interest on Experience Rebate. 
 Interest on any Experience Rebate owed to HHSC shall be charged beginning thirty (30) days after the date that the first and second settlements are
due. In addition, if any adjusted amount is owed to HHSC at the final settlement date, then interest will be charged on the adjusted amount owed beginning thirty (30) days after the second settlement date to the date of the final settlement
payment. HHSC will calculate interest at the Department of Treasury’s Median Rate (resulting from the Treasury’s auction of 13-week bills) for the week in which the liability is assessed. 
 Section 10.11.1 STAR+PLUS Experience Rebate 
 (a) HMO’s duty to pay. 
 At the end of each Rate Year beginning with Rate Year 1, the HMO must pay an
Experience Rebate to HHSC for the STAR+PLUS Program if the HMO produces a positive Net Income in STAR+PLUS. The STAR+PLUS Experience Rebate is calculated in accordance with the tiered rebate method set forth below based on the consolidated Net
Income before Taxes for all of the HMO’s STAR+PLUS Service Areas included within the scope of the Contract, as measured by any positive amount on the Financial-Statistical Report (FSR) as reviewed and confirmed by HHSC. 
 (b) Graduated STAR+PLUS Experience Rebate Sharing Method. 
  

							
	 Experience Rebate as a % of Revenues
	  	HMO Share	 	 	HHSC Share	 
	 £ 3%
	  	50	%	 	50	%
	 > 3%
	  	75	%	 	25	%

 HHSC and the HMO will share the Net Income before Taxes for the STAR+PLUS Program as follows,
unless HHSC provides the HMO an Experience Rebate Reward in accordance with Section 6 of Attachment B-1 to the HHSC Managed Care Contract document and HHSC’s Uniform Managed Care Manual: 
 (1) HHSC and the STAR+PLUS HMO will share that portion of the Net Income before Taxes that is equal to or less than 3% of the total STAR+PLUS
Revenues received with 50% to the HMO and 50% to HHSC. 
 (2) HHSC and the STAR+PLUS HMO will share that portion of the Net Income before
Taxes that is over 3% of the total STAR+PLUS Revenues received with 75% to the HMO and 25% to HHSC. 
 (c) Net income before taxes. 
 The HMO must compute the Net Income before Taxes in accordance with the HHSC Uniform Managed Care Manual’s “Cost Principles for
Administrative Expenses” and “FSR Instructions for Completion” and applicable federal regulations. 
  

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 The Net Income before Taxes will be confirmed by HHSC or its agent for the Rate Year relating to all revenues and
expenses incurred pursuant to the Contract. HHSC reserves the right to modify the “Cost Principles for Administrative Expenses” and “FSR Instructions for Completion” found in HHSC’s Uniform Managed Care
Manual in accordance with Section 8.05. 
 (d) Carry forward of prior Rate Year losses. 
 Losses incurred by a STAR+PLUS HMO for one Rate Year may be carried forward to the next Rate Year, and applied as an offset against a STAR+PLUS Experience
Rebate. Prior losses may be carried forward for only one Rate Year for this purpose. If the HMO offsets a loss against another STAR+PLUS Service Area, only that portion of the loss that was not used as an offset may be carried forward to the next
Rate Year. Losses incurred by a STAR+PLUS HMO cannot be offset against the STAR or CHIP Programs. 
 (e) Settlements for payment. 
 (1) There will be two settlements for HMO payment(s) of the State share of the Experience Rebate for the STAR+PLUS. The first settlement shall equal 100%
of the State share of the Experience Rebate as derived from the FSR, and shall be paid on the same day the 90-day FSR Report is submitted to HHSC, accompanied by an actuarial opinion certifying the reserve. 
 (2) The second settlement shall be an adjustment to the first settlement and shall be paid by the HMO to HHSC on the same day that the 334-day FSR is
submitted to HHSC if the adjustment is a payment from the HMO to HHSC. 
 (3) HHSC or its agent may audit or review the FSRs. If HHSC
determines that corrections to the FSRs are required, based on an HHSC audit/review or other documentation acceptable to HHSC, to determine an adjustment to the amount of the second settlement, then final adjustment shall be made within three years
from the date that the HMO submits the 334-day FSR. 
 (4) HHSC may offset any Experience Rebates owed to the State from future STAR+PLUS
Capitation Payments, or collect such sums directly from the HMO. HHSC must receive the first and second settlements by the specified due dates for the first and second FSRs respectively or HMO will incur interest on the amounts due at the current
prime interest rate as set forth below. 
 (f) Interest on Experience Rebate. 
 Interest on any Experience Rebate owed to HHSC shall be charged beginning thirty (30) days after the date that the first and second settlements are due. In addition, if any adjusted amount is owed to HHSC at the
final settlement date, then interest will be charged on the adjusted amount owed beginning thirty (30) days after the second settlement date to the date of the final settlement payment. HHSC will calculate interest at the Department of
Treasury’s Median Rate (resulting from the Treasury’s auction of 13-week bills) for the week in which the liability is assessed. 
 Section 10.12 Payment by Members. 
 (a) Medicaid HMOs 
 Medicaid HMOs and their Network Providers are prohibited from billing or collecting any amount from a Member for Health Care Services covered by this
Contract. HMO must inform Members of costs for non-covered services, and must require its Network Providers to: 
 (1) inform Members of costs for non-covered services prior to rendering such services; and 
 (2) obtain a
signed Private Pay form from such Members. 
 (b) CHIP HMOs. 
 (1) Families that meet the enrollment period cost share limit requirement must report it to the HHSC Administrative Services Contractor. The HHSC Administrative Service Contractor notifies the HMO that a family’s
cost share limit has been reached. Upon notification from the HHSC Administrative Services Contractor that a family has reached its cost-sharing limit for the term of coverage, the HMO will generate and mail to the CHIP Member a new Member ID card
within five days, showing that the CHIP Member’s cost-sharing obligation for that term of coverage has been met. No cost-sharing may be collected from these CHIP Members for the balance of their term of coverage. 
 (2) Providers are responsible for collecting all CHIP Member co-payments at the time of service. Co-payments that families must pay vary according to
their income level. No co-payments apply, at any income level, to well-child or well-baby visits or immunizations. Except for costs associated with unauthorized non-emergency services provided to a Member by Out-of-Network providers and for
non-covered services, the co-payments outlined in the CHIP Cost Sharing table in the HHSC Uniform Managed Care Manual are the only amounts that a provider may collect from a CHIP-eligible family. 
 (3) Federal law prohibits charging cost-sharing or deductibles to CHIP Members of Native Americans or Alaskan Natives. The HHSC Administrative Services
Contractor will notify the HMO of CHIP Members who are not subject to cost-sharing requirements. The HMO is responsible for educating Providers regarding the cost-sharing waiver for this population. 
 (4) An HMO’s monthly Capitation Payment will not be reduced for a family’s failure to make its CHIP premium payment. There is no relationship
between the per Member/per month amount owed to the HMO for coverage provided during a month and the family’s payment of its CHIP premium obligation for that month. 
  

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 [Section 10.12(c) added by Version 1.3] 
 (c) CHIP Perinatal HMOs 
 Cost-sharing does not apply to CHIP Perinatal Program Members. The exemption from
cost-sharing applies through the end of the original 12-month enrollment period. 
 Section 10.13 Restriction on
assignment of fees. 
 During the term of the Contract, HMO may not, directly or indirectly, assign to any third party any beneficial
or legal interest of the HMO in or to any payments to be made by HHSC pursuant to this Contract. This restriction does not apply to fees paid to Subcontractors. 
 Section 10.14 Liability for taxes. 
 HHSC is not responsible in any way for the
payment of any Federal, state or local taxes related to or incurred in connection with the HMO’s performance of this Contract. HMO must pay and discharge any and all such taxes, including any penalties and interest. In addition, HHSC is exempt
from Federal excise taxes, and will not pay any personal property taxes or income taxes levied on HMO or any taxes levied on employee wages. 
 Section 10.15 Liability for employment-related charges and benefits. 
 HMO will
perform work under this Contract as an independent contractor and not as agent or representative of HHSC. HMO is solely and exclusively liable for payment of all employment-related charges incurred in connection with the performance of this
Contract, including but not limited to salaries, benefits, employment taxes, workers compensation benefits, unemployment insurance and benefits, and other insurance or fringe benefits for Staff. 
 Section 10.16 No additional consideration. 
 (a) HMO will not be entitled to nor receive from HHSC any additional consideration, compensation, salary, wages, charges, fees, costs, or any other type of remuneration for Services and Deliverables provided under the
Contract, except by properly authorized and executed Contract amendments. 
 (b) No other charges for tasks, functions, or activities that
are incidental or ancillary to the delivery of the Services and Deliverables will be sought from HHSC or any other state agency, nor will the failure of HHSC or any other party to pay for such incidental or ancillary services entitle the HMO to
withhold Services and Deliverables due under the Agreement. 
 (c) HMO will not be entitled by virtue of the Contract to consideration in the
form of overtime, health insurance benefits, retirement benefits, disability retirement benefits, sick leave, vacation time, paid holidays, or other paid leaves of absence of any type or kind whatsoever. 
 [Section 10.17 added by Version 1.2] 
 Section 10.17 Federal Disallowance 
 If the federal government recoups money from the
state for expenses and/or costs that are deemed unallowable by the federal government, the state has the right to, in turn, recoup payments made to the HMOs for these same expenses and/or costs, even if they had not been previously disallowed by the
state and were incurred by the HMO, and any such expenses and/or costs would then be deemed unallowable by the state. If the state retroactively recoups money from the HMOs due to a federal disallowance, the state will recoup the entire amount paid
to the HMO for the federally disallowed expenses and/or costs, not just the federal portion. 
 Article 11. Disclosure &
Confidentiality of Information 
 Section 11.01 Confidentiality. 
 (a) HMO and all Subcontractors, consultants, or agents under the Contract must treat all information that is obtained through performance of the Services
under the Contract, including, but not limited to, information relating to applicants or recipients of HHSC Programs as Confidential Information to the extent that confidential treatment is provided under law and regulations. 
 (b) HMO is responsible for understanding the degree to which information obtained through performance of this Contract is confidential under State and
Federal law, regulations, or administrative rules. 
 (c) HMO and all Subcontractors, consultants, or agents under the Contract may not use
any information obtained through performance of this Contract in any manner except as is necessary for the proper discharge of obligations and securing of rights under the Contract. 
 (d) HMO must have a system in effect to protect all records and all other documents deemed confidential under this Contract maintained in connection with
the activities funded under the Contract. Any disclosure or transfer of Confidential Information by HMO, including information required by HHSC, will be in accordance with applicable law. If the HMO receives a request for information deemed
confidential under this Contract, the HMO will immediately notify HHSC of such request, and will make reasonable efforts to protect the information from public disclosure. 
 (e) In addition to the requirements expressly stated in this Section, HMO must comply with any policy, rule, or reasonable requirement of HHSC that
relates to the safeguarding or disclosure of information relating to Members, HMO’S operations, or HMO’s performance of the Contract. 
  

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 (f) In the event of the expiration of the Contract or termination of the Contract for any reason, all
Confidential Information disclosed to and all copies thereof made by the HMOI shall be returned to HHSC or, at HHSC’s option, erased or destroyed. HMO shall provide HHSC certificates evidencing such destruction. 
 (g) The obligations in this Section shall not restrict any disclosure by the HMO pursuant to any applicable law, or by order of any court or government
agency, provided that the HMO shall give prompt notice to HHSC of such order. 
 (h) With the exception of confidential Member information,
Confidential Information shall not be afforded the protection of the Contract if such data was: 
 (1) Already known to
the receiving Party without restrictions at the time of its disclosure by the furnishing Party; 
 (2) Independently
developed by the receiving Party without reference to the furnishing Party’s Confidential Information; 
 (3) Rightfully obtained by the other Party without restriction from a third party after its disclosure by the furnishing Party; 
 (4) Publicly available other than through the fault or negligence of the other Party; or 
 (5) Lawfully released without restriction to anyone. 
 Section 11.02 Disclosure of HHSC’s
Confidential Information. 
 (a) HMO will immediately report to HHSC any and all unauthorized disclosures or uses of HHSC’s
Confidential Information of which it or its Subcontractor(s), consultant(s), or agent(s) is aware or has knowledge. HMO acknowledges that any publication or disclosure of HHSC’s Confidential Information to others may cause immediate and
irreparable harm to HHSC and may constitute a violation of State or federal laws. If HMO, its Subcontractor(s), consultant(s), or agent(s) should publish or disclose such Confidential Information to others without authorization, HHSC will
immediately be entitled to injunctive relief or any other remedies to which it is entitled under law or equity. HHSC will have the right to recover from HMO all damages and liabilities caused by or arising from HMO’s, its Subcontractors’,
consultants’, or agents’ failure to protect HHSC’s Confidential Information. HMO will defend with counsel approved by HHSC, indemnify and hold harmless HHSC from all damages, costs, liabilities, and expenses (including without
limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs) caused by or arising from HMO’s or its Subcontractors’, consultants’ or agents’ failure to protect HHSC’s Confidential Information. HHSC will not unreasonably withhold
approval of counsel selected by the HMO. 
 (b) HMO will require its Subcontractor(s), consultant(s), and agent(s) to comply with the terms
of this provision. 
 Section 11.03 Member Records 
 (a) HMO must comply with the requirements of state and federal laws, including the HIPAA requirements set forth in Section 7.07, regarding the
transfer of Member Records. 
 (b) If at any time during the Contract Term this Contract is terminated, HHSC may require the transfer of
Member Records, upon written notice to HMO, to another entity, as consistent with federal and state laws and applicable releases. 
 (c) The
term “Member Record” for this Section means only those administrative, enrollment, case management and other such records maintained by HMO and is not intended to include patient records maintained by participating Network Providers.

 Section 11.04 Requests for public information. 
 (a) HHSC agrees that it will promptly notify HMO of a request for disclosure of information filed in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act,
Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code, that consists of the HMO’S confidential information, including without limitation, information or data to which HMO has a proprietary or commercial interest. HHSC will deliver a copy of the request for
public information to HMO. 
 (b) With respect to any information that is the subject of a request for disclosure, HMO is required to
demonstrate to the Texas Office of Attorney General the specific reasons why the requested information is confidential or otherwise excepted from required public disclosure under law. HMO will provide HHSC with copies of all such communications.

 (c) To the extent authorized under the Texas Public Information Act, HHSC agrees to safeguard from disclosure information received from
HMO that the HMO believes to be confidential information. HMO must clearly mark such information as confidential information or provide written notice to HHSC that it considers the information confidential. 
 Section 11.05 Privileged Work Product. 
 (a) HMO acknowledges that HHSC asserts that privileged work product may be prepared in anticipation of litigation and that HMO is performing the Services with respect to privileged work product as an agent of HHSC,
and that all matters related thereto are protected from disclosure by the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, Texas Rules of Evidence, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, or Federal Rules of Evidence. 
  

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 (b) HHSC will notify HMO of any privileged work product to which HMO has or may have access. After
the HMO is notified or otherwise becomes aware that such documents, data, database, or communications are privileged work product, only HMO personnel, for whom such access is necessary for the purposes of providing the Services, may have access to
privileged work product. 
 (c) If HMO receives notice of any judicial or other proceeding seeking to obtain access to HHSC’s privileged
work product, HMO will: 
 (1) Immediately notify HHSC; and 
 (2) Use all reasonable efforts to resist providing such access. 
 (d) If HMO resists disclosure of HHSC’s privileged work product in accordance with this Section, HHSC will, to the extent authorized under Civil
Practices and Remedies Code or other applicable State law, have the right and duty to: 
 (1) represent HMO in such
resistance; 
 (2) to retain counsel to represent HMO; or 
 (3) to reimburse HMO for reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred in resisting such access. 
 (e) If a court of competent jurisdiction orders HMO to produce documents, disclose data, or otherwise breach the confidentiality obligations imposed in
the Contract, or otherwise with respect to maintaining the confidentiality, proprietary nature, and secrecy of privileged work product, HMO will not be liable for breach of such obligation. 
 Section 11.06 Unauthorized acts. 
 Each Party agrees to: 
 (1) Notify the other Party promptly of any unauthorized possession, use, or
knowledge, or attempt thereof, by any person or entity that may become known to it, of any HHSC Confidential Information or any information identified by the HMO as confidential or proprietary; 
 (2) Promptly furnish to the other Party full details of the unauthorized possession, use, or knowledge, or attempt thereof, and use reasonable
efforts to assist the other Party in investigating or preventing the reoccurrence of any unauthorized possession, use, or knowledge, or attempt thereof, of Confidential Information; 
 (3) Cooperate with the other Party in any litigation and investigation against third Parties deemed necessary by such Party to protect its
proprietary rights; and 
 (4) Promptly prevent a reoccurrence of any such unauthorized possession, use, or knowledge such information.

 Section 11.07 Legal action. 
 Neither party may commence any legal action or proceeding in respect to any unauthorized possession, use, or knowledge, or attempt thereof by any person or entity of HHSC’s Confidential Information or information
identified by the HMO as confidential or proprietary, which action or proceeding identifies the other Party such information without such Party’s consent. 
 Article 12. Remedies & Disputes 
 Section 12.01 Understanding and
expectations. 
 The remedies described in this Section are directed to HMO’s timely and responsive performance of the
Services and production of Deliverables, and the creation of a flexible and responsive relationship between the Parties. The HMO is expected to meet or exceed all HHSC objectives and standards, as set forth in the Contract. All areas of
responsibility and all Contract requirements will be subject to performance evaluation by HHSC. Performance reviews may be conducted at the discretion of HHSC at any time and may relate to any responsibility and/or requirement. Any and all
responsibilities and/or requirements not fulfilled may be subject to remedies set forth in the Contract. 
 Section 12.02 Tailored remedies. 
 (a) Understanding of the Parties. 
 HMO agrees and understands that HHSC may pursue tailored contractual remedies for noncompliance with the Contract. At any time and at its discretion, HHSC
may impose or pursue one or more remedies for each item of noncompliance and will determine remedies on a case-by-case basis. HHSC’s pursuit or non-pursuit of a tailored remedy does not constitute a waiver of any other remedy that HHSC may have
at law or equity. 
 (b) Notice and opportunity to cure for non-material breach. 
 (1) HHSC will notify HMO in writing of specific areas of HMO performance that fail to meet performance expectations, standards, or schedules set forth in
the Contract, but that, in the determination of HHSC, do not result in a material deficiency or delay in the implementation or operation of the Services. 
 (2) HMO will, within five (5) Business Days (or another date approved by HHSC) of receipt of written notice of a non-material deficiency, provide the HHSC Project Manager a written response that: 
 (A) Explains the reasons for the deficiency, HMO’s plan to address or cure the deficiency, and the date and time by which the
deficiency will be cured; or 
 (B) If HMO disagrees with HHSC’s findings, its reasons for disagreeing with
HHSC’s findings. 
  

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 (3) HMO’s proposed cure of a non-material deficiency is subject to the approval of HHSC.
HMO’s repeated commission of non-material deficiencies or repeated failure to resolve any such deficiencies may be regarded by HHSC as a material deficiency and entitle HHSC to pursue any other remedy provided in the Contract or any other
appropriate remedy HHSC may have at law or equity. 
 (c) Corrective action plan. 
 (1) At its option, HHSC may require HMO to submit to HHSC a written plan (the “Corrective Action Plan”) to correct or resolve a material breach
of this Contract, as determined by HHSC. 
 (2) The Corrective Action Plan must provide: 
 (A) A detailed explanation of the reasons for the cited deficiency; 
 (B) HMO’s assessment or diagnosis of the cause; and 
 (C) A specific proposal to cure or resolve the deficiency. 
 (3) The Corrective Action Plan must be submitted by the deadline set forth in HHSC’s request for a Corrective Action Plan. The Corrective Action
Plan is subject to approval by HHSC, which will not unreasonably be withheld. 
 (4) HHSC will notify HMO in writing of HHSC’s final
disposition of HHSC’s concerns. If HHSC accepts HMO’s proposed Corrective Action Plan, HHSC may: 
 (A) Condition such approval on completion of tasks in the order or priority that HHSC may reasonably prescribe; 
 (B) Disapprove portions of HMO’s proposed Corrective Action Plan; or 
 (C) Require additional or
different corrective action(s). 
 Notwithstanding the submission and acceptance of a Corrective Action Plan, HMO remains
responsible for achieving all written performance criteria. 
 (5) HHSC’s acceptance of a Corrective Action Plan under this Section will
not: 
 (A) Excuse HMO’s prior substandard performance; 
 (B) Relieve HMO of its duty to comply with performance standards; or 
 (C) Prohibit HHSC from assessing additional tailored remedies or pursuing other appropriate remedies for continued substandard
performance. 
 (d) Administrative remedies. 
 (1) At its discretion, HHSC may impose one or more of the following remedies for each item of material noncompliance and will determine the scope and severity of the remedy on a case-by-case basis: 
 (A) Assess liquidated damages in accordance with Attachment B-5 to the HHSC Managed Care Contract, “Liquidated
Damages Matrix;” 
 (B) Conduct accelerated monitoring of the HMO. Accelerated monitoring includes more frequent or
more extensive monitoring by HHSC or its agent; 
 (C) Require additional, more detailed, financial and/or programmatic
reports to be submitted by HMO; 
 (D) Decline to renew or extend the Contract; 
 (E) Appoint temporary management; 
 (F) Initiate disenrollment of a Member or Members; 
 (G) Suspend enrollment of
Members; 
 (H) Withhold or recoup payment to HMO; 
 (I) Require forfeiture of all or part of the HMO’s bond; or 
 (J) Terminate the Contract in accordance with Section 12.03, (“Termination by HHSC”). 
 (2) For purposes of the Contract, an item of material noncompliance means a specific action of HMO that: 
 (A) Violates a material provision of the Contract; 
 (B) Fails to meet an agreed measure of performance; or 
 (C) Represents a failure of HMO to be reasonably responsive to a reasonable request of HHSC relating to the Services for information,
assistance, or support within the timeframe specified by HHSC. 
 (3) HHSC will provide notice to HMO of the imposition of an administrative
remedy in accordance with this Section, with the exception of accelerated monitoring, which may be unannounced. HHSC may require HMO to file a written response in accordance with this Section. 
 (4) The Parties agree that a State or Federal statute, rule, regulation, or Federal guideline will prevail over the provisions of this Section unless the
statute, rule, regulation, or guidelines can be read together with this Section to give effect to both. 
 (e) Damages. 
 (1) HHSC will be entitled to actual and consequential damages resulting from the HMO’S failure to comply with any of the terms of the Contract. In
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of Texas as a result of HMO’S failure to meet any aspect of the responsibilities of the Contract and/or to meet specific performance standards set forth
in the Contract are difficult or impossible to determine with precise accuracy. Therefore, liquidated damages will be assessed in writing against and paid by the HMO in accordance with and for failure to meet any aspect of the responsibilities of
the Contract and/or to meet the specific performance standards identified by the HHSC in Attachment B-5 to the HHSC Managed Care Contract, “Deliverables/Liquidated Damages Matrix.” Liquidated damages will be assessed if HHSC
determines such failure is the fault of the HMO (including the HMO’S Subcontractors and/or consultants) and is not materially caused or contributed to by HHSC or its agents. If at any time, HHSC determines the HMO has not met any aspect of the
responsibilities of the Contract and/or the specific performance standards due to mitigating circumstances, HHSC reserves the right to waive all or part of the liquidated damages. All such waivers must be in writing, contain the reasons for the
waiver, and be signed by the appropriate executive of HHSC. 
 (2) The liquidated damages prescribed in this Section are not intended to be
in the nature of a penalty, but are intended to be reasonable estimates of HHSC’s projected financial loss and damage resulting from the HMO’s nonperformance, including financial loss as a result of project delays. Accordingly, in the
event HMO fails to perform in accordance with the Contract, HHSC may assess liquidated damages as provided in this Section. 
 (3) If HMO
fails to perform any of the Services described in the Contract, HHSC may assess liquidated damages for each occurrence of a liquidated damages event, to the extent consistent with HHSC’s tailored approach to remedies and Texas law. 

(4) HHSC may elect to collect liquidated damages: 
 (A) Through direct assessment and demand for payment delivered to HMO; or 
 (B) By
deduction of amounts assessed as liquidated damages as set-off against payments then due to HMO or that become due at any time after assessment of the liquidated damages. HHSC will make deductions until the full amount payable by the HMO is received
by HHSC. 
 (f) Equitable Remedies 
 (1) HMO
acknowledges that, if HMO breaches (or attempts or threatens to breach) its material obligation under this Contract, HHSC may be irreparably harmed. In such a circumstance, HHSC may proceed directly to court to pursue equitable remedies. 

(2) If a court of competent jurisdiction finds that HMO breached (or attempted or threatened to breach) any such obligations, HMO agrees that without
any additional findings of irreparable injury or other conditions to injunctive relief, it will not oppose the entry of an appropriate order compelling performance by HMO and restraining it from any further breaches (or attempted or threatened
breaches). 
 (g) Suspension of Contract 
 (1)
HHSC may suspend performance of all or any part of the Contract if: 
 (A) HHSC determines that HMO has committed a
material breach of the Contract; 
 (B) HHSC has reason to believe that HMO has committed, assisted in the commission of
Fraud, Abuse, Waste, malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance by any party concerning the Contract; 
 (C) HHSC
determines that the HMO knew, or should have known of, Fraud, Abuse, Waste, malfeasance, or nonfeasance by any party concerning the Contract, and the HMO failed to take appropriate action; or 
 (D) HHSC determines that suspension of the Contract in whole or in part is in the best interests of the State of Texas or the HHSC
Programs. 
 (2) HHSC will notify HMO in writing of its intention to suspend the Contract in whole or in part. Such notice will: 

(A) Be delivered in writing to HMO; 
 (B) Include a concise description of the facts or matter leading to HHSC’s decision; and 
 (C) Unless HHSC is suspending the contract for convenience, request a Corrective Action Plan from HMO or describe actions that HMO may take to avoid the contemplated suspension of the Contract. 
 Section 12.03 Termination by HHSC. 
 This Contract will terminate upon the Expiration Date. In addition, prior to completion of the Contract Term, all or a part of this Contract may be terminated for any of the following reasons: 
 (a) Termination in the best interest of HHSC. 
 HHSC may
terminate the Contract without cause at any time when, in its sole discretion, HHSC determines that termination is in the best interests of the State of Texas. HHSC will provide reasonable advance written notice of the termination, as it deems
appropriate under the circumstances. The termination will be effective on the date specified in HHSC’s notice of termination. 
  

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 (b) Termination for cause. 
 HHSC reserves the right to terminate this Contract, in whole or in part, upon the following conditions: 
 (1) Assignment for the benefit of creditors, appointment of receiver, or inability to pay debts. HHSC may terminate this Contract at any time if HMO: 
 (A) Makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors; 
 (B) Admits in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due; or 
 (C) Consents to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, or liquidator of HMO or of all or any part of its property. 
 (2) Failure to adhere to laws, rules, ordinances, or orders.  
 HHSC may terminate this Contract if a court of competent jurisdiction finds HMO failed to adhere to any laws, ordinances, rules,
regulations or orders of any public authority having jurisdiction and such violation prevents or substantially impairs performance of HMO’s duties under this Contract. HHSC will provide at least thirty (30) days advance written notice of
such termination. 
 (3) Breach of confidentiality. 
 HHSC may terminate this Contract at any time if HMO breaches confidentiality laws with respect to the Services and Deliverables provided
under this Contract. 
 (4) Failure to maintain adequate personnel or resources. 
 HHSC may terminate this Contract if, after providing notice and an opportunity to correct, HHSC determines that HMO has failed to supply
personnel or resources and such failure results in HMO’s inability to fulfill its duties under this Contract. HHSC will provide at least thirty (30) days advance written notice of such termination. 
 (5) Termination for gifts and gratuities. 
 (A) HHSC may terminate this Contract at any time following the determination by a competent judicial or quasi-judicial authority and HMO’s exhaustion of all legal remedies that HMO, its employees, agents or
representatives have either offered or given any thing of value to an officer or employee of HHSC or the State of Texas in violation of state law. 
 (B) HMO must include a similar provision in each of its Subcontracts and shall enforce this provision against a Subcontractor who has offered or given any thing of value to any of the persons or entities described in
this Section, whether or not the offer or gift was in HMO’s behalf. 
 (C) Termination of a Subcontract by HMO pursuant
to this provision will not be a cause for termination of the Contract unless: 
 (1) HMO fails to replace such
terminated Subcontractor within a reasonable time; and 
 (2) Such failure constitutes cause, as described in this
Subsection 12.03(b). 
 (D) For purposes of this Section, a “thing of value” means any item of tangible or
intangible property that has a monetary value of more than $50.00 and includes, but is not limited to, cash, food, lodging, entertainment, and charitable contributions. The term does not include contributions to holders of public office or
candidates for public office that are paid and reported in accordance with State and/or Federal law. 
 (6) Termination for
non-appropriation of funds. 
 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Contract, if funds for the continued
fulfillment of this Contract by HHSC are at any time not forthcoming or are insufficient, through failure of any entity to appropriate funds or otherwise, then HHSC will have the right to terminate this Contract at no additional cost and with no
penalty whatsoever by giving prior written notice documenting the lack of funding. HHSC will provide at least thirty (30) days advance written notice of such termination. HHSC will use reasonable efforts to ensure appropriated funds are
available. 
 (7) Judgment and execution.  
 (A) HHSC may terminate the Contract at any time if judgment for the payment of money in excess of $500,000.00 that is not covered by
insurance, is rendered by any court or governmental body against HMO, and HMO does not: 
 (1) Discharge the judgment or
provide for its discharge in accordance with the terms of the judgment; 
 (2) Procure a stay of execution of the
judgment within thirty (30) days from the date of entry thereof; or 
 (3) Perfect an appeal of such judgment and
cause the execution of such judgment to be stayed during the appeal, providing such financial reserves as may be required under generally accepted accounting principles. 
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or any material portion of the property of HMO, and such writ or warrant of attachment or any similar process is not released or bonded within thirty
(30) days after its entry, HHSC may terminate the Contract in accordance with this Section. 
 (8) Termination for insolvency.

 (A) HHSC may terminate the Contract at any time if HMO: 
 (1) Files for bankruptcy; 
 (2) Becomes or is declared insolvent, or is the subject of any proceedings related to its liquidation, insolvency, or the appointment of a receiver or similar officer for it; 
 (3) Makes an assignment for the benefit of all or substantially all of its creditors; or 
 (4) Enters into an Contract for the composition, extension, or readjustment of substantially all of its obligations. 
 (B) HMO agrees to pay for all reasonable expenses of HHSC including the cost of counsel, incident to: 
 (1) The enforcement of payment of all obligations of the HMO by any action or participation in, or in connection with a case or
proceeding under Chapters 7, 11, or 13 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, or any successor statute; 
 (2) A case or
proceeding involving a receiver or other similar officer duly appointed to handle the HMO’s business; or 
 (3) A
case or proceeding in a State court initiated by HHSC when previous collection attempts have been unsuccessful. 
 (9) Termination for
HMO’S material breach of the Contract. 
 HHSC will have the right to terminate the Contract in whole or in part if HHSC determines,
at its sole discretion, that HMO has materially breached the Contract. HHSC will provide at least thirty (30) days advance written notice of such termination. 
 Section 12.04 Termination by HMO. 
 (a) Failure to pay. 
 HMO may terminate this Contract if HHSC fails to pay the HMO undisputed charges when due as required under this Contract. Retaining premium, recoupment,
sanctions, or penalties that are allowed under this Contract or that result from the HMO’s failure to perform or the HMO’s default under the terms of this Contract is not cause for termination. Termination for failure to pay does not
release HHSC from the obligation to pay undisputed charges for services provided prior to the termination date. 
 If HHSC fails to pay
undisputed charges when due, then the HMO may submit a notice of intent to terminate for failure to pay in accordance with the requirements of Subsection 12.04(d). If HHSC pays all undisputed amounts then due within thirty (30)-days after
receiving the notice of intent to terminate, the HMO cannot proceed with termination of the Contract under this Article. 
 (b) Change to HHSC Uniform
Managed Care Manual. 
 HMO may terminate this agreement if the Parties are unable to resolve a dispute concerning a material and substantive
change to the HHSC Uniform Managed Care Manual (a change that materially and substantively alters the HMO’s ability to fulfill its obligations under the Contract). HMO must submit a notice of intent to terminate due to a material and
substantive change in the HHSC Uniform Managed Care Manual no later than thirty (30) days after the effective date of the policy change. HHSC will not enforce the policy change during the period of time between the receipt of the notice of
intent to terminate and the effective date of termination. 
 (c) Change to Capitation Rate. 
 If HHSC proposes a modification to the Capitation Rate that is unacceptable to the HMO, the HMO may terminate the Contract. HMO must submit a written
notice of intent to terminate due to a change in the Capitation Rate no later than thirty (30) days after HHSC’s notice of the proposed change. HHSC will not enforce the rate change during the period of time between the receipt of the
notice of intent to terminate and the effective date of termination. 
 (d) Notice of intent to terminate. 
 In order to terminate the Contract pursuant to this Section, HMO must give HHSC at least ninety (90) days written notice of intent to terminate. The
termination date will be calculated as the last day of the month following ninety (90) days from the date the notice of intent to terminate is received by HHSC. 
 Section 12.05 Termination by mutual agreement. 
 This Contract
may be terminated by mutual written agreement of the Parties. 
 Section 12.06 Effective date of termination.

 Except as otherwise provided in this Contract, termination will be effective as of the date specified in the notice of termination.

 Section 12.07 Extension of termination effective date. 
 The Parties may extend the effective date of termination one or more times by mutual written agreement. 
  

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 Section 12.08 Payment and other provisions at Contract termination.

 (a) In the event of termination pursuant to this Article, HHSC will pay the Capitation Payment for Services and Deliverables
rendered through the effective date of termination. All pertinent provisions of the Contract will form the basis of settlement. 
 (b) HMO
must provide HHSC all reasonable access to records, facilities, and documentation as is required to efficiently and expeditiously close out the Services and Deliverables provided under this Contract. 
 (c) HMO must prepare a Turnover Plan, which is acceptable to and approved by HHSC. The Turnover Plan will be implemented during the time period between
receipt of notice and the termination date. 
 Section 12.09 Modification of Contract in the event of remedies.

 HHSC may propose a modification of this Contract in response to the imposition of a remedy under this Article. Any modifications
under this Section must be reasonable, limited to the matters causing the exercise of a remedy, in writing, and executed in accordance with Article 8. HMO must negotiate such proposed modifications in good faith. 
 Section 12.10 Turnover assistance. 
 Upon receipt of notice of termination of the Contract by HHSC, HMO will provide any turnover assistance reasonably necessary to enable HHSC or its designee to effectively close out the Contract and move the work to
another vendor or to perform the work itself. 
 Section 12.11 Rights upon termination or expiration of Contract.

 In the event that the Contract is terminated for any reason, or upon its expiration, HHSC will, at HHSC’s discretion, retain
ownership of any and all associated work products, Deliverables and/or documentation in whatever form that they exist. 
 Section 12.12 HMO responsibility for associated costs. 
 If HHSC terminates the
Contract for Cause, the HMO will be responsible to HHSC for all reasonable costs incurred by HHSC, the State of Texas, or any of its administrative agencies to replace the HMO. These costs include, but are not limited to, the costs of procuring a
substitute vendor and the cost of any claim or litigation that is reasonably attributable to HMO’s failure to perform any Service in accordance with the terms of the Contract 
 Section 12.13 Dispute resolution. 
 (a) General agreement of the Parties.

 The Parties mutually agree that the interests of fairness, efficiency, and good business practices are best served when the Parties employ
all reasonable and informal means to resolve any dispute under this Contract. The Parties express their mutual commitment to using all reasonable and informal means of resolving disputes prior to invoking a remedy provided elsewhere in this Section.

 (b) Duty to negotiate in good faith. 
 Any
dispute that in the judgment of any Party to this Contract may materially or substantially affect the performance of any Party will be reduced to writing and delivered to the other Party. The Parties must then negotiate in good faith and use every
reasonable effort to resolve such dispute and the Parties shall not resort to any formal proceedings unless they have reasonably determined that a negotiated resolution is not possible. The resolution of any dispute disposed of by Contract between
the Parties shall be reduced to writing and delivered to all Parties within ten (10) Business Days. 
 (c) Claims for breach of Contract. 
 (1) General requirement. HMO’s claim for breach of this Contract will be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution process
established by HHSC in accordance with Chapter 2260, Texas Government Code. 
 (2) Negotiation of claims. The Parties expressly agree
that the HMO’s claim for breach of this Contract that the Parties cannot resolve in the ordinary course of business or through the use of all reasonable and informal means will be submitted to the negotiation process provided in Chapter 2260,
Subchapter B, Texas Government Code. 
 (A) To initiate the process, HMO must submit written notice to HHSC that specifically
states that HMO invokes the provisions of Chapter 2260, Subchapter B, Texas Government Code. The notice must comply with the requirements of Title 1, Chapter 392, Subchapter B of the Texas Administrative Code. 
 (B) The Parties expressly agree that the HMO’s compliance with Chapter 2260, Subchapter B, Texas Government Code, will be a condition
precedent to the filing of a contested case proceeding under Chapter 2260, Subchapter C, of the Texas Government Code. 
 (3) Contested case proceedings. The contested case process provided in Chapter 2260, Subchapter C, Texas Government Code, will be HMO’s sole and exclusive process for seeking a remedy for any and all alleged breaches of
contract by HHSC if the Parties are unable to resolve their disputes under Subsection (c)(2) of this Section. 
 The Parties expressly agree
that compliance with the contested case process provided in Chapter 2260, Subchapter C, Texas Government Code, will be a condition precedent to seeking consent to sue from the Texas Legislature under Chapter 107, Civil 

  

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Practices & Remedies Code. Neither the execution of this Contract by HHSC nor any other conduct of any representative of HHSC relating to this
Contract shall be considered a waiver of HHSC’s sovereign immunity to suit. 
 (4) HHSC rules. The submission, processing and
resolution of HMO’s claim is governed by the rules adopted by HHSC pursuant to Chapter 2260, Texas Government Code, found at Title 1, Chapter 392, Subchapter B of the Texas Administrative Code. 
 (5) HMO’s duty to perform. Neither the occurrence of an event constituting an alleged breach of contract nor the pending status of any claim
for breach of contract is grounds for the suspension of performance, in whole or in part, by HMO of any duty or obligation with respect to the performance of this Contract. Any changes to the Contract as a result of a dispute resolution will be
implemented in accordance with Article 8 (“Amendments and Modifications”). 
 Section 12.14 Liability of
HMO. 
 (a) HMO bears all risk of loss or damage to HHSC or the State due to: 
 (1) Defects in Services or Deliverables; 
 (2) Unfitness or obsolescence of Services or Deliverables; or 
 (3) The negligence or intentional misconduct of HMO or its employees, agents, Subcontractors, or representatives. 
 (b) HMO must, at the HMO’s own expense, defend with counsel approved by HHSC, indemnify, and hold harmless HHSC and State employees, officers,
directors, contractors and agents from and against any losses, liabilities, damages, penalties, costs, fees, including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees, and expenses from any claim or action for property damage, bodily injury or
death, to the extent caused by or arising from the negligence or intentional misconduct of the HMO and its employees, officers, agents, or Subcontractors. HHSC will not unreasonably withhold approval of counsel selected by HMO. 
 (c) HMO will not be liable to HHSC for any loss, damages or liabilities attributable to or arising from the failure of HHSC or any state agency to
perform a service or activity in connection with this Contract. 
 Article 13. Assurances & Certifications 
 Section 13.01 Proposal certifications. 
 HMO acknowledges its continuing obligation to comply with the requirements of the following certifications contained in its Proposal, and will immediately notify HHSC of any changes in circumstances affecting these
certifications: 
 (1) Federal lobbying; 
 (2) Debarment and suspension; 
 (3) Child support; and 
 (4) Nondisclosure statement. 
 Section 13.02 Conflicts of interest. 
 (a) Representation. 
 HMO agrees to comply with applicable state and federal laws, rules, and regulations regarding conflicts of interest in the performance of its duties under
this Contract. HMO warrants that it has no interest and will not acquire any direct or indirect interest that would conflict in any manner or degree with its performance under this Contract. 
 (b) General duty regarding conflicts of interest. 
 HMO will
establish safeguards to prohibit employees from using their positions for a purpose that constitutes or presents the appearance of personal or organizational conflict of interest, or personal gain. HMO will operate with complete independence and
objectivity without actual, potential or apparent conflict of interest with respect to the activities conducted under this Contract with the State of Texas. 
 Section 13.03 Organizational conflicts of interest. 
 (a) Definition. 
 An organizational conflict of interest is a set of facts or circumstances, a relationship, or other situation under which a HMO, or a Subcontractor has
past, present, or currently planned personal or financial activities or interests that either directly or indirectly: 
 (1) Impairs or diminishes the HMO’s, or Subcontractor’s ability to render impartial or objective assistance or advice to HHSC; or 
 (2) Provides the HMO or Subcontractor an unfair competitive advantage in future HHSC procurements (excluding the award of this Contract). 
 (b) Warranty. 
 Except as otherwise disclosed and approved by HHSC prior to the Effective Date of the
Contract, HMO warrants that, as of the Effective Date and to the best of its knowledge and belief, there are no relevant facts or circumstances that could give rise to an organizational conflict of interest affecting this Contract. HMO affirms that
it has neither given, nor intends to give, at any time hereafter, any economic opportunity, future employment, gift, loan, gratuity, special discount, trip, favor, or service to a public servant or any employee or representative of same, at any time
during the procurement process or in connection with the procurement process except as allowed under relevant state and federal law. 
  

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 (c) Continuing duty to disclose. 
 (1) HMO agrees that, if after the Effective Date, HMO discovers or is made aware of an organizational conflict of interest, HMO will
immediately and fully disclose such interest in writing to the HHSC project manager. In addition, HMO must promptly disclose any relationship that might be perceived or represented as a conflict after its discovery by HMO or by HHSC as a potential
conflict. HHSC reserves the right to make a final determination regarding the existence of conflicts of interest, and HMO agrees to abide by HHSC’s decision. 
 (2) The disclosure will include a description of the action(s) that HMO has taken or proposes to take to avoid or mitigate such
conflicts. 
 (d) Remedy. 
 If HHSC determines
that an organizational conflict of interest exists, HHSC may, at its discretion, terminate the Contract pursuant to Subsection 12.03(b)(9). If HHSC determines that HMO was aware of an organizational conflict of interest before the award of
this Contract and did not disclose the conflict to the contracting officer, such nondisclosure will be considered a material breach of the Contract. Furthermore, such breach may be submitted to the Office of the Attorney General, Texas Ethics
Commission, or appropriate State or Federal law enforcement officials for further action. 
 (e) Flow down obligation. 
 HMO must include the provisions of this Section in all Subcontracts for work to be performed similar to the service provided by HMO, and the terms
“Contract,” “HMO,” and “project manager” modified appropriately to preserve the State’s rights. 
 Section 13.04 HHSC personnel recruitment prohibition. 
 HMO has not retained or
promised to retain any person or company, or utilized or promised to utilize a consultant that participated in HHSC’s development of specific criteria of the RFP or who participated in the selection of the HMO for this Contract. 
 Unless authorized in writing by HHSC, HMO will not recruit or employ any HHSC professional or technical personnel who have worked on projects relating to
the subject matter of this Contract, or who have had any influence on decisions affecting the subject matter of this Contract, for two (2) years following the completion of this Contract. 
 Section 13.05 Anti-kickback provision. 
 HMO certifies that it will comply with the Anti-Kickback Act of 1986, 41 U.S.C. §51-58 and Federal Acquisition Regulation 52.203-7, to the extent applicable. 
 Section 13.06 Debt or back taxes owed to State of Texas. 
 In accordance with Section 403.055 of the Texas Government Code, HMO agrees that any payments due to HMO under the Contract will be first applied
toward any debt and/or back taxes HMO owes State of Texas. HMO further agrees that payments will be so applied until such debts and back taxes are paid in full. 
 Section 13.07 Certification regarding status of license, certificate, or permit. 
 Article IX, Section 163 of the General Appropriations Act for the 1998/1999 state fiscal biennium prohibits an agency that receives an appropriation under either Article II or V of the General Appropriations Act from awarding a
contract with the owner, operator, or administrator of a facility that has had a license, certificate, or permit revoked by another Article II or V agency. HMO certifies it is not ineligible for an award under this provision. 
 Section 13.08 Outstanding debts and judgments. 
 HMO certifies that it is not presently indebted to the State of Texas, and that HMO is not subject to an outstanding judgment in a suit by State of Texas
against HMO for collection of the balance. For purposes of this Section, an indebtedness is any amount sum of money that is due and owing to the State of Texas and is not currently under dispute. A false statement regarding HMO’s status will be
treated as a material breach of this Contract and may be grounds for termination at the option of HHSC. 
 Article 14.
Representations & Warranties 
 Section 14.01 Authorization. 
 (a) The execution, delivery and performance of this Contract has been duly authorized by HMO and no additional approval, authorization or consent of any
governmental or regulatory agency is required to be obtained in order for HMO to enter into this Contract and perform its obligations under this Contract. 
 (b) HMO has obtained all licenses, certifications, permits, and authorizations necessary to perform the Services under this Contract and currently is in good standing with all regulatory agencies that regulate any or
all aspects of HMO’s performance of this Contract. HMO will maintain all required certifications, licenses, permits, and authorizations during the term of this Contract. 
 Section 14.02 Ability to perform. 
 HMO warrants that it has
the financial resources to fund the capital expenditures required under the Contract without advances by HHSC or assignment of any payments by HHSC to a financing source. 
  

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 Section 14.03 Minimum Net Worth. 
 The HMO has, and will maintain throughout the life of this Contract, minimum net worth to the greater of (a) $1,500,000; (b) an amount equal to
the sum of twenty-five dollars ($25) times the number of all enrollees including Members; or (c) an amount that complies with standards adopted by TDI. Minimum net worth means the excess total admitted assets over total liabilities, excluding
liability for subordinated debt issued in compliance with Chapter 843 of the Texas Insurance Code. 
 Section 14.04
Insurer solvency. 
 (a) The HMO must be and remain in full compliance with all applicable state and federal solvency requirements for
basic-service health maintenance organizations, including but not limited to, all reserve requirements, net worth standards, debt-to-equity ratios, or other debt limitations. In the event the HMO fails to maintain such compliance, HHSC, without
limiting any other rights it may have by law or under the Contract, may terminate the Contract. 
 (b) If the HMO becomes aware of any
impending changes to its financial or business structure that could adversely impact its compliance with the requirements of the Contract or its ability to pay its debts as they come due, the HMO must notify HHSC immediately in writing. 

(c) The HMO must have a plan and take appropriate measures to ensure adequate provision against the risk of insolvency as required by TDI. Such
provision must be adequate to provide for the following in the event of insolvency: 
 (1) continuation of Covered
Services, until the time of discharge, to Members who are confined on the date of insolvency in a hospital or other inpatient facility; 
 (2) payments to unaffiliated health care providers and affiliated healthcare providers whose Contracts do not contain Member “hold harmless” clauses acceptable to the TDI; 
 (3) continuation of Covered Services for the duration of the Contract Period for which a capitation has been paid for a Member;

 (4) provision against the risk of insolvency must be made by establishing adequate reserves, insurance or other
guarantees in full compliance with all financial requirements of TDI and the Contract. 
 Should TDI determine that there is an immediate
risk of insolvency or the HMO is unable to provide Covered Services to its Members, HHSC, without limiting any other rights it may have by law, or under the Contract, may terminate the Contract. 
 Section 14.05 Workmanship and performance. 
 (a) All Services and Deliverables provided under this Contract will be provided in a manner consistent with the standards of quality and integrity as outlined in the Contract. 
 (b) All Services and Deliverables must meet or exceed the required levels of performance specified in or pursuant to this Contract. 
 (c) HMO will perform the Services and provide the Deliverables in a workmanlike manner, in accordance with best practices and high professional standards
used in well-managed operations performing services similar to the services described in this Contract. 
 Section 14.06 Warranty of
deliverables. 
 HMO warrants that Deliverables developed and delivered under this Contract will meet in all material respects
the specifications as described in the Contract during the period following its acceptance by HHSC, through the term of the Contract, including any subsequently negotiated by HMO and HHSC. HMO will promptly repair or replace any such Deliverables
not in compliance with this warranty at no charge to HHSC. 
 Section 14.07 Compliance with Contract. 
 HMO will not take any action substantially or materially inconsistent with any of the terms and conditions set forth in this Contract without the express
written approval of HHSC. 
 Section 14.08 Technology Access 
 (a) HMO expressly acknowledges that State funds may not be expended in connection with the purchase of an automated information system unless that system
meets certain statutory requirements relating to accessibility by persons with visual impairments. Accordingly, HMO represents and warrants to HHSC that this technology is capable, either by virtue of features included within the technology or
because it is readily adaptable by use with other technology, of: 
 (1) Providing equivalent access for effective use by
both visual and non-visual means; 
 (2) Presenting information, including prompts used for interactive communications,
in formats intended for non-visual use; and 
 (3) Being integrated into networks for obtaining, retrieving, and
disseminating information used by individuals who are not blind or visually impaired. 
 (b) For purposes of this Section, the phrase
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such as assistive devices or services that would constitute reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar State or Federal
laws. Examples of methods by which equivalent access may be provided include, but are not limited to, keyboard alternatives to mouse commands and other means of navigating graphical displays, and customizable display appearance. 
 (c) In addition, all technological solutions offered by the HMO must comply with the requirements of Texas Government Code §531.0162. This includes,
but is not limited to providing technological solutions that meet federal accessibility standards for persons with disabilities, as applicable. 
 Article 15. Intellectual Property 
 Section 15.01 Infringement and misappropriation.

 (a) HMO warrants that all Deliverables provided by HMO will not infringe or misappropriate any right of, and will be free of any
claim of, any third person or entity based on copyright, patent, trade secret, or other intellectual property rights. 
 (b) HMO will, at its
expense, defend with counsel approved by HHSC, indemnify, and hold harmless HHSC, its employees, officers, directors, contractors, and agents from and against any losses, liabilities, damages, penalties, costs, fees, including without limitation
reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, from any claim or action against HHSC that is based on a claim of breach of the warranty set forth in the preceding paragraph. HHSC will promptly notify HMO in writing of the claim, provide HMO a copy of
all information received by HHSC with respect to the claim, and cooperate with HMO in defending or settling the claim. HHSC will not unreasonably withhold, delay or condition approval of counsel selected by the HMO. 
 (c) In case the Deliverables, or any one or part thereof, is in such action held to constitute an infringement or misappropriation, or the use thereof is
enjoined or restricted or if a proceeding appears to HMO to be likely to be brought, HMO will, at its own expense, either: 
 (1) Procure for HHSC the right to continue using the Deliverables; or 
 (2) Modify or replace the
Deliverables to comply with the Specifications and to not violate any intellectual property rights. 
 If neither of the alternatives set
forth in (1) or (2) above are available to the HMO on commercially reasonable terms, HMO may require that HHSC return the allegedly infringing Deliverable(s) in which case HMO will refund all amounts paid for all such Deliverables.

 Section 15.02 Exceptions. 
 HMO is not responsible for any claimed breaches of the warranties set forth in Section 15.01 to the extent caused by: 
 (a) Modifications made to the item in question by anyone other than HMO or its Subcontractors, or modifications made by HHSC or its contractors working at HMO’s direction or in accordance with the
specifications; or 
 (b) The combination, operation, or use of the item with other items if HMO did not supply or approve for use with
the item; or 
 (c) HHSC’s failure to use any new or corrected versions of the item made available by HMO. 
 Section 15.03 Ownership and Licenses 
 (a) Definitions. 
 For purposes of this Section 15.03, the following terms have the meanings set forth below: 
 (1) “Custom Software” means any software developed by the HMO: for HHSC; in connection with the Contract; and with funds
received from HHSC. The term does not include HMO Proprietary Software or Third Party Software. 
 (2) “HMO Proprietary
Software” means software: (i) developed by the HMO prior to the Effective Date of the Contract, or (ii) software developed by the HMO after the Effective Date of the Contract that is not developed: for HHSC; in connection with
the Contract; and with funds received from HHSC. 
 (3) “Third Party Software” means software that is: developed for
general commercial use; available to the public; or not developed for HHSC. Third Party Software includes without limitation: commercial off-the-shelf software; operating system software; and application software, tools, and utilities. 

(b) Deliverables. 
 The Parties agree that any
Deliverable, including without limitation the Custom Software, will be the exclusive property of HHSC. 
 (c) Ownership rights. 
 (1) HHSC will own all right, title, and interest in and to its Confidential Information and the Deliverables provided by the HMO, including without
limitation the Custom Software and associated documentation. For purposes of this Section 15.03, the Deliverables will not include HMO Proprietary Software or Third Party Software. HMO will take all actions necessary and transfer ownership of
the Deliverables to HHSC, including, without limitation, the Custom Software and associated documentation prior to Contract termination. 
 (2) HMO will furnish such Deliverables, upon request of HHSC, in accordance with applicable State law. All Deliverables, in whole and in part, will 

  

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be deemed works made for hire of HHSC for all purposes of copyright law, and copyright will belong solely to HHSC. To the extent that any such Deliverable
does not qualify as a work for hire under applicable law, and to the extent that the Deliverable includes materials subject to copyright, patent, trade secret, or other proprietary right protection, HMO agrees to assign, and hereby assigns, all
right, title, and interest in and to Deliverables, including without limitation all copyrights, inventions, patents, trade secrets, and other proprietary rights therein (including renewals thereof) to HHSC. 
 (3) HMO will, at the expense of HHSC, assist HHSC or its nominees to obtain copyrights, trademarks, or patents for all such Deliverables in the United
States and any other countries. HMO agrees to execute all papers and to give all facts known to it necessary to secure United States or foreign country copyrights and patents, and to transfer or cause to transfer to HHSC all the right, title, and
interest in and to such Deliverables. HMO also agrees not to assert any moral rights under applicable copyright law with regard to such Deliverables. 
 (d)
License Rights 
 HHSC will have a royalty-free and non-exclusive license to access the HMO Proprietary Software and associated documentation
during the term of the Contract. HHSC will also have ownership and unlimited rights to use, disclose, duplicate, or publish all information and data developed, derived, documented, or furnished by HMO under or resulting from the Contract. Such data
will include all results, technical information, and materials developed for and/or obtained by HHSC from HMO in the performance of the Services hereunder, including but not limited to all reports, surveys, plans, charts, recordings (video and/or
sound), pictures, drawings, analyses, graphic representations, computer printouts, notes and memoranda, and documents whether finished or unfinished, which result from or are prepared in connection with the Services performed as a result of the
Contract. 
 (e) Proprietary Notices 
 HMO will
reproduce and include HHSC’s copyright and other proprietary notices and product identifications provided by HMO on such copies, in whole or in part, or on any form of the Deliverables. 
 (f) State and Federal Governments 
 In accordance with
45 C.F.R. §95.617, all appropriate State and Federal agencies will have a royalty-free, nonexclusive, and irrevocable license to reproduce, publish, translate, or otherwise use, and to authorize others to use for Federal Government purposes all
materials, the Custom Software and modifications thereof, and associated documentation designed, developed, or installed with federal financial participation under the Contract, including but not limited to those materials covered by copyright, all
software source and object code, instructions, files, and documentation. 
 Article 16. Liability 
 Section 16.01 Property damage. 
 (a) HMO will protect HHSC’s real and personal property from damage arising from HMO’s, its agent’s, employees’ and Subcontractors’ performance of the Contract, and HMO will be responsible for
any loss, destruction, or damage to HHSC’s property that results from or is caused by HMO’s, its agents’, employees’ or Subcontractors’ negligent or wrongful acts or omissions. Upon the loss of, destruction of, or damage to
any property of HHSC, HMO will notify the HHSC Project Manager thereof and, subject to direction from the Project Manager or her or his designee, will take all reasonable steps to protect that property from further damage. 
 (b) HMO agrees to observe and encourage its employees and agents to observe safety measures and proper operating procedures at HHSC sites at all times.

 (c) HMO will distribute a policy statement to all of its employees and agents that directs the employee or agent to promptly report to
HHSC or to HMO any special defect or unsafe condition encountered while on HHSC premises. HMO will promptly report to HHSC any special defect or an unsafe condition it encounters or otherwise learns about. 
 Section 16.02 Risk of Loss. 
 During the period Deliverables are in transit and in possession of HMO, its carriers or HHSC prior to being accepted by HHSC, HMO will bear the risk of loss or damage thereto, unless such loss or damage is caused by
the negligence or intentional misconduct of HHSC. After HHSC accepts a Deliverable, the risk of loss or damage to the Deliverable will be borne by HHSC, except loss or damage attributable to the negligence or intentional misconduct of HMO’s
agents, employees or Subcontractors. 
 Section 16.03 Limitation of HHSC’s Liability. 
 HHSC WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES UNDER CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), OR OTHER LEGAL
THEORY. THIS WILL APPLY REGARDLESS OF THE CAUSE OF ACTION AND EVEN IF HHSC HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. 
 HHSC’S LIABILITY TO HMO UNDER THE CONTRACT WILL NOT EXCEED THE TOTAL CHARGES TO BE PAID BY HHSC TO HMO UNDER THE CONTRACT, INCLUDING CHANGE ORDER PRICES AGREED TO BY THE PARTIES OR OTHERWISE ADJUDICATED. 
  

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 HMO’s remedies are governed by the provisions in Article 12. 
 Article 17. Insurance & Bonding 
 Section 17.01 modified by Versions 1.2 and 1.5 
 Section 17.01 Insurance Coverage. 
 (a) Statutory and General Coverage 
 HMO will maintain the
following insurance coverage. 
 (1) Standard Worker’s Compensation Insurance coverage; 
 (2) Automobile Liability; 
 (3) Comprehensive Liability Insurance including Bodily Injury coverage of $100,000.00 per each occurrence and Property Damage Coverage of $25,000.00 per each occurrence; and 
 (4) General Liability Insurance of at least $1,000,000.00 per occurrence and $5,000,000.00 in the aggregate. 
 If HMO’s current Comprehensive General Liability insurance coverage does not meet the above stated requirements, HMO will obtain excess liability
insurance to compensate for the difference in the coverage amounts. 
 (b) Professional Liability Coverage. 
 (1) HMO must maintain, or cause its Network Providers to maintain, Professional Liability Insurance for each Network Provider of
$100,000.00 per occurrence and $300,000.00 in the aggregate, or the limits required by the hospital at which the Network Provider has admitting privileges. 
 (2) HMO must maintain an Umbrella Professional Liability Insurance Policy for the greater of $3,000,000.00 or an amount (rounded to the
nearest $100,000.00) that represents the number of Members enrolled in the HMO in the first month of the applicable State Fiscal Year multiplied by $150.00, not to exceed $10,000,000.00. 
 (c) General Requirements for All Insurance Coverage 
 (1) Except as provided
herein, all exceptions to the Contract’s insurance requirements must be approved in writing by HHSC. HHSC’s written approval is not required in the following situations: 
 (A) An HMO or a Network Provider is not required to obtain the insurance coverage described in Section 17.01 if the HMO or
Network Provider qualifies as a state governmental unit or municipality under the Texas Tort Claims Act, and is required to comply with, and subject to the provisions of, the Texas Tort Claims Act. 
 (B) An HMO may waive the Professional Liability Insurance requirement described in Section 17.01(b)(1) for a Network Provider of
Community-based Long Term Care Services. An HMO may not waive this requirement if the Network Provider provides other Covered Services in addition to Community-based Long Term Care Services, or if a Texas licensing entity requires the Network
Provider to carry such Professional Liability coverage. An HMO that waives the Professional Liability Insurance requirement for a Network Provider pursuant to this provision is not required to obtain such coverage on behalf of the Network Provider.

 (2) HMO or the Network Provider is responsible for any and all deductibles stated in the insurance policies. 
 (3) Insurance coverage must be issued by insurance companies authorized to conduct business in the State of Texas. 
 (4) Insurance coverage must name HHSC as an additional insured with the following exceptions: Standard Workers’ Compensation
Insurance maintained by the HMO, and Professional Liability Insurance maintained by Network Providers. 
 (5) Insurance
coverage kept by the HMO must be maintained throughout the Term of the Contract, and until HHSC’s final acceptance of all Services and Deliverables. Failure to maintain such insurance coverage will constitute a material breach of this Contract.

 (6) With the exception of Professional Liability Insurance maintained by Network Providers, the insurance policies
described in this Section must have extended reporting periods of two years. When policies are renewed or replaced, the policy retroactive date must coincide with, or precede, the Contract Effective Date. 
 (7) With the exception of Professional Liability Insurance maintained by Network Providers, the insurance policies described in this
Section must provide that prior written notice to be given to HHSC at least thirty (30) calendar days before coverage is substantially changed, canceled, or non-renewed. HMO must submit a new coverage binder to HHSC to ensure no break in
coverage. 
 (8) The Parties expressly understand and agree that any insurance coverages and limits furnished by HMO will in
no way expand or limit HMO’s liabilities and responsibilities specified within the Contract documents or by applicable law. 
  

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 (9) HMO expressly understands and agrees that any insurance maintained by HHSC will
apply in excess of and not contribute to insurance provided by HMO under the Contract. 
 (10) If HMO, or its Network
Providers, desire additional coverage, higher limits of liability, or other modifications for its own protection, HMO or its Network Providers will be responsible for the acquisition and cost of such additional protection. Such additional protection
will not be an Allowable Expense under this Contract. 
 (d) Proof of Insurance Coverage 
 (1) Except as provided in Section 17.01(d)(2), the HMO must furnish the HHSC Project Manager original Certificates of Insurance evidencing the
required insurance coverage on or before the Effective Date of the Contract. If insurance coverage is renewed during the Term of the Contract, the HMO must furnish the HHSC Project Manager renewal certificates of insurance, or such similar evidence,
within five (5) Business Days of renewal. The failure of HHSC to obtain such evidence from HMO will not be deemed to be a waiver by HHSC and HMO will remain under continuing obligation to maintain and provide proof of insurance coverage.

 (2) The HMO is not required to furnish the HHSC Project Manager proof of Professional Liability Insurance maintained by Network Providers
on or before the Effective Date of the Contract, but must provide such information upon HHSC’s request during the Term of the Contract. 
 Section 17.02 Performance Bond. 
 (a) Beginning on the Operational Start Date of the
Contract, and each year thereafter, the HMO must obtain a performance bond with a one (1) year term. The performance bond must continue to be in effect for one (1) year following the expiration of the one (1) year term. HMO must
obtain and maintain the annual performance bonds in the form prescribed by HHSC and approved by TDI, naming HHSC as Obligee, securing HMO’s faithful performance of the terms and conditions of this Contract. The annual performance bonds must
comply with Chapter 843 of the Texas Insurance Code and 28 T.A.C. §11.1805. The annual performance bond(s) must be issued in the amount of $100,000.00 for each applicable HMO Program within each Service Area that the HMO covers under this
Contract. All performance bonds must be issued by a surety licensed by TDI, and specify cash payment as the sole remedy. HMO must deliver the initial performance bond to HHSC prior to the Operational Start Date of the Contract, and each renewal
performance bond prior to the first day of the State Fiscal Year. 
 Section 17.02(b) added by Version 1.5 
 (b) Since the CHIP Perinatal Program is a sub-program of the CHIP Program, neither a separate performance bond for the CHIP Perinatal Program nor a
combined performance bond for the CHIP and CHIP Perinatal Programs is required. The same bond that the HMO obtains for its CHIP Program within a particular Service Area also will cover the HMO’s CHIP Perinatal Program, if applicable, in that
same Service Area. 
 Section 17.03 TDI Fidelity Bond 
 The HMO will secure and maintain throughout the life of the Contract a fidelity bond in compliance with Chapter 843 of the Texas Insurance Code and 28
T.A.C. §11.1805. The HMO must promptly provide HHSC with copies of the bond and any amendments or renewals thereto. 
  

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 6. Premium Payment, Incentives, and Disincentives 
 This section documents how the Capitation Rates are developed and describes performance incentives and disincentives related to HHSC’s value-based purchasing
approach. For further information, HMOs should refer to the HHSC Uniform Managed Care Contract Terms and Conditions. 
 Under the HMO Contracts,
health care coverage for Members will be provided on a fully insured basis. The HMO must provide the Services and Deliverables, including Covered Services to enrolled Members in order for monthly Capitation Payments to be paid by HHSC. Attachment
B-1, Section 8 includes the HMO’s financial responsibilities regarding out-of-network Emergency Services and Medically Necessary Covered Services not available through Network Providers. 
 6.1 Capitation Rate Development 
 Refer to Attachment A,
HHSC Uniform Managed Care Contract Terms & Conditions, Article 10, “Terms & Conditions of Payment,” for information concerning Capitation Rate development. 
 6.2 Financial Payment Structure and Provisions 
 HHSC will pay the HMO
monthly Capitation Payments based on the number of eligible and enrolled Members. HHSC will calculate the monthly Capitation Payments by multiplying the number of Member Months times the applicable monthly Capitation Rate by Member Rate Cell. The
HMO must provide the Services and Deliverables, including Covered Services to Members, described in the Contract for monthly Capitation Payments to be paid by HHSC. 
 The HMO must understand and expressly assume the risks associated with the performance of the duties and responsibilities under the Contract, including the failure, termination, or suspension of funding to HHSC,
delays or denials of required approvals, cost of claims incorrectly paid by the HMO, and cost overruns not reasonably attributable to HHSC. The HMO must further agree that no other charges for tasks, functions, or activities that are incidental or
ancillary to the delivery of the Services and Deliverables will be sought from HHSC or any other state agency, nor will the failure of HHSC or any other party to pay for such incidental or ancillary services entitle the HMO to withhold Services or
Deliverables due under the Contract. 
 6.2.1 Capitation Payments 
 The HMO must refer to the HHSC Uniform Managed Care Contract Terms & Conditions for information and Contract requirements on the: 
  

	 	1)	Time and Manner of Payment, 

  

	 	2)	Adjustments to Capitation Payments, 

  

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	 	3)	Delivery Supplemental Payment, and 

  

	 	4)	Experience Rebate. 

 6.3 Performance Incentives and Disincentives

 HHSC introduces several financial and non-financial performance incentives and disincentives through this Contract. These incentives and disincentives
are subject to change by HHSC over the course of the Contract Period. The methodologies required to implement these strategies will be refined by HHSC after collaboration with contracting HMOs through a new incentives workgroup to be established by
HHSC. 
 6.3.1 Non-financial Incentives 
 6.3.1.1
Performance Profiling 
 HHSC intends to distribute information on key performance indicators to HMOs on a regular basis, identifying an HMO’s
performance, and comparing that performance to other HMOs, and HHSC standards and/or external Benchmarks. HHSC will recognize HMOs that attain superior performance and/or improvement by publicizing their achievements. For example, HHSC may post
information concerning exceptional performance on its website, where it will be available to both stakeholders and members of the public. 
 6.3.1.2
Auto-assignment Methodology for Medicaid HMOs 
 HHSC may also revise its auto-assignment methodology during the Contract Period for new Medicaid Members
who do not select an HMO (Default Members). The new assignment methodology would reward those HMOs that demonstrate superior performance and/or improvement on one or more key dimensions of performance. In establishing the assignment methodology,
HHSC will employ a subset of the performance indicators contained within the Performance Indicator Dashboard. At present, HHSC intends to recognize those HMOs that exceed the minimum geographic access standards defined within Attachment
B-1, Section 8 and the Performance Indicator Dashboard. HHSC may also use its assessment of HMO performance on annual quality improvement goals (described in Attachment B-1, Section 8) in developing the assignment methodology.
The methodology would disproportionately assign Default Members to the HMO(s) in a given Service Area that performed comparably favorably on the selected performance indicators. 
 HHSC anticipates that it will not implement a performance-based auto-assignment algorithm before September 1, 2007. HHSC will invite HMO comments on potential approaches prior to implementation of the new
performance-based auto-assignment algorithm. 
  

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 6.3.2 Financial Incentives and Disincentives 
 Section 6.3.2.1 modified by Versions 1.1 and 1.3 
 6.3.2.1 Experience Rebate Reward 
 HHSC historically has required HMOs to provide HHSC with an Experience Rebate (see the Uniform Managed Care Contract Terms and Conditions, Article 10.11) when
there has been an aggregate excess of Revenues over Allowable Expenses. During the Contract Period, should the HMO experience an aggregate excess of Revenues over Allowable Expenses across STAR and CHIP HMO Programs and Service Areas, HHSC will
allow the HMO to retain that portion of the aggregate excess of Revenues over Allowable Expenses that is equal to or less than 3.5% of the total Revenue for the period should the HMO demonstrate superior performance on selected performance
indicators. The retention of 3.5% of revenue exceeds the retention of 3.0% of revenue that would otherwise be afforded to a HMO without demonstrated superior performance on these performance indicators relative to other HMOs. HHSC will develop the
methodology for determining the level of performance necessary for an HMO to retain the additional 0.5% of revenue after consultation with HMOs. The finalized methodology will be added to the Uniform Managed Care Manual. 
 HHSC will calculate the Experience Rebate Reward after it has calculated the HMO’s at-risk Capitation Rate payment, as described below in
Section 6.3.2.2. HHSC will calculate whether a HMO is eligible for the Experience Rebate Reward prior to the 90-day Financial Statistical Report (FSR) filing. 
 HHSC anticipates that it will not implement the incentive for Rate Period 1 of the Contract. HHSC will invite HMO comments on potential approaches prior to implementation of the new performance-based Experience Rebate
Reward. HHSC may also implement this incentive option for the STAR+PLUS and CHIP Perinatal programs in the future. 
 Section 6.3.2.2 modified by
Versions 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3. 
 6.3.2.2 Performance-Based Capitation Rate 
 Beginning in State Fiscal Year 2007 of the Contract, HHSC will place each STAR and CHIP HMO at risk for 1% of the Capitation Rate(s). Beginning in State Fiscal Year 2008 of the Contract, HHSC will also place each
STAR+PLUS HMO at risk for 1% of the Capitation Rate(s). HHSC retains the right to vary the percentage of the Capitation Rate placed at risk in a given Rate Period. HHSC will not place CHIP Perinatal HMOs at risk for 1% of the Capitation Rate(s) in
State Fiscal Year 2007, but reserves this right in subsequent State Fiscal Years. 
 As noted in Section 6.2, HHSC will pay the HMO monthly Capitation
Payments based on the number of eligible and enrolled Members. HHSC will calculate the monthly Capitation Payments by multiplying the number of Member months times the applicable monthly Capitation Rate by Member rate cell. At the end of each Rate
Period, HHSC will evaluate if the HMO has demonstrated that it has fully met the performance expectations for which the HMO is at risk. Should the HMO fall short on some or all of the performance expectations, HHSC will adjust a future monthly
Capitation Payment by an appropriate portion of the 1% at-risk amount. HMOs will be able to earn variable percentages up to 100% of the 1% at-risk Capitation Rate. HHSC’s objective is that all HMOs achieve performance levels that enable them to
receive the full at-risk amount. 
  

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 HHSC will determine the extent to which the HMO has met the performance expectations by assessing the HMO’s
performance for each applicable HMO Program relative to performance targets for the rate period. HHSC will conduct separate accounting for each HMO Program’s at-risk Capitation Rate amount. 
 HHSC will identify no more than 10 performance indicators for each HMO Program. Some of the performance indicators will be standard across the HMO Programs while others
may apply to only one of the HMO Programs. 
 HHSC’s performance indicators may include some or all of the following measures. The specific performance
indicators, periods of data collection, and associated points are detailed in the HHSC Uniform Managed Care Manual. The minimum percentage targets identified in this section were developed based, in part, on the HHSC HMO Program objective of
ensuring access to care and quality of care, past performance of the HHSC HMOs, and performance of Medicaid and CHIP HMOs nationally on HEDIS and CAHPS measures of plan performance. The Performance Indicator Dashboard includes a more detailed
explanation. 
 Standard Performance Indicators: 
  

	 	1.	98% of Clean Claims are properly Adjudicated within 30 calendar days. 

  

	 	2.	The Member Services Hotline abandonment rate does not exceed 7%. 

  

	 	 3.
	 The Behavioral Health Hotline abandonment rate does not exceed 7%.1 

  

	 	4.	The Provider Services Hotline abandonment rate does not exceed 7%. 

 Additional STAR Performance Indicators 
  

	 	1.	90% of child Members have access to at least one child-appropriate PCP with an Open Panel within 30 miles travel distance. 

  

	 	2.	90% of adult Members have access to at least one adult-appropriate PCP with an Open Panel within 30 miles travel distance. 

  

	 	3.	36% of age-qualified child Members receive six or more well-child visits (in the first 15 months of life. 

  

	 	4.	56% of age-qualified child Members receive at least one well-child visit in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, or 6th year of life. 

  

	 	5.	72% of pregnant women Members receive a prenatal care visit in the first trimester or within 42 days of enrollment. 

 Additional CHIP Performance Indicators 
  

	 	1.	90% of child Members have access to at least one child-appropriate PCP with an Open Panel within 30 miles travel distance. 

  

	 	2.	90% of child Members have access to at least one otolaryngologist (ENT) within 75 miles travel distance. 

	 1
	 Will not apply in the Dallas Core Service Area. Points will be allocated proportionately over the
remaining standard performance indicators. 

  

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	 	3.	56% of age-qualified child Members receive at least one well-child visit in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, or 6th year of life 

  

	 	4.	38% of adolescents receive an annual well visit. 

 Additional STAR+PLUS
Performance Indicators 
  

	 	1.	57% of adult Members report no problem with delays in getting approval from the HMO 

  

	 	2.	90% of adult Members have access to at least one adult-appropriate PCP with an Open Panel within 30 miles travel distance 

  

	 	3.	62% of adult Members report no problem in getting a referral to a Specialty Physician 

  

	 	4.	47% of adult Members report no problem getting needed Special Therapy (physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy) from the HMO 

  

	 	5.	57% of adult Members report no problem getting needed Behavioral Health Services from the HMO 

 Failure to timely provide HHSC with necessary data related to the calculation of the performance indicators will result in HHSC’s assignment of a zero percent performance rate for each related performance
indicator. 
 Should Member survey-based indicators yield response rates deemed by HHSC to be too low to yield credible data, HHSC will reapportion points
across the remaining measures. 
 Actual plan rates will be rounded to the nearest whole number. HHSC will calculate performance assessment for the at-risk
portion of the capitation payments by summing all earned points and converting them to a percentage. For example, an HMO that earns 92 points will earn 92% of the at-risk Capitation Rate. HHSC will apply the premium assessment of 8% of the at-risk
Capitation Rate as a reduction to the monthly Capitation Payment ninety days after the end of the contract period. 
 HMOs will report actual Capitation
Payments received on the Financial Statistical Report (FSR). Actual Capitation Payments received include all of the at-risk Capitation Payment paid to the HMO. Any performance assessment based on performance for a contract period will appear on the
second final (334-day) FSR for that contract period. 
 HHSC will evaluate the performance-based Capitation Rate methodology annually in consultation with
HMOs. HHSC may then modify the methodology it deems necessary and appropriate to motivate, recognize, and reward HMOs for performance. The methodologies for Rate Periods 1 and 2 will be included in the HHSC Uniform Managed Care Manual.

 6.3.2.3 Quality Challenge Award 
 Section 6.3.2.3
Modified by Versions 1.1 and 1.2 
 Data collection for the Quality Challenge Award will begin on September 1, 2006; however, the Quality Challenge Award
will not be implemented until State Fiscal Year 2008. Should one or more HMOs be unable to earn the full amount of the performance-based at-risk portion of the Capitation Rate, HHSC will reallocate the funds through the HMO Program’s Quality
Challenge Award. HHSC will use these funds to reward HMOs that demonstrate superior clinical quality. HHSC will determine the number of HMOs that will receive Quality Challenge Award funds annually based on the amount of the funds to be reallocated.
Separate Quality Challenge Award 

  

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payments will be made for each of the HMO programs. As with the performance-based Capitation Rate, each HMO will be evaluated separately for each HMO
Program. HHSC intends to evaluate HMO performance annually on some combination of the following performance indicators in order to determine which HMOs demonstrate superior clinical quality. In no event will a distribution from the Quality Challenge
Award, plus any other incentive payments made in accordance with the HMO Contract, when combined with the Capitation Rate payments, exceed 105% of the Capitation Rate payments to an HMO. 
 Information about the data collection period to be used for each indicator is found in the HHSC Uniform Managed Care Manual. 
 6.3.2.4 Remedies and Liquidated Damages 
 All areas of responsibility and all requirements in the Contract will be subject to performance
evaluation by HHSC. Any and all responsibilities or requirements not fulfilled may have remedies and HHSC will assess either actual or liquidated damages. Refer to Attachment A, HHSC Uniform Managed Care Contract Terms and Conditions and
Attachment B-5 for performance standards that carry liquidated damage values. 
 Section 6.3.2.5 added by Version 1.1 
 6.3.2.5 STAR+PLUS Hospital Inpatient Performance-Based Capitation Rate: Hospital Inpatient Stay Cost Incentives & Disincentives 
 Section 6.3.2.5 modified by Version 1.6 
 Effective as of the STAR+PLUS
Operational Start Date, HHSC will place at-risk a portion of the HMO’s Medicaid-Only Capitation Rate. Settlements for Inpatient Stay costs will be calculated by the State after the end of each State Fiscal Year (SFY) using three (3) months
of completed Hospital paid data for the preliminary settlement and 11 months of completed data for the final settlement. The SFY 2006 Fee-for-Service (FFS) Inpatient Hospital per-member-per-month (PMPM) rate will be projected for Rate Period 1
(February 1, 2007 through August 31, 2007) for the first settlement. Adjustments for the projection will include trending and risk adjustment. The base and final inpatient hospital PMPM rate will be calculated separately for each HMO, Service
Area, and Rate Cell. Harris County is excluded from the Harris Service Area calculations. 
 Section 6.3.2.5.1 added by Version 1.1 
 6.3.2.5.1 STAR+PLUS Hospital Inpatient Disincentive—Administrative Fee at Risk 
 HHSC has assumed that STAR+PLUS HMOs will achieve a 22% reduction in projected FFS Hospital Inpatient Stay costs, for the Medicaid-Only population, through the implementation of the STAR+PLUS model. HMOs achieving
savings beyond 22% will be eligible for the STAR+PLUS Shared Savings Award described in Section 6.3.2.5.2. The HMO will be at-risk for savings less than 22%. 
 The maximum risk to the HMO will be equal to 50% of the difference between 15% Hospital inpatient savings and 22% Hospital inpatient savings. The disincentive for savings above 15%, but still less than 22% will be
equal to 50% of the difference between the level of achieved savings and 22%. HHSC retains the right to vary the disincentive percentage in a given Rate Period by Contract amendment. 
  

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 Section 6.3.2.5.2 added by Version 1.1 
 6.3.2.5.2 STAR+PLUS Hospital Inpatient Incentive – Shared Savings Award 
 HMOs that exceed the 22% reduction in
Inpatient Stay costs incurred by STAR+PLUS Members specified in Section 6.3.2.5.1 will be eligible to obtain a 20% share of the savings achieved beyond the 22% target. HHSC will determine the extent to which the HMO has met and exceeded
the performance expectation in the manner described within Section 6.3.2.5. Should HHSC determine that the HMO exceeded the 22% target, HHSC will adjust a future monthly Capitation Payment upward by 20% of the calculated savings. This
shared savings award is limited to 5% of the HMO’s capitation in accordance with Federal Balance Budget Act requirements and is calculated off of total of STAR+PLUS Capitation Payment. An HMO will be subject to contractual remedies and
determined ineligible for the award, if a HHSC audit reveals that the HMO has inappropriately averted Medically Necessary Inpatient Stay admissions and potentially endangered Member safety. 
  

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 7. Transition Phase Requirements 
 7.1 Introduction 
 This Section presents the scope of work for the Transition Phase of the Contract, which includes
those activities that must take place between the time of Contract award and the Operational Start Date. 
 Section 7.1 modified by Version 1.1

 The Transition Phase will include a Readiness Review of each HMO, which must be completed successfully prior to a HMO’s Operational Start Date for
each applicable HMO Program. HHSC may, at its discretion, postpone the Operational Start Date of the Contract for any such HMO that fails to satisfy all Transition Phase requirements. 
 If for any reason, a HMO does not fully meet the Readiness Review prior to the Operational Start Date, and HHSC has not approved a delay in the Operational Start Date or approved a delay in the HMO’s compliance
with the applicable Readiness Review requirement, then HHSC shall impose remedies and either actual or liquidated damages. If the HMO is a current HMO Contractor, HHSC may also freeze enrollment into the HMO’s plan for any of its HMO Programs.
Refer to the HHSC Uniform Managed Care Contract Terms and Conditions (Attachment A) and the Liquidated Damages Matrix (Attachment B-5) for additional information. 
 7.2 Transition Phase Scope for HMOs 
 Section 7.2 modified by Versions 1.1 and 1.3 
 STAR, STAR+PLUS and CHIP HMOs must meet the Readiness Review requirements established by HHSC no later than 90 days prior to the Operational Start Date for each
applicable HMO Program. CHIP Perinatal HMOS must meet the Readiness Review requirements established by HHSC not later than 60 days prior to the Operational Start Date for the CHIP Perinatal Program. HMO agrees to provide all materials required to
complete the readiness review by the dates established by HHSC and its Contracted Readiness Review Vendor. 
 7.3 Transition Phase Schedule and Tasks

 Section 7.3 modified by Versions 1.1 and 1.3 
 The
Transition Phase will begin after both Parties sign the Contract. The start date for the STAR and CHIP Transition Phase is November 15, 2005. The start date for the STAR+PLUS Transition Phase is June 30, 2006. The start date for the CHIP
Perinate Transition Phase is September 1, 2006. 
 The Transition Phase must be completed no later than the agreed upon Operational Start Date(s) for
each HMO Program and Service Area. The HMO may be subject to liquidated damages for failure to meet the agreed upon Operational Start Date (see Attachment B-5). 
  

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 7.3.1 Transition Phase Tasks 
 The HMO has overall responsibility for the timely and successful completion of each of the Transition Phase tasks. The HMO is responsible for clearly specifying and requesting information needed from HHSC, other HHSC
contractors, and Providers in a manner that does not delay the schedule or work to be performed. 
 7.3.1.1 Contract Start-Up and Planning 

HHSC and the HMO will work together during the initial Contract start-up phase to: 
  

	 	•	 	 define project management and reporting standards; 

  

	 	•	 	 establish communication protocols between HHSC and the HMO; 

  

	 	•	 	 establish contacts with other HHSC contractors; 

  

	 	•	 	 establish a schedule for key activities and milestones; and 

  

	 	•	 	 clarify expectations for the content and format of Contract Deliverables. 

 The HMO will be responsible for developing a written work plan, referred to as the Transition/Implementation Plan, which will be used to monitor progress throughout the Transition Phase. An updated and detailed
Transition /Implementation Plan will be due to HHSC. 
 Section 7.3.1.2 modified by Versions 1.1 and 1.3 
 7.3.1.2 Administration and Key HMO Personnel 
 No later than the
Effective Date of the Contract, the HMO must designate and identify Key HMO Personnel that meet the requirements in HHSC Uniform Managed Care Contract Terms & Conditions, Article 4. The HMO will supply HHSC with resumes of each Key
HMO Personnel as well as organizational information that has changed relative to the HMO’s Proposal, such as updated job descriptions and updated organizational charts, (including updated Management Information System (MIS) job descriptions and
an updated MIS staff organizational chart), if applicable. If the HMO is using a Material Subcontractor(s), the HMO must also provide the organizational chart for such Material Subcontractor(s). 
 No later than the Contract execution date, STAR+PLUS HMOs must update the information above and provide any additional information as it relates to the STAR+PLUS
Program. 
 No later than the Contract execution date, CHIP Perinatal HMOs must update the information above and provide any additional information as it
relates to the CHIP Perinatal Program. 
 Section 7.3.1.3 modified by Versions 1.1 and 1.3 
 7.3.1.3 Financial Readiness Review 
 In order to complete a Financial Readiness Review, HHSC will require that HMOs
update information submitted in their proposals. Note: STAR+PLUS and/or CHIP Perinatal HMOs who have already submitted proposal updates for HHSC’s review for STAR and/or CHIP, must either verify that the information has not changed and that it
applies to STAR+PLUS and/or the CHIP Perinatal Program or provide updated information for STAR+PLUS by July 10, 2006 and for the CHIP Perinatal Program by September 1, 2006. This information will include the following: 
  

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 Contractor Identification and Information 
  

	1.	The Contractor’s legal name, trade name, or any other name under which the Contractor does business, if any. 

  

	2.	The address and telephone number of the Contractor’s headquarters office. 

  

	3.	A copy of its current Texas Department of Insurance Certificate of Authority to provide HMO or ANHC services in the applicable Service Area(s). The Certificate of Authority must
include all counties in the Service Area(s) for which the Contractor is proposing to serve HMO Members. 

  

	4.	Indicate with a “Yes-HMO”, “Yes-ANHC” or “No” in the applicable cell(s) of the Column B of the following chart whether the Contractor is currently
certified by TDI as an HMO or ANHC in all counties in each of the CSAs in which the Contractor proposes to participate in one or more of the HHSC HMO Programs. If the Contractor is not proposing to serve a CSA for a particular HMO
Program, the Contractor should leave the applicable cells in the table empty. 

 Table 2: TDI Certificate of Authority in
Proposed HMO Program CSAs 
  

					
	 Column A
 Core Service Area (CSA)
	  	 Column B
 TDI Certificate of Authority
	  	 Column C
 Counties/Partial Counties without a TDI
Certificate of Authority

	  	  
	 Bexar
	  		  	
			
	 Dallas
	  		  	
			
	 El Paso
	  		  	
			
	 Harris
	  		  	
			
	 Lubbock
	  		  	
			
	 Nueces
	  		  	
			
	 Tarrant
	  		  	
			
	 Travis
	  		  	
			
	 Webb
	  		  	

 If the Contractor is not currently certified by TDI as an HMO or ANHC in any one or
more counties in a proposed CSA, the Contractor must identify such entire counties in Column C for each CSA. For each county listed in Column C, the Contractor must document that it applied to TDI for such certification of authority prior to the
submission of a Proposal for this RFP. The Contractor shall indicate the date that it applied for such certification and the status of its application to get TDI certification in the relevant counties in this section of its submission to HHSC.

  

	5.	For Contractors serving any CHIP and CHIP Perinatal OSAs, indicate with a “Yes-HMO”, “Yes-ANHC” or “No” in the applicable cell(s) of the Column C of
the following chart whether the Contractor is currently certified by TDI as an HMO or ANHC in the entire county in the OSA. If the Contractor is not proposing to serve an OSA, the Contractor should leave the applicable cells in the table empty.

  

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 Table 3: TDI Certificate of Authority in Proposed HMO Program OSAs 
  

					
	 CHIP
Program

	Column A	 	Column B	 	Column C
	 Core Service Area (CSA)
	 	 Affiliated CHIP OSA
	 	 TDI Certificate of Authority

	 Bexar
	 		 	
			
	 El Paso
	 		 	
			
	 Harris
	 		 	
			
	 Lubbock
	 		 	
			
	 Nueces
	 		 	
			
	 Travis
	 		 	

  

					
	 CHIP Perinatal
Program

	Column A	 	Column B	 	Column C
	 Core Service Area (CSA)
	 	 Affiliated CHIP OSA
	 	 TDI Certificate of Authority

	 Bexar
	 		 	
			
	 El Paso
	 		 	
			
	 Harris
	 		 	
			
	 Lubbock
	 		 	
			
	 Nueces
	 		 	
			
	 Travis
	 		 	

 For each county listed in Column C, the Contractor must document that it applied to TDI for such
certification of authority prior to the submission of a Proposal for this RFP. The Contractor shall indicate the date that it applied for such certification and the status of its application to get TDI certification in the relevant counties in this
section of its submission to HHSC. 
  

	6.	If the Contractor proposes to participate in STAR or STAR+PLUS and seeks to be considered as an organization meeting the requirements of Section §533.004(a) or (e) of the
Texas Government Code, describe how the Contractor meets the requirements of §§533.004(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), or (e) for each proposed Service Areas. 

  

	7.	The type of ownership (proprietary, partnership, corporation). 

  

	8.	The type of incorporation (for profit, not-for-profit, or non-profit) and whether the Contractor is publicly or privately owned. 

  

	9.	If the Contractor is an Affiliate or Subsidiary, identify the parent organization. 

  

	10.	If any change of ownership of the Contractor’s company is anticipated during the 12 months following the Proposal due date, the Contractor must describe the circumstances of
such change and indicate when the change is likely to occur. 

  

	11.	The name and address of any sponsoring corporation or others who provide financial support to the Contractor and type of support, e.g., guarantees, letters of credit, etc. Indicate
if there are maximum limits of the additional financial support. 

  

	12.	The name and address of any health professional that has at least a five percent financial interest in the Contractor and the type of financial interest. 

 

	13.	The names of officers and directors. 

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	14.	The state in which the Contractor is incorporated and the state(s) in which the Contractor is licensed to do business as an HMO. The Contractor must also indicate the state where it
is commercially domiciled, if applicable. 

  

	15.	The Contractor’s federal taxpayer identification number. 

  

	16.	The Contractor’s Texas Provider Identifier (TPI) number if the Contractor is Medicaid-enrolled in Texas. 

  

	17.	Whether the Contractor had a contract terminated or not renewed for non-performance or poor performance within the past five years. In such instance, the Contractor must describe
the issues and the parties involved, and provide the address and telephone number of the principal terminating party. The Contractor must also describe any corrective action taken to prevent any future occurrence of the problem leading to the
termination. 

  

	18.	A current Certificate of Good Standing issued by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, or an explanation for why this form is not applicable to the Contractor.

  

	19.	Whether the Contractor has ever sought, or is currently seeking, National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) or American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (URAC) accreditation
status, and if it has or is, indicate: 

  

	 	•	 	 its current NCQA or URAC accreditation status; 

  

	 	•	 	 if NCQA or URAC accredited, its accreditation term effective dates; and 

  

	 	•	 	 if not accredited, a statement describing whether and when NCQA or URAC accreditation status was ever denied the Contractor. 

 Material Subcontractor Information 
 A Material Subcontractor means
any entity retained by the HMO to provide all or part of the HMO Administrative Services where the value of the subcontracted HMO Administrative Service(s) exceeds $100,000 per fiscal year. HMO Administrative Services are those services or functions
other than the direct delivery of Covered Services necessary to manage the delivery of and payment for Covered Services. HMO Administrative Services include but are not limited to Network, utilization, clinical and/or quality management, service
authorization, claims processing, Management Information System (MIS) operation and reporting. The term Material Subcontractor does not include Providers in the HMO’s Provider Network. 
 Contractors must submit the following for each proposed Material Subcontractor, if any: 
  

	1.	A signed letter of commitment from each Material Subcontractor that states the Material Subcontractor’s willingness to enter into a Subcontractor agreement with the Contractor
and a statement of work for activities to be subcontracted. Letters of Commitment must be provided on the Material Subcontractor’s official company letterhead and signed by an official with the authority to bind the company for the
subcontracted work. The Letter of Commitment must state, if applicable, the company’s certified HUB status. 

  

	2.	The Material Subcontractor’s legal name, trade name, or any other name under which the Material Subcontractor does business, if any. 

  

	3.	The address and telephone number of the Material Subcontractor’s headquarters office. 

  

	4.	The type of ownership (e.g., proprietary, partnership, corporation). 

  

	5.	The type of incorporation (i.e., for profit, not-for-profit, or non-profit) and whether the Material Subcontractor is publicly or privately owned. 

  

	6.	If a Subsidiary or Affiliate, the identification of the parent organization. 

  

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	7.	The name and address of any sponsoring corporation or others who provide financial support to the Material Subcontractor and type of support, e.g., guarantees, letters of credit,
etc. Indicate if there are maximum limits of the additional financial support. 

  

	8.	The name and address of any health professional that has at least a five percent (5%) financial interest in the Material Subcontractor and the type of financial interest.

  

	9.	The state in which the Material Subcontractor is incorporated, commercially domiciled, and the state(s) in which the organization is licensed to do business.

  

	10.	The Material Subcontractor’s Texas Provider Identifier if Medicaid-enrolled in Texas. 

  

	11.	The Material Subcontractor’s federal taxpayer identification number. 

  

	12.	Whether the Material Subcontractor had a contract terminated or not renewed for non-performance or poor performance within the past five years. In such instance, the Contractor must
describe the issues and the parties involved, and provide the address and telephone number of the principal terminating party. The Contractor must also describe any corrective action taken to prevent any future occurrence of the problem leading to
the termination. 

  

	13.	Whether the Material Subcontractor has ever sought, or is currently seeking, National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) or American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (URAC)
accreditation or certification status, and if it has or is, indicate: 

  

	 	•	 	 its current NCQA or URAC accreditation or certification status; 

  

	 	•	 	 if NCQA or URAC accredited or certified, its accreditation or certification term effective dates; and 

  

	 	•	 	 if not accredited, a statement describing whether and when NCQA or URAC accreditation status was ever denied the Material Subcontractor.

 Organizational Overview 
  

	 	1.	Submit an organizational chart (labeled Chart A), showing the corporate structure and lines of responsibility and authority in the administration of the Bidder’s business as a
health plan. 

  

	 	2.	Submit an organizational chart (labeled Chart B) showing the Texas organizational structure and how it relates to the proposed Service Area(s), including staffing and functions
performed at the local level. If Chart A represents the entire organizational structure, label the submission as Charts A and B. 

  

	 	3.	Submit an organizational chart (labeled Chart C) showing the Management Information System (MIS) staff organizational structure and how it relates to the proposed Service Area(s)
including staffing and functions performed at the local level. 

  

	 	4.	If the Bidder is proposing to use a Material Subcontractor(s), the Bidder shall include an organizational chart demonstrating how the Material Subcontractor(s) will be managed
within the Bidder’s Texas organizational structure, including the primary individuals at the Bidder’s organization and at each Material Subcontractor organization responsible for overseeing such Material Subcontract. This information may
be included in Chart B, or in a separate organizational chart(s). 

  

	 	5.	Submit a brief narrative explaining the organizational charts submitted, and highlighting the key functional responsibilities and reporting requirements of each organizational unit
relating to the Bidder’s proposed management of the HMO Program(s), including its management of any proposed Material Subcontractors. 

  

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 Other Information 
  

	 	1.	Briefly describe any regulatory action, sanctions, and/or fines imposed by any federal or Texas regulatory entity or a regulatory entity in another state within the last 3 years,
including a description of any letters of deficiencies, corrective actions, findings of non-compliance, and/or sanctions. Please indicate which of these actions or fines, if any, were related to Medicaid or CHIP programs. HHSC may, at its option,
contact these clients or regulatory agencies and any other individual or organization whether or not identified by the Contractor. 

  

	 	2.	No later than ten (10) days after the Contract Effective Date, submit documentation that demonstrates that the HMO has secured the required insurance and bonds in accordance
with TDI requirements and Attachment B-1, Section 8. 

  

	 	3.	Submit annual audited financial statement for fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (2005 to be submitted no later than six months after the close of the fiscal year).

  

	 	4.	Submit an Affiliate Report containing a list of all Affiliates and for HHSC’s prior review and approval, a schedule of all transactions with Affiliates that, under the
provisions of the Contract, will be allowable as expenses in the FSR Report for services provided to the HMO by the Affiliate. Those should include financial terms, a detailed description of the services to be provided, and an estimated amount that
will be incurred by the HMO for such services during the Contract Period. 

 7.3.1.4 System Testing and Transfer of Data 
 The HMO must have hardware, software, network and communications systems with the capability and capacity to handle and operate all MIS systems and subsystems identified
in Attachment B-1, Section 8.1.18. For example, the HMO’s MIS system must comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) as indicated in Section 8.1.18.4. 
 During this Readiness Review task, the HMO will accept into its system any and all necessary data files and information available from HHSC or its contractors. The HMO
will install and test all hardware, software, and telecommunications required to support the Contract. The HMO will define and test modifications to the HMO’s system(s) required to support the business functions of the Contract. 
 Section 7.3.1.4 modified by Versions 1.1 and 1.3 
 The HMO will produce
data extracts and receive all electronic data transfers and transmissions. STAR and CHIP HMOs must be able to demonstrate the ability to produce an EQRO (currently, Institute for Child Health Policy (ICHP)) encounter file by April 1, 2006, and
the 837-encounter file by August 1, 2006. STAR+PLUS HMOs must be able to demonstrate the ability to produce the STAR+PLUS encounter file by the STAR+PLUS Operational Start Date and the 837- encounter file by September 1, 2007. CHIP
Perinatal HMOs who have already demonstrated the ability to produce an EQRO encounter file and 837-encounter file for the CHIP Program are not required to produce separate files for the CHIP Perinatal Program. 
 If any errors or deficiencies are evident, the HMO will develop resolution procedures to address problems identified. The HMO will provide HHSC, or a designated vendor,
with test data files for systems and interface testing for all external interfaces. This includes testing of the required 

  

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telephone lines for Providers and Members and any necessary connections to the HHSC Administrative Services Contractor and the External Quality Review
Organization. The HHSC Administrative Services Contractor will provide enrollment test files to new HMOs that do not have previous HHSC enrollment files. The HMO will demonstrate its system capabilities and adherence to Contract specifications
during readiness review. 
 7.3.1.5 System Readiness Review 
 The HMO must assure that systems services are not disrupted or interrupted during the Operations Phase of the Contract. The HMO must coordinate with HHSC and other contractors to ensure the business and systems continuity for the processing
of all health care claims and data as required under this contract. 
 The HMO must submit to HHSC, descriptions of interface and data and process flow for
each key business processes described in Section 8.1.18.3, System-wide Functions. 
 Section 7.3.1.5 modified by Versions 1.1 and 1.3

 The HMO must clearly define and document the policies and procedures that will be followed to support day-to-day systems activities. The HMO must develop,
and submit for State review and approval, the following information by December 14, 2005 for STAR and CHIP, by July 31, 2006 for STAR+PLUS: 
  

	 	1.	Joint Interface Plan. 

  

	 	2.	Disaster Recovery Plan 

  

	 	3.	Business Continuity Plan 

  

	 	4.	Risk Management Plan, and 

  

	 	5.	Systems Quality Assurance Plan. 

 Separate plans are not required for CHIP
Perinatal HMOs. 
 7.3.1.6 Demonstration and Assessment of System Readiness 
 Section 7.3.1.6 modified by Versions 1.1 and 1.3 
 The HMO must provide documentation on systems and facility security
and provide evidence or demonstrate that it is compliant with HIPAA. The HMO shall also provide HHSC with a summary of all recent external audit reports, including findings and corrective actions, relating to the HMO’s proposed systems,
including any SAS70 audits that have been conducted in the past three years. The HMO shall promptly make additional information on the detail of such system audits available to HHSC upon request. 
 In addition, HHSC will provide to the HMO a test plan that will outline the activities that need to be performed by the HMO prior to the Operational Start Date of the
Contract. The HMO must be prepared to assure and demonstrate system readiness. The HMO must execute system readiness test cycles to include all external data interfaces, including those with Material Subcontractors. 
 HHSC, or its agents, may independently test whether the HMO’s MIS has the capacity to administer the STAR, STAR+PLUS, CHIP, and/or CHIP Perinatal HMO business, as
applicable to the HMO. This Readiness Review of a HMO’s MIS may include a desk review and/or an 

  

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onsite review. HHSC may request from the HMO additional documentation to support the provision of STAR, STAR+PLUS, CHIP, and/or CHIP Perinatal HMO Services,
as applicable to the HMO. Based in part on the HMO’s assurances of systems readiness, information contained in the Proposal, additional documentation submitted by the HMO, and any review conducted by HHSC or its agents, HHSC will assess the
HMO’s understanding of its responsibilities and the HMO’s capability to assume the MIS functions required under the Contract. 
 The HMO is
required to provide a Corrective Action Plan in response to any Readiness Review deficiency no later than ten (10) calendar days after notification of any such deficiency by HHSC. If the HMO documents to HHSC’s satisfaction that the
deficiency has been corrected within ten (10) calendar days of such deficiency notification by HHSC, no Corrective Action Plan is required. 
 Section 7.3.1.7 modified by Versions 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 
 7.3.1.7 Operations Readiness 
 The HMO must clearly define and document the policies and procedures that will be followed to support day-to-day business activities related to the provision of STAR,
STAR+PLUS, CHIP, and/or CHIP Perinatal HMO Services, including coordination with contractors. The HMO will be responsible for developing and documenting its approach to quality assurance. 
 Readiness Review. Includes all plans to be implemented in one or more Service Areas on the anticipated Operational Start Date. At a minimum, the HMO shall,
for each HMO Program: 
  

	 	1.	Develop new, or revise existing, operations procedures and associated documentation to support the HMO’s proposed approach to conducting operations activities in compliance
with the contracted scope of work. 

  

	 	2.	Submit to HHSC, a listing of all contracted and credentialed Providers, in a HHSC approved format including a description of additional contracting and credentialing activities
scheduled to be completed before the Operational Start Date. 

  

	 	3.	Prepare and implement a Member Services staff training curriculum and a Provider training curriculum. 

  

	 	4.	Prepare a Coordination Plan documenting how the HMO will coordinate its business activities with those activities performed by HHSC contractors and the HMO’s Material
Subcontractors, if any. The Coordination Plan will include identification of coordinated activities and protocols for the Transition Phase. 

  

	 	5.	Develop and submit to HHSC the draft Member Handbook, draft Provider Manual, draft Provider Directory, and draft Member Identification Card for HHSC’s review and approval. The
materials must at a minimum meet the requirements specified in Section 8.1.5 and include the Critical Elements to be defined in the HHSC Uniform Managed Care Manual. 

  

	 	6.	Develop and submit to HHSC the HMO’s proposed Member complaint and appeals processes for Medicaid, CHIP, and CHIP Perinatal as applicable to the HMO’s Program
participation. 

  

	 	7.	Provide sufficient copies of the final Provider Directory to the HHSC Administrative Services Contractor in sufficient time to meet the enrollment schedule.

  

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	 	8.	Demonstrate toll-free telephone systems and reporting capabilities for the Member Services Hotline, the Behavioral Health Hotline, and the Provider Services Hotline.

  

	 	9.	Submit a written Fraud and Abuse Compliance Plan to HHSC for approval no later than 30 days after the Contract Effective Date. See Section 8.1.19, Fraud and Abuse, for
the requirements of the plan, including new requirements for special investigation units. As part of the Fraud and Abuse Compliance Plan, the HMO shall: 

  

	 	•	 	 designate executive and essential personnel to attend mandatory training in fraud and abuse detection, prevention and reporting. Executive and essential fraud and
abuse personnel means HMO staff persons who supervise staff in the following areas: data collection, provider enrollment or disenrollment, encounter data, claims processing, utilization review, appeals or grievances, quality assurance and marketing,
and who are directly involved in the decision-making and administration of the fraud and abuse detection program within the HMO. The training will be conducted by the Office of Inspector General, Health and Human Services Commission, and will be
provided free of charge. The HMO must schedule and complete training no later than 90 days after the Effective Date. 

  

	 	•	 	 designate an officer or director within the organization responsible for carrying out the provisions of the Fraud and Abuse Compliance Plan.

  

	 	•	 	 The HMO is held to the same requirements and must ensure that, if this function is subcontracted to another entity, the subcontractor also meets all the
requirements in this section and the Fraud and Abuse section as stated in Attachment B-1, Section 8. 

  

	 	•	 	 Note: STAR+PLUS HMOs who have already submitted and received HHSC’s approval for their Fraud and Abuse Compliance Plans must submit acknowledgement that the
HMO’s approved Fraud and Abuse Compliance Plan also applies to the STAR+PLUS program, or submit a revised Fraud and Abuse Compliance Plan for HHSC’s approval, with an explanation of changes to be made to incorporate the STAR+PLUS program
into the plan, by July 10, 2006. 

  

	 	•	 	 CHIP Perinatal HMOs who have already submitted and received HHSC’s approval for their Fraud and Abuse Compliance Plans must submit acknowledgement that the
HMO’s approved Fraud and Abuse Compliance Plan also applies to the CHIP Perinatal Program, or submit a revised Fraud and Abuse Compliance Plan for HHSC’s approval, with an explanation of changes to be made to incorporate the CHIP Perinatal
program into the plan, by September 15, 2006. 

  

	 	•	 	 Complete hiring and training of STAR+PLUS Service Coordination staff, no later than 45 days prior to the STAR+PLUS Operational Start Date.

 During the Readiness Review, HHSC may request from the HMO certain operating procedures and updates to documentation to support the
provision of STAR, STAR+PLUS, CHIP, and/or CHIP Perinatal HMO Services. HHSC will assess the HMO’s understanding of its responsibilities and the HMO’s capability to assume the functions required under the Contract, based in part on the
HMO’s assurances of operational readiness, information contained in the Proposal, and in Transition Phase documentation submitted by the HMO. 
  

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 The HMO is required to promptly provide a Corrective Action Plan and/or Risk Mitigation Plan as requested by HHSC in
response to Operational Readiness Review deficiencies identified by the HMO or by HHSC or its agent. The HMO must promptly alert HHSC of deficiencies, and must correct a deficiency or provide a Corrective Action Plan and/or Risk Mitigation Plan no
later than ten (10) calendar days after HHSC’s notification of deficiencies. If the Contractor documents to HHSC’s satisfaction that the deficiency has been corrected within ten (10) calendar days of such deficiency notification
by HHSC, no Corrective Action Plan is required. 
 7.3.1.8 Assurance of System and Operational Readiness 
 In addition to successfully providing the Deliverables described in Section 7.3.1, the HMO must assure HHSC that all processes, MIS systems, and staffed
functions are ready and able to successfully assume responsibilities for operations prior to the Operational Start Date. In particular, the HMO must assure that Key HMO Personnel, Member Services staff, Provider Services staff, and MIS staff are
hired and trained, MIS systems and interfaces are in place and functioning properly, communications procedures are in place, Provider Manuals have been distributed, and that Provider training sessions have occurred according to the schedule approved
by HHSC. 
 7.3.1.9 Post-Transition 
 The HMO will work
with HHSC, Providers, and Members to promptly identify and resolve problems identified after the Operational Start Date and to communicate to HHSC, Providers, and Members, as applicable, the steps the HMO is taking to resolve the problems.

 If a HMO makes assurances to HHSC of its readiness to meet Contract requirements, including MIS and operational requirements, but fails to satisfy
requirements set forth in this Section, or as otherwise required pursuant to the Contract, HHSC may, at its discretion do any of the following in accordance with the severity of the non-compliance and the potential impact on Members and Providers:

  

	 	1.	freeze enrollment into the HMO’s plan for the affected HMO Program(s) and Service Area(s); 

  

	 	2.	freeze enrollment into the HMO’s plan for all HMO Programs or for all Service Areas of an affected HMO Program; 

  

	 	3.	impose contractual remedies, including liquidated damages; or 

  

	 	4.	pursue other equitable, injunctive, or regulatory relief. 

  

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 8. OPERATIONS PHASE REQUIREMENTS 
 This Section is designed to provide HMOs with sufficient information to understand the HMOs’ responsibilities. This Section describes scope of work requirements for the Operations Phase of the Contract.

 Section 8 modified by Versions 1.1 and 1.3 
 Section 8.1 includes the general scope of work that applies to the STAR, STAR+PLUS, CHIP, and CHIP Perinatal HMO Programs. 
 Section 8.2 includes the additional Medicaid scope of work that applies only to the STAR and STAR+PLUS HMOs. 
 Section 8.3
includes the additional scope of work that applies only to STAR+PLUS HMOs.  
 Section 8.4 includes the additional scope of work that
applies only to CHIP HMOs. 
 Section 8.5 includes the additional scope of work that applies only to CHIP Perinatal HMOs. 
 The Section does not include detailed information on the STAR, STAR+PLUS, CHIP, and CHIP Perinatal HMO Program requirements, such as the time frame and format for all
reporting requirements. HHSC has included this information in the Uniform Managed Care Contract Terms and Conditions (Attachment A) and the Uniform Managed Care Manual. HHSC reserves the right to modify these documents as it
deems necessary using the procedures set forth in the Uniform Managed Care Contract Terms and Conditions. 
 8.1 General Scope of Work

 In each HMO Program Service Area, HHSC will select HMOs for each HMO Program to provide health care services to Members. The HMO must be licensed by
the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) as an HMO or an ANHC in all zip codes in the respective Service Area(s). 
 Section 8.1 modified by Versions
1.1, 1.3, and 1.6 
 Coverage for benefits will be available to enrolled Members effective on the Operational Start Date. The Operational Start Date is
September 1, 2006 for STAR and CHIP HMOs, January 1, 2007 for CHIP Perinatal HMOs, and February 1, 2007 for the STAR+PLUS HMOs. 
 8.1.1
Administration and Contract Management 
 The HMO must comply, to the satisfaction of HHSC, with (1) all provisions set forth in this Contract, and
(2) all applicable provisions of state and federal laws, rules, regulations, and waivers. 
  

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 Section 8.1.1.1 modified by Versions 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 
 8.1.1.1 Performance Evaluation 
 The HMO must identify and propose to HHSC, in writing, no later than May 1st of
each State Fiscal Year (SFY) after the Operational Start Date, annual HMO Performance Improvement Goals for the next fiscal year, as well as measures and time frames for demonstrating that such goals are being met. Performance Improvement Goals must
be based on HHSC priorities and identified opportunities for improvement (see Attachment B-4, Performance Improvement Goals). The Parties will negotiate such Performance Improvement Goals, the measures that will be used to assess goal
achievement, and the time frames for completion, which will be incorporated into the Contract. If HHSC and the HMO cannot agree on the Performance Improvement Goals, measures, or time frames, HHSC will set the goals, measures, or time frames.

 For State Fiscal Year 2007, HHSC has established three overarching goals for each Program. These overarching goals are as follows: 
 Goal 1 (STAR and CHIP) Improve Access to Primary Care Services for Members 
 Goal 2 (STAR and CHIP) Improve Access to Behavioral Health Services for Members, 
 Goal 3 (STAR Only) Improve Access to Clinically Appropriate Alternatives to Emergency Room Services Outside of Regular Office Hours (CHIP Only) Improve
Current Member Understanding About the CHIP Benefit Renewal Processes 
 Note: The HMO is required to propose customized sub-goals specific to the
HMO’s Service Areas and Programs for all overarching goals. The sub-goals must be approved by HHSC as part of the negotiation process. 
 The specific
percentages of expected achievement for each sub-goal will be negotiated by HHSC and the HMO before the Operational Start Date. 
 For STAR+PLUS HMOs, HHSC
will negotiate and implement Performance Improvement Goals for the first full fiscal year following the STAR+PLUS Operational Start Date. One standard STAR+PLUS goal will relate to Consumer-Directed Services. STAR+PLUS improvement goals for SFY2008
will be included in Attachment B-4.1. 
 For CHIP Perinatal HMOs, HHSC will negotiate and implement Performance Improvement Goals for the first full
State Fiscal Year following the CHIP Perinatal Operational Start Date. 
 The HMO must participate in semi-annual Contract Status Meetings (CSMs) with HHSC
for the primary purpose of reviewing progress toward the achievement of annual Performance Improvement Goals and Contract requirements. HHSC may request additional CSMs, as it deems necessary to address areas of noncompliance. HHSC will provide the
HMO with reasonable advance notice of additional CSMs, generally at least five (5) business days. 
  

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 The HMO must provide to HHSC, no later than 14 business days prior to each semi-annual CSM, one electronic copy of a
written update, detailing and documenting the HMO’s progress toward meeting the annual Performance Improvement Goals or other areas of noncompliance. 
 HHSC will track HMO performance on Performance Improvement Goals. It will also track other key facets of HMO performance through the use of a Performance Indicator Dashboard (see HHSC’s Uniform Managed Care Manual). HHSC will
compile the Performance Indicator Dashboard based on HMO submissions, data from the External Quality Review Organization (EQRO), and other data available to HHSC. HHSC will share the Performance Indicator Dashboard with the HMO on a quarterly basis.

 8.1.2 Covered Services 
 Section 8.1.2 modified by
Versions 1.1 and 1 3 
 The HMO is responsible for authorizing, arranging, coordinating, and providing Covered Services in accordance with the requirements of
the Contract. The HMO must provide Medically Necessary Covered Services to all Members beginning on the Member’s date of enrollment regardless of pre-existing conditions, prior diagnosis and/or receipt of any prior health care services.
STAR+PLUS HMOs must also provide Functionally Necessary Community Long-term Care Services to all Members beginning on the Member’s date of enrollment regardless of pre-existing conditions, prior diagnosis and/or receipt of any prior health care
services. The HMO must not impose any pre-existing condition limitations or exclusions or require Evidence of Insurability to provide coverage to any Member. 
 The HMO must provide full coverage for Medically Necessary Covered Services to all Members and, for STAR+PLUS Members, Functionally Necessary Community Long-term Care Services, without regard to the Member’s: 
  

	 	1.	previous coverage, if any, or the reason for termination of such coverage; 

  

	 	2.	health status; 

  

	 	3.	confinement in a health care facility; or 

  

	 	4.	for any other reason. 

 Please Note: 
 (STAR HMOs): A Member cannot change from one STAR HMO to another STAR HMO during an inpatient hospital stay. The STAR HMO responsible for the hospital charges for STAR
Members at the start of an Inpatient Stay remains responsible for hospital charges until the time of discharge or until such time that there is a loss of Medicaid eligibility. STAR HMOs are responsible for professional charges during every month for
which the HMO receives a full capitation for a Member. 
 (STAR+PLUS HMOs): A Member cannot change from one STAR+PLUS HMO to another STAR+PLUS HMO during an
inpatient hospital stay. The STAR+PLUS HMO is responsible for authorization and management of the inpatient hospital stay until the time of discharge, or until such time that there is a loss of Medicaid eligibility. STAR+PLUS HMOs are responsible
for professional charges during every month for which the HMO receives a full capitation for a Member. 
  

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 A Member cannot change from one STAR+PLUS HMO to another STAR+PLUS HMO during a nursing facility stay. 
 (CHIP HMOs): If a CHIP Member’s Effective Date of Coverage occurs while the CHIP Member is confined in a hospital, HMO is responsible for the CHIP Member’s
costs of Covered Services beginning on the Effective Date of Coverage. If a CHIP Member is disenrolled while the CHIP Member is confined in a hospital, HMO’s responsibility for the CHIP Member’s costs of Covered Services terminates on the
Date of Disenrollment. 
 (CHIP Perinatal HMOs): If a CHIP Perinate’s Effective Date of Coverage occurs while the CHIP Perinate is confined in a
Hospital, HMO is responsible for the CHIP Perinate’s costs of Covered Services beginning on the Effective Date of Coverage. If a CHIP Perinate is disenrolled while the CHIP Perinate is confined in a Hospital, HMO’s responsibility for the
CHIP Perinate’s costs of Covered Services terminates on the Date of Disenrollment. 
 The HMO must not practice discriminatory selection, or encourage
segregation among the total group of eligible Members by excluding, seeking to exclude, or otherwise discriminating against any group or class of individuals. 
 Section 8.1.2 Modified by Version 1.5 
 Covered Services for all Medicaid HMO Members are listed in Attachments B-2 and B-2.1 of the
Contract (STAR and STAR+PLUS Covered Services). As noted in Attachments B-2 and B-2.1, all Medicaid HMOs must provide Covered Services described in the most recent Texas Medicaid Provider Procedures Manual (Provider Procedures
Manual), the THSteps Manual (a supplement to the Provider Procedures Manual), and in all Texas Medicaid Bulletins, which update the Provider Procedures Manual except for those services identified in Section 8.2.2.8 as
non-capitated services. A description of CHIP Covered Services and exclusions is provided in Attachment B-2 of the Contract. A description of CHIP Perinatal Program Covered Services and exclusions is provided in Attachment B-2.2 of the
Contract. Covered Services are subject to change due to changes in federal and state law, changes in Medicaid, CHIP or CHIP Perinatal Program policy, and changes in medical practice, clinical protocols, or technology. 
 8.1.2.1 Value-added Services 
 HMOs may propose additional services
for coverage. These are referred to as “Value-added Services.” Value-added Services must be actual health care services or benefits rather than gifts, incentives, educational classes or health assessments. Temporary phones, cell phones,
additional transportation benefits, and extra home health services may be Value-added Services, if approved by HHSC. Best practice approaches to delivering Covered Services are not considered Value-added Services. 
 Section 8.1.2.1 modified by Versions 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 
 If offered,
Value-added Services must be offered to all mandatory STAR, and CHIP and CHIP Perinatal HMO Members within the applicable HMO Program and Service Area. For STAR+PLUS Acute Care services, the HMO may distinguish between the Dual Eligible and non-Dual
Eligible populations. Value-added Services do not need to be consistent across more than one HMO Program or across more than one Service Area. Value-added Services that are approved by HHSC during the contracting process will be included in the
Contract’s scope of services. 
  

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 The HMO must provide Value-added Services at no additional cost to HHSC. The HMO must not pass on the cost of the
Value-added Services to Providers. The HMO must specify the conditions and parameters regarding the delivery of the Value-added Services in the HMO’s Marketing Materials and Member Handbook, and must clearly describe any limitations or
conditions specific to the Value-added Services. 
 Transition Phase. During the Transition Phase, HHSC will offer a one-time opportunity for the HMO
to propose two additional Value-added Services to its list of current, approved Value-added Services. (See Attachment B-3, Value-Added Services). HHSC will establish the requirements and the timeframes for submitting the two additional
proposed Value-added Services. 
 During this HHSC-designated opportunity, the HMO may propose either to add new Value-added Services or to enhance its
current, approved Value-added Services. The HMO may propose two additional Value-added Services per HMO Program, and the services do not have to be the same for each HMO Program. HHSC will review the proposed additional services and, if appropriate,
will approve the additional Value-added Services, which will be effective on the Operational Start Date. The HMO’s Contract will be amended to reflect the additional, approved Value-added Services. 
 The HMO does not have to add Value-added Services during the HHSC-designated opportunity, but this will be the only time during the Transition Phase for the HMO to add
Value-added Services. At no time during the Transition Phase will the HMO be allowed to delete, limit or restrict any of its current, approved Value-added Services. 
 Operations Phase. During the Operations Phase, Value-added Services can be added or removed only by written amendment of the Contract one time per fiscal year to be effective September 1 of the fiscal
year, except when services are amended by HHSC during the fiscal year. This will allow HHSC to coordinate with annual revisions to HHSC’s HMO Comparison Charts for Members. A HMO’s request to add or delete a Value-added Service must be
submitted to HHSC by May 1 of each year to be effective September 1 for the following contract period. (For STAR and CHIP, see Attachment B-3, Value-Added Services. For STAR+PLUS, see Attachment B-3.1, STAR+PLUS Value-Added
Services. For CHIP Perinatal, see Attachment B-3.2, CHIP Perinatal Value-Added Services.) 
 A HMO’s request to add a Value-added Service
must: 
  

	 	a.	Define and describe the proposed Value-added Service; 

  

	 	b.	Specify the Service Areas and HMO Programs for the proposed Value-added Service; 

  

	 	c.	Identify the category or group of mandatory Members eligible to receive the Value-added Service if it is a type of service that is not appropriate for all mandatory Members;

  

	 	d.	Note any limits or restrictions that apply to the Value-added Service; 

  

	 	e.	Identify the Providers responsible for providing the Value-added Service; 

  

	 	f.	Describe how the HMO will identify the Value-added Service in administrative (Encounter) data; 

  

	 	g.	Propose how and when the HMO will notify Providers and mandatory Members about the availability of such Value-added Service; 

  

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	 	h.	Describe how a Member may obtain or access the Value-added Service; and 

  

	 	i.	Include a statement that the HMO will provide such Value-added Service for at least 12 months from the September 1 effective date. 

 A HMO cannot include a Value-added Service in any material distributed to mandatory Members or prospective mandatory Members until the Parties have amended the Contract
to include that Value-added Service. If a Value-added Service is deleted by amendment, the HMO must notify each mandatory Member that the service is no longer available through the HMO. The HMO must also revise all materials distributed to
prospective mandatory Members to reflect the change in Value-added Services. 
 Section 8.1.2.2 modified by Versions 1.1 and 1.3 
 8.1.2.2 Case-by-Case Added Services 
 Except as provided below, the HMO
may offer additional benefits that are outside the scope of services to individual Members on a case-by-case basis, based on Medical Necessity, cost-effectiveness, the wishes of the Member/Member’s family, the potential for improved health
status of the Member, and for STAR+PLUS Members based on functional necessity. 
 Section 8.1.2.2, Case-by-Case Added Services, does not apply to the
CHIP Perinatal Program. 
 Section 8.1.3 modified by Versions 1.1 and 1.3 
 8.1.3 Access to Care 
 All Covered Services must be available to Members on a timely basis in accordance with
medically appropriate guidelines, and consistent with generally accepted practice parameters, requirements in this Contract. The HMO must comply with the access requirements as established by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) for all HMOs
doing business in Texas, except as otherwise required by this Contract. Medicaid HMOs must be responsive to the possibility of increased Members due to the phase-out of the PCCM model in Service Areas where adequate HMO coverage exists. 

The HMO must provide coverage for Emergency Services to Members 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, without regard to prior authorization or the Emergency Service
provider’s contractual relationship with the HMO. The HMO’s policy and procedures, Covered Services, claims adjudication methodology, and reimbursement performance for Emergency Services must comply with all applicable state and federal
laws and regulations, whether the provider is in-network or Out-of-Network. A HMO is not responsible for payment for unauthorized non-emergency services provided to a Member by Out-of-Network providers. 
 The HMO must also have an emergency and crisis Behavioral Health Services Hotline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, toll-free throughout the Service Area. The
Behavioral Health Services Hotline must meet the requirements described in Section 8.1.15. For Medicaid Members, a HMO must provide coverage for Emergency Services in compliance with 42 C.F.R. §438.114, and as described in more
detail in Section 8.2.2.1. The HMO may arrange Emergency Services and crisis Behavioral Health Services through mobile crisis teams. 
 For CHIP
Members, Emergency Services, including emergency Behavioral Health Services, must be provided in accordance with the Texas Insurance Code and TDI regulations. 
  

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 For the CHIP Perinatal Program, refer to Attachment B-2.2 for description of emergency services for CHIP Perinates
and CHIP Perinate Newborns. 
 For the STAR, STAR+PLUS, and CHIP Programs, and for CHIP Perinate Newborns, HMO must require, and make best efforts to ensure,
that PCPs are accessible to Members 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and that its Network Primary Care Providers (PCPs) have after-hours telephone availability that is consistent with, Section 8.1.4. CHIP Perinatal HMOs are not required to
establish PCP Networks for CHIP Perinates. 
 The HMO must provide that if Medically Necessary Covered Services are not available through Network physicians
or other Providers, the HMO must, upon the request of a Network physician or other Provider, within the time appropriate to the circumstances relating to the delivery of the services and the condition of the patient, but in no event to exceed five
business days after receipt of reasonably requested documentation, allow a referral to a non-network physician or provider. The HMO must fully reimburse the non-network provider in accordance with the Out-of-Network methodology for Medicaid as
defined by HHSC, and for CHIP, at the usual and customary rate defined by TDI in 28 T.A.C. Section 11.506. 
 The Member will not be responsible for any
payment for Medically Necessary Covered Services, including Functionally Necessary Covered Services, other than: 
 (1) HHSC-specified
co-payments for CHIP Members, where applicable; and 
 (2) STAR+PLUS Members who qualify for 1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver services and
enter a 24-hour setting will be required to pay the provider of care room and board costs and any income in excess of the personal needs allowance, as established by HHSC. If the HMO provides Members who do not qualify for the 1915(c) Nursing
Facility Waiver services in a 24-hour setting as an alternative to nursing facility or hospitalization, the Member will be required to pay the provider of care room and board costs and any income in excess of the personal needs allowance, as
established by HHSC. 
 8.1.3.1 Waiting Times for Appointments 
 Through its Provider Network composition and management, the HMO must ensure that appointments for the following types of Covered Services are provided within the time frames specified below. In all cases below, “day” is defined
as a calendar day. 
  

	 	1.	Emergency Services must be provided upon Member presentation at the service delivery site, including at non-network and out-of-area facilities; 

  

	 	2.	Urgent care, including urgent specialty care, must be provided within 24 hours of request. 

  

	 	3.	Routine primary care must be provided within 14 days of request; 

  

	 	4.	Initial outpatient behavioral health visits must be provided within 14 days of request; 

  

	 	5.	Routine specialty care referrals must be provided within 30 days of request; 

  

	 	6.	Pre-natal care must be provided within 14 days of request, except for high-risk pregnancies or new Members in the third trimester, for whom an appointment must be offered within
five days, or immediately, if an emergency exists; 

  

	 	7.	Preventive health services for adults must be offered to a Member within 90 days of request; and 

  

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	 	8.	Preventive health services for children, including well-child check-ups should be offered to Members in accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) periodicity
schedule. Please note that for Medicaid Members, HMOs should use the THSteps Program modifications to the AAP periodicity schedule. For newly enrolled Members under age 21, overdue or upcoming well-child checkups, including THSteps medical checkups,
should be offered as soon as practicable, but in no case later than 14 days of enrollment for newborns, and no later than 60 days of enrollment for all other eligible child Members. 

 Section 8.1.3.2 modified by Versions 1.2 and 1.3 
 8.1.3.2 Access to
Network Providers 
 The HMO’s Network shall have within its Network, PCPs in sufficient numbers, and with sufficient capacity, to provide timely
access to regular and preventive pediatric care and THSteps services to all child Members in accordance with the waiting times for appointments in Section 8.1.3.1. 
 PCP Access: At a minimum, the HMO must ensure that all Members have access to an age-appropriate PCP in the Provider Network with an Open Panel within 30 miles of the Member’s residence. For the purposes
of assessing compliance with this requirement, an internist who provides primary care to adults only is not considered an age-appropriate PCP choice for a Member under age 21, and a pediatrician is not considered an age-appropriate choice for a
Member age 21 and over. Note: This provision does not apply to CHIP Perinates, but it does apply to CHIP Perinate Newborns. 
 OB/GYN Access and CHIP
Perinatal Program Provider Access: STAR, STAR+PLUS and CHIP Program Network: at a minimum, STAR, STAR+PLUS and CHIP HMOs must ensure that all female Members have access to an OB/GYN in the Provider Network within 75 miles of the Member’s
residence. (If the OB/GYN is acting as the Member’s PCP, the HMO must follow the access requirements for the PCP.) The HMO must allow female Members to select an OB/GYN within its Provider Network. A female Member who selects an OB/GYN must be
allowed direct access to the OB/GYN’s health care services without a referral from the Member’s PCP or a prior authorization. A pregnant Member with 12 weeks or less remaining before the expected delivery date must be allowed to remain
under the Member’s current OB/GYN care though the Member’s post-partum checkup, even if the OB/GYN provider is, or becomes, Out-of-Network. 
 CHIP
Perinatal Program Network: At a minimum, CHIP Perinatal HMOs must ensure that CHIP Perinates have access to a Provider of perinate services within 75 miles of the Member’s residence if the Member resides in an urban area and within 125 miles of
the Member’s residence if the Member resides in a rural area. 
 Outpatient Behavioral Health Service Provider Access: At a minimum, the HMO must
ensure that all Members except CHIP Perinates have access to an outpatient Behavioral Health Service Provider in the Network within 75 miles of the Member’s residence. Outpatient Behavioral Health Service Providers must include Masters and
Doctorate-level trained practitioners practicing independently or at community mental health centers, other clinics or at outpatient hospital departments. A Qualified Mental Health Provider (QMHP), as defined and credentialed by the Texas Department
of State Health Services standards (T.A.C. Title 25, Part I, Chapter 412), is an acceptable outpatient behavioral health provider as long as the QMHP is working under the authority of an MHMR entity and is supervised by a licensed mental health
professional or physician. 
  

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 Other Specialist Physician Access: At a minimum, the HMO must ensure that all Members except CHIP Perinates
have access to a Network specialist physician within 75 miles of the Member’s residence for common medical specialties. For adult Members, common medical specialties shall include general surgery, cardiology, orthopedics, urology, and
ophthalmology. For child Members, common medical specialties shall include orthopedics and otolaryngology. 
 Section 8.1.3.2 Modified by Version 1.6

 Hospital Access: The HMO must ensure that all Members have access to an Acute Care hospital in the Provider Network within 30 miles of the
Member’s residence. For HMOs participating in the CHIP Perinatal Program, exceptions to this access standard may be requested on a case-by-case basis and must have HHSC approval. 
 All other Covered Services, except for services provided in the Member’s residence: At a minimum, the HMO must ensure that all Members have access to at least one Network Provider for each of the remaining
Covered Services described in Attachment B-2, within 75 miles of the Member’s residence. This access requirement includes, but is not limited to, specialists, specialty hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, diagnostic and therapeutic
services, and single or limited service health care physicians or Providers, as applicable to the HMO Program. 
 The HMO is not precluded from making
arrangements with physicians or providers outside the HMO’s Service Area for Members to receive a higher level of skill or specialty than the level available within the Service Area, including but not limited to, treatment of cancer, burns, and
cardiac diseases. HHSC may consider exceptions to the above access-related requirements when an HMO has established, through utilization data provided to HHSC, that a normal pattern for securing health care services within an area does not meet
these standards, or when an HMO is providing care of a higher skill level or specialty than the level which is available within the Service Area such as, but not limited to, treatment of cancer, burns, and cardiac diseases. 
 8.1.3.3 Monitoring Access 
 The HMO is required to systematically and
regularly verify that Covered Services furnished by Network Providers are available and accessible to Members in compliance with the standards described in Sections 8.1.3.1 and 8.1.3.2, and for Covered Services furnished by PCPs, the
standards described in Section 8.1.4.2. 
 The HMO must enforce access and other Network standards required by the Contract and take appropriate
action with Providers whose performance is determined by the HMO to be out of compliance. 
 Section 8.1.4 Modified by Version 1.1 and 1.2 

8.1.4 Provider Network 
 The HMO must enter into written contracts
with properly credentialed Providers as described in this Section. The Provider contracts must comply with the Uniform Managed Care Manual’s requirements. 
  

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 The HMO must maintain a Provider Network sufficient to provide all Members with access to the full range of Covered
Services required under the Contract. The HMO must ensure its Providers and subcontractors meet all current and future state and federal eligibility criteria, reporting requirements, and any other applicable rules and/or regulations related to the
Contract. 
 The Provider Network must be responsive to the linguistic, cultural, and other unique needs of any minority, elderly, or disabled individuals,
or other special population in the Service Areas and HMO Programs served by the HMO, including the capacity to communicate with Members in languages other than English, when necessary, as well as with those who are deaf or hearing impaired.

 The HMO must seek to obtain the participation in its Provider Network of qualified providers currently serving the Medicaid and CHIP Members in the
HMO’s proposed Service Area(s). 
 NOTE: The following Provider descriptions do not require STAR+PLUS HMOs to contract with Hospital providers
for Inpatient Stay services. STAR+PLUS HMOs are required, however, to contract with Hospitals for Outpatient Hospital Services.  
 All Providers:
All Providers must be licensed in the State of Texas to provide the Covered Services for which the HMO is contracting with the Provider, and not be under sanction or exclusion from the Medicaid program. All Acute Care Providers serving Medicaid
Members must be enrolled as Medicaid providers and have a Texas Provider Identification Number (TPIN). Long-term Care Providers are not required to have a TPIN but must have a LTC Provider number. Providers must also have a National Provider
Identifier (NPI) in accordance with the timelines established in 45 C.F.R. Part 162, Subpart D (for most Providers, the NPI must be in place by May 23, 2007.) 
 Inpatient hospital and medical services: The HMO must ensure that Acute Care hospitals and specialty hospitals are available and accessible 24 hours per day, seven days per week, within the HMO’s Network to provide Covered
Services to Members throughout the Service Area. 
 Children’s Hospitals/hospitals with specialized pediatric services: The HMO must ensure
Members access to hospitals designated as Children’s Hospitals by Medicare and hospitals with specialized pediatric services, such as teaching hospitals and hospitals with designated children’s wings, so that these services are available
and accessible 24 hours per day, seven days per week, to provide Covered Services to Members throughout the Service Area. The HMO must make Out-of-Network reimbursement arrangements with a designated Children’s Hospital and/or hospital with
specialized pediatric services in proximity to the Member’s residence, and such arrangements must be in writing, if the HMO does not include such hospitals in its Provider Network. Provider Directories, Member materials, and Marketing materials
must clearly distinguish between hospitals designated as Children’s Hospitals and hospitals that have designated children’s units. 
 Trauma: The HMO must ensure Members access to Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) designated Level I and Level II trauma centers within the State or hospitals meeting the equivalent level of trauma care in the
HMO’s Service Area, or in close proximity to such Service Area. The HMO must make Out-of-Network reimbursement arrangements with the DSHS-designated Level I and Level II trauma centers or hospitals meeting equivalent levels of trauma care, and
such arrangements must be in writing, if the HMO does not include such a trauma center in its Provider Network. 
  

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 Transplant centers: The HMO must ensure Member access to HHSC-designated transplant centers or centers meeting
equivalent levels of care. A list of HHSC-designated transplant centers can be found in the Procurement Library in Attachment H. The HMO must make Out-of-Network reimbursement arrangements with a designated transplant center or center meeting
equivalent levels of care in proximity to the Member’s residence, and such arrangements must be in writing, if the HMO does not include such a center in its Provider Network. 
 Hemophilia centers: The HMO must ensure Member access to hemophilia centers supported by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). A list of these hemophilia centers can be found at
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hbd/htc_list.htm. The HMO must make Out-of-Network reimbursement arrangements with a CDC-supported hemophilia center, and such arrangements must be in writing, if the HMO does not include such a center in its Provider
Network. 
 Physician services: The HMO must ensure that Primary Care Providers are available and accessible 24 hours per day, seven days per week,
within the Provider Network. The HMO must contract with a sufficient number of participating physicians and specialists within each Service Area to comply with the access requirements throughout Section 8.1.3 and meet the needs of
Members for all Covered Services. 
 The HMO must ensure that an adequate number of participating physicians have admitting privileges at one or more
participating Acute Care hospitals in the Provider Network to ensure that necessary admissions are made. In no case may there be less than one in-network PCP with admitting privileges available and accessible 24 hours per day, seven days per week
for each Acute Care hospital in the Provider Network. 
 The HMO must ensure that an adequate number of participating specialty physicians have admitting
privileges at one or more participating hospitals in the HMO’s Provider Network to ensure necessary admissions are made. The HMO shall require that all physicians who admit to hospitals maintain hospital access for their patients through
appropriate call coverage. 
 Laboratory services: The HMO must ensure that in-network reference laboratory services must be of sufficient size and
scope to meet the non-emergency and emergency needs of the enrolled population and the access requirements in Section 8.1.3. Reference laboratory specimen procurement services must facilitate the provision of clinical diagnostic services
for physicians, Providers and Members through the use of convenient reference satellite labs in each Service Area, strategically located specimen collection areas in each Service Area, and the use of a courier system under the management of the
reference lab. For Medicaid Members, THSteps requires that laboratory specimens obtained as part of a THSteps medical checkup visit must be sent to the TDSHS Laboratory. 
 Diagnostic imaging: The HMO must ensure that diagnostic imaging services are available and accessible to all Members in each Service Area in accordance with the access standards in Section 8.1.3.
The HMO must ensure that diagnostic imaging procedures that require the injection or ingestion of radiopaque chemicals are performed only under the direction of physicians qualified to perform those procedures. 
  

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 Home health services: The HMO must have a contract(s) with a home health Provider so that all Members living
within the HMO’s Service Area will have access to at least one such Provider for home health Covered Services. (These services are provided as part of the Acute Care Covered Services, not the Community Long-term Care Services.) 
 Community Long-term Care services: STAR+PLUS HMOs must have contracts with Community Long-term Care service Providers, so that all Members living within the
Contractor’s Service Area will have access to Medically Necessary and Functionally Necessary Covered Services. 
 8.1.4.1 Provider Contract
Requirements 
 The HMO is prohibited from requiring a provider or provider group to enter into an exclusive contracting arrangement with the HMO as a
condition for participation in its Provider Network. 
 The HMO’s contract with health care Providers must be in writing, must be in compliance with
applicable federal and state laws and regulations, and must include minimum requirements specified in the Uniform Managed Care Contract Terms and Conditions (Attachment A) and HHSC’s Uniform Managed Care Manual. 
 The HMO must submit model Provider contracts to HHSC for review during Readiness Review. HHSC retains the right to reject or require changes to any model Provider
contract that does not comply with HMO Program requirements or the HHSC-HMO Contract. 
 Section 8.1.4.2 modified by Versions 1.1 and 1.3 
 8.1.4.2 Primary Care Providers 
 The HMO’s PCP Network may include
Providers from any of the following practice areas: General Practice; Family Practice; Internal Medicine; Pediatrics; Obstetrics/Gynecology (OB/GYN); Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) and Physician Assistants (PAs) practicing under the supervision of a
physician; Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), and similar community clinics; and specialist physicians who are willing to provide a Medical Home to selected Members with special needs and conditions.
Section 533.005(a)(13), Government Code, requires the HMO to use Pediatric and Family Advanced Practice Nurses practicing under the supervision of a physician as PCPs in its Provider Network for STAR and STAR+PLUS. 
 CHIP Perinatal HMOs are not required to develop PCP Networks for CHIP Perinates. CHIP Perinatal HMOs may use the same PCP Network for CHIP Members and CHIP Perinatal
Newborns. 
 An internist or other Provider who provides primary care to adults only is not considered an age-appropriate PCP choice for a Member under age
21. An internist or other Provider who provides primary care to adults and children may be a PCP for children if: 
  

	 	1.	the Provider assumes all HMO PCP responsibilities for such Members in a specific age group under age 21, 

  

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	 	2.	the Provider has a history of practicing as a PCP for the specified age group as evidenced by the Provider’s primary care practice including an established patient population
under age 20 and within the specified age range, and 

  

	 	3.	the Provider has admitting privileges to a local hospital that includes admissions to pediatric units. 

 A pediatrician is not considered an age-appropriate choice for a Member age 21 and over. 
 The PCP for a Member with
disabilities, Special Health Care Needs, or Chronic or Complex Conditions may be a specialist physician who agrees to provide PCP services to the Member. The specialty physician must agree to perform all PCP duties required in the Contract and PCP
duties must be within the scope of the specialist’s license. Any interested person may initiate the request through the HMO for a specialist to serve as a PCP for a Member with disabilities, Special Health Care Needs, or Chronic or Complex
Conditions. The HMO shall handle such requests in accordance with 28 T.A.C. Part 1, Chapter 11, Subchapter J. 
 PCPs who provide Covered Services for STAR,
CHIP, and CHIP Perinatal Newborns must either have admitting privileges at a Hospital that is part of the HMO’s Provider Network or make referral arrangements with a Provider who has admitting privileges to a Network Hospital. STAR+PLUS PCPs
must either have admitting privileges at a Medicaid Hospital or make referral arrangements with a Provider who has admitting privileges to a Medicaid Hospital. 
 The HMO must require, through contract provisions, that PCPs are accessible to Members 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The HMO is encouraged to include in its Network sites that offer primary care services during evening and weekend hours.
The following are acceptable and unacceptable telephone arrangements for contacting PCPs after their normal business hours. 
 Acceptable after-hours
coverage: 
  

	 	1.	The office telephone is answered after-hours by an answering service, which meets language requirements of the Major Population Groups and which can contact the PCP or another
designated medical practitioner. All calls answered by an answering service must be returned within 30 minutes; 

  

	 	2.	The office telephone is answered after normal business hours by a recording in the language of each of the Major Population Groups served, directing the patient to call another
number to reach the PCP or another provider designated by the PCP. Someone must be available to answer the designated provider’s telephone. Another recording is not acceptable; and 

  

	 	3.	The office telephone is transferred after office hours to another location where someone will answer the telephone and be able to contact the PCP or another designated medical
practitioner, who can return the call within 30 minutes. 

 Unacceptable after-hours coverage: 
  

	 	1.	The office telephone is only answered during office hours; 

  

	 	2.	The office telephone is answered after-hours by a recording that tells patients to leave a message; 

  

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	 	3.	The office telephone is answered after-hours by a recording that directs patients to go to an Emergency Room for any services needed; and 

  

	 	4.	Returning after-hours calls outside of 30 minutes. 

 The HMO must require
PCPs, through contract provisions or Provider Manual, to provide children under the age of 21 with preventive services in accordance with the AAP recommendations for CHIP Members and CHIP Perinate Newborns, and the THSteps periodicity schedule
published in the THSteps Manual for Medicaid Members. The HMO must require PCPs, through contract provisions or Provider Manual, to provide adults with preventive services in accordance with the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force requirements. The
HMO must make best efforts to ensure that PCPs follow these periodicity requirements for children and adult Members. Best efforts must include, but not be limited to, Provider education, Provider profiling, monitoring, and feedback activities.

 The HMO must require PCPs, through contract provisions or Provider Manual, to assess the medical needs of Members for referral to specialty care providers
and provide referrals as needed. PCPs must coordinate Members’ care with specialty care providers after referral. The HMO must make best efforts to ensure that PCPs assess Member needs for referrals and make such referrals. Best efforts must
include, but not be limited to, Provider education activities and review of Provider referral patterns. 
 8.1.4.3 PCP Notification 
 The HMO must furnish each PCP with a current list of enrolled Members enrolled or assigned to that Provider no later than five (5) working days after the HMO
receives the Enrollment File from the HHSC Administrative Services Contractor each month. The HMO may offer and provide such enrollment information in alternative formats, such as through access to a secure Internet site, when such format is
acceptable to the PCP. 
 8.1.4.4 Provider Credentialing and Re-credentialing 
 The HMO must review, approve and periodically recertify the credentials of all participating physician Providers and all other licensed Providers who participate in the HMO’s Provider Network. The HMO may
subcontract with another entity to which it delegates such credentialing activities if such delegated credentialing is maintained in accordance with the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) delegated credentialing requirements and any
comparable requirements defined by HHSC. 
 At a minimum, the scope and structure of a HMO’s credentialing and re-credentialing processes must be
consistent with recognized HMO industry standards such as those provided by NCQA and relevant state and federal regulations including 28 T.A.C. §11.1902, relating to credentialing of providers in HMOs, and as an additional requirement for
Medicaid HMOs, 42 C.F.R. §438.214(b). The initial credentialing process, including application, verification of information, and a site visit (if applicable), must be completed before the effective date of the initial contract with the
physician or Provider. The re-credentialing process must occur at least every three years. 
  

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 The re-credentialing process must take into consideration Provider performance data including, but not be limited to,
Member Complaints and Appeals, quality of care, and utilization management. 
 8.1.4.5 Board Certification Status 
 The HMO must maintain a policy with respect to Board Certification for PCPs and specialty physicians that encourage participation of board certified PCPs and specialty
physicians in the Provider Network. The HMO must make information on the percentage of Board-certified PCPs in the Provider Network and the percentage of Board-certified specialty physicians, by specialty, available to HHSC upon request. 

Section 8.1.4.6 modified by Version 1.3 
 8.1.4.6 Provider Manual,
Materials and Training 
 The HMO must prepare and issue a Provider Manual(s), including any necessary specialty manuals (e.g., behavioral health) to all
existing Network Providers. For newly contracted Providers, the HMO must issue copies of the Provider Manual(s) within five (5) working days from inclusion of the Provider into the Network. The Provider Manual must contain sections relating to
special requirements of the HMO Program(s) and the enrolled populations in compliance with the requirements of this Contract. 
 HHSC or its designee must
approve the Provider Manual, and any substantive revisions to the Provider Manual, prior to publication and distribution to Providers. The Provider Manual must contain the critical elements defined in the Uniform Managed Care Manual.
HHSC’s initial review of the Provider Manual is part of the Operational Readiness Review described in Attachment B-1, Section 7. 
 The HMO
must provide training to all Providers and their staff regarding the requirements of the Contract and special needs of Members. The HMO’s Medicaid, CHIP and/or CHIP Perinatal Program training must be completed within 30 days of placing a newly
contracted Provider on active status. The HMO must provide on-going training to new and existing Providers as required by the HMO or HHSC to comply with the Contract. The HMO must maintain and make available upon request enrollment or attendance
rosters dated and signed by each attendee or other written evidence of training of each Provider and their staff. 
 The HMO must establish ongoing Provider
training that includes, but is not limited to, the following issues: 
  

	 	1.	Covered Services and the Provider’s responsibilities for providing and/or coordinating such services. Special emphasis must be placed on areas that vary from commercial
coverage rules (e.g., Early Intervention services, therapies and DME/Medical Supplies); and for Medicaid, making referrals and coordination with Non-capitated Services; 

  

	 	2.	Relevant requirements of the Contract; 

  

	 	3.	The HMO’s quality assurance and performance improvement program and the Provider’s role in such a program; and 

  

	 	4.	The HMO’s policies and procedures, especially regarding in-network and Out-of-Network referrals. 

  

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 Provider Materials produced by the HMO, relating to Medicaid Managed Care, the CHIP Program, and/or the CHIP
Perinatal Program must be in compliance with State and Federal laws and requirements of the HHSC Uniform Managed Care Contract Terms and Conditions. HMO must make available any provider materials to HHSC upon request. 
 8.1.4.7 Provider Hotline 
 The HMO must operate a toll-free telephone
line for Provider inquiries from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time for the Service Area, Monday through Friday, except for State-approved holidays. The Provider Hotline must be staffed with personnel who are knowledgeable about Covered Services and each
applicable HMO Program, and for Medicaid, about Non-capitated Services. 
 The HMO must ensure that after regular business hours the line is answered by an
automated system with the capability to provide callers with operating hours information and instructions on how to verify enrollment for a Member with an Urgent Condition or an Emergency Medical Condition. The HMO must have a process in place to
handle after-hours inquiries from Providers seeking to verify enrollment for a Member with an Urgent Condition or an Emergency Medical Condition, provided, however, that the HMO and its Providers must not require such verification prior to providing
Emergency Services. 
 The HMO must ensure that the Provider Hotline meets the following minimum performance requirements for all HMO Programs and Service
Areas: 
  

	 	1.	99% of calls are answered by the fourth ring or an automated call pick-up system is used; 

  

	 	2.	no more than one percent of incoming calls receive a busy signal; 

  

	 	3.	the average hold time is 2 minutes or less; and 

  

	 	4.	the call abandonment rate is 7% or less. 

 The HMO must conduct ongoing
call quality assurance to ensure these standards are met. The Provider Hotline may serve multiple HMO Programs if Hotline staff is knowledgeable about all of the HMO’s Programs. The Provider Hotline may serve multiple Service Areas if the
Hotline staff is knowledgeable about all such Service Areas, including the Provider Network in such Service Areas. 
 The HMO must monitor its performance
regarding Provider Hotline standards and submit performance reports summarizing call center performance for the Hotline as indicated in Section 8.1.20. If the HMO subcontracts with a Behavioral Health Organization (BHO) that is
responsible for Provider Hotline functions related to Behavioral Health Services, the BHO’s Provider Hotline must meet the requirements in Section 8.1.4.7. 
 Section 8.1.4.8 modified by Version 1.1 
 8.1.4.8 Provider Reimbursement 
 The HMO must make payment for all Medically Necessary Covered Services provided to all Members for whom the HMO is paid a capitation. A STAR+PLUS HMO must also make
payment for all Functionally Necessary Covered Services provided to all Members for whom the HMO is paid a capitation. The HMO must ensure that claims payment is timely and accurate as described in Section 8.1.18.5. The HMO must require
tax identification numbers from all participating Providers. The HMO is required to do back-up withholding from all payments to Providers who fail to give tax identification numbers or who give incorrect numbers. 
  

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 8.1.4.9 Termination of Provider Contracts 
 Unless prohibited or limited by applicable law, at least 15 days prior to the effective date of the HMO’s termination of contract of any participating Provider the HMO must notify the HHSC Administrative Services
Contractor and notify affected current Members in writing. Affected Members include all Members in a PCP’s panel and all Members who have been receiving ongoing care from the terminated Provider, where ongoing care is defined as two or more
visits for home-based or office-based care in the past 12 months. 
 Section 8.1.4.9 modified by Version 1.3 
 For the CHIP and CHIP Perinatal Programs, the HMO’s process for terminating Provider contracts must comply with the Texas Insurance Code and TDI regulations.

 8.1.5 Member Services 
 The HMO must maintain a Member
Services Department to assist Members and Members’ family members or guardians in obtaining Covered Services for Members. The HMO must maintain employment standards and requirements (e.g., education, training, and experience) for Member
Services Department staff and provide a sufficient number of staff for the Member Services Department to meet the requirements of this Section, including Member Hotline response times, and Linguistic Access capabilities, see 8.1.5.6 Member Hotline
Requirements. 
 8.1.5.1 Member Materials 
 Section 8.1.5.1 modified by Version 1.2 
 The HMO must design, print and distribute Member identification (ID) cards and a Member Handbook to
Members. Within five business days following the receipt of an Enrollment File from the HHSC Administrative Services Contractor, the HMO must mail a Member’s ID card and Member Handbook to the Case Head or Account Name for each new Member. When
the Case Head or Account Name is on behalf of two or more new Members, the HMO is only required to send one Member Handbook. The HMO is responsible for mailing materials only to those Members for whom valid address data are contained in the
Enrollment File. 
 The HMO must design, print and distribute a Provider Directory to the HHSC Administrative Services Contractor as described in
Section 8.1.5.4. 
 Member materials must be at or below a 6th grade reading level as measured by the appropriate score on the Flesch reading
ease test. Member materials must be available in English, Spanish, and the languages of other Major Population Groups making up 10% or more of the managed care eligible population in the HMO’s Service Area, as specified by HHSC. HHSC will
provide the HMO with reasonable notice when the enrolled population reaches 10% within the HMO’s Service Area. All Member materials must be available in a format accessible to the visually impaired, which may include large print, Braille, and
audiotapes. 
 The HMO must submit member materials to HHSC for approval prior to use or mailing. HHSC will identify any required changes to the Member
materials within 15 business days. If HHSC 

  

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has not responded to the Contractor by the fifteenth day, the Contractor may proceed to use the submitted materials. HHSC reserves the right to require
discontinuation of any Member materials that violate the terms of the Uniform Managed Care Terms and Conditions, including but not limited to “Marketing Policies and Procedures” as described in the Uniform Managed Care
Manual. 
 Section 8.1.5.2 modified by Version 1.3 
 8.1.5.2 Member Identification (ID) Card 
 All Member ID cards must, at a minimum, include the following information: 
  

	 	1.	the Member’s name; 

  

	 	2.	the Member’s Medicaid, CHIP or CHIP Perinatal Program number; 

  

	 	3.	the effective date of the PCP assignment (excluding CHIP Perinates); 

  

	 	4.	the PCP’s name, address (optional for all products), and telephone number (excluding CHIP Perinates); 

  

	 	5.	the name of the HMO; 

  

	 	6.	the 24-hour, seven (7) day a week toll-free Member services telephone number and BH Hotline number operated by the HMO; and 

  

	 	7.	any other critical elements identified in the Uniform Managed Care Manual. 

 The HMO must reissue the Member ID card if a Member reports a lost card, there is a Member name change, if the Member requests a new PCP, or for any other reason that results in a change to the information disclosed on the ID card. CHIP
Perinatal HMOs must issue Member ID cards to both CHIP Perinates and CHIP Perinate Newborns. 
 8.1.5.3 Member Handbook 
 HHSC must approve the Member Handbook, and any substantive revisions, prior to publication and distribution. As described in Attachment B-1, Section 7, the
HMO must develop and submit to HHSC the draft Member Handbook for approval during the Readiness Review and must submit a final Member Handbook incorporating changes required by HHSC prior to the Operational Start Date. 
 Section 8.1.5.3 modified by Version 1.3 
 The Member Handbook for each
applicable HMO Program must, at a minimum, meet the Member materials requirements specified by Section 8.1.5.1 above and must include critical elements in the Uniform Managed Care Manual. CHIP Perinatal HMOs must issue Member
Handbooks to both CHIP Perinates and CHIP Perinate Newborns. The Member Handbook for CHIP Perinate Newborns may be the same as that used for CHIP. 
 The HMO
must produce a revised Member Handbook, or an insert informing Members of changes to Covered Services upon HHSC notification and at least 30 days prior to the effective date of such change in Covered Services. In addition to modifying the Member
materials for new Members, the HMO must notify all existing Members of the Covered Services change during the time frame specified in this subsection. 
  

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 8.1.5.4 Provider Directory 
 The Provider Directory for each applicable HMO Program, and any substantive revisions, must be approved by HHSC prior to publication and distribution. The HMO is responsible for submitting draft Provider directory
updates to HHSC for prior review and approval if changes other than PCP information or clerical corrections are incorporated into the Provider Directory. 
 As described in Attachment B-1, Section 7, during the Readiness Review, the HMO must develop and submit to HHSC the draft Provider Directory template for approval and must submit a final Provider Directory incorporating changes
required by HHSC prior to the Operational Start Date. Such draft and final Provider Directories must be submitted according to the deadlines established in Attachment B-1, Section 7. 
 The Provider Directory for each applicable HMO Program must, at a minimum, meet the Member Materials requirements specified by Section 8.1.5.1 above and must
include critical elements in the Uniform Managed Care Manual. The Provider Directory must include only Network Providers credentialed by the HMO in accordance with Section 8.1.4.4. If the HMO contracts with limited Provider
Networks, the Provider Directory must comply with the requirements of 28 T.A.C. §11.1600(b)(11), relating to the disclosure and notice of limited Provider Networks. 
 Section 8.1.5.4 modified by Version 1.3 
 CHIP Perinatal HMOs must develop Provider Directories for both CHIP Perinates
and CHIP Perinate Newborns. The Provider Directory for CHIP Perinate Newborns may be the same as that used for the CHIP Program. 
 The HMO must update the
Provider Directory on a quarterly basis. The HMO must make such update available to existing Members on request, and must provide such update to the HHSC Administrative Services Contractor at the beginning of each state fiscal quarter. HHSC will
consult with the HMOs and the HHSC Administrative Services Contractors to discuss methods for reducing the HMO’s administrative costs of producing new Provider Directories, including considering submission of new Provider Directories on a
semi-annual rather than a quarterly basis if a HMO has not made major changes in its Provider Network, as determined by HHSC. HHSC will establish weight limits for the Provider Directories. Weight limits may vary by Service Area. HHSC will require
HMOs that exceed the weight limits to compensate HHSC for postage fees in excess of the weight limits. 
 The HMO must send the most recent Provider
Directory, including any updates, to Members upon request. The HMO must, at least annually, include written and verbal offers of such Provider Directory in its Member outreach and education materials. 
 8.1.5.5 Internet Website 
 The HMO must develop and maintain,
consistent with HHSC standards and Section 843.2015 of the Texas Insurance Code and other applicable state laws, a website to provide general information about the HMO’s Program(s), its Provider Network, its customer services, and its
Complaints and Appeals process. The HMO may develop a page within its existing website to meet the requirements of this section. The HMO must maintain a Provider Directory for its HMO Program(s) on the HMO’s website with designation of open
versus closed panels. The HMO’s website must comply with the Marketing Policies and Procedures for each applicable HHSC HMO Program. 
  

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 The website’s HMO Program content must be: 
  

	 	1.	Written in Major Population Group languages (which under this contract include only English and Spanish); 

  

	 	2.	Culturally appropriate; 

  

	 	3.	Written for understanding at the 6th grade reading level; and 

  

	 	4.	Be geared to the health needs of the enrolled HMO Program population. 

 To
minimize download and “wait times,” the website must avoid tools or techniques that require significant memory or disk resources or require special intervention on the customer side to install plug-ins or additional software. Use of
proprietary items that would require a specific browser are not allowed. HHSC strongly encourages the use of tools that take advantage of efficient data access methods and reduce the load on the server or bandwidth. 
 Section 8.1.5.6 modified by Versions 1.2 and 1.3 
 8.1.5.6 Member
Hotline 
 The HMO must operate a toll-free hotline that Members can call 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week. The Member Hotline must be staffed
with personnel who are knowledgeable about its HMO Program(s) and Covered Services, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time for the Service Area, Monday through Friday, excluding state-approved holidays. 
 The HMO must ensure that after hours, on weekends, and on holidays the Member Services Hotline is answered by an automated system with the capability to provide callers
with operating hours and instructions on what to do in cases of emergency. All recordings must be in English and in Spanish. A voice mailbox must be available after hours for callers to leave messages. The HMO’s Member Services representatives
must return member calls received by the automated system on the next working day. 
 If the Member Hotline does not have a voice-activated menu system, the
HMO must have a menu system that will accommodate Members who cannot access the system through other physical means, such as pushing a button. 
 The HMO
must ensure that its Member Service representatives treat all callers with dignity and respect the callers’ need for privacy. At a minimum, the HMO’s Member Service representatives must be: 
  

	 	1.	Knowledgeable about Covered Services; 

  

	 	2.	Able to answer non-technical questions pertaining to the role of the PCP, as applicable; 

  

	 	3.	Able to answer non-clinical questions pertaining to referrals or the process for receiving authorization for procedures or services; 

  

	 	4.	Able to give information about Providers in a particular area; 

  

	 	5.	Knowledgeable about Fraud, Abuse, and Waste and the requirements to report any conduct that, if substantiated, may constitute Fraud, Abuse, or Waste in the HMO Program;

  

	 	6.	Trained regarding Cultural Competency; 

  

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 Section 8.1.5.6 modified by Version 1.3 

	 	7.	Trained regarding the process used to confirm the status of persons with Special Health Care Needs; 

  

	 	8.	For Medicaid members, able to answer non-clinical questions pertaining to accessing Non-capitated Services; and 

  

	 	9.	For CHIP Members, able to give correct cost-sharing information relating to premiums, co-pays or deductibles, as applicable. (Cost-sharing does not apply to CHIP Perinates or CHIP
Perinate Newborns.) 

 Hotline services must meet Cultural Competency requirements and must appropriately handle calls from non-English
speaking (and particularly, Spanish-speaking) callers, as well as calls from individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. To meet these requirements, the HMO must employ bilingual Spanish-speaking Member Services representatives and must secure the
services of other contractors as necessary to meet these requirements. 
 The HMO must process all incoming Member correspondence and telephone inquiries in
a timely and responsive manner. The HMO cannot impose maximum call duration limits but must allow calls to be of sufficient length to ensure adequate information is provided to the Member. The HMO must ensure that the toll-free Member Hotline meets
the following minimum performance requirements for all HMO Programs and Service Areas: 
  

	 	1.	99% of calls are answered by the fourth ring or an automated call pick-up system; 

  

	 	2.	no more than one percent (1%) of incoming calls receive a busy signal; 

  

	 	3.	at least 80% of calls must be answered by toll-free line staff within 30 seconds measured from the time the call is placed in queue after selecting an option; and

  

	 	4.	the call abandonment rate is 7% or less. 

 The HMO must conduct ongoing
quality assurance to ensure these standards are met. 
 The Member Services Hotline may serve multiple HMO Programs if Hotline staff is knowledgeable about
all of the HMO’s Medicaid and/or CHIP Programs. The Member Services Hotline may serve multiple Service Areas if the Hotline staff is knowledgeable about all such Service Areas, including the Provider Network in each Service Area. 
 The HMO must monitor its performance regarding HHSC Member Hotline standards and submit performance reports summarizing call center performance for the Member Hotline as
indicated in Section 8.1.20 and the Uniform Managed Care Manual. 
 Section 8.1.5.7 modified by Version 1.3 
 8.1.5.7 Member Education 
 The HMO must, at a minimum, develop and
implement health education initiatives that educate Members about: 
  

	 	1.	How the HMO system operates, including the role of the PCP; 

  

	 	2.	Covered Services, limitations and any Value-added Services offered by the HMO; 

  

	 	3.	The value of screening and preventive care, and 

  

	 	4.	How to obtain Covered Services, including: 

  

	 	a.	Emergency Services; 

  

	 	b.	Accessing OB/GYN and specialty care; 

  

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	 	c.	Behavioral Health Services; 

  

	 	d.	Disease Management programs; 

  

	 	e.	Service Coordination, treatment for pregnant women, Members with Special Health Care Needs, including Children with Special Health Care Needs; and other special populations;

  

	 	f.	Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Services; 

  

	 	g.	Screening and preventive services, including well-child care (THSteps medical checkups for Medicaid Members); 

  

	 	h.	For CHIP Members, Member co-payments 

  

	 	i.	Suicide prevention; and 

  

	 	j.	Identification and health education related to Obesity. 

 The HMO must
provide a range of health promotion and wellness information and activities for Members in formats that meet the needs of all Members. The HMO must propose, implement, and assess innovative Member education strategies for wellness care and
immunization, as well as general health promotion and prevention. The HMO must conduct wellness promotion programs to improve the health status of its Members. The HMO may cooperatively conduct health education classes for all enrolled Members with
one or more HMOs also contracting with HHSC in the Service Area. The HMO must work with its Providers to integrate health education, wellness and prevention training into the care of each Member. 
 The HMO also must provide condition and disease-specific information and educational materials to Members, including information on its Service Management and Disease
Management programs described in Section 8.1.13 and Section 8.1. Condition- and disease-specific information must be oriented to various groups within the managed care eligible population, such as children, the elderly, persons with
disabilities and non-English speaking Members, as appropriate to the HMO’s Medicaid, CHIP and/or CHIP Perinatal Program(s). 
 8.1.5.8 Cultural
Competency Plan 
 The HMO must have a comprehensive written Cultural Competency Plan describing how the HMO will ensure culturally competent services,
and provide Linguistic Access and Disability-related Access. The Cultural Competency Plan must describe how the individuals and systems within the HMO will effectively provide services to people of all cultures, races, ethnic backgrounds, and
religions as well as those with disabilities in a manner that recognizes, values, affirms, and respects the worth of the individuals and protects and preserves the dignity of each. The HMO must submit the Cultural Competency Plan to HHSC for
Readiness Review. Modifications and amendments to the plan must be submitted to HHSC no later than 30 days prior to implementation. The Plan must also be made available to the HMO’s Network of Providers. 
 8.1.5.9 Member Complaint and Appeal Process 
 The HMO must develop,
implement and maintain a system for tracking, resolving, and reporting Member Complaints regarding its services, processes, procedures, and staff. The HMO must ensure that Member Complaints are resolved within 30 calendar days after receipt. The HMO
is subject to remedies, including liquidated damages, if at least 98 percent of Member Complaints are not resolved within 30 days of receipt of the Complaint by the HMO. Please see the Uniform Managed Care Contract Terms & Conditions and
Attachment B-5, Deliverables/Liquidated Damages Matrix. 
  

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 The HMO must develop, implement and maintain a system for tracking, resolving, and reporting Member Appeals regarding
the denial or limited authorization of a requested service, including the type or level of service and the denial, in whole or in part, of payment for service. Within this process, the HMO must respond fully and completely to each Appeal and
establish a tracking mechanism to document the status and final disposition of each Appeal. 
 The HMO must ensure that Member Appeals are resolved within 30
calendar days, unless the HMO can document that the Member requested an extension or the HMO shows there is a need for additional information and the delay is in the Member’s interest. The HMO is subject to liquidated damages if at least 98
percent of Member Appeals are not resolved within 30 days of receipt of the Appeal by the HMO. Please see the Uniform Managed Care Contract Terms & Conditions and Attachment B-5, Deliverables/Liquidated Damages Matrix. 

 Section 8.1.5.8 modified by Version 1.3 
 Medicaid HMOs
must follow the Member Complaint and Appeal Process described in Section 8.2.6. CHIP and CHIP Perinatal HMOs must comply with the CHIP Complaint and Appeal Process described in Sections 8.4.2 and 8.5.2, respectively.

 8.1.6 Marketing and Prohibited Practices 
 The HMO and
its Subcontractors must adhere to the Marketing Policies and Procedures as set forth by HHSC in the Contract, and the HHSC Uniform Managed Care Manual. 
 8.1.7 Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement 
 The HMO must provide for the delivery of quality care with the primary goal of
improving the health status of Members and, where the Member’s condition is not amenable to improvement, maintain the Member’s current health status by implementing measures to prevent any further decline in condition or deterioration of
health status. The HMO must work in collaboration with Providers to actively improve the quality of care provided to Members, consistent with the Quality Improvement Goals and all other requirements of the Contract. The HMO must provide mechanisms
for Members and Providers to offer input into the HMO’s quality improvement activities. 
 8.1.7.1 QAPI Program Overview 
 The HMO must develop, maintain, and operate a quality assessment and performance improvement (QAPI) Program consistent with the Contract, and TDI requirements, including
28 T.A.C. §11.1901(a)(5) and §11.1902. Medicaid HMOs must also meet the requirements of 42 C.F.R. §438.240. 
 The HMO must have on file with
HHSC an approved plan describing its QAPI Program, including how the HMO will accomplish the activities required by this section. The HMO must submit a QAPI Program Annual Summary in a format and timeframe specified by HHSC or its 

  

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designee. The HMO must keep participating physicians and other Network Providers informed about the QAPI Program and related activities. The HMO must include
in Provider contracts a requirement securing cooperation with the QAPI. 
 The HMO must approach all clinical and non-clinical aspects of quality assessment
and performance improvement based on principles of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)/Total Quality Management (TQM) and must: 
  

	 	1.	Evaluate performance using objective quality indicators; 

  

	 	2.	Foster data-driven decision-making; 

  

	 	3.	Recognize that opportunities for improvement are unlimited; 

  

	 	4.	Solicit Member and Provider input on performance and QAPI activities; 

  

	 	5.	Support continuous ongoing measurement of clinical and non-clinical effectiveness and Member satisfaction; 

  

	 	6.	Support programmatic improvements of clinical and non-clinical processes based on findings from on-going measurements; and 

  

	 	7.	Support re-measurement of effectiveness and Member satisfaction, and continued development and implementation of improvement interventions as appropriate. 

8.1.7.2 QAPI Program Structure 
 The HMO must maintain a
well-defined QAPI structure that includes a planned systematic approach to improving clinical and non-clinical processes and outcomes. The HMO must designate a senior executive responsible for the QAPI Program and the Medical Director must have
substantial involvement in QAPI Program activities. At a minimum, the HMO must ensure that the QAPI Program structure: 
  

	 	1.	Is organization-wide, with clear lines of accountability within the organization; 

  

	 	2.	Includes a set of functions, roles, and responsibilities for the oversight of QAPI activities that are clearly defined and assigned to appropriate individuals, including physicians,
other clinicians, and non-clinicians; 

  

	 	3.	Includes annual objectives and/or goals for planned projects or activities including clinical and non-clinical programs or initiatives and measurement activities; and

  

	 	4.	Evaluates the effectiveness of clinical and non-clinical initiatives. 

 8.1.7.3 Clinical Indicators 
 The HMO must engage in the collection of clinical indicator data. The HMO must use such clinical indicator data
in the development, assessment, and modification of its QAPI Program. 
 8.1.7.4 QAPI Program Subcontracting 
 If the HMO subcontracts any of the essential functions or reporting requirements contained within the QAPI Program to another entity, the HMO must maintain a file of the
subcontractors. The file must be available for review by HHSC or its designee upon request. 
  

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 8.1.7.5 Behavioral Health Integration into QAPI Program 
 Section 8.1.7.5 modified by Version 1.3 
 If the HMO provides Behavioral
Health Services within the Covered Services as defined in Attachments B-2, B-2.1, and B-2.2, it must integrate behavioral health into its QAPI Program and include a systematic and on-going process for monitoring, evaluating, and improving the
quality and appropriateness of Behavioral Health Services provided to Members. The HMO must collect data, and monitor and evaluate for improvements to physical health outcomes resulting from behavioral health integration into the Member’s
overall care. 
 8.1.7.6 Clinical Practice Guidelines 
 The HMO must adopt not less than two evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for each applicable HMO Program. Such practice guidelines must be based on valid and reliable clinical evidence, consider the needs of the HMO’s Members,
be adopted in consultation with contracting health care professionals, and be reviewed and updated periodically, as appropriate. The HMO must develop practice guidelines based on the health needs and opportunities for improvement identified as part
of the QAPI Program. 
 The HMO may coordinate the development of clinical practice guidelines with other HHSC HMOs to avoid providers in a Service Area
receiving conflicting practice guidelines from different HMOs. 
 The HMO must disseminate the practice guidelines to all affected Providers and, upon
request, to Members and potential Members. 
 The HMO must take steps to encourage adoption of the guidelines, and to measure compliance with the guidelines,
until such point that 90% or more of the Providers are consistently in compliance, based on HMO measurement findings. The HMO must employ substantive Provider motivational incentive strategies, such as financial and non-financial incentives, to
improve Provider compliance with clinical practice guidelines. The HMO’s decisions regarding utilization management, Member education, coverage of services, and other areas included in the practice guidelines must be consistent with the
HMO’s clinical practice guidelines. 
 8.1.7.7 Provider Profiling 
 The HMO must conduct PCP and other Provider profiling activities at least annually. As part of its QAPI Program, the HMO must describe the methodology it uses to identify which and how many Providers to profile and to
identify measures to use for profiling such Providers. 
 Provider profiling activities must include, but not be limited to: 
 Section 8.1.7.7 modified by Versions 1.1 and 1.3 

	 	1.	Developing PCP and Provider-specific reports that include a multi-dimensional assessment of a PCP or Provider’s performance using clinical, administrative, and Member
satisfaction indicators of care that are accurate, measurable, and relevant to the enrolled population; 

  

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	 	2.	Establishing PCP, Provider, group, Service Area or regional Benchmarks for areas profiled, where applicable, including STAR, STAR+PLUS, CHIP and CHIP Perinatal Program-specific
Benchmarks, where appropriate; and 

  

	 	3.	Providing feedback to individual PCPs and Providers regarding the results of their performance and the overall performance of the Provider Network. 

 8.1.7.8 Network Management 
 The HMO must: 
  

	 	1.	Use the results of its Provider profiling activities to identify areas of improvement for individual PCPs and Providers, and/or groups of Providers; 

  

	 	2.	Establish Provider-specific quality improvement goals for priority areas in which a Provider or Providers do not meet established HMO standards or improvement goals;

  

	 	3.	Develop and implement incentives, which may include financial and non-financial incentives, to motivate Providers to improve performance on profiled measures; and

  

	 	4.	At least annually, measure and report to HHSC on the Provider Network and individual Providers’ progress, or lack of progress, towards such improvement goals.

 8.1.7.9 Collaboration with the EQRO 
 The
HMO will collaborate with HHSC’s external quality review organization (EQRO) to develop studies, surveys, or other analytical approaches that will be carried out by the EQRO. The purpose of the studies, surveys, or other analytical approaches
is to assess the quality of care and service provided to Members and to identify opportunities for HMO improvement. To facilitate this process, the HMO will supply claims data to the EQRO in a format identified by HHSC in consultation with HMOs, and
will supply medical records for focused clinical reviews conducted by the EQRO. The HMO must also work collaboratively with HHSC and the EQRO to annually measure selected HEDIS measures that require chart reviews. During the first year of
operations, HHSC anticipates that the selected measures will include, at a minimum, well-child visits and immunizations, appropriate use of asthma medications, measures related to Members with diabetes, and control of high blood pressure.

 8.1.8 Utilization Management 
 The HMO must have a
written utilization management (UM) program description, which includes, at a minimum: 
  

	 	1.	Procedures to evaluate the need for Medically Necessary Covered Services; 

  

	 	2.	The clinical review criteria used, the information sources, the process used to review and approve the provision of Covered Services; 

  

	 	3.	The method for periodically reviewing and amending the UM clinical review criteria; and 

  

	 	4.	The staff position functionally responsible for the day-to-day management of the UM function. 

  

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 The HMO must make best efforts to obtain all necessary information, including pertinent clinical information, and
consult with the treating physician as appropriate in making UM determinations. 
 The HMO must issue coverage determinations, including adverse
determinations, according to the following timelines: 
  

	 	•	 	 Within three (3) business days after receipt of the request for authorization of services; 

  

	 	•	 	 Within one (1) business day for concurrent hospitalization decisions; and 

  

	 	•	 	 Within one (1) hour for post-stabilization or life-threatening conditions, except that for Emergency Medical Conditions and Emergency Behavioral Health
Conditions, the HMO must not require prior authorization. 

 The HMO’s UM Program must include written policies and procedures to
ensure: 
  

	 	1.	Consistent application of review criteria that are compatible with Members’ needs and situations; 

  

	 	2.	Determinations to deny or limit services are made by physicians under the direction of the Medical Director; 

  

	 	3.	Appropriate personnel are available to respond to utilization review inquiries 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with a telephone system capable of accepting
utilization review inquiries after normal business hours. The HMO must respond to calls within one business day; 

  

	 	4.	Confidentiality of clinical information; and 

  

	 	5.	Quality is not adversely impacted by financial and reimbursement-related processes and decisions. 

 For HMOs with preauthorization or concurrent review programs, qualified medical professionals must supervise preauthorization and concurrent review decisions. 
 The HMO UM Program must include polices and procedures to: 
  

	 	1.	Routinely assess the effectiveness and the efficiency of the UM Program; 

  

	 	2.	Evaluate the appropriate use of medical technologies, including medical procedures, drugs and devices; 

  

	 	3.	target areas of suspected inappropriate service utilization; 

  

	 	4.	Detect over- and under-utilization; 

  

	 	5.	Routinely generate Provider profiles regarding utilization patterns and compliance with utilization review criteria and policies; 

  

	 	6.	Compare Member and Provider utilization with norms for comparable individuals; 

  

	 	7.	Routinely monitor inpatient admissions, emergency room use, ancillary, and out-of-area services; 

  

	 	8.	Ensure that when Members are receiving Behavioral Health Services from the local mental health authority that the HMO is using the same UM guidelines as those prescribed for use by
Local Mental Health Authorities by MHMR which are published at: http://www.mhmr.state.tx.us/centraloffice/behavioralhealthservices/RDMClinGuide.html ; and 

  

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	 	9.	Refer suspected cases of provider or Member Fraud, Abuse, or Waste to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) as required by Section 8.1.19. 

 8.1.9 Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) 
 The HMO must ensure that
Network Providers are educated regarding their responsibility under federal laws (e.g., 20 U.S.C. §1435 (a)(5); 34 C.F.R. §303.321(d)) to identify and refer any Member age three (3) or under suspected of having a developmental
disability or delay, or who is at risk of delay, to the designated ECI program for screening and assessment within two (2) working days from the day the Provider identifies the Member. The HMO must use written educational materials developed or
approved by the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services – Division for Early Childhood Intervention Services for these “child find” activities. Eligibility for ECI services will be determined by the local ECI program using
the criteria contained in 40 T.A.C. §108.25. 
 The HMO must contract with qualified ECI Providers to provide ECI services to Members under age three
who have been determined eligible for ECI services. The HMO must permit Members to self refer to local ECI Service Providers without requiring a referral from the Member’s PCP. The HMO’s policies and procedures, including its Provider
Manual, must include written policies and procedures for allowing such self-referral to ECI providers. 
 The HMO must coordinate and cooperate with local
ECI programs in the development and implementation of the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP), including on-going case management and other non-capitated services required by the Member’s IFSP. The IFSP is an agreement developed by the
interdisciplinary team that consists of the ECI Case Manager/Service Coordinator, the Member/family, and other professionals who participated in the Member’s evaluation or are providing direct services to the Member, and may include the
Member’s Primary Care Physician (PCP) with parental consent. The IFSP identifies the Member’s present level of development based on assessment, describes the services to be provided to the child to meet the needs of the child and the
family, and identifies the person or persons responsible for each service required by the plan. The IFSP shall be transmitted by the ECI Provider to the HMO and the PCP with parental consent to enhance coordination of the plan of care. The IFSP may
be included in the Member’s medical record. 
 Cooperation with the ECI program includes covering medical diagnostic procedures and providing medical
records required to perform developmental assessments and developing the IFSP within the 45-day timeline established in federal rule (34 C.F.R. §303.342(a)). The HMO must require compliance with these requirements through Provider contract
provisions. The HMO must not withhold authorization for the provision of such medical diagnostic procedures. The HMO must promptly provide to the ECI program, relevant medical records available to the HMO. 
 The interdisciplinary team will determine Medical Necessity for health and Behavioral Health Services as approved by the Member’s PCP. The HMO must require, through
contract provisions, that all Medically Necessary health and Behavioral Health Services contained in the Member’s IFSP are provided to the Member in the amount, duration, scope and service setting established by the IFSP. The HMO must allow
services to be provided by a non-network provider if a Network Provider is not available to provide the services in the amount, duration, scope and 

  

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service setting as required by the IFSP. The HMO cannot modify the plan of care or alter the amount, duration, scope, or service setting required by the
Member’s IFSP. The HMO cannot create unnecessary barriers for the Member to obtain IFSP services, including requiring prior authorization for the ECI assessment or establishing insufficient authorization periods for prior authorized services.

 8.1.10 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)—Specific Requirements 
 The HMO must, by contract, require its Providers to coordinate with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to provide medical
information necessary for WIC eligibility determinations, such as height, weight, hematocrit or hemoglobin. The HMO must make referrals to WIC for Members potentially eligible for WIC. The HMO may use the nutrition education provided by WIC to
satisfy certain health education requirements of the Contract. 
 8.1.11 Coordination with Texas Department of Family and Protective Services

 The HMO must cooperate and coordinate with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS) (formerly the Department of Protective and
Regulatory Services) for the care of a child who is receiving services from or has been placed in the conservatorship of TDFPS. 
 The HMO must comply with
all provisions related to Covered Services, including Behavioral Health Services, in the following documents: 
  

	 	•	 	 A court order (Order) entered by a Court of Continuing Jurisdiction placing a child under the protective custody of TDFPS. 

  

	 	•	 	 A TDFPS Service Plan entered by a Court of Continuing Jurisdiction placing a child under the protective custody of TDFPS. 

  

	 	•	 	 A TDFPS Service Plan voluntarily entered into by the parents or person having legal custody of a Member and TDFPS. 

 The HMO cannot deny, reduce, or controvert the Medical Necessity of any health or Behavioral Health Services included in an Order. The HMO may participate in the
preparation of the medical and behavioral care plan prior to TDFPS submitting the health care plan to the Court. Any modification or termination of court-ordered services must be presented and approved by the court having jurisdiction over the
matter. 
 A Member or the parent or guardian whose rights are subject to an Order or Service Plan cannot use the HMO’s Complaint or Appeal processes,
or the HHSC Fair Hearing process to Appeal the necessity of the Covered Services. 
 The HMO must include information in its Provider Manuals and training
materials regarding: 
  

	 	1.	Providing medical records to TDFPS; 

  

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	 	2.	Scheduling medical and Behavioral Health Services appointments within 14 days unless requested earlier by TDFPS; and 

  

	 	3.	Recognition of abuse and neglect, and appropriate referral to TDFPS. 

 The
HMO must continue to provide all Covered Services to a Member receiving services from, or in the protective custody of, TDFPS until the Member has been disenrolled from the HMO due to loss of Medicaid managed care eligibility or placed into foster
care. 
 Section 8.1.12 modified by Versions 1.1 and 1.3 
 8.1.12 Services for People with Special Health Care Needs 
 This section applies to STAR, STAR+PLUS, CHIP HMOs. It applies to CHIP Perinatal
HMOs with respect to their Perinate Newborn Members only. 
 8.1.12.1 Identification 
 The HMO must develop and maintain a system and procedures for identifying Members with Special Health Care Needs
(MSHCN), including people with disabilities or chronic or complex medical and behavioral health conditions and Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN)1. 
 The HMO must contact Members pre-screened by the HHSC Administrative Services Contractor as MSHCN to
determine whether they meet the HMO’s MSHCN assessment criteria, and to determine whether the Member requires special services described in this section. The HMO must provide information to the HHSC Administrative Services Contractor that
identifies Members who the HMO has assessed to be MSHCN, including any Members pre-screened by the HHSC Administrative Services Contractor and confirmed by the HMO as a MSHCN. The information must be provided, in a format and on a timeline to be
specified by HHSC in the Uniform Managed Care Manual, and updated with newly identified MSHCN by the 10th day of each month. In the event that a MSHCN changes HMOs, the HMO must provide the receiving contractor information concerning the
results of the HMO’s identification and assessment of that Member’s needs, to prevent duplication of those activities. 
 Section 8.1.12.2
modified by Version 1.1 
 8.1.12.2 Access to Care and Service Management 
 Once identified, the HMO must have effective systems to ensure the provision of Covered Services to meet the special preventive, primary Acute Care, and specialty health care needs appropriate for treatment of the
individual Member’s condition(s). All STAR+PLUS Members are considered to be MSHCN. 

	 1
	 CSHCN is a term often used to refer to a services program for children with special health care needs
administered by DSHS, and described in 25 TAC, Part 1, Section 38.1. Although children served through this program may also be served by Medicaid or CHIP, the reference to “CSHCN” in this Contract does not refer to children served
through this program. 

  

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 The HMO must provide access to identified PCPs and specialty care Providers with experience serving MSHCN. Such
Providers must be board-qualified or board-eligible in their specialty. The HMO may request exceptions from HHSC for approval of traditional providers who are not board-qualified or board-eligible but who otherwise meet the HMO’s credentialing
requirements. 
 For services to CSHCN, the HMO must have Network PCPs and specialty care Providers that have demonstrated experience with CSHCN in pediatric
specialty centers such as children’s hospitals, teaching hospitals, and tertiary care centers. 
 The HMO is responsible for working with MSHCN, their
families and legal guardians if applicable, and their health care providers to develop a seamless package of care in which primary, Acute Care, and specialty service needs are met through a Service Plan that is understandable to the Member, or, when
applicable, the Member’s legal guardian. 
 The HMO is responsible for providing Service Management to develop a Service Plan and ensure MSHCN,
including CSHCN, have access to treatment by a multidisciplinary team when the Member’s PCP determines the treatment is Medically Necessary, or to avoid separate and fragmented evaluations and service plans. The team must include both physician
and non-physician providers determined to be necessary by the Member’s PCP for the comprehensive treatment of the Member. The team must: 
  

	 	1.	Participate in hospital discharge planning; 

  

	 	2.	Participate in pre-admission hospital planning for non-emergency hospitalizations; 

  

	 	3.	Develop specialty care and support service recommendations to be incorporated into the Service Plan; and 

  

	 	4.	Provide information to the Member, or when applicable, the Member’s legal guardian concerning the specialty care recommendations. 

 MSHCN, their families, or their health providers may request Service Management from the HMO. The HMO must make an assessment of whether Service Management is needed and
furnish Service Management when appropriate. The HMO may also recommend to a MSHCN, or to a CSHCN’s family, that Service Management be furnished if the HMO determines that Service Management would benefit the Member. 
 The HMO must provide information and education in its Member Handbook and Provider Manual about the care and treatment available in the HMO’s plan for Members with
Special Health Care Needs, including the availability of Service Management. 
 The HMO must have a mechanism in place to allow Members with Special Health
Care Needs to have direct access to a specialist as appropriate for the Member’s condition and identified needs, such as a standing referral to a specialty physician. The HMO must also provide MSHCN with access to non-primary care physician
specialists as PCPs, as required by 28 T.A.C. §11.900 and Section 8.1. 
 The HMO must implement a systematic process to coordinate
Non-capitated Services, and enlist the involvement of community organizations that may not be providing Covered Services but are otherwise important to the health and wellbeing of Members. The HMO also must make a best effort to establish
relationships with State and local programs and community organizations, such as those listed below, in order to make referrals for MSHCN and other Members who need community services: 
  

	 	•	 	 Community Resource Coordination Groups (CRCGs); 

  

	 	•	 	 Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Program; 

  

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	 	•	 	 Local school districts (Special Education); 

  

	 	•	 	 Texas Department of Transportation’s Medical Transportation Program (MTP); 

  

	 	•	 	 Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) Blind Children’s Vocational Discovery and Development Program; 

 

	 	•	 	 Texas Department of State Health (DSHS) services, including community mental health programs, the Title V Maternal and Child Health and Children with Special Health
Care Needs (CSHCN) Programs, and the Program for Amplification of Children of Texas (PACT); 

  

	 	•	 	 Other state and local agencies and programs such as food stamps, and the Women, Infants, and Children’s (WIC) Program; 

  

	 	•	 	 Civic and religious organizations and consumer and advocacy groups, such as United Cerebral Palsy, which also work on behalf of the MSHCN population.

 Section 8.1.13 modified by Versions 1.1 and 1.3 
 8.1.13 Service Management for Certain Populations 
 The HMO must have service management programs and procedures for
the following populations, as applicable to the HMO’s Medicaid and/or CHIP Program(s) (See CHIP Perinatal Program Covered Services, Attachment B-2.2, for the applicability of these services to the CHIP Perinatal Program): 
  

	1.	High-cost catastrophic cases; 

  

	2.	Women with high-risk pregnancies (STAR and STAR+PLUS Programs only); and 

  

	3.	Individuals with mental illness and co-occurring substance abuse. 

 Section 8.1.14 modified by Version 1.1 
 8.1.14 Disease Management (DM) 
 The HMO must provide, or arrange to have provided to Members, comprehensive disease management services consistent with state statutes and regulations. Such DM services must be part of person-based approach to DM and
holistically address the needs of persons with multiple chronic conditions. The HMO must develop and implement DM services that relate to chronic conditions that are prevalent in HMO Program Members. In the first year of operations, STAR, STAR+PLUS
and CHIP HMOs must have DM Programs that address Members with chronic conditions to be identified by HHSC and included within the Uniform Managed Care Manual. HHSC will not identify the Members with chronic conditions. The HMO must implement
policies and procedures to ensure that Members that require DM services are identified and enrolled in a program to provide such DM services. The HMO must develop and maintain screening and evaluation procedures for the early detection, prevention,
treatment, or referral of participants at risk for or diagnosed with chronic conditions identified by HHSC and included within the Uniform Managed Care Manual. The HMO must ensure that all Members identified for DM are enrolled into a DM
Program with the opportunity to opt out of these services within 30 days while still maintaining access to all other Covered Services. 
  

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	Subject: Attachment B-1 – HHSC Joint Medicaid/CHIP HMO RFP, Section 8	  	Version 1.6

  

 The DM Program(s) must include: 
  

	1.	Patient self-management education; 

  

	2.	Provider education; 

  

	3.	Evidence-based models and minimum standards of care; 

  

	4.	Standardized protocols and participation criteria; 

  

	5.	Physician-directed or physician-supervised care; 

  

	6.	Implementation of interventions that address the continuum of care; 

  

	7.	Mechanisms to modify or change interventions that are not proven effective; and 

  

	8.	Mechanisms to monitor the impact of the DM Program over time, including both the clinical and the financial impact. 

 The HMO must maintain a system to track and monitor all DM participants for clinical, utilization, and cost measures. 
 The HMO must provide designated staff to implement and maintain DM Programs and to assist participating Members in accessing DM services. The HMO must educate Members
and Providers about the HMO’s DM Programs and activities. Additional requirements related to the HMO’s Disease Management Programs and activities are found in the HHSC Uniform Managed Care Manual. 
 8.1.14.1 DM Services and Participating Providers 
 At a minimum, the
HMO must: 
  

	1.	Implement a system for Providers to request specific DM interventions; 

  

	2.	Give Providers information, including differences between recommended prevention and treatment and actual care received by Members enrolled in a DM Program, and information
concerning such Members’ adherence to a service plan; and 

  

	3.	For Members enrolled in a DM Program, provide reports on changes in a Member’s health status to their PCP. 

 8.1.14.2 HMO DM Evaluation 
 HHSC or its EQRO will evaluate the
HMO’s DM Program. 
 Section 8.1.15 modified by Version 1.3 
 8.1.15 Behavioral Health (BH) Network and Services 
 The requirements in this sub-section pertain to all HMOs except: (1) the STAR HMOs
in the Dallas CSA, whose Members receive Behavioral Health Services through the NorthSTAR Program, and (2) the CHIP Perinatal Program HMOs with respect to their Perinate Members. 
 The HMO must provide, or arrange to have provided, to Members all Medically Necessary Behavioral Health (BH) Services as described in Attachments B-2, B-2.1, and B-2.2. All BH Services must be provided in
conformance with the access standards included in Section 8.1.3. For Medicaid HMOs, BH Services are described in more detail in the Texas Medicaid Provider Procedures Manual and the Texas Medicaid Bulletins. When assessing
Members for BH 

  

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Services, the HMO and its Network Behavioral Health Service Providers must use the DSM-IV multi-axial classification. HHSC may require use of other
assessment instrument/outcome measures in addition to the DSM-IV. Providers must document DSM-IV and assessment/outcome information in the Member’s medical record. 
 8.1.15.1 BH Provider Network 
 The HMO must maintain a Behavioral Health Services Provider Network that includes
psychiatrists, psychologists, and other Behavioral Health Service Providers. The Provider Network must include Behavioral Health Service Providers with experience serving special populations among the HMO Program(s)’ enrolled population,
including, as applicable, children and adolescents, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and cultural or linguistic minorities, to ensure accessibility and availability of qualified Providers to all Members in the Service Area. 
 8.1.15.2 Member Education and Self-referral for Behavioral Health Services 
 The HMO must maintain a Member education process to help Members know where and how to obtain Behavioral Health Services. 
 The HMO must permit
Members to self refer to any in-network Behavioral Health Services Provider without a referral from the Member’s PCP. The HMOs’ policies and procedures, including its Provider Manual, must include written policies and procedures for
allowing such self- referral to BH services. 
 The HMO must permit Members to participate in the selection of the appropriate behavioral health individual
practitioner(s) who will serve them and must provide the Member with information on accessible in-network Providers with relevant experience. 
 8.1.15.3
Behavioral Health Services Hotline 
 This Section includes Hotline functions pertaining to Members. Requirements for Provider Hotlines are found in
Section 8.1.4.7. The HMO must have an emergency and crisis Behavioral Health Services Hotline staffed by trained personnel 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, toll-free throughout the Service Area. Crisis hotline staff must include or have
access to qualified Behavioral Health Services professionals to assess behavioral health emergencies. Emergency and crisis Behavioral Health Services may be arranged through mobile crisis teams. It is not acceptable for an emergency intake line to
be answered by an answering machine. 
 The HMO must operate a toll-free hotline as described in Section 8.1.5.6 to handle Behavioral
Health-related calls. The HMO may operate one hotline to handle emergency and crisis calls and routine Member calls. The HMO cannot impose maximum call duration limits and must allow calls to be of sufficient length to ensure adequate information is
provided to the Member. Hotline services must meet Cultural Competency requirements and provide linguistic access to all Members, including the interpretive services required for effective communication. 
 The Behavioral Health Services Hotline may serve multiple HMO Programs Hotline staff is knowledgeable about all of the HMO Programs. The Behavioral Health Services
Hotline may 

  

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serve multiple Service Areas if the Hotline staff is knowledgeable about all such Service Areas, including the Behavioral Health Provider Network in each
Service Area. The HMO must ensure that the toll-free Behavioral Health Services Hotline meets the following minimum performance requirements for all HMO Programs and Service Areas: 
 Section 8.1.15.3 modified by Version 1.2 

	 	1.	99% of calls are answered by the fourth ring or an automated call pick-up system; 

  

	 	2.	No incoming calls receive a busy signal; 

  

	 	3.	At least 80% of calls must be answered by toll-free line staff within 30 seconds measured from the time the call is placed in queue after selecting an option; and

  

	 	4.	The call abandonment rate is 7% or less. 

 The HMO must conduct on-going
quality assurance to ensure these standards are met. 
 The HMO must monitor the HMO’s performance against the Behavioral Health Services Hotline
standards and submit performance reports summarizing call center performance as indicated in Section 8.1.20 and the Uniform Managed Care Manual. 
 8.1.15.4 Coordination between the BH Provider and the PCP 
 The HMO must require, through contract provisions, that PCPs have screening and
evaluation procedures for the detection and treatment of, or referral for, any known or suspected behavioral health problems and disorders. PCPs may provide any clinically appropriate Behavioral Health Services within the scope of their practice.

 The HMO must provide training to network PCPs on how to screen for and identify behavioral health disorders, the HMO’s referral process for
Behavioral Health Services and clinical coordination requirements for such services. The HMO must include training on coordination and quality of care such as behavioral health screening techniques for PCPs and new models of behavioral health
interventions. 
 The HMO shall develop and disseminate policies regarding clinical coordination between Behavioral Health Service Providers and PCPs. The
HMO must require that Behavioral Health Service Providers refer Members with known or suspected and untreated physical health problems or disorders to their PCP for examination and treatment, with the Member’s or the Member’s legal
guardian’s consent. Behavioral Health Providers may only provide physical health care services if they are licensed to do so. This requirement must be specified in all Provider Manuals. 
 The HMO must require that behavioral health Providers send initial and quarterly (or more frequently if clinically indicated) summary reports of a Members’
behavioral health status to the PCP, with the Member’s or the Member’s legal guardian’s consent. This requirement must be specified in all Provider Manuals. 
 8.1.15.5 Follow-up after Hospitalization for Behavioral Health Services 
 The HMO must require, through Provider
contract provisions, that all Members receiving inpatient psychiatric services are scheduled for outpatient follow-up and/or continuing treatment 

  

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prior to discharge. The outpatient treatment must occur within seven (7) days from the date of discharge. The HMO must ensure that Behavioral Health
Service Providers contact Members who have missed appointments within 24 hours to reschedule appointments. 
 8.1.15.6 Chemical Dependency 

The HMO must comply with 28 T.A.C. §3.8001 et seq., regarding utilization review for Chemical Dependency Treatment. Chemical Dependency Treatment must
conform to the standards set forth in 28 T.A.C. Part 1, Chapter 3, Subchapter HH. 
 8.1.15.7 Court-Ordered Services 
 “Court-Ordered Commitment” means a commitment of a Member to a psychiatric facility for treatment that is ordered by a court of law pursuant to the Texas Health
and Safety Code, Title VII, Subtitle C. 
 The HMO must provide inpatient psychiatric services to Members under the age of 21, up to the annual limit, who
have been ordered to receive the services by a court of competent jurisdiction under the provisions of Chapters 573 and 574 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, relating to Court-Ordered Commitments to psychiatric facilities. The HMO is not
obligated to cover placements as a condition of probation, authorized by the Texas Family Code. 
 The HMO cannot deny, reduce or controvert the Medical
Necessity of inpatient psychiatric services provided pursuant to a Court-ordered Commitment for Members under age 21. Any modification or termination of services must be presented to the court with jurisdiction over the matter for determination.

 A Member who has been ordered to receive treatment under the provisions of Chapter 573 or 574 of the Texas Health and Safety Code can only Appeal the
commitment through the court system. 
 8.1.15.8 Local Mental Health Authority (LMHA) 
 The HMO must coordinate with the Local Mental Health Authority (LMHA) and state psychiatric facility regarding admission and discharge planning, treatment objectives and projected length of stay for Members committed
by a court of law to the state psychiatric facility. 
 Medicaid HMOs are required to comply with additional Behavioral Health Services requirements relating
to coordination with the LMHA and care for special populations. These Medicaid HMO requirements are described in Section 8.2.8. 
 8.1.16
Financial Requirements for Covered Services 
 The HMO must pay for or reimburse Providers for all Medically Necessary Covered Services provided to all
Members. The HMO is not liable for cost incurred in connection with health care rendered prior to the date of the Member’s Effective Date of Coverage in that HMO. A Member may receive collateral health benefits under a different type of
insurance such as workers compensation or personal injury protection under an automobile policy. If a Member is entitled to 

  

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coverage for specific services payable under another insurance plan and the HMO paid for such Covered Services, the HMO may obtain reimbursement from the
responsible insurance entity not to exceed 100% of the value of Covered Services paid. 
 8.1.17 Accounting and Financial Reporting Requirements

 The HMO’s accounting records and supporting information related to all aspects of the Contract must be accumulated in accordance with Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the cost principles contained in the Cost Principles Document in the Uniform Managed Care Manual. The State will not recognize or pay services that cannot be properly substantiated by the HMO and
verified by HHSC. 
 The HMO must: 
  

	 	1.	Maintain accounting records for each applicable HMO Program separate and apart from other corporate accounting records; 

  

	 	2.	Maintain records for all claims payments, refunds and adjustment payments to providers, capitation payments, interest income and payments for administrative services or functions
and must maintain separate records for medical and administrative fees, charges, and payments; 

  

	 	3.	Maintain an accounting system that provides an audit trail containing sufficient financial documentation to allow for the reconciliation of billings, reports, and financial
statements with all general ledger accounts; and 

  

	 	4.	Within 60 days after Contract execution, submit an accounting policy manual that includes all proposed policies and procedures the HMO will follow during the duration of the
Contract. Substantive modifications to the accounting policy manual must be approved by HHSC. 

 The HMO agrees to pay for all reasonable costs
incurred by HHSC to perform an examination, review or audit of the HMO’s books pertaining to the Contract. 
 8.1.17.1 General Access to Accounting
Records 
 The HMO must provide authorized representatives of the Texas and federal government full access to all financial and accounting records related
to the performance of the Contract. 
 The HMO must: 
  

	 	1.	Cooperate with the State and federal governments in their evaluation, inspection, audit, and/or review of accounting records and any necessary supporting information;

  

	 	2.	Permit authorized representatives of the State and federal governments full access, during normal business hours, to the accounting records that the State and the Federal government
determine are relevant to the Contract. Such access is guaranteed at all times during the performance and retention period of the Contract, and will include both announced and unannounced inspections, on-site audits, and the review, analysis, and
reproduction of reports produced by the HMO; 

  

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	 	3.	Make copies of any accounting records or supporting documentation relevant to the Contract available to HHSC or its agents within ten (10) business days of receiving a written
request from HHSC for specified records or information. If such documentation is not made available as requested, the HMO agrees to reimburse HHSC for all costs, including, but not limited to, transportation, lodging, and subsistence for all State
and federal representatives, or their agents, to carry out their inspection, audit, review, analysis, and reproduction functions at the location(s) of such accounting records; and 

  

	 	4.	Pay any and all additional costs incurred by the State and federal government that are the result of the HMO’s failure to provide the requested accounting records or financial
information within ten (10) business days of receiving a written request from the State or federal government. 

 Section 8.1.17.2
modified by Versions 1.2 and 1.3 
 8.1.17.2 Financial Reporting Requirements 
 HHSC will require the HMO to provide financial reports by HMO Program and by Service Area to support Contract monitoring as well as State and Federal reporting requirements. HHSC will consult with HMOs regarding the
format and frequency of such reporting. All financial information and reports that are not Member-specific are property of HHSC and will be public record. Any deliverable or report in Section 8.1.17.2 without a specified due date is due
quarterly on the last day of the month. Where the due date states 30 days, the HMO is to provide the deliverable by the last day of the month following the end of the reporting period. Where the due date states 45 days, the HMO is to provide the
deliverable by the 15th day of the second month following the end of the reporting period. 
 CHIP Perinatal Program data must be reported, and the data will
be integrated into existing CHIP Program financial reports. Except for the Financial Statistical Report, no separate CHIP Perinatal Program reports are required. For all other CHIP financial reports, where appropriate, HHSC will designate specific
attributes within the CHIP Program financial reports that the CHIP Perinatal HMOs must complete to allow HHSC to extract financial data particular to the CHIP Perinatal Program. 
 HHSC’s Uniform Managed Care Manual will govern the timing, format and content for the following reports. 
 Audited Financial Statement –The HMO must provide the annual audited financial statement, for each year covered under the Contract, no later than June 30. The HMO must provide the most recent annual financial statements, as
required by the Texas Department of Insurance for each year covered under the Contract, no later than March 1.  
 Affiliate Report –
The HMO must submit an Affiliate Report to HHSC if this information has changed since the last report submission. The report must contain the following: 
  

	 	1.	A list of all Affiliates, and 

  

	 	2.	For HHSC’s prior review and approval, a schedule of all transactions with Affiliates that, under the provisions of the Contract, will be allowable as expenses in the FSR Report
for services provided to the HMO by the Affiliate. Those should include financial terms, a detailed description of the services to be provided, and an estimated amount that will be incurred by the HMO for such services during the Contract Period.

  

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 Employee Bonus and/or Incentive Payment Plan – If a HMO intends to include Employee Bonus or Incentive
Payments as allowable administrative expenses, the HMO must furnish a written Employee Bonus and/or Incentive Payments Plan to HHSC so it may determine whether such payments are allowable administrative expenses in accordance with Cost Principles
Document in the Uniform Managed Care Manual. The written plan must include a description of the HMO’s criteria for establishing bonus and/or incentive payments, the methodology to calculate bonus and/or incentive payments, and the timing
of bonus and/or incentive payments. The Bonus and/or Incentive Payment Plan and description must be submitted to HHSC for approval no later than 30 days after the Effective Date of the Contract and any Contract renewal. If the HMO substantively
revises the Employee Bonus and/or Incentive Payment Plan, the HMO must submit the revised plan to HHSC for prior review and approval. 
 Claims Lag
Report—The HMO must submit Claims Lag Report as a Contract year-to-date report. The report must be submitted quarterly by the last day of the month following the reporting period. The report must be submitted to HHSC in a format specified
by HHSC. The report format is contained in the Uniform Managed Care Manual Chapter 5, Section 5.6.2. The report must disclose the amount of incurred claims each month and the amount paid each month by categories of service, such as
inpatient facility, out-patient facility, professional and other services, if applicable. The report must include total claims incurred and paid by month. 
 DSP Report—The HMO must submit a monthly Delivery Supplemental Payment (DSP) Report that includes the data elements specified by HHSC in the format specified by HHSC. HHSC will consult with contracted HMOs prior to revising the
DSP Report data elements and requirements. The DSP Report must include only unduplicated deliveries and only deliveries for which the HMO has made a payment, to either a hospital or other provider. 
 Form CMS-1513—The HMO must file an original Form CMS-1513 prior to beginning operations regarding the HMO’s control, ownership, or affiliations. An
updated Form CMS-1513 must also be filed no later than 30 days after any change in control, ownership, or affiliations. 
 FSR Reports – The HMO
must file quarterly and annual Financial-Statistical Reports (FSR) in the format and timeframe specified by HHSC. HHSC will include FSR format and directions in the Uniform Managed Care Manual. The HMO must incorporate financial and
statistical data of delegated networks (e.g., IPAs, ANHCs, Limited Provider Networks), if any, in its FSR Reports. Administrative expenses reported in the FSRs must be reported in accordance with the Cost Principles Document in the Uniform
Managed Care Manual. Quarterly FSR reports are due no later than 30 days after the end of the quarter and must provide information for the current quarter and year-to-date information through the current quarter. The first annual FSR report must
reflect expenses incurred through the 90th day after the end of the fiscal year. The first annual report must be filed on or before the 120th day after the end of each fiscal year and accompanied by an actuarial opinion by a qualified actuary who is
in good standing with the American Academy of Actuaries. Subsequent annual reports must reflect data completed through the 334th day after the end of each fiscal year and must be filed on or before the 365th day following the end of each fiscal
year. 
 CHIP Perinatal HMOs are required to submit separate FSRs for the CHIP Perinatal Program following the instructions outlined above and in the
Uniform Managed Care Manual. 
  

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 Out-of-Network Utilization Reports – The HMO must file quarterly Out-of Network Utilization Reports in
the format and timeframe specified by HHSC. HHSC will include the report format and directions in the Uniform Managed Care Manual. Quarterly reports are due 30 days after the end of each quarter.  
 HUB Reports – Upon contract award, the HMO must attend a post award meeting in Austin, Texas, at a time specified by HHSC, to discuss the development and
submission of a Client Services HUB Subcontracting Plan for inclusion and the HMO’s good faith efforts to notify HUBs of subcontracting opportunities. The HMO must maintain its HUB Subcontracting Plan and submit monthly reports documenting the
HMO’s Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) program efforts and accomplishments to the HHSC HUB Office. The report must include a narrative description of the HMO’s program efforts and a financial report reflecting payments made to
HUBs. HMOs must use the formats included in HHSC’s Uniform Managed Care Manual for the HUB monthly reports. The HMO must comply with HHSC’s standard Client Services HUB Subcontracting Plan requirements for all subcontractors.

 IBNR Plan—The HMO must furnish a written IBNR Plan to manage incurred-but-not-reported (IBNR) expenses, and a description of the method of
insuring against insolvency, including information on all existing or proposed insurance policies. The Plan must include the methodology for estimating IBNR. The plan and description must be submitted to HHSC no later than 60 days after the
Effective Date of the Contract. Substantive changes to a HMO’s IBNR plan and description must be submitted to HHSC no later than 30 days before the HMO implements changes to the IBNR plan.  
 Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) Reports – Medicaid HMOs must file preliminary and final Medicaid DSH reports, required by HHSC to identify and
reimburse hospitals that qualify for Medicaid DSH funds. The preliminary and final DSH reports must include the data elements and be submitted in the form and format specified by HHSC in the Uniform Managed Care Manual. The preliminary DSH
reports are due on or before June 1 of the year following the state fiscal reporting year. The final DSH reports are due no later than July 15 of the year following the state fiscal reporting year. This reporting requirement does not apply
to CHIP or CHIP Perinatal Program HMOs. For STAR+PLUS, HMOs will include only outpatient services in the DSH report. 
 TDI Examination
Report—The HMO must furnish a copy of any TDI Examination Report, including the financial, market conduct, target exam, quality of care components, and corrective action plans and responses, no later than 10 days after receipt of the final
report from TDI.  
 TDI Filings – The HMO must submit annual figures for controlled risk-based capital, as well as its quarterly
financial statements, both as required by TDI.  
 Registration Statement (also known as the “Form B”)—If the HMO is a part of
an insurance holding company system, the HMO must submit to HHSC a complete registration statement, also known as Form B, and all amendments to this form, and any other information filed by such insurer with the insurance regulatory authority of its
domiciliary jurisdiction. 
 Section 1318 Financial Disclosure Report—The HMO must file an original CMS Public Health Service (PHS)
Section 1318 Financial Disclosure Report prior to the start of Operations and an 

  

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updated CMS PHS Section 1318 Financial Disclosure Report no later than 30 days after the end of each Contract Year and no later than 30 days after
entering into, renewing, or terminating a relationship with an affiliated party. 
 Third Party Recovery (TPR) Reports—The HMO must file TPR
Reports in accordance with the format developed by HHSC in the Uniform Managed Care Manual. HHSC will require the HMO to submit TPR reports no more often than quarterly. TPR reports must include total dollars recovered from third party payers
for each HMO Program for services to the HMO’s Members, and the total dollars recovered through coordination of benefits, subrogation, and worker’s compensation. For CHIP HMOs, the TPR Reports only apply if the HMO chooses to engage in TPR
activities. 
 8.1.18 Management Information System Requirements 
 The HMO must maintain a Management Information System (MIS) that supports all functions of the HMO’s processes and procedures for the flow and use of HMO data. The HMO must have hardware, software, and a network and communications
system with the capability and capacity to handle and operate all MIS subsystems for the following operational and administrative areas: 
  

	 	1.	Enrollment/Eligibility Subsystem; 

  

	 	2.	Provider Subsystem; 

  

	 	3.	Encounter/Claims Processing Subsystem; 

  

	 	4.	Financial Subsystem; 

  

	 	5.	Utilization/Quality Improvement Subsystem; 

  

	 	6.	Reporting Subsystem; 

  

	 	7.	Interface Subsystem; and 

  

	 	8.	TPR Subsystem, as applicable to each HMO Program. 

 The MIS must enable
the HMO to meet the Contract requirements, including all applicable state and federal laws, rules, and regulations. The MIS must have the capacity and capability to capture and utilize various data elements required for HMO administration.

 HHSC will provide the HMO with pharmacy data on the HMO’s Members on a weekly basis through the HHSC Vendor Drug Program, or should these services be
outsourced, through the Pharmacy Benefit Manager. HHSC will provide a sample format of pharmacy data to contract awardees. 
 The HMO must have a system that
can be adapted to changes in Business Practices/Policies within the timeframes negotiated by the Parties. The HMO is expected to cover the cost of such systems modifications over the life of the Contract. 
 The HMO is required to participate in the HHSC Systems Work Group. 
 The HMO
must provide HHSC prior written notice of major systems changes, generally within 90 days, and implementations, including any changes relating to Material Subcontractors, in accordance with the requirements of this Contract and the Uniform
Managed Care Terms and Conditions.  
  

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 The HMO must provide HHSC any updates to the HMO’s organizational chart relating to MIS and the description of
MIS responsibilities at least 30 days prior to the effective date of the change. The HMO must provide HHSC official points of contact for MIS issues on an on-going basis. 
 HHSC, or its agent, may conduct a Systems Readiness Review to validate the HMO’s ability to meet the MIS requirements as described in Attachment B-1, Section 7. The System Readiness Review may include
a desk review and/or an onsite review and must be conducted for the following events: 
  

	 	1.	A new plan is brought into the HMO Program; 

  

	 	2.	An existing plan begins business in a new Service Area; 

  

	 	3.	An existing plan changes location; 

  

	 	4.	An existing plan changes its processing system, including changes in Material Subcontractors performing MIS or claims processing functions; and 

  

	 	5.	An existing plan in one or two HHSC HMO Programs is initiating a Contract to participate in any additional HMO Programs. 

 If for any reason, a HMO does not fully meet the MIS requirements, then the HMO must, upon request by HHSC, either correct such deficiency or submit to HHSC a Corrective
Action Plan and Risk Mitigation Plan to address such deficiency as requested by HHSC. Immediately upon identifying a deficiency, HHSC may impose remedies and either actual or liquidated damages according to the severity of the deficiency. HHSC may
also freeze enrollment into the HMO’s plan for any of its HMO Programs until such deficiency is corrected. Refer to the Uniform Managed Care Terms and Conditions and Attachment B-5 for additional information. 
 8.1.18.1 Encounter Data 
 The HMO must provide complete Encounter Data
for all Covered Services, including Value-added Services. Encounter Data must follow the format, and data elements as described in the HIPAA-compliant 837 format. HHSC will specify the method of transmission, and the submission schedule, in the
Uniform Managed Care Manual. The HMO must submit monthly Encounter Data transmissions, and include all Encounter Data and Encounter Data adjustments processed by the HMO. Encounter Data quality validation must incorporate assessment standards
developed jointly by the HMO and HHSC. The HMO must make original records available for inspection by HHSC for validation purposes. Encounter Data that do not meet quality standards must be corrected and returned within a time period specified by
HHSC. 
 In addition to providing Encounter Data in the 837 format described above, HMOs must submit an Encounter Data file to HHSC’s EQRO, in the
format provided in the Uniform Managed Care Manual. This additional submission requirement is time-limited and may not be required for the entire term of the Contract. 
 For reporting Encounters and fee-for-service claims to HHSC, the HMO must use the procedure codes, diagnosis codes, and other codes as directed by HHSC. Any exceptions will be considered on a code-by-code basis after
HHSC receives written notice from the HMO requesting an exception. The HMO must also use the provider numbers as directed by HHSC for both Encounter and fee-for-service claims submissions, as applicable. 
  

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 8.1.18.2 HMO Deliverables related to MIS Requirements 
 At the beginning of each state fiscal year, the HMO must submit for HHSC’s review and approval any modifications to the following documents: 
  

	 	1.	Joint Interface Plan; 

  

	 	2.	Disaster Recovery Plan; 

  

	 	3.	Business Continuity Plan; 

  

	 	4.	Risk Management Plan; and 

  

	 	5.	Systems Quality Assurance Plan. 

 The HMO must submit such modifications
to HHSC according to the format and schedule identified the HHSC Uniform Managed Care Manual. 
 8.1.18.3 System-wide Functions 
 Section 8.1.18.3 modified by Version 1.3 
 The HMO’s MIS system must
include key business processing functions and/or features, which must apply across all subsystems as follows: 
  

	 	1.	Process electronic data transmission or media to add, delete or modify membership records with accurate begin and end dates; 

  

	 	2.	Track Covered Services received by Members through the system, and accurately and fully maintain those Covered Services as HIPAA-compliant Encounter transactions;

  

	 	3.	Transmit or transfer Encounter Data transactions on electronic media in the HIPAA format to the contractor designated by HHSC to receive the Encounter Data;

  

	 	4.	Maintain a history of changes and adjustments and audit trails for current and retroactive data; 

  

	 	5.	Maintain procedures and processes for accumulating, archiving, and restoring data in the event of a system or subsystem failure; 

  

	 	6.	Employ industry standard medical billing taxonomies (procedure codes, diagnosis codes) to describe services delivered and Encounter transactions produced; 

 

	 	7.	Accommodate the coordination of benefits; 

  

	 	8.	Produce standard Explanation of Benefits (EOBs); 

  

	 	9.	Pay financial transactions to Providers in compliance with federal and state laws, rules and regulations; 

  

	 	10.	Ensure that all financial transactions are auditable according to GAAP guidelines. 

  

	 	11.	Relate and extract data elements to produce report formats (provided within the Uniform Managed Care Manual) or otherwise required by HHSC; 

  

	 	12.	Ensure that written process and procedures manuals document and describe all manual and automated system procedures and processes for the MIS; 13. Maintain and cross-reference all
Member-related information with the most current Medicaid, CHIP or CHIP Perinatal Program Provider number; and 

  

	 	14.	Ensure that the MIS is able to integrate pharmacy data from HHSC’s Drug Vendor file 

 (available through the Virtual Private Network (VPN)) into the HMO’s Member data. 
  

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 8.1.18.4 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Compliance 
 The HMO’s MIS system must comply with applicable certificate of coverage and data specification and reporting requirements promulgated pursuant to the Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, P.L. 104-191 (August 21, 1996), as amended or modified. The HMO must comply with HIPAA EDI requirements. HMO’s enrollment files must be in the 834 HIPAA-compliant format. Eligibility
inquiries must be in the 270/271 format and all claims and remittance transactions in the 837/835 format. 
 The HMO must provide its Members with a privacy
notice as required by HIPAA. The HMO must provide HHSC with a copy of its privacy notice for filing. 
 8.1.18.5 Claims Processing Requirements

 Section 8.1.18.5 modified by Versions 1.2 and 1.3 
 The HMO must process and adjudicate all provider claims for Medically Necessary Covered Services that are filed within the time frames specified in the Uniform Managed Care Manual. The HMO is subject to remedies, including liquidated
damages and interest, if the HMO does not process and adjudicate claims within the timeframes listed in the Uniform Managed Care Manual. 
 The HMO
must administer an effective, accurate, and efficient claims payment process in compliance with federal laws and regulations, applicable state laws and rules, the Contract, and the Uniform Managed Care Manual. In addition, a Medicaid HMO must
be able to accept and process provider claims in compliance with the Medicaid Provider Procedures Manual and The Texas Medicaid Bulletin. 
 The HMO must
maintain an automated claims processing system that registers the date a claim is received by the MCO, the detail of each claim transaction (or action) at the time the transaction occurs, and has the capability to report each claim transaction by
date and type to include interest payments. The claims system must maintain information at the claim and line detail level. The claims system must maintain adequate audit trails and report accurate claims performance measures to HHSC. 
 The HMO’s claims system must maintain online and archived files. The HMO must keep online automated claims payment history for the most current 18 months. The HMO
must retain other financial information and records, including all original claims forms, for the time period established in Attachment A, Section 9.01. All claims data must be easily sorted and produced in formats as requested by HHSC.

 The HMO must offer its Providers/Subcontractors the option of submitting and receiving claims information through electronic data interchange (EDI) that
allows for automated processing and adjudication of claims. EDI processing must be offered as an alternative to the filing of paper claims. Electronic claims must use HIPAA-compliant electronic formats. 
 The HMO may deny a claim submitted by a provider for failure to file in a timely manner as provided for in the Uniform Managed Care Manual. The HMO must not pay
any claim submitted by a provider excluded or suspended from the Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP or CHIP Perinatal programs for Fraud, Abuse, or Waste. The HMO must not pay any claim submitted by a Provider that is on payment hold under the authority of
HHSC or its authorized agent(s), or who has pending accounts receivable with HHSC. 
  

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 The HMO is subject to the requirements related to coordination of benefits for secondary payors in the Texas
Insurance Code Section 843.349 (e) and (f). 
 The HMO must notify HHSC of major claim system changes in writing no later than 90 days prior to
implementation. The HMO must provide an implementation plan and schedule of proposed changes. HHSC reserves the right to require a desk or on-site readiness review of the changes. 
 The HMO must inform all Network Providers about the information required to submit a claim at least 30 days prior to the Operational Start Date and as a provision within the HMO/Provider contract. The HMO must make
available to Providers claims coding and processing guidelines for the applicable provider type. Providers must receive 90 days notice prior to the HMO’s implementation of changes to claims guidelines. 
 8.1.19 Fraud and Abuse 
 Section 8.1.19 modified by Version 1.3

 A HMO is subject to all state and federal laws and regulations relating to Fraud, Abuse, and Waste in health care and the Medicaid and CHIP programs. The
HMO must cooperate and assist HHSC and any state or federal agency charged with the duty of identifying, investigating, sanctioning or prosecuting suspected Fraud, Abuse or Waste. The HMO must provide originals and/or copies of all records and
information requested and allow access to premises and provide records to the Inspector General for the Texas Health and Human Services System, HHSC or its authorized agent(s), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Federal Bureau of Investigation, TDI, or other units of state government. The HMO must provide all copies of records free of charge. 
 The HMO must submit a written Fraud and Abuse compliance plan to the Office of Inspector General at HHSC for approval (See Attachment B-1, Section 7 for requirements regarding timeframes for submitting the
original plan.) The plan must ensure that all officers, directors, managers and employees know and understand the provisions of the HMO’s Fraud and Abuse compliance plan. The plan must include the name, address, telephone number, electronic
mail address, and fax number of the individual(s) responsible for carrying out the plan. 
 The written Fraud and Abuse compliance plan must: 
  

	 	1.	Contain procedures designed to prevent and detect potential or suspected Abuse, Fraud and Waste in the administration and delivery of services under the Contract;

  

	 	2.	Contain a description of the HMO’s procedures for educating and training personnel to prevent Fraud, Abuse, or Waste; 

  

	 	3.	Include provisions for the confidential reporting of plan violations to the designated person within the HMO’s organization and ensure that the identity of an individual
reporting violations is protected from retaliation; 

  

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	 	4.	Include provisions for maintaining the confidentiality of any patient information relevant to an investigation of Fraud, Abuse, or Waste; 

  

	 	5.	Provide for the investigation and follow-up of any allegations of Fraud, Abuse, or Waste and contain specific and detailed internal procedures for officers, directors, managers and
employees for detecting, reporting, and investigating Fraud and Abuse compliance plan violations; 

  

	 	6.	Require that confirmed violations be reported to the Office of Inspector General (OIG); and 

  

	 	7.	Require any confirmed violations or confirmed or suspected Fraud, Abuse, or Waste under state or federal law be reported to OIG. 

 If the HMO contracts for the investigation of allegations of Fraud, Abuse, or Waste and other types of program abuse by Members or Providers, the plan must include a
copy of the subcontract; the names, addresses, telephone numbers, electronic mail addresses, and fax numbers of the principals of the subcontracted entity; and a description of the qualifications of the subcontracted entity. Such subcontractors must
be held to the requirements stated in this Section. 
 The HMO must designate executive and essential personnel to attend mandatory training in Fraud and
Abuse detection, prevention and reporting. Designated executive and essential personnel means the HMO staff persons who supervise staff in the following areas: data collection, provider enrollment or disenrollment, encounter data, claims processing,
utilization review, appeals or grievances, quality assurance and marketing, and who are directly involved in the decision-making and administration of the Fraud and Abuse detection program within the HMO. The training will be conducted by the OIG
free of charge. The HMO must schedule and complete training no later than 90 days after the Effective Date of the Contract. If the HMO updates or modifies its written Fraud and Abuse compliance plan, the HMO must train its executive and essential
personnel on these updates or modifications no later than 90 days after the effective date of the updates or modifications. 
 The HMO must designate an
officer or director in its organization with responsibility and authority to carry out the provisions of the Fraud and Abuse compliance plan. A HMO’s failure to report potential or suspected Fraud or Abuse may result in sanctions, cancellation
of the Contract, and/or exclusion from participation in the Medicaid, CHIP or CHIP Perinatal HMO Programs. The HMO must allow the OIG, HHSC, its agents, or other governmental units to conduct private interviews of the HMO’s personnel,
subcontractors and their personnel, witnesses, and Members with regard to a confirmed violation. The HMO’s personnel and it subcontractors must reasonably cooperate, to the satisfaction of HHSC, by being available in person for interviews,
consultation, grand jury proceedings, pre-trial conferences, hearings, trials and in any other process, including investigations, at the HMO’s and subcontractors’ own expense. 
 8.1.20 Reporting Requirements 
 Section 8.1.20 modified by Version 1.2 
 The HMO must provide and must require its subcontractors to provide: 
  

	 	1.	All information required under the Contract, including but not limited to, the reporting requirements or other information related to the performance of its responsibilities
hereunder as reasonably requested by the HHSC; and 

  

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	 	2.	Any information in its possession sufficient to permit HHSC to comply with the Federal Balanced Budget Act of 1997 or other Federal or state laws, rules, and regulations. All
information must be provided in accordance with the timelines, definitions, formats and instructions as specified by HHSC. Where practicable, HHSC may consult with HMOs to establish time frames and formats reasonably acceptable to both parties.

 Any deliverable or report in Section 8.1.20 without a specified due date is due quarterly on the last day of the month following the
end of the reporting period. Where the due date states 30 days, the HMO is to provide the deliverable by the last day of the month following the end of the reporting period. Where the due date states 45 days, the HMO is to provide the deliverable by
the 15th day of the second month following the end of the reporting period. 
 The HMO’s Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officers, or persons in
equivalent positions, must certify that financial data, Encounter Data and other measurement data has been reviewed by the HMO and is true and accurate to the best of their knowledge after reasonable inquiry. 
 8.1.20.1 HEDIS and Other Statistical Performance Measures 
 The HMO
must provide to HHSC or its designee all information necessary to analyze the HMO’s provision of quality care to Members using measures to be determined by HHSC in consultation with the HMO. Such measures must be consistent with HEDIS or other
externally based measures or measurement sets, and involve collection of information beyond that present in Encounter Data. The Performance Indicator Dashboard, found in the Uniform Managed Care Manual provides additional information
on the role of the HMO and the EQRO in the collection and calculation of HEDIS, CAHPS, and other performance measures. 
 8.1.20.2 Reports 

The HMO must provide the following reports, in addition to the Financial Reports described in Section 8.1.17 and those reporting requirements listed
elsewhere in the Contract. The HHSC Uniform Managed Care Manual will include a list of all required reports, and a description of the format, content, file layout and submission deadlines for each report. 
 For the following reports, CHIP Perinatal Program data will be integrated into existing CHIP Program reports. Generally, no separate CHIP Perinatal Program reports are
required. Where appropriate, HHSC will designate specific attributes within the CHIP Program reports that the CHIP Perinatal HMOs must complete to allow HHSC to extract data particular to the CHIP Perinatal Program. 
 Section 8.1.20.2 modified by Versions 1.2 and 1.3 
 Claims Summary Report - The HMO must submit quarterly Claims Summary Reports to HHSC by HMO Program, Service
Area and claims processing subcontractor by the 30th day following the end of the reporting period unless otherwise
specified. The format for the Claims Summary Report is contained in Chapter 5, Section 5.6.1 of the Uniform Managed Care Manual. 
 QAPI
Program Annual Summary Report - The HMO must submit a QAPI Program Annual Summary in a format and timeframe as specified in the Uniform Managed Care Manual. 
  

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 Fraudulent Practices Report - Utilizing the HHSC-Office of Inspector General (OIG) fraud referral form, the
HMO’s assigned officer or director must report and refer all possible acts of waste, abuse or fraud to the HHSC-OIG within 30 working days of receiving the reports of possible acts of waste, abuse or fraud from the HMO’s Special
Investigative Unit (SIU). The report and referral must include: an investigative report identifying the allegation, statutes/regulations violated or considered, and the results of the investigation; copies of program rules and regulations violated
for the time period in question; the estimated overpayment identified; a summary of the interviews conducted; the encounter data submitted by the provider for the time period in question; and all supporting documentation obtained as the result of
the investigation. This requirement applies to all reports of possible acts of waste, abuse and fraud. 
 Additional reports required by the Office of the
Inspector General relating to waste, abuse or fraud are listed in the HHSC Uniform Managed Care Manual. 
 Provider Termination Report: (CHIP
(including integrated CHIP Perinatal Program data) & STAR) 
 MCO must submit a quarterly report that identifies any providers who cease to
participate in MCO’s provider network, either voluntarily or involuntarily. The report must be submitted to HHSC in the format specified by HHSC, no later than 30 days after the end of the reporting period. 
 PCP Network & Capacity Report: (CHIP only (including integrated CHIP Perinatal Program data)) 
 For the CHIP Program, MCO must submit a quarterly report listing all unduplicated PCPs in the MCO’s Provider Network. For the CHIP Perinatal Program, the Perinatal
Newborns are assigned PCPs that are part of the CHIP PCP Network. The report must be submitted to HHSC in the format specified by HHSC, no later than 30 days after the end of the reporting quarter. 
 Section 8.1.20.2 modified by Version 1.5 
 Summary Report of Member
Complaints and Appeals - The HMO must submit quarterly Member Complaints and Appeals reports. The HMO must include in its reports Complaints and Appeals submitted to its subcontracted risk groups (e.g., IPAs) and any other subcontractor
that provides Member services. The HMO must submit the Complaint and Appeals reports electronically on or before 45 days following the end of the state fiscal quarter, using the format specified by HHSC in the HHSC Uniform Managed Care
Manual, Chapter 5.4.2. 
 HHSC may direct the CHIP Perinatal HMOs to provide segregated Member Complaints and Appeals reports on an as-needed basis.

 Section 8.1.20.2 modified by Version 1.5 
 Summary
Report of Provider Complaints - The HMO must submit Provider complaints reports on a quarterly basis. The HMO must include in its reports complaints submitted by providers to its subcontracted risk groups (e.g., IPAs) and any other
subcontractor that provides Provider services. The complaint reports must be submitted electronically on or before 45 days following the end of the state fiscal quarter, using the format specified by HHSC in the HHSC Uniform Managed Care Manual,
Chapter 5.4.2. 
 HHSC may direct the CHIP Perinatal HMOs to provide segregated Provider Complaints and Appeals reports on an as-needed basis.

  

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 Hotline Reports - The HMO must submit, on a quarterly basis, a status report for the Member Hotline, the
Behavioral Health Services Hotline, and the Provider Hotline in comparison with the performance standards set out in Sections 8.1.5.6, 8.1.14.3, and 8.1.4.7. The HMO shall submit such reports using a format to be prescribed by HHSC in
consultation with the HMOs. 
 If the HMO is not meeting a hotline performance standard, HHSC may require the HMO to submit monthly hotline performance
reports and implement corrective actions until the hotline performance standards are met. If a HMO has a single hotline serving multiple Service Areas, multiple HMO Programs, or multiple hotline functions, (i.e. Member, Provider, Behavioral Health
Services hotlines), HHSC may request on an annual basis that the HMO submit certain hotline response information by HMO Program, by Service Area, and by hotline function, as applicable to the HMO. HHSC may also request this type of hotline
information if a HMO is not meeting a hotline performance standard. 
 The HMO must follow all applicable Joint Interface Plans (JIPs) and all required file
submissions for HHSC’s Administrative Services Contractor, External Quality Review Organization (EQRO) and HHSC Medicaid Claims Administrator. The JIPs can be accessed through the Uniform Managed Care Manual. 
 8.2 Additional Medicaid HMO Scope of Work 
 Section 8.2 modified
by Version 1.1 
 The following provisions apply to any HMO participating in the STAR or STAR+PLUS HMO Program. 
 8.2.1 Continuity of Care and Out-of-Network Providers 
 The HMO must
ensure that the care of newly enrolled Members is not disrupted or interrupted. The HMO must take special care to provide continuity in the care of newly enrolled Members whose health or behavioral health condition has been treated by specialty care
providers or whose health could be placed in jeopardy if Medically Necessary Covered Services are disrupted or interrupted. 
 The HMO must allow pregnant
Members with 12 weeks or less remaining before the expected delivery date to remain under the care of the Member’s current OB/GYN through the Member’s postpartum checkup, even if the provider is Out-of-Network. If a Member wants to change
her OB/GYN to one who is in the Network, she must be allowed to do so if the Provider to whom she wishes to transfer agrees to accept her in the last trimester of pregnancy. 
 The HMO must pay a Member’s existing Out-of-Network providers for Medically Necessary Covered Services until the Member’s records, clinical information and care can be transferred to a Network Provider, or
until such time as the Member is no longer enrolled in that HMO, whichever is shorter. Payment to Out-of-Network providers must be made within the time period required for Network Providers. The HMO must comply with out-of-network provider
reimbursement rules as adopted by HHSC. 
  

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 This Article does not extend the obligation of the HMO to reimburse the Member’s existing Out-of-Network
providers for on-going care for: 
  

	 	1.	More than 90 days after a Member enrolls in the HMO’s Program, or 

  

	 	2.	For more than nine (9) months in the case of a Member who, at the time of enrollment in the HMO, has been diagnosed with and receiving treatment for a terminal illness and
remains enrolled in the HMO. 

 The HMO’s obligation to reimburse the Member’s existing Out-of-Network provider for services provided
to a pregnant Member with 12 weeks or less remaining before the expected delivery date extends through delivery of the child, immediate postpartum care, and the follow-up checkup within the first six weeks of delivery. 
 The HMO must provide or pay Out-of-Network providers who provide Medically Necessary Covered Services to Members who move out of the Service Area through the end of the
period for which capitation has been paid for the Member. 
 The HMO must provide Members with timely and adequate access to Out-of-Network services for as
long as those services are necessary and covered benefits not available within the network, in accordance with 42 C.F.R. §438.206(b)(4). The HMO will not be obligated to provide a Member with access to Out-of-Network services if such services
become available from a Network Provider. 
 The HMO must ensure that each Member has access to a second opinion regarding the use of any Medically Necessary
Covered Service. A Member must be allowed access to a second opinion from a Network Provider or Out-of-Network provider if a Network Provider is not available, at no cost to the Member, in accordance with 42 C.F.R. §438.206(b)(3). 

8.2.2 Provisions Related to Covered Services for Medicaid Members 
 8.2.2.1 Emergency Services 
 HMO policy and procedures, Covered Services, claims adjudication methodology, and reimbursement performance for
Emergency Services must comply with all applicable state and federal laws, rules, and regulations including 42 C.F.R. §438.114, whether the provider is in-network or Out-of-Network. HMO policies and procedures must be consistent with the
prudent layperson definition of an Emergency Medical Condition and the claims adjudication processes required under the Contract and 42 C.F.R. §438.114. 
 The HMO must pay for the professional, facility, and ancillary services that are Medically Necessary to perform the medical screening examination and stabilization of a Member presenting with an Emergency Medical Condition or an Emergency
Behavioral Health Condition to the hospital emergency department, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, rendered by either the HMO’s Network or Out-of-Network providers. 
 The HMO cannot require prior authorization as a condition for payment for an Emergency Medical Condition, an Emergency Behavioral Health Condition, or labor and delivery. The HMO 

  

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cannot limit what constitutes an Emergency Medical Condition on the basis of lists of diagnoses or symptoms. The HMO cannot refuse to cover Emergency
Services based on the emergency room provider, hospital, or fiscal agent not notifying the Member’s PCP or the HMO of the Member’s screening and treatment within 10 calendar days of presentation for Emergency Services. The HMO may not hold
the Member who has an Emergency Medical Condition liable for payment of subsequent screening and treatment needed to diagnose the specific condition or stabilize the patient. The HMO must accept the emergency physician or provider’s
determination of when the Member is sufficiently stabilized for transfer or discharge. 
 A medical screening examination needed to diagnose an Emergency
Medical Condition must be provided in a hospital based emergency department that meets the requirements of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) (42 C.F.R. §§489.20, 489.24 and 438.114(b)&(c)). The HMO must pay
for the emergency medical screening examination, as required by 42 U.S.C. §1395dd. The HMO must reimburse for both the physician’s services and the hospital’s Emergency Services, including the emergency room and its ancillary
services. 
 When the medical screening examination determines that an Emergency Medical Condition exists, the HMO must pay for Emergency Services performed
to stabilize the Member. The emergency physician must document these services in the Member’s medical record. The HMO must reimburse for both the physician’s and hospital’s emergency stabilization services including the emergency room
and its ancillary services. 
 The HMO must cover and pay for Post-Stabilization Care Services in the amount, duration, and scope necessary to comply with 42
C.F.R. §438.114(b)&(e) and 42 C.F.R. §422.113(c)(iii). The HMO is financially responsible for post-stabilization care services obtained within or outside the Network that are not pre-approved by a Provider or other HMO representative,
but administered to maintain, improve, or resolve the Member’s stabilized condition if: 
  

	 	1.	The HMO does not respond to a request for pre-approval within 1 hour; 

  

	 	2.	The HMO cannot be contacted; or 

  

	 	3.	The HMO representative and the treating physician cannot reach an agreement concerning the Member’s care and a Network physician is not available for consultation. In this
situation, the HMO must give the treating physician the opportunity to consult with a Network physician and the treating physician may continue with care of the patient until an HMO physician is reached. The HMO’s financial responsibility ends
as follows: the HMO physician with privileges at the treating hospital assumes responsibility for the Member’s care; the HMO physician assumes responsibility for the Member’s care through transfer; the HMO representative and the treating
physician reach an agreement concerning the Member’s care; or the Member is discharged. 

 8.2.2.2 Family Planning - Specific
Requirements 
 The HMO must require, through Provider contract provisions, that Members requesting contraceptive services or family planning services are
also provided counseling and education about the family planning and family planning services available to Members. The HMO must develop outreach programs to increase community support for family planning and encourage Members to use available
family planning services. 
  

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 The HMO must ensure that Members have the right to choose any Medicaid participating family planning provider,
whether the provider chosen by the Member is in or outside the Provider Network. The HMO must provide Members access to information about available providers of family planning services and the Member’s right to choose any Medicaid family
planning provider. The HMO must provide access to confidential family planning services. 
 The HMO must provide, at minimum, the full scope of services
available under the Texas Medicaid program for family planning services. The HMO will reimburse family planning agencies the Medicaid fee-for service amounts for family planning services, including Medically Necessary medications, contraceptives,
and supplies not covered by the Vendor Drug Program and will reimburse Out-of-Network family planning providers in accordance with HHSC’s administrative rules. 
 The HMO must provide medically approved methods of contraception to Members, provided that the methods of contraception are Covered Services. Contraceptive methods must be accompanied by verbal and written
instructions on their correct use. The HMO must establish mechanisms to ensure all medically approved methods of contraception are made available to the Member, either directly or by referral to a subcontractor. 
 The HMO must develop, implement, monitor, and maintain standards, policies and procedures for providing information regarding family planning to Providers and Members,
specifically regarding State and federal laws governing Member confidentiality (including minors). Providers and family planning agencies cannot require parental consent for minors to receive family planning services. The HMO must require, through
contractual provisions, that subcontractors have mechanisms in place to ensure Member’s (including minor’s) confidentiality for family planning services. 
 8.2.2.3 Texas Health Steps (EPSDT) 
 The HMO must develop effective methods to ensure that children under the age of 21 receive THSteps
services when due and according to the recommendations established by the AAP and the THSteps periodicity schedule for children. The HMO must arrange for THSteps services for all eligible Members except when a Member knowingly and voluntarily
declines or refuses services after receiving sufficient information to make an informed decision. 
 HMO must have mechanisms in place to ensure that all
newly enrolled newborns receive an appointment for a THSteps checkup within 14 days of enrollment and all other eligible child Members receive a THSteps checkup within 60 days of enrollment, if one is due according to the AAP periodicity schedule.

 The HMO must ensure that Members are provided information and educational materials about the services available through the THSteps Program, and how and
when they may obtain the services. The information should tell the Member how they can obtain dental benefits, transportation services through the Texas Department of Transportation’s Medical Transportation Program, and advocacy assistance from
the HMO. 
  

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 The HMO must provide appropriate training to all Network Providers and Provider staff in the Providers’ area of
practice regarding the scope of benefits available and the THSteps Program. Training must include: 
  

	 	1.	THSteps benefits, 

  

	 	2.	The periodicity schedule for THSteps medical checkups and immunizations, 

  

	 	3.	The required elements of THSteps medical checkups, 

  

	 	4.	Providing or arranging for all required lab screening tests (including lead screening), and Comprehensive Care Program (CCP) services available under the THSteps program to Members
under age 21 years. 

 HMO must also educate and train Providers regarding the requirements imposed on HHSC and contracting HMOs under the
Consent Decree entered in Frew v. Hawkins, et. al., Civil Action No. 3:93CV65, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Paris Division. Providers should be educated and trained to treat each THSteps visit as
an opportunity for a comprehensive assessment of the Member. 
 The HMO must provide outreach to Members to ensure they receive prompt services and are
effectively informed about available THSteps services. Each month, the HMO must retrieve from the HHSC Administrative Services Contractor Bulletin Board System a list of Members who are due and overdue THSteps services. Using these lists and its own
internally generated list, the HMO will contact such Members to obtain the service as soon as possible. The HMO outreach staff must coordinate with DSHS THSteps outreach staff to ensure that Members have access to the Medical Transportation Program,
and that any coordination with other agencies is maintained. 
 The HMO must cooperate and coordinate with the State, outreach programs and THSteps regional
program staff and agents to ensure prompt delivery of services to children of migrant farm workers and other migrant populations who may transition into and out of the HMO’s Program more rapidly and/or unpredictably than the general population.

 The HMO must have mechanisms in place to ensure that all newborn Members have an initial newborn checkup before discharge from the hospital and again
within two weeks from the time of birth. The HMO must require Providers to send all THSteps newborn screens to the DSHS Bureau of Laboratories or a DSHS certified laboratory. Providers must include detailed identifying information for all screened
newborn Members and the Member’s mother to allow DSHS to link the screens performed at the hospital with screens performed at the two-week follow-up. 
 All laboratory specimens collected as a required component of a THSteps checkup (see Medicaid Provider Procedures Manual for age-specific requirements) must be submitted to the DSHS Laboratory for analysis. The HMO must educate Providers
about THSteps Program requirements for submitting laboratory tests to the DSHS Bureau of Laboratories. 
 The HMO must make an effort to coordinate and
cooperate with existing community and school-based health and education programs that offer services to school-aged children in a location that is both familiar and convenient to the Members. The HMO must make a good faith effort to comply with Head
Start’s requirement that Members participating in Head Start receive their THSteps checkup no later than 45 days after enrolling into either program. 
  

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 The HMO must educate Providers on the Immunization Standard Requirements set forth in Chapter 161, Health and Safety
Code; the standards in the ACIP Immunization Schedule; the AAP Periodicity Schedule for CHIP Members; and the DSHS Periodicity Schedule for Medicaid Members. The HMO shall educate Providers that Medicaid Members under age 21 must be immunized during
the THSteps checkup according to the DSHS routine immunization schedule. The HMO shall also educate Providers that the screening provider is responsible for administration of the immunization and should not refer children to Local Health Departments
to receive immunizations. 
 The HMO must educate Providers about, and require Providers to comply with, the requirements of Chapter 161, Health and Safety
Code, relating to the Texas Immunization Registry (ImmTrac), to include parental consent on the Vaccine Information Statement. 
 The HMO must require all
THSteps Providers to submit claims for services paid (either on a capitated or fee-for service basis) on the HCFA 1500 claim form and use the HIPAA compliant code set required by HHSC. 
 Encounter Data will be validated by chart review of a random sample of THSteps eligible enrollees against monthly Encounter Data reported by the HMO. HHSC or its designee will conduct chart reviews to validate that
all screens are performed when due and as reported, and that reported data is accurate and timely. Substantial deviation between reported and charted Encounter Data could result in the HMO and/or Network Providers being investigated for potential
Fraud, Abuse, or Waste without notice to the HMO or the Provider. 
 8.2.2.4 Perinatal Services 
 The HMO’s perinatal health care services must ensure appropriate care is provided to women and infant Members of the HMO from the preconception period through the
infant’s first year of life. The HMO’s perinatal health care system must comply with the requirements of the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 32 (the Maternal and Infant Health Improvement Act) and administrative rules codified at 25
T.A.C. Chapter 37, Subchapter M. 
 The HMO must have a perinatal health care system in place that, at a minimum, provides the following services:

  

	 	1.	Pregnancy planning and perinatal health promotion and education for reproductive- age women; 

  

	 	2.	Perinatal risk assessment of non-pregnant women, pregnant and postpartum women, and infants up to one year of age; 

  

	 	3.	Access to appropriate levels of care based on risk assessment, including emergency care; 

  

	 	4.	Transfer and care of pregnant women, newborns, and infants to tertiary care facilities when necessary; 

  

	 	5.	Availability and accessibility of OB/GYNs, anesthesiologists, and neonatologists capable of dealing with complicated perinatal problems; and 

  

	 	6.	Availability and accessibility of appropriate outpatient and inpatient facilities capable of dealing with complicated perinatal problems. 

  

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 The HMO must have a process to expedite scheduling a prenatal appointment for an obstetrical exam for a TP40 Member
no later than two weeks after receiving the daily Enrollment File verifying the Member’s enrollment into the HMO. 
 The HMO must have procedures in
place to contact and assist a pregnant/delivering Member in selecting a PCP for her baby either before the birth or as soon as the baby is born. 
 The HMO
must provide inpatient care and professional services relating to labor and delivery for its pregnant/delivering Members, and neonatal care for its newborn Members at the time of delivery and for up to 48 hours following an uncomplicated vaginal
delivery and 96 hours following an uncomplicated Caesarian delivery. 
 The HMO must Adjudicate provider claims for services provided to a newborn Member in
accordance with HHSC’s claims processing requirements using the proxy ID number or State-issued Medicaid ID number. The HMO cannot deny claims based on a provider’s non-use of State-issued Medicaid ID number for a newborn Member. The HMO
must accept provider claims for newborn services based on mother’s name and/or Medicaid ID number with accommodations for multiple births, as specified by the HMO. 
 The HMO must notify providers involved in the care of pregnant/delivering women and newborns (including Out-of-Network providers and hospitals) of the HMO’s prior authorization requirements. The HMO cannot
require a prior authorization for services provided to a pregnant/delivering Member or newborn Member for a medical condition that requires Emergency Services, regardless of when the emergency condition arises. 
 8.2.2.5 Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) 
 The HMO must provide STD services that include STD/HIV prevention, screening, counseling, diagnosis, and treatment. The HMO is responsible for implementing procedures to ensure that Members have prompt access to
appropriate services for STDs, including HIV. The HMO must allow Members access to STD services and HIV diagnosis services without prior authorization or referral by a PCP. 
 The HMO must comply with Texas Family Code Section 32.003, relating to consent to treatment by a child. The HMO must provide all Covered Services required to form the basis for a diagnosis by the Provider as well
as the STD/HIV treatment plan. 
 The HMO must make education available to Providers and Members on the prevention, detection and effective treatment of
STDs, including HIV. 
 Section 8.2.2.5 modified by Version 1.5 
 The HMO must require Providers to report all confirmed cases of STDs, including HIV, to the local or regional health authority according to 25 T.A.C. §§97.131 - 97.134, using the required forms and procedures for reporting STDs.
The HMO must require the Providers to coordinate with the HHSC regional health authority to ensure that Members with confirmed cases of syphilis, chancroid, gonorrhea, chlamydia and HIV receive risk reduction and partner elicitation/notification
counseling. 
  

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 The HMO must have established procedures to make Member records available to public health agencies with authority to
conduct disease investigation, receive confidential Member information, and provide follow up activities. 
 The HMO must require that Providers have
procedures in place to protect the confidentiality of Members provided STD/HIV services. These procedures must include, but are not limited to, the manner in which medical records are to be safeguarded, how employees are to protect medical
information, and under what conditions information can be shared. The HMO must inform and require its Providers who provide STD/HIV services to comply with all state laws relating to communicable disease reporting requirements. The HMO must
implement policies and procedures to monitor Provider compliance with confidentiality requirements. 
 The HMO must have policies and procedures in place
regarding obtaining informed consent and counseling Members provided STD/HIV services. 
 8.2.2.6 Tuberculosis (TB) 
 The HMO must provide Members and Providers with education on the prevention, detection and effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). The HMO must establish mechanisms to
ensure all procedures required to screen at-risk Members and to form the basis for a diagnosis and proper prophylaxis and management of TB are available to all Members, except services referenced in Section 8.2.2.8 as Non-Capitated
Services. The HMO must develop policies and procedures to ensure that Members who may be or are at risk for exposure to TB are screened for TB. An at-risk Member means a person who is susceptible to TB because of the association with certain risk
factors, behaviors, drug resistance, or environmental conditions. The HMO must consult with the local TB control program to ensure that all services and treatments are in compliance with the guidelines recommended by the American Thoracic Society
(ATS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and DSHS policies and standards. 
 The HMO must implement policies and procedures requiring
Providers to report all confirmed or suspected cases of TB to the local TB control program within one working day of identification, using the most recent DSHS forms and procedures for reporting TB. The HMO must provide access to Member medical
records to DSHS and the local TB control program for all confirmed and suspected TB cases upon request. 
 The HMO must coordinate with the local TB control
program to ensure that all Members with confirmed or suspected TB have a contact investigation and receive Directly Observed Therapy (DOT). The HMO must require, through contract provisions, that Providers report to DSHS or the local TB control
program any Member who is non-compliant, drug resistant, or who is or may be posing a public health threat. The HMO must cooperate with the local TB control program in enforcing the control measures and quarantine procedures contained in Chapter 81
of the Texas Health and Safety Code. 
 The HMO must have a mechanism for coordinating a post-discharge plan for follow-up DOT with the local TB program. The
HMO must coordinate with the DSHS South Texas Hospital and Texas Center for Infectious Disease for voluntary and court-ordered admission, discharge plans, treatment objectives and projected length of stay for Members with multi-drug resistant TB.

  

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 8.2.2.7 Objection to Provide Certain Services 
 In accordance with 42 C.F.R. §438.102, the HMO may file an objection to providing, reimbursing for, or providing coverage of, a counseling or referral service for a Covered Service based on moral or religious
grounds. The HMO must work with HHSC to develop a work plan to complete the necessary tasks and determine an appropriate date for implementation of the requested changes to the requirements related to Covered Services. The work plan will include
timeframes for completing the necessary Contract and waiver amendments, adjustments to Capitation Rates, identification of the HMO and enrollment materials needing revision, and notifications to Members. 
 In order to meet the requirements of this section, the HMO must notify HHSC of grounds for and provide detail concerning its moral or religious objections and the
specific services covered under the objection, no less than 120 days prior to the proposed effective date of the policy change. 
 8.2.2.8 Medicaid
Non-capitated Services 
 Section 8.2.2.8 modified by Version 1.1 
 The following Texas Medicaid programs and services have been excluded from HMO Covered Services. Medicaid Members are eligible to receive these Non-capitated Services on a Fee-for-Service basis from Texas Medicaid
providers. HMOs should refer to relevant chapters in the Provider Procedures Manual and the Texas Medicaid Bulletins for more information. 
  

	 	1.	THSteps dental (including orthodontia); 

  

	 	2.	Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) case management/service coordination; 

  

	 	3.	DSHS targeted case management; 

  

	 	4.	DSHS mental health rehabilitation; 

  

	 	5.	DSHS case management for Children and Pregnant Women; 

  

	 	6.	Texas School Health and Related Services (SHARS); 

  

	 	7.	Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services Blind Children’s Vocational Discovery and Development Program; 

  

	 	8.	Tuberculosis services provided by DSHS-approved providers (directly observed therapy and contact investigation); 

  

	 	9.	Vendor Drug Program (out-of-office drugs); 

  

	 	10.	Texas Department of Transportation Medical Transportation; 

  

	 	11.	DADS hospice services (all Members are disenrolled from their health plan upon enrollment into hospice except STAR+PLUS members receiving 1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver services
that are not covered by the Hospice Program); 

  

	 	12.	Audiology services and hearing aids for children (under age 21) (hearing screening services are provided through the THSteps Program and are capitated) through PACT (Program for
Amplification for Children of Texas). 

  

	 	13.	For STAR+PLUS, Inpatient Stays are Non-capitated Services. 

 8.2.2.9
Referrals for Non-capitated Services 
 Section 8.2.2.9 modified by Version 1.1 
 Although Medicaid HMOs are not responsible for paying or reimbursing for Non-capitated Services, HMOs are responsible for educating Members about the availability of Non-capitated Services, and for providing
appropriate referrals for Members to obtain or access these services. 
  

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 8.2.2.10 Cooperation with Immunization Registry 
 Section 8.2.2.10 added by Version 1.2 
 The HMO must work with HHSC and health care providers to improve the
immunization rate of Medicaid clients and the reporting of immunization information for inclusion in the Texas Immunization Registry, called “ImmTrac.” 
 8.2.2.11 Case Management for Children and Pregnant Women 
 Section 8.2.2.11 added by Version 1.2 
 The HMO must educate Members and Providers on the services available through Case Management for Children and Pregnant Women (CPW) as described on the program’s
website at http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/caseman/default.shtm. An HMO may provide information about CPW’s website and basic information about CPW services in order to meet this requirement. CPW information and materials must be included in
the HMO’s Provider Manual, Member Handbook and Provider orientations. The information and materials must also inform Providers that the disclosure of medical records or information between Providers, HMO’s and CPW case managers does not
require a medical release form from the Member. 
 The HMO must coordinate services with CPW regarding a Member’s health care needs that are identified
by CPW and referred to the HMO. Upon receipt of a referral or assessment from a CPW case manager, the HMO’s designated staff are required to review the assessment and determine, based on the HMO’s policies, the appropriate level of health
care and services. The HMO’s staff must also coordinate with the Member’s family, Member’s Primary Care Provider (PCP), in and Out-of-Network Providers, agencies, and the HMO’s utilization management staff to ensure that the
health care and services identified are properly referred, authorized, scheduled and provided within a timely manner. 
 The HMO must ensure that access to
medically necessary health care needed by the Member is available within the standards established by HHSC for respective care. HMOs are not required to arrange or provide for any covered or non-covered services identified in the CPW assessment. The
decision whether to authorize these services is made by the HMO. Within five (5) business days of identifying any non-covered health care services or other services that the Member may need, the HMO’s staff must report to the CPW case
manager which items/services will not be performed by the HMO. Additionally, within ten (10) business days after all of the authorized services have been provided, the HMO’s staff must follow-up with CPW case manager to report the
provision of services. The HMO’s staff must ensure that all services provided to a Member by an HMO Provider are reported to the Member’s PCP. 
 The CPW program requires its contracted case managers to coordinate with the HMO and the HMO’s PCPs. The HMO should report problems regarding CPW referrals, assessments or coordination activities to HHSC for follow-up with CPW program
staff. 
  

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 8.2.3 Medicaid Significant Traditional Providers 
 Section 8.2.3 modified by Version 1.1 
 In the first three (3) years of a Medicaid HMO Program operating in a
Service Area, the HMO must seek participation in its Network from all Medicaid Significant Traditional Providers (STPs) defined by HHSC in the applicable Service Area for the applicable HMO Program. For STAR HMOs, the Medicaid STP requirements only
apply in the Nueces Service Area. For STAR+PLUS HMOs, the Medicaid STP requirements apply to all Service Areas, except Harris County within the Harris Service Area. 
 Medicaid STPs are defined as PCPs and, for STAR+PLUS, Community-based Long Term Care providers in a county, that, when listed by provider type by county in descending order by unduplicated number of clients, served
the top 80% of unduplicated clients. Hospitals receiving Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) funds are also considered STPs in the Service Area in which they are located. Note that STAR+PLUS HMOs are not required to contract with Hospitals for
Inpatient Stays, but are required to contract with Hospitals for Outpatient Hospital Services. The HHSC website includes a list of Medicaid STPs by Service Area. 
 Because the STP lists were produced in FY2005, HHSC has developed an updated list for Long Term Care Providers. The list will be provided to HMOs and posted on HHSC’s website. 
 The STP requirement will be in place for three years after the program has been implemented. During that time, providers who believe they meet the STP requirements may
contact HHSC request HHSC’s consideration for STP status. STAR+PLUS HMOs will be notified when Providers are added to the list of STPs for a Service Area. 
 The HMO must give STPs the opportunity to participate in its Network for at least three (3) years commencing on the implementation date of Medicaid managed care in the Service Area. However, the STP provider must: 
  

	 	1.	Agree to accept the HMO’s Provider reimbursement rate for the provider type; and 

  

	 	2.	Meet the standard credentialing requirements of the HMO, provided that lack of board certification or accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care
Organizations (JCAHO) is not the sole grounds for exclusion from the Provider Network. 

 8.2.4 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) 
 Section 8.2.4 Modified by Version 1.5 
 The HMO must make reasonable efforts to include FQHCs and RHCs (freestanding and hospital-based) in its Provider Network. The HMO must reimburse FQHCs and RHCs for health care services provided outside of regular
business hours, as defined by HHSC in rules, including weekend days or holidays, at a rate that is equal to the allowable rate for those services as determined under Section 32.028, Human Resources Code, if the Member does not have a referral
from their PCP. FQHCs or RHCs will receive a cost settlement from HHSC and must agree to accept initial payments from the HMO in an amount that is equal to or greater than the HMO’s payment terms for other Providers providing the same or
similar services. Cost settlements will not be applicable to the Nueces Service Area and the STAR+PLUS Service Areas. The HMOs serving those Areas will pay the full encounter rates to the FQHCs and RHCs when claims payments are made. 
  

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 The HMO must submit monthly FQHC and RHC encounter and payment reports to all contracted FQHCs and RHCs, and FQHCs
and RHCs with which there have been encounters, not later than 21 days from the end of the month for which the report is submitted. The format will be developed by HHSC and provided in the Uniform Managed Care Manual. The FQHC and RHC must
validate the encounter and payment information contained in the report(s). The HMO and the FQHC/RHC must both sign the report(s) after each party agrees that it accurately reflects encounters and payments for the month reported. The HMO must submit
the signed FQHC and RHC encounter and payment reports to HHSC not later than 45 days from the end of the reported month. Encounter and payment reports will not be necessary for the Nueces Service Area and the STAR+PLUS Service Areas since the HMOs
in those Areas will be paying the full encounter rates to the FQHCs and RHCs. 
 8.2.5 Provider Complaints and Appeals 
 8.2.5.1 Provider Complaints 
 Section 8.2.5.1 modified by Version
1.2 
 Medicaid HMOs must develop, implement, and maintain a system for tracking and resolving all Medicaid Provider complaints. Within this process, the HMO
must respond fully and completely to each complaint and establish a tracking mechanism to document the status and final disposition of each Provider complaint. The HMO must resolve Provider Complaints within 30 days from the date the Complaint is
received. 
 8.2.5.2 Appeal of Provider Claims 
 Medicaid
HMOs must develop, implement, and maintain a system for tracking and resolving all Medicaid Provider appeals related to claims payment. Within this process, the Provider must respond fully and completely to each Medicaid Provider’s claims
payment appeal and establish a tracking mechanism to document the status and final disposition of each Medicaid Provider’s claims payment appeal. 
 Medicaid HMOs must contract with physicians who are not Network Providers to resolve claims disputes related to denial on the basis of medical necessity that remain unresolved subsequent to a Provider appeal. The determination of the
physician resolving the dispute must be binding on the HMO and the Provider. The physician resolving the dispute must hold the same specialty or a related specialty as the appealing Provider. HHSC reserves the right to amend this process to include
an independent review process established by HHSC for final determination on these disputes. 
 8.2.6 Member Rights and Responsibilities 

In accordance with 42 C.F.R. §438.100, all Medicaid HMOs must maintain written policies and procedures for informing Members of their rights and responsibilities,
and must notify their Members of their right to request a copy of these rights and responsibilities. The Member Handbook must include notification of Member rights and responsibilities. 
  

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 8.2.7 Medicaid Member Complaint and Appeal System 
 The HMO must develop, implement, and maintain a Member Complaint and Appeal system that complies with the requirements in applicable federal and state laws and
regulations, including 42 C.F.R. §431.200, 42 C.F.R. Part 438, Subpart F, “Grievance System,” and the provisions of 1 T.A.C. Chapter 357 relating to Medicaid managed care organizations. 
 The Complaint and Appeal system must include a Complaint process, an Appeal process, and access to HHSC’s Fair Hearing System. The procedures must be the same for
all Members and must be reviewed and approved in writing by HHSC or its designee. Modifications and amendments to the Member Complaint and Appeal system must be submitted for HHSC’s approval at least 30 days prior to the implementation.

 8.2.7.1 Member Complaint Process 
 The HMO must have
written policies and procedures for receiving, tracking, responding to, reviewing, reporting and resolving Complaints by Members or their authorized representatives. For purposes of this Section 8.2.7, an “authorized
representative” is any person or entity acting on behalf of the Member and with the Member’s written consent. A Provider may be an authorized representative. 
 The HMO must resolve Complaints within 30 days from the date the Complaint is received. The HMO is subject to remedies, including liquidated damages, if at least 98 percent of Member Complaints are not resolved within
30 days of receipt of the Complaint by the HMO. Please see the Uniform Managed Care Contract Terms & Conditions and Attachment B-5, Deliverables/Liquidated Damages Matrix. The Complaint procedure must be the same for all
Members under the Contract. The Member or Member’s authorized representative may file a Complaint either orally or in writing. The HMO must also inform Members how to file a Complaint directly with HHSC, once the Member has exhausted the
HMO’s complaint process. 
 The HMO must designate an officer of the HMO who has primary responsibility for ensuring that Complaints are resolved in
compliance with written policy and within the required timeframe. For purposes of Section 8.2.7.2, an “officer” of the HMO means a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, or chairperson of the board for a corporation,
the sole proprietor, the managing general partner of a partnership, or a person having similar executive authority in the organization. 
 The HMO must have
a routine process to detect patterns of Complaints. Management, supervisory, and quality improvement staff must be involved in developing policy and procedure improvements to address the Complaints. 
 The HMO’s Complaint procedures must be provided to Members in writing and through oral interpretive services. A written description of the HMO’s Complaint
procedures must be available in prevalent non-English languages for Major Population Groups identified by HHSC, at no more than a 6th grade reading level. 
 The HMO must include a written description of the Complaint process in the Member Handbook. The HMO must maintain and publish in the Member Handbook, at least one local and one toll-free telephone number with
TeleTypewriter/Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TTY/TDD) and interpreter capabilities for making Complaints. 
  

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 The HMO’s process must require that every Complaint received in person, by telephone, or in writing must be
acknowledged and recorded in a written record and logged with the following details: 
  

	 	1.	Date; 

  

	 	2.	Identification of the individual filing the Complaint; 

  

	 	3.	Identification of the individual recording the Complaint; 

  

	 	4.	Nature of the Complaint; 

  

	 	5.	Disposition of the Complaint (i.e., how the HMO resolved the Complaint); 

  

	 	6.	Corrective action required; and 

  

	 	7.	Date resolved. 

 The HMO is prohibited from discriminating or taking
punitive action against a Member or his or her representative for making a Complaint. 
 If the Member makes a request for disenrollment, the HMO must give
the Member information on the disenrollment process and direct the Member to the HHSC Administrative Services Contractor. If the request for disenrollment includes a Complaint by the Member, the Complaint will be processed separately from the
disenrollment request, through the Complaint process. 
 The HMO will cooperate with the HHSC’s Administrative Services Contractor and HHSC or its
designee to resolve all Member Complaints. Such cooperation may include, but is not limited to, providing information or assistance to internal Complaint committees. 
 The HMO must provide designated Member Advocates to assist Members in understanding and using the HMO’s Complaint system as described in Section 8.2.7.9. The HMO’s Member Advocates must assist
Members in writing or filing a Complaint and monitoring the Complaint through the HMO’s Complaint process until the issue is resolved. 
 8.2.7.2
Medicaid Standard Member Appeal Process 
 The HMO must develop, implement and maintain an Appeal procedure that complies with state and federal laws and
regulations, including 42 C.F.R.§ 431.200 and 42 C.F.R. Part 438, Subpart F, “Grievance System.” An Appeal is a disagreement with an HMO Action as defined in HHSC’s Uniform Contract Terms and Conditions. The Appeal
procedure must be the same for all Members. When a Member or his or her authorized representative expresses orally or in writing any dissatisfaction or disagreement with an Action, the HMO must regard the expression of dissatisfaction as a request
to Appeal an Action. 
 A Member must file a request for an Appeal with the HMO within 30 days from receipt of the notice of the Action. The HMO is subject
to remedies, including liquidated damages, if at least 98 percent of Member Appeals are not resolved within 30 days of receipt of the Appeal by the HMO. Please see the Uniform Managed Care Contract Terms & Conditions and Attachment B-5,
Deliverables/Liquidated Damages Matrix. To ensure continuation of currently authorized services, however, the Member must file the Appeal on or before the later of 10 days following 

  

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the HMO’s mailing of the notice of the Action, or the intended effective date of the proposed Action. The HMO must designate an officer who has primary
responsibility for ensuring that Appeals are resolved in compliance with written policy and within the 30-day time limit. 
 The provisions of Article
21.58A, Texas Insurance Code, (to be recodified as Texas Insurance Code, Title 14, Chapter 4201), relating to a Member’s right to Appeal an Adverse Determination made by the HMO or a utilization review agent to an independent review
organization, do not apply to a Medicaid recipient. Article 21.58A is pre-empted by federal Fair Hearings requirements. 
 The HMO must have policies and
procedures in place outlining the Medical Director’s role in an Appeal of an Action. The Medical Director must have a significant role in monitoring, investigating and hearing Appeals. In accordance with 42 C.F.R.§ 438.406, the HMO’s
policies and procedures must require that individuals who make decisions on Appeals are not involved in any previous level of review or decision-making, and are health care professionals who have the appropriate clinical expertise in treating the
Member’s condition or disease. 
 The HMO must provide designated Member Advocates, as described in Section 8.2.7.9, to assist Members in
understanding and using the Appeal process. The HMO’s Member Advocates must assist Members in writing or filing an Appeal and monitoring the Appeal through the HMO’s Appeal process until the issue is resolved. 
 The HMO must have a routine process to detect patterns of Appeals. Management, supervisory, and quality improvement staff must be involved in developing policy and
procedure improvements to address the Appeals. 
 The HMO’s Appeal procedures must be provided to Members in writing and through oral interpretive
services. A written description of the Appeal procedures must be available in prevalent non-English languages identified by HHSC, at no more than a 6th grade reading level. The HMO must include a written description of the Appeals process in the
Member Handbook. The HMO must maintain and publish in the Member Handbook at least one local and one toll-free telephone number with TTY/TDD and interpreter capabilities for requesting an Appeal of an Action. 
 The HMO’s process must require that every oral Appeal received must be confirmed by a written, signed Appeal by the Member or his or her representative, unless the
Member or his or her representative requests an expedited resolution. All Appeals must be recorded in a written record and logged with the following details: 
  

	 	1)	Date notice is sent; 

  

	 	2)	Effective date of the Action; 

  

	 	3)	Date the Member or his or her representative requested the Appeal; 

  

	 	4)	Date the Appeal was followed up in writing; 

  

	 	5)	Identification of the individual filing; 

  

	 	6)	Nature of the Appeal; and 

  

	 	7)	Disposition of the Appeal, and notice of disposition to Member. 

  

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 The HMO must send a letter to the Member within five (5) business days acknowledging receipt of the Appeal
request. Except for the resolution of an Expedited Appeal as provided in Section 8.2.7.3, the HMO must complete the entire standard Appeal process within 30 calendar days after receipt of the initial written or oral request for Appeal.
The timeframe for a standard Appeal may be extended up to 14 calendar days if the Member or his or her representative requests an extension; or the HMO shows that there is a need for additional information and how the delay is in the Member’s
interest. If the timeframe is extended, the HMO must give the Member written notice of the reason for delay if the Member had not requested the delay. The HMO must designate an officer who has primary responsibility for ensuring that Appeals are
resolved within these timeframes and in accordance with the HMO’s written policies. 
 During the Appeal process, the HMO must provide the Member a
reasonable opportunity to present evidence and any allegations of fact or law in person as well as in writing. The HMO must inform the Member of the time available for providing this information and that, in the case of an expedited resolution,
limited time will be available. 
 The HMO must provide the Member and his or her representative opportunity, before and during the Appeal process, to
examine the Member’s case file, including medical records and any other documents considered during the Appeal process. The HMO must include, as parties to the Appeal, the Member and his or her representative or the legal representative of a
deceased Member’s estate. 
 In accordance with 42 C.F.R.§ 438.420, the HMO must continue the Member’s benefits currently being received by
the Member, including the benefit that is the subject of the Appeal, if all of the following criteria are met: 
  

	 	1.	The Member or his or her representative files the Appeal timely as defined in this Contract: 

  

	 	2.	The Appeal involves the termination, suspension, or reduction of a previously authorized course of treatment; 

  

	 	3.	The services were ordered by an authorized provider; 

  

	 	4.	The original period covered by the original authorization has not expired; and 

  

	 	5.	The Member requests an extension of the benefits. 

 If, at the
Member’s request, the HMO continues or reinstates the Member’s benefits while the Appeal is pending, the benefits must be continued until one of the following occurs: 
  

	 	1.	The Member withdraws the Appeal; 

  

	 	2.	Ten (10) days pass after the HMO mails the notice resolving the Appeal against the Member, unless the Member, within the 10-day timeframe, has requested a Fair Hearing with
continuation of benefits until a Fair Hearing decision can be reached; or 

  

	 	3.	A state Fair Hearing officer issues a hearing decision adverse to the Member or the time period or service limits of a previously authorized service has been met.

  

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 In accordance with 42 C.F.R.§ 438.420(d), if the final resolution of the Appeal is adverse to the Member and
upholds the HMO’s Action, then to the extent that the services were furnished to comply with the Contract, the HMO may recover such costs from the Member. 
 If the HMO or State Fair Hearing Officer reverses a decision to deny, limit, or delay services that were not furnished while the Appeal was pending, the HMO must authorize or provide the disputed services promptly and as expeditiously as
the Member’s health condition requires. 
 If the HMO or State Fair Hearing Officer reverses a decision to deny authorization of services and the Member
received the disputed services while the Appeal was pending, the HMO is responsible for the payment of services. 
 The HMO is prohibited from discriminating
or taking punitive action against a Member or his or her representative for making an Appeal. 
 8.2.7.3 Expedited Medicaid HMO Appeals 
 In accordance with 42 C.F.R. §438.410, the HMO must establish and maintain an expedited review process for Appeals, when the HMO determines (for a request from a
Member) or the provider indicates (in making the request on the Member’s behalf or supporting the Member’s request) that taking the time for a standard resolution could seriously jeopardize the Member’s life or health. The HMO must
follow all Appeal requirements for standard Member Appeals as set forth in Section 8.2.7.2), except where differences are specifically noted. The HMO must accept oral or written requests for Expedited Appeals. 
 Members must exhaust the HMO’s Expedited Appeal process before making a request for an expedited Fair Hearing. After the HMO receives the request for an Expedited
Appeal, it must hear an approved request for a Member to have an Expedited Appeal and notify the Member of the outcome of the Expedited Appeal within 3 business days, except that the HMO must complete investigation and resolution of an Appeal
relating to an ongoing emergency or denial of continued hospitalization: (1) in accordance with the medical or dental immediacy of the case; and (2) not later than one (1) business day after receiving the Member’s request for
Expedited Appeal is received. 
 Except for an Appeal relating to an ongoing emergency or denial of continued hospitalization, the timeframe for notifying
the Member of the outcome of the Expedited Appeal may be extended up to 14 calendar days if the Member requests an extension or the HMO shows (to the satisfaction of HHSC, upon HHSC’s request) that there is a need for additional information and
how the delay is in the Member’s interest. If the timeframe is extended, the HMO must give the Member written notice of the reason for delay if the Member had not requested the delay. 
 If the decision is adverse to the Member, the HMO must follow the procedures relating to the notice in Section 8.2.7.5. The HMO is responsible for notifying
the Member of his or her right to access an expedited Fair Hearing from HHSC. The HMO will be responsible for providing documentation to the State and the Member, indicating how the decision was made, prior to HHSC’s expedited Fair Hearing.

  

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 The HMO is prohibited from discriminating or taking punitive action against a Member or his or her representative for
requesting an Expedited Appeal. The HMO must ensure that punitive action is neither taken against a provider who requests an expedited resolution or supports a Member’s request. 
 If the HMO denies a request for expedited resolution of an Appeal, it must: 
  

	 	(1)	Transfer the Appeal to the timeframe for standard resolution, and 

  

	 	(2)	Make a reasonable effort to give the Member prompt oral notice of the denial, and follow up within two (2) calendar days with a written notice. 

 8.2.7.4 Access to Fair Hearing for Medicaid Members 
 The HMO must
inform Members that they have the right to access the Fair Hearing process at any time during the Appeal system provided by the HMO. In the case of an expedited Fair Hearing process, the HMO must inform the Member that he or she must first exhaust
the HMO’s internal Expedited Appeal process prior to filing an Expedited Fair Hearing. The HMO must notify Members that they may be represented by an authorized representative in the Fair Hearing process. 
 8.2.7.5 Notices of Action and Disposition of Appeals for Medicaid Members 
 The HMO must notify the Member, in accordance with 1 T.A.C. Chapter 357, whenever the HMO takes an Action. The notice must, at a minimum, include any information required by 1 T.A.C. Chapter 357 that relates to a managed care
organization’s notice of Action and any information required by 42 C.F.R. §438.404 as directed by HHSC, including but not limited to: 
 1. The Action the HMO has taken or intends to take; 
 2. The reasons for the Action; 
 3. The Member’s right to access the HMO’s Appeal process. 
 4. The procedures by which the Member may Appeal the HMO’s Action; 
 5. The circumstances under which
expedited resolution is available and how to request it; 
 6. The circumstances under which a Member may continue to receive benefits pending
resolution of the Appeal, how to request that benefits be continued, and the circumstances under which the Member may be required to pay the costs of these services; 
 7. The date the Action will be taken; 
 8. A reference to the HMO policies and procedures supporting the
HMO’s Action; 
  

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 9. An address where written requests may be sent and a toll-free number that the Member can call to
request the assistance of a Member representative, file an Appeal, or request a Fair Hearing; 
 10. An explanation that Members may represent
themselves, or be represented by a provider, a friend, a relative, legal counsel or another spokesperson; 
 11. A statement that if the
Member wants a Fair Hearing on the Action, the Member must make the request for a Fair Hearing within 90 days of the date on the notice or the right to request a hearing is waived; 
 12. A statement explaining that the HMO must make its decision within 30 days from the date the Appeal is received by the HMO, or 3 business days in the
case of an Expedited Appeal; and 
 13. A statement explaining that the hearing officer must make a final decision within 90 days from the
date a Fair Hearing is requested. 
 8.2.7.6 Timeframe for Notice of Action 
 In accordance with 42 C.F.R.§ 438.404(c), the HMO must mail a notice of Action within the following timeframes: 
  

	 	1.	For termination, suspension, or reduction of previously authorized Medicaid-covered services, within the timeframes specified in 42 C.F.R.§§ 431.211, 431.213, and 431.214;

  

	 	2.	For denial of payment, at the time of any Action affecting the claim; 

  

	 	3.	For standard service authorization decisions that deny or limit services, within the timeframe specified in 42 C.F.R.§ 438.210(d)(1); 

  

	 	4.	If the HMO extends the timeframe in accordance with 42 C.F.R. §438.210(d)(1), it must: 

  

	 	5.	give the Member written notice of the reason for the decision to extend the timeframe and inform the Member of the right to file an Appeal if he or she disagrees with that decision;
and 6. issue and carry out its determination as expeditiously as the Member’s health condition requires and no later than the date the extension expires; 

  

	 	7.	For service authorization decisions not reached within the timeframes specified in 42 C.F.R.§ 438.210(d) (which constitutes a denial and is thus an adverse Action), on the date
that the timeframes expire; and 

  

	 	8.	For expedited service authorization decisions, within the timeframes specified in 42 C.F.R. 438.210(d). 

 8.2.7.7 Notice of Disposition of Appeal 
 In accordance with 42 C.F.R.§ 438.408(e), the HMO must provide written
notice of disposition of all Appeals including Expedited Appeals. The written resolution notice must include the results and date of the Appeal resolution. For decisions not wholly in the Member’s favor, the notice must contain: 
  

	 	1.	The right to request a Fair Hearing; 

  

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	 	2.	How to request a Fair Hearing; 

  

	 	3.	The circumstances under which the Member may continue to receive benefits pending a Fair Hearing; 

  

	 	4.	How to request the continuation of benefits; 

  

	 	5.	If the HMO’s Action is upheld in a Fair Hearing, the Member may be liable for the cost of any services furnished to the Member while the Appeal is pending; and

  

	 	6.	Any other information required by 1 T.A.C. Chapter 357 that relates to a managed care organization’s notice of disposition of an Appeal. 

 8.2.7.8 Timeframe for Notice of Resolution of Appeals 
 In accordance
with 42 C.F.R.§ 438.408, the HMO must provide written notice of resolution of Appeals, including Expedited Appeals, as expeditiously as the Member’s health condition requires, but the notice must not exceed the timelines as provided in
this Section for Standard or Expedited Appeals. For expedited resolution of Appeals, the HMO must make reasonable efforts to give the Member prompt oral notice of resolution of the Appeal, and follow up with a written notice within the timeframes
set forth in this Section for Expedited Appeals. If the HMO denies a request for expedited resolution of an Appeal, the HMO must transfer the Appeal to the timeframe for standard resolution as provided in this Section, and make reasonable efforts to
give the Member prompt oral notice of the denial, and follow up within two calendar days with a written notice. 
 8.2.7.9 Medicaid Member Advocates

 The HMO must provide Member Advocates to assist Members. Member Advocates must be physically located within the Service Area unless an exception is
approved by HHSC. Member Advocates must inform Members of the following: 
  

	 	1.	Their rights and responsibilities, 

  

	 	2.	The Complaint process, 

  

	 	3.	The Appeal process, 

  

	 	4.	Covered Services available to them, including preventive services, and 

  

	 	5.	Non-capitated Services available to them. 

 Member Advocates must assist
Members in writing Complaints and are responsible for monitoring the Complaint through the HMO’s Complaint process. 
 Member Advocates are responsible
for making recommendations to management on any changes needed to improve either the care provided or the way care is delivered. Member Advocates are also responsible for helping or referring Members to community resources available to meet Member
needs that are not available from the HMO as Medicaid Covered Services. 
  

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 8.2.8 Additional Medicaid Behavioral Health Provisions 
 8.2.8.1 Local Mental Health Authority (LMHA) 
 Section 8.2.8.1
modified by Version 1.1 
 Assessment to determine eligibility for rehabilitative and targeted DSHS case management services is a function of the LMHA.
Covered Services must be provided to Members with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) and severe emotional disturbance (SED), when Medically Necessary, whether or not they are also receiving targeted case management or rehabilitation
services through the LMHA. 
 The HMO must enter into written agreements with all LMHAs in the Service Area that describe the process(es) that the HMO and
LMHAs will use to coordinate services for Medicaid Members with SPMI or SED. The agreements will: 
  

	 	1.	Describe the Behavioral Health Services indicated in detail in the Provider Procedures Manual and in the Texas Medicaid Bulletin, include the amount, duration, and
scope of basic and Value-added Services, and the HMO’s responsibility to provide these services; 

  

	 	2.	Describe criteria, protocols, procedures and instrumentation for referral of Medicaid Members from and to the HMO and the LMHA; 

  

	 	3.	Describe processes and procedures for referring Members with SPMI or SED to the LMHA for assessment and determination of eligibility for rehabilitation or targeted case management
services; 

  

	 	4.	Describe how the LMHA and the HMO will coordinate providing Behavioral Health Services to Members with SPMI or SED; 

  

	 	5.	Establish clinical consultation procedures between the HMO and LMHA including consultation to effect referrals and on-going consultation regarding the Member’s progress;

  

	 	6.	Establish procedures to authorize release and exchange of clinical treatment records; 

  

	 	7.	Establish procedures for coordination of assessment, intake/triage, utilization review/utilization management and care for persons with SPMI or SED; 

  

	 	8.	Establish procedures for coordination of inpatient psychiatric services (including Court- ordered Commitment of Members under 21) in state psychiatric facilities within the
LMHA’s catchment area; 

  

	 	9.	Establish procedures for coordination of emergency and urgent services to Members; 

  

	 	10.	Establish procedures for coordination of care and transition of care for new Members who are receiving treatment through the LMHA; and 11. Establish that when Members are receiving
Behavioral Health Services from the Local Mental Health Authority that the HMO is using the same UM guidelines as those prescribed for use by local mental health authorities by DSHS which are published at:
http://www.mhmr.state.tx.us/centraloffice/behavioralhealthservicesRDMClinGuide.html. 

 The HMO must offer licensed practitioners of the
healing arts (defined in 25 T.A.C., Part 2, Chapter 419, Subchapter L), who are part of the Member’s treatment team for rehabilitation services, the opportunity to participate in the HMO’s Network. The practitioner must agree to accept the
HMO’s Provider reimbursement rate, meet the credentialing requirements, and comply with all the terms and conditions of the HMO’s standard Provider contract. 
  

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 HMOs must allow Members receiving rehabilitation services to choose the licensed practitioners of the healing arts
who are currently a part of the Member’s treatment team for rehabilitation services to provide Covered Services. If the Member chooses to receive these services from licensed practitioners of the healing arts who are part of the Member’s
rehabilitation services treatment team but are not part of the HMO’s Network, the HMO must reimburse the Local Mental Health Authority through Out-of-Network reimbursement arrangements. 
 Nothing in this section diminishes the potential for the Local Mental Health Authority to seek best value for rehabilitative services by providing these services under
arrangement, where possible, as specified is 25 T.A.C. §419.455. 
 8.2.9 Third Party Liability and Recovery 
 Medicaid HMOs are responsible for establishing a plan and process for recovering costs for services that should have been paid through a third party in accordance with
State and Federal law and regulations. To recognize this requirement, capitation payments to the HMOs are reduced by the projected amount of TPR that the HMO is expected to recover. 
 The HMOs must provide required reports as stated in Section 8.1.17.2, Financial Reporting Requirements. 
 After
120-days from the date of service on any claim, encounter, or other Medicaid related payment by the HMO subject to Third Party Recovery, HHSC may attempt recovery independent of any HMO action. HHSC will retain, in full, all funds received as a
result of the state initiated recovery or subrogation action. 
 HMOs shall provide a Member quarterly file, which contains the following information if
available to the HMO: the Member name, address, claim submission address, group number, employer’s mailing address, social security number, and date of birth for each subscriber or policyholder and each dependent of the subscriber or
policyholder covered by the insurer. The file shall be used for the purpose of matching the Texas Medicaid eligibility file against the HMO Member file to identify Medicaid clients enrolled in the HMO, which may not be known the Medicaid Program.

 8.2.10 Coordination With Public Health Entities 
 8.2.10.1 Reimbursed Arrangements with Public Health Entities 
 The HMO must make a good faith effort to enter into a subcontract for Covered
Services with Public Health Entities. Possible Covered Services that could be provided by Public Health Entities include, but are not limited to, the following services: 
  

	 	1.	Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) services; 

  

	 	2.	Confidential HIV testing; 

  

	 	3.	Immunizations; 

  

	 	4.	Tuberculosis (TB) care; 

  

	 	5.	Family Planning services; 

  

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	 	6.	THSteps medical checkups, and 

  

	 	7.	Prenatal services. 

 These subcontracts must be available for review by
HHSC or its designated agent(s) on the same basis as all other subcontracts. If the HMO is unable to enter into a contract with Public Health Entities, the HMO must document efforts to contract with Public Health Entities, and make such
documentation available to HHSC upon request. 
 HMO Contracts with Public Health Entities must specify the scope of responsibilities of both parties, the
methodology and agreements regarding billing and reimbursements, reporting responsibilities, Member and Provider educational responsibilities, and the methodology and agreements regarding sharing of confidential medical record information between
the Public Health Entity and the HMO or PCP. 
 The HMO must: 
  

	 	1.	Identify care managers who will be available to assist public health providers and PCPs in efficiently referring Members to the public health providers, specialists, and
health-related service providers either within or outside the HMO’s Network; and 

	 	2.	Inform Members that confidential healthcare information will be provided to the PCP, and educate Members on how to better utilize their PCPs, public health providers, emergency
departments, specialists, and health-related service providers. 

 8.2.10.2 Non-Reimbursed Arrangements with Local Public Health Entities

 Section 8.2.10.2 modified by Version 1.2 
 The HMO
must coordinate with Public Health Entities in each Service Area regarding the provision of essential public health care services. In addition to the requirements listed above in Section 8.2.2, or otherwise required under state law or this
contract, the HMO must meet the following requirements: 
  

	 	1.	Report to public health entities regarding communicable diseases and/or diseases that are preventable by immunization as defined by state law; 

  

	 	2.	Notify the local Public Health Entity, as defined by state law, of communicable disease outbreaks involving Members; 

  

	 	3.	Educate Members and Providers regarding WIC services available to Members; and 

  

	 	4.	Coordinate with local public health entities that have a child lead program, or with DSHS regional staff when the local public health entity does not have a child lead program, for
follow-up of suspected or confirmed cases of childhood lead exposure. 

 8.2.11 Coordination with Other State Health and Human Services
(HHS) Programs 
 Section 8.2.11 modified by Version 1.2 
 The HMO must coordinate with other state HHS Programs in each Service Area regarding the provision of essential public health care services. In addition to the requirements listed above in Section 8.2.2. or otherwise required under
state law or this contract, the HMO must meet the following requirements: 
  

	 	1.	Require Providers to use the DSHS Bureau of Laboratories for specimens obtained as part of a THSteps medical checkup, including THSteps newborn screens, lead testing, and
hemoglobin/hematocrit tests; 

  

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	 	2.	Notify Providers of the availability of vaccines through the Texas Vaccines for Children Program; 

  

	 	3.	Work with HHSC and Providers to improve the reporting of immunizations to the statewide ImmTrac Registry; 

  

	 	4.	Educate Providers and Members about the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Case Management for Children and Pregnant Women (CPW) services available;

  

	 	5.	Coordinate services with CPW specifically in regard to an HMO Member’s health care needs that are identified by CPW and referred to the HMO; 

  

	 	6.	Participate, to the extent practicable, in the community-based coalitions with the Medicaid-funded case management programs in the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative
Services (DARS), the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS), and DSHS; 

  

	 	7.	Cooperate with activities required of state and local public health authorities necessary to conduct the annual population and community based needs assessment; and

  

	 	8.	Report all blood lead results, coordinate and follow-up of suspected or confirmed cases of childhood lead exposure with the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program in DSHS.

 8.2.12 Advance Directives 
 Federal and
state law require HMOs and providers to maintain written policies and procedures for informing all adult Members 18 years of age and older about their rights to refuse, withhold or withdraw medical treatment and mental health treatment through
advance directives (see Social Security Act §1902(a)(57) and §1903(m)(1)(A)). The HMO’s policies and procedures must include written notification to Members and comply with provisions contained in 42 C.F.R. §434.28 and 42 C.F.R.
§ 489, Subpart I, relating to advance directives for all hospitals, critical access hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, providers of home health care, providers of personal care services and hospices, as well as the
following state laws and rules: 
  

	 	1.	A Member’s right to self-determination in making health care decisions; 

  

	 	2.	The Advance Directives Act, Chapter 166, Texas Health and Safety Code, which includes: 

	 	a.	A Member’s right to execute an advance written directive to physicians and family or surrogates, or to make a non-written directive to administer, withhold or withdraw
life-sustaining treatment in the event of a terminal or irreversible condition; 

  

	 	b.	A Member’s right to make written and non-written out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders; 

  

	 	c.	A Member’s right to execute a Medical Power of Attorney to appoint an agent to make health care decisions on the Member’s behalf if the Member becomes incompetent; and

  

	 	3.	The Declaration for Mental Health Treatment, Chapter 137, Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, which includes: a Member’s right to execute a Declaration for Mental Health
Treatment in a document making a declaration of preferences or instructions regarding mental health treatment. 

  

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 The HMO must maintain written policies for implementing a Member’s advance directive. Those policies must
include a clear and precise statement of limitation if the HMO or a Provider cannot or will not implement a Member’s advance directive. 
 The HMO
cannot require a Member to execute or issue an advance directive as a condition of receiving health care services. The HMO cannot discriminate against a Member based on whether or not the Member has executed or issued an advance directive.

 The HMO’s policies and procedures must require the HMO and subcontractors to comply with the requirements of state and federal law relating to
advance directives. The HMO must provide education and training to employees and Members on issues concerning advance directives. 
 All materials provided to Members regarding advance directives must be written at a 7th—8th grade reading comprehension level, except where a provision is required by state or
federal law and the provision cannot be reduced or modified to a 7th—8th grade reading level because it is a reference to the law or is required to be included “as written” in the state or federal law.

 The HMO must notify Members of any changes in state or federal laws relating to advance directives within 90 days from the effective date of the change,
unless the law or regulation contains a specific time requirement for notification. 
 8.3 Additional STAR+PLUS Scope of Work 
 8.3.1 Covered Community-Based Long-Term Care Services 
 Section 8.3 added by Version 1.1 
 The HMO must ensure that STAR+PLUS Members needing Community Long-term Care Services are identified and that
services are referred and authorized in a timely manner. The HMO must ensure that Providers of Community Long-term Care Services are licensed to deliver the service they provide. The inclusion of Community Long-term Care Services in a managed care
model presents challenges, opportunities and responsibilities. 
 Community Long-term Care Services may be necessary as a preventative service to avoid more
expensive hospitalizations, emergency room visits, or institutionalization. Community Long-term Care Services should also be made available to Members to assure maintenance of the highest level of functioning possible in the least restrictive
setting. A Member’s need for Community Long-term Care Services to assist with the activities of daily living must be considered as important as needs related to a medical condition. HMOs must provide Functionally Necessary Covered Services to
Community Long-term Care Service Members. 
 8.3.1.1 Community Based Long-Term Care Services Available to All Members 
 The HMO shall enter into written contracts with Providers of Personal Assistance Services and Day Activity and Health Services (DAHS) to make them available to all
STAR+PLUS Members. These Providers must at a minimum, meet all of the following state licensure and certification requirements for providing the services in Attachment B-2.1, Covered Services. 
  

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	 Community Long-Term Care Services
Available to All Members

	 Service
	  	 Licensure and Certification Requirements

	 Personal Attendant Services
	  	The Provider must be licensed by the Texas Department of Human Services as a Home and Community Support Services Agency. The level of licensure required depends on the type of service
delivered. NOTE: For primary home care and client managed attendant care, the agency may have only the Personal Assistance Services level of licensure.
		
	Day Activity and Health Services (DAHS)	  	The Provider must be licensed by the Texas Department of Human Services, Long Term Care Regulatory Division, as an adult day care provider. To provide DAHS, the Provider must provide the
range of services required for DAHS.

 8.3.1.2 1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver Services Available to Members Who Qualify for 1915 (c) Nursing
Facility Waiver Services 
 The 1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver provides Community Long-term Care Services to Medicaid Eligibles who are elderly and to
adults with disabilities as a cost-effective alternative to living in a nursing facility. These Members must be age 21 or older, be a Medicaid recipient or be otherwise financially eligible for waiver services. To be eligible for 1915(c) Nursing
Facility Waiver Services, a Member must meet income and resource requirements for Medicaid nursing facility care, and receive a determination from HHSC on the medical necessity of the nursing facility care. The HMO must make available to STAR+PLUS
Members who meet the eligibility requirements the array of services allowable through HHSC’s CMS-approved 1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver (see Appendix B-2.1, STAR+PLUS Covered Services). 
  

			
	 Community Long-Term Care Services
Under the 1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver

	 Service
	  	 Licensure and Certification Requirements

	 Personal Attendant Services
	  	The Provider must be licensed by the Texas Department of Human Services as a Home and Community Support Services Agency. The level of licensure required depends on the type of service
delivered. For Primary Home Care and Client Managed Attendant Care, the agency may have only the Personal Assistance Services level of licensure.
		
	 Assisted Living
	  	The Provider must be licensed by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, Long Term Care Regulatory Division. The type of licensure determines what services may be
provided.
		
	Emergency Response Service Provider	  	Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) Standards for Emergency Response Services at 40 T.A.C. §52.201(a), and be licensed by the Texas Board of Private Investigators
and Private Security Agencies, unless exempt from licensure.
		
	 Adult Foster Home
	  	TDSHS Provider standards for Adult Foster Care and TDSHS Rules at 40 T.A.C. §48.6032. Four bed homes also licensed under TDSHS

  

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	 Community Long-Term Care Services
Under the 1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver

	 Service
	  	 Licensure and Certification Requirements

		  	Rules at 40 T.A.C. §481.8906.
		
		  	DFPS licensure in accordance with 24-hour Care Licensing requirements found in T.A.C., Title 40, Part 19, Chapter 720.
		
	 Home Delivered Meals
	  	T.A.C., Title 40, Part 1, Chapter 55.
		
	 Physical Therapy
	  	Licensed Physical Therapist through the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, Chapter 453.
		
	 Occupational Therapy
	  	Licensed Occupational Therapist through the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners, Chapter 454.
		
	 Speech Therapy
	  	Licensed Speech Therapist Through the Department of State Health Services.
		
	 Consumer Directed Services
	  	Home and Community Support Services Agency (HCSSA)
		
	 Transition Assistance Services
	  	No licensure or certification requirements.
		
	 Minor Home Modification
	  	No licensure or certification requirements.
		
	 Adaptive Aids and Medicaid
	  	No licensure or certification requirements.
		
	 Equipment Medical supplies
	  	No licensure or certification requirements.

 8.3.2 Service Coordination 
 The HMO must furnish a Service Coordinator to all STAR+PLUS Members who request one. The HMO should also furnish a Service Coordinator to a STAR+PLUS Member when the HMO determines one is required through an
assessment of the Member’s health and support needs. The HMO must ensure that each STAR+PLUS Member has a qualified PCP who is responsible for overall clinical direction and, in conjunction with the Service Coordinator, serves as a central
point of integration and coordination of Covered Services, including primary, Acute Care, long-term care and Behavioral Health Services. 
 The Service
Coordinator must work as a team with the PCP, and coordinate all STAR+PLUS Covered Services and any applicable Non-capitated Services with the PCP. This requirement applies whether or not the PCP is in the HMO’s Network, as some STAR+PLUS
Members dually eligible for Medicare may have a PCP that is not in the HMO’s Provider Network. In order to integrate the Member’s Acute Care and primary care, and stay abreast of the Member’s needs and condition, the Service
Coordinator must also actively involve and coordinate with the Member’s primary and specialty care providers, including Behavioral Health Service providers, and providers of Non-capitated Services. 
  

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 STAR+PLUS Members dually eligible for Medicare will receive most prescription drug services through Medicare rather
than Medicaid. The Texas Vendor Drug Program will pay for a limited number of medications not covered by Medicare. 
 The HMO must identify and train Members
or their families to coordinate their own care, to the extent of the Member’s or the family’s capability and willingness to coordinate care. 
 8.3.2.1 Service Coordinators 
 The HMO must employ as Service Coordinators persons experienced in meeting the needs of vulnerable populations
who have Chronic or Complex Conditions. Such Service Coordinators are Key HMO Personnel as described in Attachment A, HHSC’s Uniform Managed Care Contract Terms and Conditions, Section 4.02, and must meet the requirements set
forth in Section 4.04.1 of HHSC’s Uniform Managed Care Contract Terms and Conditions. 
 8.3.2.2 Referral to Community
Organizations 
 The HMO must provide information about and referral to community organizations that may not be providing STAR+PLUS Covered Services, but
are otherwise important to the health and well being of Members. These organizations include, but are not limited to: 
  

	 	1.	State/federal agencies (e.g., those agencies with jurisdiction over aging, public health, substance abuse, mental health/retardation, rehabilitation, developmental disabilities,
income support, nutritional assistance, family support agencies, etc.); 

  

	 	2.	social service agencies (e.g., Area Agencies on Aging, residential support agencies, independent living centers, supported employment agencies, etc.); 

  

	 	3.	city and county agencies (e.g., welfare departments, housing programs, etc.); 

  

	 	4.	civic and religious organizations; and 

  

	 	5.	consumer groups, advocates, and councils (e.g., legal aid offices, consumer/family support groups, permanency planning, etc.). 

 8.3.2.3 Discharge Planning 
 The HMO must have a protocol for quickly
assessing the needs of Members discharged from a Hospital or other care or treatment facility. 
 The HMO’s Service Coordinator must work with the
Member’s PCP, the hospital discharge planner(s), the attending physician, the Member, and the Member’s family to assess and plan for the Member’s discharge. When long-term care is needed, the HMO must ensure that the Member’s
discharge plan includes arrangements for receiving community-based care whenever possible. The HMO must ensure that the Member, the Member’s family, and the Member’s PCP are all well informed of all service options available to meet the
Member’s needs in the community. 
  

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 8.3.2.4 Transition Plan for New STAR+PLUS Members 
 Section 8.3.2.4 Modified by Version 1.5 
 The HMO must provide a
transition plan for Members enrolled in the STAR+PLUS Program. HHSC, and/or the previous STAR+PLUS HMO contractor, will provide the HMO with detailed Care Plans, names of current providers, etc., for newly enrolled Members already receiving
long-term care services at the time of enrollment. The HMO must ensure that current providers are paid for Medically Necessary Covered Services that are delivered in accordance with the Member’s existing treatment/long-term care services plan
after the Member has become enrolled in the HMO and until the transition plan is developed. 
 The transition planning process must include, but is not
limited to, the following: 
  

	 	1.	review of existing DADS long-term care services plans; 

  

	 	2.	preparation of a transition plan that ensures continuous care under the Member’s existing Care Plan during the transfer into the HMO’s Network while the HMO conducts an
appropriate assessment and development of a new plan, if needed; 

  

	 	3.	if durable medical equipment or supplies had been ordered prior to enrollment but have not been received by the time of enrollment, coordination and follow-through to ensure that
the Member receives the necessary supportive equipment and supplies without undue delay; and 

  

	 	4.	payment to the existing provider of service under the existing authorization until the 

 HMO has completed the assessment and service plans and issued new authorizations. 
 The HMO must review any existing care plan and develop a transition plan within 30 days of receiving the Member’s enrollment. The transition plan will remain in
place until the HMO contacts the Member and coordinates modifications to the Member’s current treatment/long-term care services plan. The HMO must ensure that the existing services continue and that there are no breaks in services. For initial
implementation of the STAR+PLUS program in a Service Area, the HMO must complete this process within 90-days of the Member’s enrollment. 
 The HMO must
ensure that the Member is involved in the assessment process and fully informed about options, is included in the development of the care plan, and is in agreement with the plan when completed. 
 8.3.2.5 Centralized Medical Record and Confidentiality 
 The Service
Coordinator shall be responsible for maintaining a centralized record related to Member contacts, assessments and service authorizations. The HMO shall ensure that the organization of and documentation included in the centralized Member record meets
all applicable professional standards ensuring confidentiality of Member records, referrals, and documentation of information. 
 The HMO must have a
systematic process for generating or receiving referrals and sharing confidential medical, treatment, and planning information across providers. 
  

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 8.3.2.6 Nursing Facilities 
 Nursing facility care, although a part of the care continuum, presents a challenge for managed care. Because of the process for becoming eligible for Medicaid assistance in a nursing facility, there is frequently a
significant time gap between entry into the nursing home and determination of Medicaid eligibility. During this gap from entry to Medicaid eligibility, the resident has “nested” in the facility and many of the community supports are no
longer available. To require participation of all nursing facility residents would result in the HMO maintaining a Member in the nursing facility without many options for managing their health. For this reason, persons who qualify for Medicaid as a
result of nursing facility residency are not enrolled in STAR+PLUS. 
 The STAR+PLUS HMO must participate in the Promoting Independence initiative for such
individuals. Promoting Independence (PI) is a philosophy that aged and disabled individuals remain in the most integrated setting to receive long-term care services. PI is Texas’ response to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Olmstead v.
L.C. that requires states to provide community-based services for persons with disabilities who would otherwise be entitled to institutional services, when: 
  

	 	•	 	 the state’s treatment professionals determine that such placement is appropriate; 

  

	 	•	 	 the affected persons do not oppose such treatment; and 

  

	 	•	 	 the placement can be reasonably accommodated, taking into account the resources available to the state and the needs of others who are receiving state supported
disability services. 

 In accordance with legislative direction, the HMO must designate a point of contact to receive referrals for
nursing facility residents who may potentially be able to return to the community through the use of 1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver services. To be eligible for this option, an individual must reside in a nursing facility until a written plan of
care for safely moving the resident back into a community setting has been developed and approved. 
 A STAR+PLUS Member who enters a nursing facility will
remain a STAR+PLUS Member for a total of four months. The nursing facility will bill the state directly for covered nursing facility services delivered while the Member is in the nursing facility. See Section 8.3.2.7 for further
information. 
 The HMO is responsible for the Member at the time of nursing facility entry and must utilize the Service Coordinator staff to complete an
assessment of the Member within 30 days of entry in the nursing facility, and develop a plan of care to transition the Member back into the community if possible. If at this initial review, return to the community is possible, the Service
Coordinator will work with the resident and family to return the Member to the community using 1915(c) Waiver Services. 
 If the initial review does not
support a return to the community, the Service Coordinator will conduct a second assessment 90 days after the initial assessment to determine any changes in the individual’s condition or circumstances that would allow a return to the community.
The Service Coordinator will develop and implement the transition plan. 
  

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 The HMO will provide these services as part of the Promoting Independence initiative. The HMO must maintain the
documentation of the assessments completed and make them available for state review at any time. 
 It is possible that the STAR+PLUS HMO will be unaware of
the Member’s entry into a nursing facility. It is the responsibility of the nursing facility to review the Member’s Medicaid card upon entry into the facility and notify the HMO. The nursing facility is also required to notify HHSC of the
entry of a new resident. 
 8.3.2.7 HMO Four-Month Liability for Nursing Facility Care 
 A STAR+PLUS Member who enters a nursing facility will remain a STAR+PLUS Member for a total of four months. The four months do not have to be consecutive. Upon completion of four months of nursing facility care, the
individual will be disenrolled from the STAR+PLUS Program and the Medicaid Fee-for-Service program will provide Medicaid benefits. A STAR+PLUS Member may not change HMOs while in a nursing facility. 
 Tracking the four months of liability is done through a counter system. The four-month counter starts with the Medicaid admission or on the 21st day of a Medicare stay.
A partial month counts as a full month. In other words, the month in which the Medicaid admission occurs or the month on which the 21st day of the Medicare stay occurs, is counted as one of the four months. 
 An amount will be included in the capitation rates to cover the cost of four months of nursing facility services (based upon experience from STAR+PLUS in Harris County)
for the historical average number of admissions to nursing facilities. Nursing facility costs for STAR+PLUS in Harris County have accounted for less than one percent of premiums in recent years. HHSC believes that these costs will not deviate
substantially from this experience. 
 The HMO will be liable for the cost of care in a nursing facility care and, for Medicaid-only Members, the cost of all
other Covered Services. The HMO will not maintain nursing facilities in its Network and will not reimburse the nursing facilities directly. Nursing facilities will use the traditional Fee-for-Service system of billing HHSC rather than billing the
HMO. The HMO’s liability will be established based on the amount paid through the Fee-for-Service billing system on behalf of the Member. HHSC will recoup those costs from the HMO by an offset to the monthly Capitation Payment. The offset will
be recognized as a nursing facility expense. The HMO will record the nursing facility liability recoupment as nursing facility expense on its Financial-Statistical Reports (FSR). The HMO will be responsible for direct payment of all non-nursing
facility Medicaid expenses on behalf of the Member. 
 8.3.3 STAR+PLUS Assessment Instruments 
 The HMO must have and use functional assessment instruments to identify Members with significant health problems, Members requiring immediate attention, and Members who
need or are at risk of needing long-term care services. The HMO, a subcontractor, or a Provider may complete assessment instruments, but the HMO remains responsible for the data recorded. 
  

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 HMOs must use the DHS Form 2060, as amended or modified, to assess a Member’s need for Functionally Necessary
Personal Attendant Services. The HMO may adapt the form to reflect the HMO’s name or distribution instructions, but the elements must be the same and instructions for completion must be followed without amendment. 
 Section 8.3.3 Modified by Version 1.5 
 The DHS Form 2060 must be
completed if a need or a change in Personal Attendant Services is warranted at the initial contact, at the annual reassessment, and anytime a Member requests the services or requests a change in services. The DHS Form 2060 must also be completed if
the HMO determines the Member requires the services or requires a change in the Personal Attendant Services that are authorized. 
 For Members and
applicants seeking or needing the 1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver services, the HMOs must use the DADS CARE Form 3652, as amended or modified, to assess Members and to supply current medical information for Medical Necessity determinations. The HMO
must also complete the Individual Service Plan (ISP), Form 3671 for each Member receiving 1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver Services. The ISP is established for a one-year period. After the initial ISP is established, the ISP must be completed on an
annual basis and the end date or expiration date does not change. Both of these forms (Form 3652 and Form 3671) must be completed annually at reassessment. The HMO is responsible for tracking the end dates of the ISP to ensure that the Member is
reassessed prior to the expiration date. Note that the DADS CARE Form 3652 cannot be submitted earlier than 90 days prior to the expiration date of the ISP. 
 HHSC has adopted a Minimum Data Set for Home Care (MDS-HC), which can be found in the HHSC Uniform Managed Care Manual. HHSC may adopt new versions of this instrument as appropriate or as directed by CMS. The MDS-HC instrument must be
completed and electronically submitted to HHSC in the specified format within 30 days of enrollment for every Member receiving Community-based Long-term Care Services, and then each year by the anniversary of the Member’s date of enrollment.

 The MDS-HC instrument must be completed and electronically submitted to HHSC in the specified format within 30 days of enrollment for every Member
receiving Community-based Long-term Care Services. Because of the large number of Members the HMOs will be receiving initially during the implementation period of the STAR+PLUS Program, HHSC is allowing the following: 
  

	 	•	 	 For the 1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver Members, the MDS-HC instrument must be completed in conjunction with the annual reassessment. The MDS-HC instrument must be
completed annually at the time of reassessment for these Members. 

  

	 	•	 	 For the non-1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver Members that are receiving Community-based Long-term Care Services, the HMO must submit a schedule for HHSC’s
approval that provides a plan of how the MDS-HC instruments will be completed for these Members over a twelve-month period beginning on February 1, 2007. 

 Section 8.3.3 Modified by Version 1.6 
 In addition to submitting the MDS-HC instrument to HHSC, the HMO may also submit
other supplemental assessment instruments it elects to use. As specialized MDS instruments are developed or adopted by HHSC for other living arrangements (e.g., assisted living), HHSC will notify HMO of the availability of the instrument and the
date the HMO is required to begin using such instrument in the HHSC Uniform Managed Care Manual. Any additional assessment instruments used by the HMO must be approved by HHSC. 
  

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 8.3.4 1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver Service Eligibility 
 Section 8.3.4 modified by Version 1.5 
 Recipients of 1915(c) Nursing
Facility Waiver services must meet nursing facility criteria for participation in the waiver and must have a plan of care at initial determination of eligibility in which the plan’s annualized cost is equal to or less than the annualized cost
of care if the individual were to enter a nursing facility. 
 8.3.4.1 For Members 
 The HMO must notify HHSC when it initiates 1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver eligibility testing on a STAR+PLUS Member. The HMO must apply risk criteria, complete the Form 3652 for Medical Necessity determination,
complete the assessment documentation, and prepare a 1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver Individual Service Plan (ISP) for each Member requesting 1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver services and for Members the HMO has identified as needing 1915(c) Nursing
Facility Waiver services. The HMO must provide HHSC the results of the assessment activities within 45 days of initiating the assessment process. 
 HHSC
will notify the Member and the HMO of the eligibility determination, which will be based on the information provided by the HMO. If the STAR+PLUS Member is eligible for 1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver services, HHSC will notify the Member of the
effective date of eligibility. If the Member is not eligible for 1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver services, HHSC will provide the Member information on right to Appeal the Adverse Determination. Regardless of the 1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver
eligibility determination, HHSC will send a copy of the Member notice to the HMO. 
 8.3.4.2 For Medical Assistance Only (MAO) Non-Member Applicants

 Non-Member persons who are not eligible for Medicaid in the community may apply for participation in the 1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver program under
the financial and functional eligibility requirements for MAO. HHSC will inform the applicant that services are provided through an HMO and allow the applicant to select the HMO. HHSC will authorize the selected HMO to initiate pre-enrollment
assessment services required under the 1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver for the non-member. The HMO must complete Form 3652 for Medical Necessity determination, complete the assessment documentation, and prepare a 1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver
service plan for each applicant referred by HHSC. The initial home visit with the applicant must occur within 14 days of the receipt of the referral. The HMO must provide HHSC the results of the assessment activities within 45 days of the receipt of
the referral. 
 HHSC will notify the applicant and the HMO of the results of its eligibility determination. If the applicant is eligible, HHSC will notify
the applicant and the HMO will be notified of the effective date of eligibility, which will be the first day of the month following the determination of eligibility. The HMO must initiate the Individual Service Plan (ISP) on the date of enrollment.

  

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 If the applicant is not eligible, the HHSC notice will provide information on the applicant’s right to Appeal
the Adverse Determination. HHSC will also send notice to the HMO if the applicant is not eligible for 1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver services. 
 8.3.4.3
Annual Reassessment 
 Prior to the end date of the annual ISP, the HMO must initiate an annual reassessment to determine and validate continued
eligibility for 1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver services for each Member receiving such services. The HMO will be expected to complete the same activities for the annual reassessment as required for the initial eligibility determination, with the
following exception: the HMO does not need to obtain a physician’s signature on the Form 3652 for the annual reassessment. Existing 1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver clients may not be denied 1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver services solely on the
basis that the proposed cost of the ISP will exceed the cost of care if the Member were in a nursing home if the following conditions are met: 
 Section 8.3.4.3 Modified by Version 1.5 

	 	1.	those services are required for that individual to live in the most integrated setting appropriate to his or her needs; 

  

	 	2.	the cost for the needed services, averaged and excluding the cost of minor home modifications and adaptive aids, does not exceed 133.3% of the Nursing Facility Cost Ceiling; and

  

	 	3.	HHSC continues to comply with the cost-effectiveness requirements from the CMS. 

 If an ongoing client has a change in needs that would cause the cost for needed services, under the client’s ISP, to exceed 100% of the cost ceiling, the HMO with HHSC approval may consider the client’s request if there is a
change in: 
  

	 	1.	the client’s medical condition, functional needs, or environment; 

  

	 	2.	the caregiver support or third-party resources that have been providing service to the client; or 

  

	 	3.	the need for a service or support to adequately support the client living in the most integrated setting appropriate to his or her needs. 

 If the client’s needs cannot be met within the cost limit of 133% described above, then the client is no longer eligible for services, unless the client meets the
criteria in the next paragraph. All available non-waiver support systems and resources must be accessed in the development of the ISP. 
 HMO will continue
services to those individuals receiving services in a waiver program, when continuation of the services is necessary for the individual to live in the most integrated setting appropriate to his or her needs and HHSC continues to comply with CMS
cost-effectiveness requirements. 
 Individuals receiving waiver services through the Medically Dependent Children Program are covered by the provisions in
this Section when they apply for transition to the 1915(c) waiver program at age 21. 
  

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 8.3.5 Personal Attendant Services 
 Section 8.3.5 replaced by Version 1.5 
 There are three options available to STAR+PLUS Members desiring the delivery of
Personal Attendant Services (PAS): 1) Self-Directed; 2) Agency Model, Self-Directed; and 3) Agency Model. The HMO must provide information to all eligible Members on the three options and must provide Member orientation in the option selected by the
Member. The HMO will provide the information to any STAR+PLUS Member receiving Personal Attendant Services: 
  

	 	•	 	 at initial assessment; 

  

	 	•	 	 at annual reassessment or annual contact with the STAR+PLUS Member; 

  

	 	•	 	 at any time when a STAR+PLUS Member receiving PAS requests the information; and 

  

	 	•	 	 in the Member Handbook. 

 The HMO must contract with
providers who are able to offer PAS and must also educate/train the HMO Network Providers regarding the three PAS options. To participate as a PAS Network Provider, the Provider must have a contract with DADS for the delivery of PAS. The HMO must
assure compliance with the Texas Administrative Code in Title 40, Part 1, Chapter 41, Sections 41.101, 41.103, and 41.105. The HMO must include the requirements in the Provider Manual and in the STAR+PLUS Provider training. 
 8.3.5.1 Personal Attendant Services Delivery Option – Self-Directed Model 
 In the Self-Directed Model, the Member or the Member’s legal guardian is the employer of record and retains control over the hiring, management, and termination of an individual providing Personal Attendant
Services. The Member is responsible for assuring that the employee meets the requirements for Personal Attendant Services, including the criminal history check. The Member uses a Home and Community Support Services (HCSS) agency to handle the
employer-related administrative functions such as payroll, substitute (back-up), and filing tax-related reports of Personal Attendant Services. 
 8.3.5.2
Personal Attendant Services Delivery Option – Agency Model, Self-Directed 
 In the Agency Model, Self-Directed, the Member or the Member’s
legal guardian chooses a Home and Community Support Services (HCSS) agency in the HMO Provider Network who is the employer of record. In this model, the Member selects the personal attendant from the HCSS agency’s personal attendant employees.
The personal attendant’s schedule is set up based on the Member input, and the Member manages the Personal Attendant Services. The Member retains the right to supervise and train the personal attendant. The Member may request a different
personal attendant and the HCSS agency would be expected to honor the request. The HCSS agency establishes the payment rate, benefits, and provides all administrative functions such as payroll, substitute (back-up), and filing tax-related reports of
personal attendant services. 
 8.3.5.3 Personal Attendant Services Delivery Option – Agency Model 
 In the Agency Model, the Member chooses a Home and Community Support Services (HCSS) agency to hire, manage, and terminate the individual providing Personal Attendant
Services. The HCSS agency is selected by the Member from the HCSS agencies in the HMO Provider Network. The Service Coordinator and Member develop the schedule and send it to the HCSS agency. The Member retains the right to supervise and train the
personal attendant. The Member may request 

  

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a different personal attendant and the HCSS agency would be expected to honor the request. The HCSS agency establishes the payment rate, benefits, and
provides all administrative functions such as payroll, substitute (back-up), and filing tax-related reports of personal attendant services. 
 8.3.6
Community Based Long-term Care Service Providers 
 8.3.6.1 Training 
 The HMO must comply with Section 8.1.4.6 regarding Provider Manual and Provider training specific to the STAR+PLUS Program. The HMO must train all Community Long-term Care Service Providers regarding the
requirements of the Contract and special needs of STAR+PLUS Members. The HMO must establish ongoing STAR+PLUS Provider training addressing the following issues at a minimum: 
  

	 	1.	Covered Services and the Provider’s responsibilities for providing such services to STAR+PLUS Members and billing the HMO for such services. The HMO must place special emphasis
on Community Long-term Care Services and STAR+PLUS requirements, policies, and procedures that vary from Medicaid Fee-for-Service and commercial coverage rules, including payment policies and procedures. 

  

	 	2.	Inpatient Stay hospital services and the authorization and billing of such services for STAR+PLUS Members. 

  

	 	3.	Relevant requirements of the STAR+PLUS Contract, including the role of the Service Coordinator; 

  

	 	4.	Processes for making referrals and coordinating Non-capitated Services; 

  

	 	5.	The HMO’s quality assurance and performance improvement program and the Provider’s role in such programs; and 

  

	 	6.	The HMO’s STAR+PLUS policies and procedures, including those relating to Network and Out-of-Network referrals. 

 8.3.7.2 LTC Provider Billing 
 Long-term care providers are not
required to utilize the billing systems that most medical facilities use on a regular basis. For this reason, the HMO must make accommodations to the claims processing system for such providers to allow for a smooth transition from traditional
Medicaid to Managed Care Medicaid. 
 HHSC will meet with HMOs to develop a standardized method long-term care billing. All STAR+PLUS HMOs will be required
to utilize the standardized method, which will be incorporated into the HHSC Uniform Managed Care Manual. 
 8.3.7.3 Rate Enhancement Payments for
Agencies Providing Attendant Care 
 Section 8.3.7.3 modified by Version 1.5 
 All HMOs participating in the STAR+PLUS program must allow their Long-term Support Services (LTSS) Providers to participate in the STAR+PLUS Attendant Care Enhancement Program if the providers are currently
participating in the enhanced payment program with the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS). HMOs may choose not to offer 

  

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participation to DADS-contracted providers who do not currently participate in the enhancement program. Additionally, HMOs may choose to include Providers in
the network who do not participate in the enhanced payment program. 
 Attachment B-7,
STAR+PLUS Attendant Care Enhanced Payment Methodology explains the methodology that the STAR+PLUS HMO will use to implement and pay the enhanced payments, including a description of the timing of the payments, in accordance with the requirements in
the Uniform Managed Care Manual and the intent of the 2000-01 General Appropriations Act (Rider 27, House Bill 1, 76th Legislature, Regular Session, 1999) and T.A.C. Title 1, Part 15, Chapter 355. 
 8.3.7.4 Payment for 1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver
Services for Non-Members 
 Disenrolled Members: Occasionally, the Social Security Administration will place SSI recipients on hold for a short
period of time, usually due failure to provide timely updates required for the continuation of SSI benefits. During this period, the recipients will not appear to be eligible for Medicaid or 1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver services. Often the Social
Security Administration reinstates these Medicaid Eligibles retroactively without a break in Medicaid coverage. To deal with this situation, for at least thirty (30) days after disenrollment, the HMO will continue to authorize and pay for
1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver services for disenrolled STAR+PLUS Members who appear to lose eligibility due to an administrative problem related to SSI. If at the end of the thirty (30) days, the Medicaid Eligible’s 1915(c) Nursing
Facility Waiver eligibility is reinstated, the Medicaid Eligible will be manually enrolled into the STAR+PLUS HMO back to the date of disenrollment and the retroactive adjustment system will properly reimburse the HMO. If after thirty
(30) days, the former STAR+PLUS Member continues to be ineligible for Medicaid, the individual will not be retroactively enrolled, and the HMO will bill HHSC for 1915(c) Nursing Facility Waiver services rendered during this time. 
 8.4 Additional CHIP Scope of Work 
 The following provisions only
apply to HMOs participating in CHIP. 
 8.4.1 CHIP Provider Network 
 In each Service Area, the HMO must seek to obtain the participation in its Provider Network of CHIP Significant Traditional Providers (STPs), defined by HHSC as PCP Providers currently serving the CHIP population and
DSH hospitals. The Procurement Library includes CHIP STPs by Service Area. 
 The HMO must give STPs the opportunity to participate in its Network if the
STPs: 
  

	 	1.	Agree to accept the HMO’s Provider reimbursement rate for the provider type; and 

  

	 	2.	Meet the standard credentialing requirements of the HMO, provided that lack of board certification or accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care
Organizations (JCAHO) is not the sole grounds for exclusion from the Provider Network. 

  

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 8.4.2 CHIP Provider Complaint and Appeals 
 Section 8.4.2 modified by Version 1.2 
 CHIP Provider Complaints and Appeals are subject to disposition consistent with
the Texas Insurance Code and any applicable TDI regulations. The HMO must resolve Provider Complaints within 30 days from the date the Complaint is received. 
 8.4.3 CHIP Member Complaint and Appeal Process 
 CHIP Member Complaints and Appeals are subject to disposition consistent with the Texas
Insurance Code and any applicable TDI regulations. HHSC will require the HMO to resolve Complaints and Appeals (that are not elevated to TDI) within 30 days from the date the Complaint or Appeal is received. The HMO is subject to remedies, including
liquidated damages, if at least 98 percent of Member Complaints or Member Appeals are not resolved within 30 days of receipt of the Complaint or Appeal by the HMO. Please see the Uniform Managed Care Contract Terms & Conditions
and Attachment B-5, Deliverables/Liquidated Damages Matrix. Any person, including those dissatisfied with a HMO’s resolution of a Complaint or Appeal, may report an alleged violation to TDI. 
 8.4.4 Dental Coverage for CHIP Members 
 The HMO is not responsible
for reimbursing dental providers for preventive and therapeutic dental services obtained by CHIP Members. However, medical and/or hospital charges, such as anesthesia, that are necessary in order for CHIP Members to access standard therapeutic
dental services, are Covered Services for CHIP Members. The HMO must provide access to facilities and physician services that are necessary to support the dentist who is providing dental services to a CHIP Member under general anesthesia or
intravenous (IV) sedation. 
 The HMO must inform Network facilities, anesthesiologists, and PCPs what authorization procedures are required, and how
Providers are to be reimbursed for the preoperative evaluations by the PCP and/or anesthesiologist and for the facility services. For dental-related medical Emergency Services, the HMO must reimburse in-network and Out-of-Network providers in
accordance with federal and state laws, rules, and regulations. 
 8.5 Additional CHIP Perinatal Scope of Work 
 Section 8.5 added by Version 1.3 
 The following provisions only apply to
HMOs participating in CHIP Perinatal Program. 
 8.5.1 CHIP Perinatal Provider Network 
 In each Service Area, the CHIP Perinatal HMO must seek to obtain the participation of Providers for CHIP Perinate Members. CHIP Perinatal HMOs are encouraged to obtain the participation of Obstetricians/Gynecologists
(OB/GYNs), Family Practice Physicians with experience in prenatal care, or other qualified health care Providers as CHIP Perinate Providers. 
  

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	Subject: Attachment B-1 – HHSC Joint Medicaid/CHIP HMO RFP, Section 8	  	Version 1.6

  

 See Sections 8.1.3.2, Access to Network Providers, and 8.1.4.2, Primary Care Providers, regarding distinctions in the
provider networks for CHIP Perinates and CHIP Perinate Newborns. 
 8.5.2 CHIP Perinatal Program Provider Complaint and Appeals 
 CHIP Perinatal Program Provider Complaints and Appeals are subject to disposition consistent with the Texas Insurance Code and any applicable TDI regulations. The HMO
must resolve Provider Complaints within 30 days from the date the Complaint is received. 
 8.5.3 CHIP Perinatal Program Member Complaint and Appeal
Process 
 CHIP Perinatal Program Member Complaints and Appeals are subject to disposition consistent with the Texas Insurance Code and any applicable TDI
regulations. HHSC will require the HMO to resolve Complaints and Appeals (that are not elevated to TDI) within 30 days from the date the Complaint or Appeal is received. Any person, including those dissatisfied with a HMO’s resolution of a
Complaint or Appeal, may report an alleged violation to TDI. 
  

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	Subject: Attachment B-1 – HHSC Joint Medicaid/CHIP HMO RFP, Section 9	  	Version 1.6

  

 9. Turnover Requirements 
 9.1 Introduction 
 This section presents the Turnover Requirements to which the HMO must agree. Turnover is defined as those activities that
are required for the HMO to perform upon termination of the Contract in situations in which the HMO must transition Contract operations to HHSC or a subsequent Contractor. 
 9.2 Transfer of Data 
 The HMO must transfer all data regarding the provision of Covered Services to Members to HHSC
or a new HMO, at the sole discretion of HHSC and as directed by HHSC. All transferred data must be compliant with HIPAA. 
 All relevant data must be
received and verified by HHSC or the subsequent Contractor. If HHSC determines that not all of the data regarding the provision of Covered Services to Members was transferred to HHSC or the subsequent Contractor, as required, or the data is not
HIPAA compliant, HHSC reserves the right to hire an independent contractor to assist HHSC in obtaining and transferring all the required data and to ensure that all the data are HIPAA compliant. The reasonable cost of providing these services will
be the responsibility of the HMO. 
 9.3 Turnover Services 
 Six months prior to the end of the Contract Period, including any extensions to such Period, the HMO must propose a Turnover Plan covering the possible turnover of the records and information maintained to either the State or a successor
HMO. The Turnover Plan must be a comprehensive document detailing the proposed schedule, activities, and resource requirements associated with the turnover tasks. The Turnover Plan must be approved by HHSC. 
 As part of the Turnover Plan, the HMO must provide HHSC with copies of all relevant Member and service data, documentation, or other pertinent information necessary, as
determined by the HHSC, for HHSC or a subsequent Contractor to assume the operational activities successfully. This includes correspondence, documentation of ongoing outstanding issues, and other operations support documentation. The plan will
describe the HMO’s approach and schedule for transfer of all data and operational support information, as applicable. The information must be supplied in media and format specified by the State and according to the schedule approved by the
State. 
 HHSC is not limited or restricted in the ability to require additional information from the HMO or modify the turnover schedule as necessary.

 9.4 Post-Turnover Services 
 Thirty (30) days
following turnover of operations, the HMO must provide HHSC with a Turnover Results report documenting the completion and results of each step of the Turnover Plan. Turnover will not be considered complete until this document is approved by HHSC.

 If the HMO does not provide the required relevant data and reference tables, documentation, or other pertinent information necessary for HHSC or the
subsequent Contractor to assume the operational activities successfully, the HMO agrees to reimburse the State for all reasonable costs, including, but not 

  

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	Subject: Attachment B-1 – HHSC Joint Medicaid/CHIP HMO RFP, Section 9	  	Version 1.6

  

 
limited to, transportation, lodging, and subsistence for all state and federal representatives, or their agents, to carry out their inspection, audit,
review, analysis, reproduction and transfer functions at the location(s) of such records. 
 The HMO also agrees to pay any and all additional costs incurred
by the State that are the result of the HMO’s failure to provide the requested records, data or documentation within the time frames agreed to in the Turnover Plan. 
 The HMO must maintain all files and records related to Members and Providers for five years after the date of final payment under the Contract or until the resolution of all litigation, claims, financial management
review or audit pertaining to the Contract, whichever is longer. The HMO agrees to repay any valid, undisputed audit exceptions taken by HHSC in any audit of the Contract. 
  

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	Subject: Attachment B-2.1 – STAR+PLUS Covered Services	  	Version 1.6

  

 STAR+PLUS Covered Services 
 Acute Care Services 
 The following is a non-exhaustive, high-level listing of Acute Care Covered Services included
under the STAR+PLUS Medicaid managed care program. 
 Medicaid HMO Contractors are responsible for providing a benefit package to Members that includes all
medically necessary services covered under the traditional, fee-for-service Medicaid programs except for Non-capitated Services provided to Medicaid Members outside of the HMO capitation and listed in Attachment B-1, Section 8.2.2.8. In
addition to the non-capitated services listed in Attachment B-1, Section 8.2.2.8, Hospital Inpatient Stays are excluded from the capitation payment to STAR+PLUS HMOs and are paid through HHSC’s Administrative Contractor responsible for
payment of Traditional Medicaid fee-for-service claims. Medicaid HMO Contractors must coordinate care for Members for these Non-capitated Services so that Members have access to a full range of medically necessary Medicaid services, both capitated
and non-capitated. A Contractor may elect to offer additional acute care Value-added Services. 
 The STAR+PLUS Members are provided with two enhanced
benefits compared to the traditional, fee-for-service Medicaid coverage: 
  

	 	1)	waiver of the three-prescription per month limit, for members not covered by Medicare; 

  

	 	2)	inclusion of an annual adult well check for patients 21 years of age and over. 

 Medicaid HMO Contractors are responsible for providing a benefit package to Members that includes an annual adult well check for patients 21 years of age and over. Prescription drug benefits to HMO Members are provided outside of the HMO
capitation. 
 STAR+PLUS HMO Contractors should refer to the current Texas Medicaid Provider Procedures Manual and the bi-monthly Texas
Medicaid Bulletin for a more inclusive listing of limitations and exclusions that apply to each Medicaid benefit category. (These documents can be accessed online at: http://www.tmhp.com.) 
 The services listed in this Attachment are subject to modification based on Federal and State laws and regulations and Programs policy updates. 
 Services included under the HMO capitation payment 
 Modified
by Version 1.5 and 1.6 

	 	•	 	 Ambulance services 

  

	 	•	 	 Audiology services, including hearing aids for adults (hearing aids for children are provided through the PACT program and are a non-capitated service)

  

	 	•	 	 Behavioral Health Services, including: 

  

	 	•	 	 Outpatient mental health services for Adults and Children 

  

	 	•	 	 Outpatient chemical dependency services for children (under age 21) 

  

	 	•	 	 Detoxification services 

  

	 	•	 	 Psychiatry services 

  

	 	•	 	 Counseling services for adults (21 years of age and over) 

  

	 	•	 	 Birthing center services 

  

	 	•	 	 Chiropractic services 

  

	 	•	 	 Dialysis 

  

	 	•	 	 Durable medical equipment and supplies 

  

 2 of 4 

	 	•	 	 Emergency Services 

  

	 	•	 	 Family planning services 

  

	 	•	 	 Home health care services 

  

	 	•	 	 Hospital services, outpatient 

  

	 	•	 	 Laboratory 

  

	 	•	 	 Medical check-ups and Comprehensive Care Program (CCP) Services for children (under age 21) through the Texas Health Steps Program 

  

	 	•	 	 Optometry, glasses, and contact lenses, if medically necessary 

  

	 	•	 	 Podiatry 

  

	 	•	 	 Prenatal care 

  

	 	•	 	 Primary care services 

  

	 	•	 	 Radiology, imaging, and X-rays 

  

	 	•	 	 Specialty physician services 

  

	 	•	 	 Therapies – physical, occupational and speech 

  

	 	•	 	 Transplantation of organs and tissues 

  

	 	•	 	 Vision 

 Community Based Long Term Care Services

 The following is a non-exhaustive, high-level listing of Community Based Long Term Care Covered Services included under the STAR+PLUS Medicaid managed
care program. 
  

	 	•	 	 Community Based Long Term Care Services for all Members 

  

	 	•	 	 Personal Attendant Services – All Members of a STAR+PLUS HMO may receive medically and functionally necessary personal attendant services (PAS).

  

	 	•	 	 Day Activity and Health Services – All Members of a STAR+PLUS HMO may receive medically and functionally necessary Day Activity and Health Care Services
(DAHS). 

  

	 	•	 	 1915 (c) Nursing Facility Waiver Services for those Members who qualify for such services 

 The state provides an enriched array of services to clients who would otherwise qualify for nursing facility care through a Home and Community Based
Medicaid Waiver. In traditional Medicaid, this is known as the Community Based Alternatives (CBA) waiver. The STAR+PLUS HMO must also provide the services that are available to clients through the CBA waiver in traditional Medicaid to those clients
that meet the functional and financial eligibility for the 1915 Modified by (c) Nursing Facility Waiver Services. 
 Modified by Version 1.5and 1.6

	 	•	 	 Personal Attendant Services (including the three service delivery options: Self-Directed; Agency Model, Self-Directed; and Agency Model)

  

	 	•	 	 Nursing Services (in home) 

  

	 	•	 	 Emergency Response Services (Emergency call button) 

  

	 	•	 	 Home Delivered Meals 

  

	 	•	 	 Minor Home Modifications 

  

	 	•	 	 Adaptive Aids and Medical Equipment 

  

	 	•	 	 Medical Supplies 

  

	 	•	 	 Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy 

  

	 	•	 	 Adult Foster Care 

  

	 	•	 	 Assisted Living 

  

	 	•	 	 Transition Assistance Services (These services are limited to a maximum of $2,500.00. If the HMO determines that no other resources are available to pay for the
basic services/items needed to assist a Member, who is leaving a nursing facility, with 

  

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setting up a household, the HMO may authorize up to $2,500.00 for Transition Assistance Services (TAS). The $2,500.00 TAS benefit is part of the expense
ceiling when determining the Total Annual Individual Service Plan (ISP) Cost.) 

  

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	Subject: Attachment B-2.2 – CHIP Perinatal Covered Services	  	Version 1.6

  

 CHIP Perinatal Program Covered Services 
 Covered CHIP Perinatal Program services must meet the definition of Medically Necessary Covered Services as defined in this Contract. There is no lifetime maximum on benefits; however, 12-month enrollment
period or lifetime limitations do apply to certain services, as specified in the following chart. Co-pays do not apply to CHIP Perinatal Program Members. CHIP Perinatal Program Members are eligible for 12-months continuous coverage following
enrollment in the program. 
  

					
	 Covered Benefit
	  	 CHIP Perinate Newborn
	  	 CHIP Perinate

	Inpatient General Acute and Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital Services	  	 For CHIP Perinate Newborns in families with incomes at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level, the facility charges are not a covered benefit for
the initial Perinate Newborn admission; however, facility charges are a covered benefit after the initial Perinate Newborn admission. “Initial Perinate Newborn admission” means the hospitalization associated with the birth.
  
 For CHIP Perinate Newborns in families with incomes at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level,
professional service charges are a covered benefit for the initial Perinate Newborn admission and subsequent admissions. “Initial Perinate Newborn admission” means the hospitalization associated with the birth.
  
 Services include, but are not limited to, the following:
  
 •     Hospital-provided
Physician or Provider services
  
 •     Semi-private room and board (or private if medically necessary as certified by attending)
  
 •     General nursing care
  
 •     Special duty nursing
when medically necessary
  
 •     ICU and services
  
 •     Patient meals and special diets
  
 •     Operating, recovery and other treatment rooms
  
 •     Anesthesia and
administration (facility technical component)
	  	 For CHIP Perinates in families with incomes at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level, the facility charges are not a covered benefit; however,
professional services charges associated with labor with delivery are a covered benefit.
  
 For CHIP Perinates in families with incomes between 186% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, benefits are limited to professional service charges and facility charges associated with labor with delivery.
  
 Covered medically necessary Hospital-provided services are limited to labor with delivery until
birth.
  
 Services include:
  
 •     Operating, recovery and
other treatment rooms
  
 •     Anesthesia and administration (facility technical component
  
 •     Medically necessary surgical services are limited to services that directly relate to the
delivery of the unborn child.

  

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	Subject: Attachment B-2.2 – CHIP Perinatal Covered Services	  	Version 1.6

  

					
	 Covered Benefit
	  	 CHIP Perinate Newborn
	  	 CHIP Perinate

		  	 •     Surgical dressings, trays, casts, splints
  
 •     Drugs, medications and
biologicals
  
 •     Blood or blood products that are not provided free-of-charge to the patient and their administration
  
 •     X-rays, imaging and other radiological tests (facility technical component)
  
 •     Laboratory and pathology
services (facility technical component)
  
 •     Machine diagnostic tests (EEGs, EKGs, etc.)
  
 •     Oxygen services and inhalation therapy
  
 •     Radiation and
chemotherapy
  
 •     Access to DSHS-designated Level III perinatal centers or Hospitals meeting equivalentlevels of care
  
 •     In-network or out-of-network facility and Physician services for a mother and her newborn(s)
for a minimum of 48 hours following an uncomplicated vaginal delivery and 96 hours following an uncomplicated delivery by caesarian section.
  
 •     Hospital, physician and related medical services, such as anesthesia, associated with dental
care
  
 •     Surgical implants
  
 •     Other artificial aids including surgical implants
  
 •     Implantable devices are covered under Inpatient and Outpatient services and do not count
towards the DME 12- month period limit
	  	
			
	 Skilled Nursing Facilities
 (Includes
Rehabilitation Hospitals)
	  	 Services include, but are not limited to, the following:
  
 •     Semi-private room and board
  
 •     Regular nursing
services
  
 •     Rehabilitation services
  
 •     Medical supplies and use of
	  	Not a covered benefit.

  

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	Subject: Attachment B-2.2 – CHIP Perinatal Covered Services	  	Version 1.6

  

					
	 Covered Benefit
	  	 CHIP Perinate Newborn
	  	 CHIP Perinate

	Outpatient Hospital, Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Hospital, Clinic (Including Health Center) and Ambulatory Health Care Center	  	 Services include, but are not limited to, the following services provided in a hospital clinic or emergency room, a clinic or health center,
hospital-based emergency department or an ambulatory health care setting:
  
 •     X-ray, imaging, and radiological tests (technical component)
  
 •     Laboratory and pathology services (technical component)
  
 •     Machine diagnostic
tests
  
 •     Ambulatory surgical facility services
  
 •     Drugs, medications and biologicals
  
 •     Casts, splints,
dressings
  
 •     Preventive health services
  
 •     Physical, occupational and speech therapy
  
 •     Renal dialysis
  
 •     Respiratory
services
  
 •     Radiation and chemotherapy
  
 •     Blood or blood products that are not provided free-of-charge to the patient and the administration of these products
  
 •     Facility and related
medical services, such as anesthesia, associated with dental care, when provided in a licensed ambulatory surgical facility.
  
 •     Surgical implants
  
 •     Other artificial aids
including surgical implants
  
 •     Implantable devices are covered under Inpatient and Outpatient services and do not count towards the DME 12- month period limit.
	  	 Services include, the following services provided in a hospital clinic or emergency room, a clinic or health center, hospital-based emergency
department or an ambulatory health care setting:
  
 •     X-ray, imaging, and radiological tests (technical component)
  
 •     Laboratory and pathology services (technical component)
  
 •     Machine diagnostic
tests
  
 •     Drugs, medications and biologicals that are medically necessary prescription and injection drugs.
  
 (1) Laboratory and radiological services are limited to services that directly relate to ante partum care and/or the delivery of the covered CHIP Perinate until
birth.
  
 (2) Ultrasound of the pregnant uterus is a covered benefit when medically
indicated. Ultrasound may be indicated for suspected genetic defects, high-risk pregnancy, fetal growth retardation, or gestational age confirmation.
  
 (3) Amniocentesis, Cordocentesis, Fetal Intrauterine Transfusion (FIUT) and Ultrasonic Guidance for Cordocentesis, FIUT are covered benefits with an appropriate
diagnosis.
  
 (4) Laboratory tests are limited to: nonstress testing, contraction, stress
testing, hemoglobin or hematocrit repeated once a trimester and at 32- 36 weeks of pregnancy; or complete blood count (CBC), urinanalysis for protein and glucose every visit, blood type and RH antibody screen; repeat antibody screen for Rh negative
women at 28 weeks followed by RHO immune globulin

  

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	Subject: Attachment B-2.2 – CHIP Perinatal Covered Services	  	Version 1.6

  

					
	 Covered Benefit
	  	 CHIP Perinate Newborn
	  	 CHIP Perinate

		  		  	administration if indicated; rubella antibody titer, serology for syphilis, hepatitis B surface antigen, cervical cytology, pregnancy test, gonorrhea test, urine culture, sickle cell test,
tuberculosis (TB) test, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody screen, Chlamydia test, other laboratory tests not specified but deemed medically necessary, and multiple marker screens for neural tube defects (if the client initiates care
between 16 and 20 weeks); screen for gestational diabetes at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy; other lab tests as indicated by medical condition of client.
			
	 Physician/
 Physician Extender Professional
Services
	  	 Services include, but are not limited to, the following:
  
 •     American Academy of Pediatrics recommended well- child exams and preventive health services
(including, but not limited to, vision and hearing screening and immunizations)
  
 •     Physician office visits, in- patient and out-patient services
  
 •     Laboratory, x-rays,
imaging and pathology services, including technical component and/or professional interpretation
  
 •     Medications, biologicals and materials administered in Physician’s office
  
 •     Allergy testing, serum
and injections
  
 •     Professional component (in/outpatient) of surgical services, including:
  
 •     Surgeons and assistant surgeons for surgical procedures including appropriate follow-up
care
  
 •     Administration of anesthesia by Physician (other than surgeon) or CRNA
  
 •     Second surgical opinions
  
 •     Same-day surgery
performed in a Hospital without an over-night stay
	  	 Services include, but are not limited to the following:
  
 •     Medically necessary physician services are limited to prenatal and postpartum care and/or the
delivery of the covered unborn child until birth
  
 •     Physician office visits, in- patient and out-patient services
  
 •     Laboratory, x-rays, imaging and pathology services including technical component and /or
professional interpretation
  
 •     Medically necessary medications, biologicals and materials administered in Physician’s office
  
 •     Professional component (in/outpatient) of surgical services, including:
  
 •     Surgeons and assistant
surgeons for surgical procedures directly related to the labor with delivery of the covered unborn child until birth.
  
 •     Administration of anesthesia by Physician (other than surgeon) or CRNA
  
 •     Invasive diagnostic
procedures directly related to the labor with delivery of the unborn child.

  

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	Subject: Attachment B-2.2 – CHIP Perinatal Covered Services	  	Version 1.6

  

					
	 Covered Benefit
	  	 CHIP Perinate Newborn
	  	 CHIP Perinate

		  	 •     Invasive diagnostic procedures such as endoscopic
examinations
  
 •     Hospital-based Physician services (including Physician- performed technical and interpretive components)
  
 •     In-network and out-of-network Physician services for a mother and her newborn(s) for a
minimum of 48 hours following an uncomplicated vaginal delivery and 96 hours following an uncomplicated delivery by caesarian section.
  
 •     Physician services medically necessary to support a dentist providing dental services to a
CHIP member such as general anesthesia or intravenous (IV) sedation.
	  	 •     Hospital-based Physician services (including Physician performed
technical and interpretive components)
  
 •     Professional component of the ultrasound of the pregnant uterus when medically indicated for suspected genetic defects, high-risk pregnancy, fetal growth retardation, or gestational age
confirmation.
  
 •     Professional component of Amniocentesis, Cordocentesis, Fetal Intrauterine Transfusion (FIUT) and Ultrasonic Guidance for Amniocentesis, Cordocentrsis, and FIUT.

			
	Prenatal Care and Pre-Pregnancy Family Services and Supplies	  	Not a covered benefit.	  	 Services are limited to an initial visit and subsequent prenatal (ante partum) care visits that include:
  
 (1) One visit every four weeks for the first 28 weeks or pregnancy;
  
 (2) one visit every two to three weeks from 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy; and
  
 (3) one visit per week from 36 weeks to delivery.
  
 More frequent visits are allowed as Medically Necessary. Benefits are limited to:
  
 Limit of 20 prenatal visits and 2 postpartum visits (maximum within 60 days) without documentation of
a complication of pregnancy. More frequent visits may be necessary for high-risk pregnancies. High-risk prenatal visits are not limited to 20 visits per pregnancy. Documentation supporting medical necessity must be maintained in the physician’s
files and is subject to retrospective review.

  

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	 Covered Benefit
	  	 CHIP Perinate Newborn
	  	 CHIP Perinate

		  		  	 Visits after the initial visit must include:
  
 •     interim history (problems, marital status, fetal status);
  
 •     physical examination
(weight, blood pressure, fundalheight, fetal position and size, fetal heart rate, extremities) and
  
 •     laboratory tests (urinanalysis for protein and glucose every visit; hematocrit or hemoglobin
repeated once a trimester and at 32-36 weeks of pregnancy; multiple marker screen for fetal abnormalities offered at 16-20 weeks of pregnancy; repeat antibody screen for Rh negative women at 28 weeks followed by Rho immune globulin administration if
indicated; screen for gestational diabetes at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy; and other lab tests as indicated by medical condition of client).

			
	Durable Medical Equipment (DME), Prosthetic Devices and Disposable Medical Supplies	  	 $20,000 12-month period limit for DME, prosthetics, devices and disposable medical supplies (diabetic supplies and equipment are not counted against
this cap). Services include DME (equipment which can withstand repeated use and is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose, generally is not useful to a person in the absence of Illness, Injury, or Disability, and is appropriate
for use in the home), including devices and supplies that are medically necessary and necessary for one or more activities of daily living and appropriate to assist in the treatment of a medical condition, including:
  
 •     Orthotic braces and
orthotics
  
 •     Prosthetic devices such as artificial eyes, limbs, and braces
  
 •     Prosthetic eyeglasses and contact lenses for the management of severe ophthalmologic
disease
  
 •     Hearing aids
  
 •     Diagnosis-specific disposable
	  	Not a covered benefit.

  

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	 Covered Benefit
	  	 CHIP Perinate Newborn
	  	 CHIP Perinate

		  	 medical supplies, including diagnosis-specific prescribed specialty formula and dietary supplements. (See Attachment A)
	  	
			
	Home and Community Health Services	  	 Services that are provided in the home and community, including, but not limited to:
  
 •     Home infusion

 
 •     Respiratory
therapy
  
 •     Visits for private duty nursing (R.N., L.V.N.)
  
 •     Skilled nursing visits as defined for home health purposes (may include R.N. or
L.V.N.).
  
 •     Home health aide when included as part of a plan of care during a period that skilled visits have been approved.
  
 •     Speech, physical and occupational therapies.
  
 •     Services are not
intended to replace the CHILD’S caretaker or to provide relief for the caretaker
  
 •     Skilled nursing visits are provided on intermittent level and not intended to provide 24-
hour skilled nursing services
  
 •     Services are not intended to replace 24-hour inpatient or skilled nursing facility services
	  	Not a covered benefit.
			
	Inpatient Mental Health Services	  	 Mental health services, including for serious mental illness, furnished in a free-standing psychiatric hospital, psychiatric units of general acute
care hospitals and state-operated facilities, including, but not limited to:
  
 •     Neuropsychological and psychological testing.
  
 •     Inpatient mental health services are limited to:
  
 •     45 days 12-month
inpatient limit
  
 •     Includes inpatient psychiatric services, up to 12-month period limit, ordered by a court of
	  	Not a covered benefit.

  

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	 Covered Benefit
	  	 CHIP Perinate Newborn
	  	 CHIP Perinate

		  	 competent jurisdiction under the provisions of Chapters 573 and 574 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, relating to court
ordered commitments to psychiatric facilities. Court order serves as binding determination of medical necessity. Any modification or termination of services must be presented to the court with jurisdiction over the matter for
determination
  
 •     25 days of the inpatient benefit can be converted to residential treatment, therapeutic foster care or other 24-hour therapeutically planned and structured services or sub-acute outpatient (partial
hospitalization or rehabilitative day treatment) mental health services on the basis of financial equivalence against the inpatient per diem cost
  
 •     20 of the inpatient days must be held in reserve for inpatient use only
  
 •     Does not require PCP
referral
	  	
			
	Outpatient Mental Health Services	  	 Mental health services, including for serious mental illness, provided on an outpatient basis, including, but not limited to:
  
 •     Medication management
visits do not count against the outpatient visit limit.
  
 •     The visits can be furnished in a variety of community-based settings (including school and home-based) or in a state- operated facility
  
 •     Up to 60 days 12-month
period limit for rehabilitative day treatment
  
 •     60 outpatient visits 12-month period limit
  
 •     60 rehabilitative day treatment days can be converted to outpatient visits on the basis of
financial equivalence against the day treatment per diem cost
	  	Not a covered benefit.

  

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	 Covered Benefit
	  	 CHIP Perinate Newborn
	  	 CHIP Perinate

		  	 •     60 outpatient visits can be converted to skills training (psycho
educational skills development) or rehabilitative day treatment on the basis of financial equivalence against the outpatient visit cost
  
 •     Includes outpatient psychiatric services, up to 12-month period limit, ordered by a court of
competent jurisdiction under the provisions of Chapters 573 and 574 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, relating to court ordered commitments to psychiatric facilities. Court order serves as binding determination of medical necessity. Any
modification or termination of services must be presented to the court with jurisdiction over the matter for determination
  
 •     Inpatient days converted to sub- acute outpatient services are in addition to the outpatient
limits and do not count towards those limits
  
 •     A Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP), as defined by and credentialed through Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) standards (TAC Title 25, Part II, Chapter 412), is a Local Mental
Health Authorities provider. A QMHP must be working under the authority of an DSHS entity and be supervised by a licensed mental health professional or physician. QMHPs are acceptable providers as long as the services would be within the scope of
the services that are typically provided by QMHPs. Those services include individual and group skills training (which can be components of interventions such as day treatment and in- home services), patient and family education, and crisis
services
	  	

  

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 Contractual Document (CD) 
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	Subject: Attachment B-2.2 – CHIP Perinatal Covered Services	  	Version 1.6

  

					
	 Covered Benefit
	  	 CHIP Perinate Newborn
	  	 CHIP Perinate

		  	 •     Does not require PCP referral
	  	
			
	Inpatient Substance Abuse Treatment Services	  	 Services include, but are not limited to:
  
 •     Inpatient and residential substance abuse treatment services including detoxification and
crisis stabilization, and 24-hour residential rehabilitation programs
  
 •     Does not require PCP referral
  
 •     Medically necessary detoxification/stabilization services, limited to 14 days per 12-month
period.
  
 •     24-hour residential rehabilitation programs, or the equivalent, up to 60 days per 12-month period
  
 •     30 days may be converted to partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient rehabilitation,
on the basis of financial equivalence against the inpatient per diem cost
  
 •     30 days must be held in reserve for inpatient use only.
	  	Not a covered benefit.
			
	Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment Services	  	 •     Services include, but are not limited to, the following:
  
 •     Prevention and
intervention services that are provided by physician and non-physician providers, such as screening, assessment and referral for chemical dependency disorders.
  
 •     Intensive outpatient services is defined as an organized non- residential service providing
structured group and individual therapy, educational services, and life skills training which consists of at least 10 hours per week for four to 12 weeks, but less than 24 hours per day
  
 •     Outpatient treatment
service is defined as consisting of at least one to two hours per week
	  	Not a covered benefit.

  

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 Contractual Document (CD) 
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	Subject: Attachment B-2.2 – CHIP Perinatal Covered Services	  	Version 1.6

  

					
	 Covered Benefit
	  	 CHIP Perinate Newborn
	  	 CHIP Perinate

		  	 providing structured group and individual therapy, educational services, and life skills training
  
 •     Outpatient treatment
services up to a maximum of:
  
 •     Intensive outpatient program (up to 12 weeks per 12-month period)
  
 •     Outpatient services (up to six- months per 12-month period)
  
 •     Does not require PCP
referral
	  	
			
	Rehabilitation Services	  	 Services include, but are not limited to, the following:
  
 •     Habilitation (the process of supplying a child with the means to reach age-appropriate
developmental milestones through therapy or treatment) and rehabilitation services include, but are not limited to the following:
  
 •     Physical, occupational and speech therapy
  
 •     Developmental
assessment
	  	Not a covered benefit.
			
	Hospice Care Services	  	 Services include, but are not limited to:
  
 •     Palliative care, including medical and support services, for those children who have six
months or less to live, to keep patients comfortable during the last weeks and months before death
  
 •     Treatment for unrelated conditions is unaffected
  
 •     Up to a maximum of 120
days with a 6 month life expectancy
  
 •     Patients electing hospice services waive their rights to treatment related to their terminal illnesses; however, they may cancel this election at anytime
  
 •     Services apply to the
hospice diagnosis
	  	Not a covered benefit.
			
	Emergency Services, including Emergency Hospitals, Physicians, and Ambulance Services	  	HMO cannot require authorization as a condition for payment for emergency conditions labor and delivery.	  	HMO cannot require authorization as a condition for payment for emergency conditions related to labor with delivery.

  

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 Contractual Document (CD) 
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	Subject: Attachment B-2.2 – CHIP Perinatal Covered Services	  	Version 1.6

  

					
	 Covered Benefit
	  	 CHIP Perinate Newborn
	  	 CHIP Perinate

		  	 Covered services include, but are not limited to, the following:
  
 •     Emergency services based on prudent lay person definition of emergency health
condition
  
 •     Hospital emergency department room and ancillary services and physician services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, both by in- network and out-of-network providers
  
 •     Medical screening
examination
  
 •     Stabilization services
  
 •     Access to DSHS designated Level 1 and Level II trauma centers or hospitals meeting equivalent levels of care for emergency services
  
 •     Emergency ground, air
and water transportation
  
 •     Emergency dental services, limited to fractured or dislocated jaw, traumatic damage to teeth, and removal of cysts.
	  	 Covered services are limited to those emergency services that are directly related to the delivery of the unborn child until birth.
  
 •     Emergency services based
on prudent lay person definition of emergency health condition
  
 •     Medical screening examination to determine emergency when directly related to the delivery of the covered unborn child.
  
 •     Stabilization services
related to the labor with delivery of the covered unborn child.
  
 •     Emergency ground, air and water transportation for labor and threatened labor is a covered benefit
  

Benefit limits: Post-delivery services or complications resulting in the need for emergency services for the mother of the CHIP Perinate are not a covered
benefit.

			
	Transplants	  	 Services include, but are not limited to, the following:
  
 •     Using up-to-date FDA guidelines, all non- experimental human organ and tissue transplants and
all forms of non-experimental corneal, bone marrow and peripheral stem cell transplants, including donor medical expenses.
	  	Not a covered benefit.
			
	Vision Benefit	  	 The health plan may reasonably limit the cost of the frames/lenses. Services include:
  
 •     One examination of the
eyes to determine the need for and prescription for corrective lenses per 12-month period, without authorization
  
 •     One pair of non-prosthetic eyewear per 12-month period
	  	Not a covered benefit.

  

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 Contractual Document (CD) 
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	Subject: Attachment B-2.2 – CHIP Perinatal Covered Services	  	Version 1.6

  

					
	 Covered Benefit
	  	 CHIP Perinate Newborn
	  	 CHIP Perinate

	Chiropractic Services	  	 •     Services do not require physician prescription and are limited to spinal subluxation.
	  	Not a covered benefit.
			
	Tobacco Cessation Program	  	 •     Covered up to $100 for a 12- month period limit for a plan- approved
program
  
 •     Health Plan defines plan- approved program.
  
 •     May be subject to formulary requirements.
	  	Not a covered benefit.
			
	Case Management and Care Coordination Services	  	These services include outreach informing, case management, care coordination and community referral.	  	Covered benefit.
			
	Value-added services	  	See Attachment B-3.2	  	

  

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 Contractual Document (CD) 
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	Subject: Attachment B-2.2 – CHIP Perinatal Covered Services	  	Version 1.6

  

 CHIP PERINATAL PROGRAM EXCLUSIONS FROM COVERED 
 SERVICES FOR CHIP PERINATES 
  

	 	•	 	 For CHIP Perinates in families with incomes at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level, inpatient facility charges are not a covered benefit for the initial
Perinatal Newborn admission. ”Initial Perinatal Newborn admission” means the hospitalization associated with the birth. 

  

	 	•	 	 Inpatient and outpatient treatments other than prenatal care, labor with delivery, and postpartum care related to the covered unborn child until birth.

  

	 	•	 	 Inpatient mental health services. 

  

	 	•	 	 Outpatient mental health services. 

  

	 	•	 	 Durable medical equipment or other medically related remedial devices. 

  

	 	•	 	 Disposable medical supplies. 

  

	 	•	 	 Home and community-based health care services. 

  

	 	•	 	 Nursing care services. 

  

	 	•	 	 Dental services. 

  

	 	•	 	 Inpatient substance abuse treatment services and residential substance abuse treatment services. 

  

	 	•	 	 Outpatient substance abuse treatment services. 

  

	 	•	 	 Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and services for individuals with speech, hearing, and language disorders. 

  

	 	•	 	 Hospice care. 

  

	 	•	 	 Skilled nursing facility and rehabilitation hospital services. 

  

	 	•	 	 Emergency services other than those directly related to the labor with delivery of the covered unborn child. 

  

	 	•	 	 Transplant services. 

  

	 	•	 	 Tobacco Cessation Programs. 

  

	 	•	 	 Chiropractic Services. 

  

	 	•	 	 Medical transportation not directly related to the labor or threatened labor and/or delivery of the covered unborn child. 

  

	 	•	 	 Personal comfort items including but not limited to personal care kits provided on inpatient admission, telephone, television, newborn infant photographs, meals for
guests of patient, and other articles which are not required for the specific treatment related to labor with delivery or post partum care. 

  

	 	•	 	 Experimental and/or investigational medical, surgical or other health care procedures or services which are not generally employed or recognized within the medical
community 

  

	 	•	 	 Treatment or evaluations required by third parties including, but not limited to, those for schools, employment, flight clearance, camps, insurance or court

  

	 	•	 	 Private duty nursing services when performed on an inpatient basis or in a skilled nursing facility. 

  

	 	•	 	 Mechanical organ replacement devices including, but not limited to artificial heart 

  

	 	•	 	 Hospital services and supplies when confinement is solely for diagnostic testing purposes and not a part of labor with delivery 

  

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 Contractual Document (CD) 
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	Subject: Attachment B-2.2 – CHIP Perinatal Covered Services	  	Version 1.6

  

	 	•	 	 Prostate and mammography screening 

  

	 	•	 	 Elective surgery to correct vision 

  

	 	•	 	 Gastric procedures for weight loss 

  

	 	•	 	 Cosmetic surgery/services solely for cosmetic purposes 

  

	 	•	 	 Out-of-network services not authorized by the Health Plan except for emergency care related to the labor with delivery of the covered unborn child.

  

	 	•	 	 Services, supplies, meal replacements or supplements provided for weight control or the treatment of obesity ? 

  

	 	•	 	 Acupuncture services, naturopathy and hypnotherapy 

  

	 	•	 	 Immunizations solely for foreign travel 

  

	 	•	 	 Routine foot care such as hygienic care Diagnosis and treatment of weak, strained, or flat feet and the cutting or removal of corns, calluses and toenails (this
does not apply to the removal of nail roots or surgical treatment of conditions underlying corns, calluses or ingrown toenails) 

  

	 	•	 	 Corrective orthopedic shoes 

  

	 	•	 	 Convenience items 

  

	 	•	 	 Orthotics primarily used for athletic or recreational purposes 

  

	 	•	 	 Custodial care (care that assists with the activities of daily living, such as assistance in walking, getting in and out of bed, bathing, dressing, feeding,
toileting, special diet preparation, and medication supervision that is usually self-administered or provided by a caregiver. This care does not require the continuing attention of trained medical or paramedical personnel.)

  

	 	•	 	 Housekeeping 

  

	 	•	 	 Public facility services and care for conditions that federal, state, or local law requires be provided in a public facility or care provided while in the custody
of legal authorities 

  

	 	•	 	 Services or supplies received from a nurse, which do not require the skill and training of a nurse 

  

	 	•	 	 Vision training, vision therapy, or vision services 

  

	 	•	 	 Reimbursement for school-based physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy services are not covered 

  

	 	•	 	 Donor non-medical expenses 

  

	 	•	 	 Charges incurred as a donor of an organ 

  

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 Contractual Document (CD) 
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	Subject: Attachment B-2.2 – CHIP Perinatal Covered Services	  	Version 1.6

  

 CHIP PERINATAL PROGRAM EXCLUSIONS FROM COVERED 
 SERVICES FOR CHIP PERINATE NEWBORNS 
 With the
exception of the first bullet, all the following exclusions match those found in the CHIP Program. 
  

	 	•	 	 For CHIP Perinate Newborns in families with incomes at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level, inpatient facility charges are not a covered benefit for the
initial Perinate Newborn admission. “Initial Perinate Newborn admission” means the hospitalization associated with the birth. 

  

	 	•	 	 Inpatient and outpatient infertility treatments or reproductive services other than prenatal care, labor and delivery, and care related to disease, illnesses, or
abnormalities related to the reproductive system 

  

	 	•	 	 Personal comfort items including but not limited to personal care kits provided on inpatient admission, telephone, television, newborn infant photographs, meals for
guests of patient, and other articles which are not required for the specific treatment of sickness or injury 

  

	 	•	 	 Experimental and/or investigational medical, surgical or other health care procedures or services which are not generally employed or recognized within the medical
community 

  

	 	•	 	 Treatment or evaluations required by third parties including, but not limited to, those for schools, employment, flight clearance, camps, insurance or court

  

	 	•	 	 Private duty nursing services when performed on an inpatient basis or in a skilled nursing facility. 

  

	 	•	 	 Mechanical organ replacement devices including, but not limited to artificial heart 

  

	 	•	 	 Hospital services and supplies when confinement is solely for diagnostic testing purposes, unless otherwise pre-authorized by Health Plan

  

	 	•	 	 Prostate and mammography screening 

  

	 	•	 	 Elective surgery to correct vision 

  

	 	•	 	 Gastric procedures for weight loss 

  

	 	•	 	 Cosmetic surgery/services solely for cosmetic purposes 

  

	 	•	 	 Out-of-network services not authorized by the Health Plan except for emergency care and physician services for a mother and her newborn(s) for a minimum of 48 hours
following an uncomplicated vaginal delivery and 96 hours following an uncomplicated delivery by caesarian section 

  

	 	•	 	 Services, supplies, meal replacements or supplements provided for weight control or the treatment of obesity, except for the services associated with the treatment
for morbid obesity as part of a treatment plan approved by the Health Plan 

  

	 	•	 	 Acupuncture services, naturopathy and hypnotherapy 

  

	 	•	 	 Immunizations solely for foreign travel 

  

	 	•	 	 Routine foot care such as hygienic care 

  

	 	•	 	 Diagnosis and treatment of weak, strained, or flat feet and the cutting or removal of corns, calluses and toenails (this does not apply to the removal of nail roots
or surgical treatment of conditions underlying corns, calluses or ingrown toenails) 

  

	 	•	 	 Replacement or repair of prosthetic devices and durable medical equipment due to misuse, abuse or loss when confirmed by the Member or the vendor

  

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 Contractual Document (CD) 
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	Subject: Attachment B-2.2 – CHIP Perinatal Covered Services	  	Version 1.6

  

	 	•	 	 Corrective orthopedic shoes 

  

	 	•	 	 Convenience items 

  

	 	•	 	 Orthotics primarily used for athletic or recreational purposes 

  

	 	•	 	 Custodial care (care that assists a child with the activities of daily living, such as assistance in walking, getting in and out of bed, bathing, dressing, feeding,
toileting, special diet preparation, and medication supervision that is usually self-administered or provided by a parent. This care does not require the continuing attention of trained medical or paramedical personnel.) This exclusion does not
apply to hospice services. 

  

	 	•	 	 Housekeeping 

  

	 	•	 	 Public facility services and care for conditions that federal, state, or local law requires be provided in a public facility or care provided while in the custody
of legal authorities 

  

	 	•	 	 Services or supplies received from a nurse, which do not require the skill and training of a nurse 

  

	 	•	 	 Vision training and vision therapy 

  

	 	•	 	 Reimbursement for school-based physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy services are not covered except when ordered by a Physician/PCP

  

	 	•	 	 Donor non-medical expenses 

  

	 	•	 	 Charges incurred as a donor of an organ when the recipient is not covered under this health plan 

  

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 Contractual Document (CD) 
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	Subject: Attachment B-2.2 – CHIP Perinatal Covered Services	  	Version 1.6

  

 CHIP & CHIP PERINATAL PROGRAM DME/SUPPLIES 
 Note: DME/SUPPLIES are not a covered benefit for CHIP Perinate Members but are a benefit for CHIP Perinate Newborns. 
  

							
	 SUPPLIES
	  	 COVERED
	 	 EXCLUDED
	 	 COMMENTS/MEMBER
 CONTRACT PROVISIONS

	 Ace Bandages
	  		 	X	 	Exception: If provided by and billed through the clinic or home care agency it is covered as an incidental supply.
				
	 Alcohol, rubbing
	  		 	X	 	Over-the-counter supply.
				
	 Alcohol, swabs (diabetic)
	  	X	 		 	Over-the-counter supply not covered, unless RX provided at time of dispensing.
				
	 Alcohol, swabs
	  	X	 		 	Covered only when received with IV therapy or central line kits/supplies.
				
	 Ana Kit Epinephrine
	  	X	 		 	A self-injection kit used by patients highly allergic to bee stings.
				
	 Arm Sling
	  	X	 		 	Dispensed as part of office visit.
				
	 Attends (Diapers)
	  	X	 		 	Coverage limited to children age 4 or over only when prescribed by a physician and used to provide care for a covered diagnosis as outlined in a treatment care plan.
				
	 Bandages
	  		 	X	 	
				
	 Basal Thermometer
	  		 	X	 	Over-the-counter supply.
				
	 Batteries – initial
	  	X	 	.	 	For covered DME items
				
	 Batteries – replacement
	  	X	 		 	For covered DME when replacement is necessary due to normal use.
				
	 Betadine
	  		 	X	 	See IV therapy supplies.
				
	 Books
	  		 	X	 	
				
	 Clinitest
	  	X	 		 	For monitoring of diabetes.
				
	 Colostomy Bags
	  		 		 	See Ostomy Supplies.
				
	 Communication Devices
	  		 	X	 	
				
	 Contraceptive Jelly
	  		 	X	 	Over-the-counter supply. Contraceptives are not covered under the plan.
				
	 Cranial Head Mold
	  		 	X	 	
				
	 Diabetic Supplies
	  	X	 		 	Monitor calibrating solution, insulin syringes, needles, lancets, lancet device, and glucose strips.
				
	 Diapers/Incontinent Briefs/Chux
	  	X	 		 	Coverage limited to children age 4 or over only when prescribed by a physician and used to provide care for a covered diagnosis as outlined in a treatment care plan
				
	 Diaphragm
	  		 	X	 	Contraceptives are not covered under the plan.
				
	 Diastix
	  	X	 		 	For monitoring diabetes.
				
	 Diet, Special
	  		 	X	 	
				
	 Distilled Water
	  		 	X	 	
				
	 Dressing Supplies/Central Line
	  	X	 		 	Syringes, needles, Tegaderm, alcohol swabs, Betadine swabs or ointment, tape. Many times these items are dispensed in a kit when includes all necessary items for one dressing site
change.
				
	 Dressing Supplies/Decubitus
	  	X	 		 	Eligible for coverage only if receiving covered home care for wound care.
				
	 Dressing Supplies/Peripheral IV Therapy
	  	X	 		 	Eligible for coverage only if receiving home IV therapy.
				
	 Dressing Supplies/Other
	  		 	X	 	
				
	 Dust Mask
	  		 	X	 	
				
	 Ear Molds
	  	X	 		 	Custom made, post inner or middle ear surgery

  

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 Contractual Document (CD) 
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	Subject: Attachment B-2.2 – CHIP Perinatal Covered Services	  	Version 1.6

  

							
	 SUPPLIES
	  	 COVERED
	 	 EXCLUDED
	 	 COMMENTS/MEMBER
 CONTRACT PROVISIONS

	 Electrodes
	  	X	 		 	Eligible for coverage when used with a covered DME.
				
	 Enema Supplies
	  		 	X	 	Over-the-counter supply.
				
	 Enteral Nutrition Supplies
	  	X	 		 	Necessary supplies (e.g., bags, tubing, connectors, catheters, etc.) are eligible for coverage. Enteral nutrition products are not covered except for those prescribed for hereditary metabolic
disorders, a non- function or disease of the structures that normally permit food to reach the small bowel, or malabsorption due to disease
				
	 Eye Patches
	  	X	 		 	Covered for patients with amblyopia.
				
	 Formula
	  		 	X	 	 Exception: Eligible for coverage only for chronic hereditary metabolic disorders a non-function or disease of the structures that normally permit
food to reach the small bowel; or malabsorption due to disease (expected to last longer than 60 days when prescribed by the physician and authorized by plan.) Physician documentation to justify prescription of formula must include:
  
 •     Identification of a
metabolic disorder, dysphagia that results in a medical need for a liquid diet, presence of a gastrostomy, or disease resulting in malabsorption that requires a medically necessary nutritional product
  
 Does not include formula:
  
 •     For members who could be
sustained on an age-appropriate diet.
  
 •     Traditionally used for infant feeding
  
 •     In pudding form (except for clients with documented oropharyngeal motor dysfunction who
receive greater than 50 percent of their daily caloric intake from this product)
  
 •     For the primary diagnosis of failure to thrive, failure to gain weight, or lack of growth or
for infants less than twelve months of age unless medical necessity is documented and other criteria, listed above, are met.
  
 Food thickeners, baby food, or other regular grocery products that can be blenderized and used with an enteral system that are not medically necessary, are not covered,
regardless of whether these regular food products are taken orally or parenterally.

				
	 Gloves
	  		 	X	 	Exception: Central line dressings or wound care provided by home care agency.
				
	 Hydrogen Peroxide
	  		 	X	 	Over-the-counter supply.
				
	 Hygiene Items
	  		 	X	 	
				
	 Incontinent Pads
	  	X	 		 	Coverage limited to children age 4 or over only when prescribed by a physician and used to provide care for a covered diagnosis as outlined in a treatment care plan
				
	 Insulin Pump (External) Supplies
	  	X	 		 	Supplies (e.g., infusion sets, syringe reservoir and dressing, etc.) are eligible for coverage if the pump is a covered item.
				
	 Irrigation Sets, Wound Care
	  	X	 		 	Eligible for coverage when used during covered home care for wound care.
				
	 Irrigation Sets, Urinary
	  	X	 		 	Eligible for coverage for individual with an indwelling urinary catheter.
				
	 IV Therapy Supplies
	  	X	 		 	Tubing, filter, cassettes, IV pole, alcohol swabs, needles, syringes and any other related supplies necessary for home IV therapy.
				
	 K-Y Jelly
	  		 	X	 	Over-the-counter supply.
				
	 Lancet Device
	  	X	 		 	Limited to one device only.

  

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 Contractual Document (CD) 
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	Subject: Attachment B-2.2 – CHIP Perinatal Covered Services	  	Version 1.6

  

							
	 SUPPLIES
	  	 COVERED
	 	 EXCLUDED
	 	 COMMENTS/MEMBER
 CONTRACT PROVISIONS

	 Lancets
	  	X	 		 	Eligible for individuals with diabetes.
				
	 Med Ejector
	  	X	 		 	
				
	 Needles and
	  		 		 	See Diabetic Supplies
				
	 Syringes/Diabetic
	  		 		 	
				
	 Needles and Syringes/IV and Central Line
	  		 		 	See IV Therapy and Dressing Supplies/Central Line.
				
	 Needles and Syringes/Other
	  	X	 		 	Eligible for coverage if a covered IM or SubQ medication is being administered at home.
				
	 Normal Saline
	  		 		 	See Saline, Normal
				
	 Novopen
	  	X	 		 	
				
	 Ostomy Supplies
	  	X	 		 	Items eligible for coverage include: belt, pouch, bags, wafer, face plate, insert, barrier, filter, gasket, plug, irrigation kit/sleeve, tape, skin prep, adhesives, drain sets, adhesive
remover, and pouch deodorant. Items not eligible for coverage include: scissors, room deodorants, cleaners, rubber gloves, gauze, pouch covers, soaps, and lotions.
				
	 Parenteral Nutrition/Supplies
	  	X	 		 	Necessary supplies (e.g., tubing, filters, connectors, etc.) are eligible for coverage when the Health Plan has authorized the parenteral nutrition.
				
	 Saline, Normal
	  	X	 		 	 Eligible for coverage:
 a) when used to dilute
medications for nebulizer treatments;
 b) as part of covered home care for wound care;
 c) for indwelling urinary catheter irrigation.

				
	 Stump Sleeve
	  	X	 		 	
				
	 Stump Socks
	  	X	 		 	
				
	 Suction Catheters
	  	X	 		 	
				
	 Syringes
	  		 		 	See Needles/Syringes.
				
	 Tape
	  		 		 	See Dressing Supplies, Ostomy Supplies, IV Therapy Supplies.
				
	 Tracheostomy Supplies
	  	X	 		 	Cannulas, Tubes, Ties, Holders, Cleaning Kits, etc. are eligible for coverage.
				
	 Under Pads
	  		 		 	See Diapers/Incontinent Briefs/Chux.
				
	 Unna Boot
	  	X	 		 	Eligible for coverage when part of wound care in the home setting. Incidental charge when applied during office visit.
				
	 Urinary, External Catheter & Supplies
	  		 	X	 	Exception: Covered when used by incontinent male where injury to the urethra prohibits use of an indwelling catheter ordered by the PCP and approved by the plan
				
	 Urinary, Indwelling Catheter & Supplies
	  	X	 		 	Cover catheter, drainage bag with tubing, insertion tray, irrigation set and normal saline if needed.
				
	 Urinary, Intermittent
	  	X	 		 	Cover supplies needed for intermittent or straight catherization.
				
	 Urine Test Kit
	  	X	 		 	When determined to be medically necessary.
				
	 Urostomy supplies
	  		 		 	See Ostomy Supplies.

  

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 Contractual Document (CD) 
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	Subject: Attachment B-2 - Covered Services	  	Version 1.6

  

 STAR Covered Services 
 The following is a non-exhaustive, high-level listing of Acute Care Covered Services included under the STAR Medicaid managed care program. 
 Medicaid HMO Contractors are responsible for providing a benefit package to Members that includes all medically necessary services covered under the traditional, fee-for-service Medicaid programs except for Non-capitated Services provided
to STAR Members outside of the HMO capitation and listed in Attachment B-1, Section 8.2.2.8. Medicaid HMO Contractors must coordinate care for Members for these Non-capitated Services so that Members have access to a full range of
medically necessary Medicaid services, both capitated and non-capitated. A Contractor may elect to offer additional acute care Value-added Services. 
 The
STAR Members are provided with three enhanced benefits compared to the traditional, fee-for-service Medicaid coverage: 
 1) waiver of the
three-prescription per month limit; 
 2) waiver of the 30-day spell-of-illness limitation under fee-for-services; and 
 3) inclusion of an annual adult well check for patients 21 years of age and over. 
 Medicaid HMO Contractors are responsible for providing a benefit package to Members that includes the waiver of the 30-day spell-of-illness limitation under fee-for-service and the inclusion of an annual adult well
check for patients 21 years of age and over. Prescription drug benefits to Medicaid HMO Members are provided outside of the HMO capitation. 
 Bidders and
Contractors should refer to the current Texas Medicaid Provider Procedures Manual and the bi-monthly Texas Medicaid Bulletin for a more inclusive listing of limitations and exclusions that apply to each Medicaid benefit
category. (These documents can be accessed online at: http://www.tmhp.com.) 
 The services listed in this Attachment are subject to modification
based on Federal and State laws and regulations and Programs policy updates. 
 Services included under the HMO capitation payment 

 

	 	•	 	 Ambulance services 

  

	 	•	 	 Audiology services, including hearing aids for adults (hearing aids for children are provided through the PACT program and are a non-capitated service)

  

	 	•	 	 Behavioral Health Services, including: 

  

	 	•	 	 Inpatient and outpatient mental health services for children (under age 21) 

  

	 	•	 	 Outpatient chemical dependency services for children (under age 21) 

  

	 	•	 	 Detoxification services 

  

	 	•	 	 Psychiatry services 

  

	 	•	 	 Counseling services for adults (21 years of age and over) 

  

	 	•	 	 Birthing center services 

  

	 	•	 	 Chiropractic services 

  

	 	•	 	 Dialysis 

  

	 	•	 	 Durable medical equipment and supplies 

  

	 	•	 	 Emergency Services 

  

	 	•	 	 Family planning services 

  

	 	•	 	 Home health care services 

  

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	Subject: Attachment B-2 - Covered Services	  	Version 1.6

  

	 	•	 	 Hospital services, including inpatient and outpatient 

  

	 	•	 	 Laboratory 

  

	 	•	 	 Medical check-ups and Comprehensive Care Program (CCP) Services for children (under age 21) through the Texas Health Steps Program 

  

	 	•	 	 Podiatry 

  

	 	•	 	 Prenatal care 

  

	 	•	 	 Primary care services 

  

	 	•	 	 Radiology, imaging, and X-rays 

  

	 	•	 	 Specialty physician services 

  

	 	•	 	 Therapies – physical, occupational and speech 

 [Modified by Version 1.2] 
  

	 	•	 	 Transplantation of organs and tissues 

  

	 	•	 	 Vision (Includes optometry and glasses. Contact lenses are only covered if they are medically necessary for vision correction, which can not be accomplished by
glasses.) 

  

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 Contractual Document (CD) 
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	Subject: Attachment B-2 - Covered Services	  	Version 1.2

  

 CHIP Covered Services 
 Covered CHIP services must meet the CHIP definition of Medically Necessary Covered Services as defined in this Contract. There is no lifetime maximum on benefits; however, 12-month period, enrollment period (a 6-month period), or
lifetime limitations do apply to certain services, as specified in the following chart. Please note that if services with a 12-month annual limit are all used within one 6-month enrollment period, these particular services are not available during
the second 6-month enrollment period within that annual period. Co-pays apply until a family reaches its specific cost-sharing maximum. 
  

			
	 Covered Benefit
	  	 Description

	 Inpatient General Acute and Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital Services
  
 [Modified by Version 1.2]
	  	 Services include, but are not limited to, the following:
  
 •     Hospital-provided Physician or Provider services
  
 •     Semi-private room and
board (or private if medically necessary as certified by attending)
  
 •     General nursing care
  
 •     Special duty nursing when medically necessary
  
 •     ICU and
services
  
 •     Patient meals and special diets
  
 •     Operating, recovery and other treatment rooms
  
 •     Anesthesia and administration (facility technical component)
  
 •     Surgical dressings,
trays, casts, splints
  
 •     Drugs, medications and biologicals
  
 •     Blood or blood products that are not provided free-of-charge to the patient and their
administration
  
 •     X-rays, imaging and other radiological tests (facility technical component)
  
 •     Laboratory and pathology services (facility technical component)
  
 •     Machine diagnostic tests
(EEGs, EKGs, etc.)
  
 •     Oxygen services and inhalation therapy
  
 •     Radiation and chemotherapy
  
 •     Access to
DSHS-designated Level III perinatal centers or Hospitals meeting equivalent levels of care
  
 •     In-network or out-of-network facility and Physician services for a mother and her newborn(s)
for a minimum of 48 hours following an uncomplicated vaginal delivery and 96 hours following an uncomplicated delivery by caesarian section.
  
 •     Hospital, physician and related medical services, such as anesthesia, associated with dental
care
  
 •     Surgical implants
  
 •     Other artificial aids including surgical implants
  
 •     Implantable devices are covered under Inpatient and Outpatient services and do not count
towards the DME 12-month period limit

		
	Skilled Nursing Facilities (Includes Rehabilitation Hospitals)	  	 Services include, but are not limited to, the following:
  
 •     Semi-private room and board
  
 •     Regular nursing
services
  
 •     Rehabilitation services
  
 •     Medical supplies and use of appliances and equipment furnished by the facility

		
	Outpatient Hospital, Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Hospital, Clinic (Including Health Center) and Ambulatory Health Care Center	  	 Services include, but are not limited to, the following services provided in a hospital clinic or emergency room, a clinic or health center,
hospital-based emergency department or an ambulatory health care setting:
  
 •     X-ray, imaging, and radiological tests (technical component)
  
 •     Laboratory and pathology services (technical component)
  
 •     Machine diagnostic
tests

  

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	Subject: Attachment B-2 - Covered Services	  	Version 1.2

  

			
	 Covered Benefit
	  	 Description

	 [Modified by Version 1.2]
	  	 •     Ambulatory surgical facility services
  
 •     Drugs, medications and
biologicals
  
 •     Casts, splints, dressings
  
 •     Preventive health services
  
 •     Physical, occupational and speech therapy
  
 •     Renal
dialysis
  
 •     Respiratory services
  
 •     Radiation and chemotherapy
  
 •     Blood or blood products that are not provided free-of-charge to the patient and the
administration of these products
  
 •     Facility and related medical services, such as anesthesia, associated with dental care, when provided in a licensed ambulatory surgical facility.
  
 •     Surgical
implants
  
 •     Other artificial aids including surgical implants
  
 •     Implantable devices are covered under Inpatient and Outpatient services and do not count
towards the DME 12-month period limit

		
	Physician/Physician Extender Professional Services	  	 Services include, but are not limited to, the following:
  
 •     American Academy of Pediatrics recommended well-child exams and preventive health services
(including, but not limited to, vision and hearing screening and immunizations)
  
 •     Physician office visits, in-patient and out-patient services
  
 •     Laboratory, x-rays,
imaging and pathology services, including technical component and/or professional interpretation
  
 •     Medications, biologicals and materials administered in Physician’s office
  
 •     Allergy testing, serum
and injections
  
 •     Professional component (in/outpatient) of surgical services, including:
  
 -     Surgeons and assistant surgeons for surgical procedures including appropriate follow-up
care
  
 -     Administration of anesthesia by Physician (other than surgeon) or CRNA
  
 -     Second surgical opinions
  
 -     Same-day surgery performed in
a Hospital without an over-night stay
  
 -     Invasive diagnostic procedures such as endoscopic examinations
  
 •     Hospital-based Physician services (including Physician-performed technical and interpretive
components)
  
 •     In-network and out-of-network Physician services for a mother and her newborn(s) for a minimum of 48 hours following an uncomplicated vaginal delivery and 96 hours following an uncomplicated delivery by
caesarian section.
  
 •     Physician services medically necessary to support a dentist providing dental services to a CHIP member such as general anesthesia or intravenous (IV) sedation.

		
	Durable Medical Equipment (DME), Prosthetic Devices and Disposable Medical Supplies	  	 $20,000 12-month period limit for DME, prosthetics, devices and disposable medical supplies (diabetic supplies and equipment are not counted against
this ccap). Services include DME (equipment which can withstand repeated use and is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose, generally is not useful to a person in the absence of Illness, Injury, or Disability, and is appropriate
for use in the home), including devices and supplies that are medically necessary and necessary for one or more activities of daily living and appropriate to assist in the treatment of a medical condition, including:
  
 •     Orthotic braces and
orthotics
  
 •     Prosthetic devices such as artificial eyes, limbs, and braces
  
 •     Prosthetic eyeglasses and contact lenses for the management of severe ophthalmologic
disease

  

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	Subject: Attachment B-2 - Covered Services	  	Version 1.2

  

 Modified by Version 1.2 
  

			
	 Covered Benefit
	  	 Description

		  	 •     Hearing aids
  
 •     Diagnosis-specific
disposable medical supplies, including diagnosis-specific prescribed specialty formula and dietary supplements. (See Attachment A)

		
	Home and Community Health Services	  	 Services that are provided in the home and community, including, but not limited to:
  
 •     Home infusion

 
 •     Respiratory
therapy
  
 •     Visits for private duty nursing (R.N., L.V.N.)
  
 •     Skilled nursing visits as defined for home health purposes (may include R.N. or
L.V.N.).
  
 •     Home health aide when included as part of a plan of care during a period that skilled visits have been approved.
  
 •     Speech, physical and occupational therapies.
  
 •     Services are not
intended to replace the CHILD’S caretaker or to provide relief for the caretaker
  
 •     Skilled nursing visits are provided on intermittent level and not intended to provide 24-hour
skilled nursing services
  
 •     Services are not intended to replace 24-hour inpatient or skilled nursing facility services

		
	Inpatient Mental Health Services	  	 Mental health services, including for serious mental illness, furnished in a free-standing psychiatric hospital, psychiatric units of general acute
care hospitals and state-operated facilities, including, but not limited to:
  
 •     Neuropsychological and psychological testing.
  
 •     Inpatient mental health services are limited to:
  
 •     45 days 12-month
inpatient limit
  
 •     Includes inpatient psychiatric services, up to 12-month period limit, ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction under the provisions of Chapters 573 and 574 of the Texas Health and Safety Code,
relating to court ordered commitments to psychiatric facilities. Court order serves as binding determination of medical necessity. Any modification or termination of services must be presented to the court with jurisdiction over the matter for
determination
  
 •     25 days of the inpatient benefit can be converted to residential treatment, therapeutic foster care or other 24-hour therapeutically planned and structured services or sub-acute outpatient (partial
hospitalization or rehabilitative day treatment) mental health services on the basis of financial equivalence against the inpatient per diem cost
  
 •     20 of the inpatient days must be held in reserve for inpatient use only
  
 •     Does not require PCP
referral

		
	Outpatient Mental Health Services	  	 Mental health services, including for serious mental illness, provided on an outpatient basis, including, but not limited to:
  
 •     Medication management
visits do not count against the outpatient visit limit.
  
 •     The visits can be furnished in a variety of community-based settings (including school and home-based) or in a state-operated facility
  
 •     Up to 60 days 12-month
period limit for rehabilitative day treatment
  
 •     60 outpatient visits 12-month period limit
  
 •     60 rehabilitative day treatment days can be converted to outpatient visits on the basis of
financial equivalence against the day treatment per diem cost
  
 •     60 outpatient visits can be converted to skills training (psycho educational skills development) or rehabilitative day treatment on the basis of financial equivalence against the
outpatient visit cost

  

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	Subject: Attachment B-2 - Covered Services	  	Version 1.2

  

			
	 Covered Benefit
	  	 Description

		  	 •     Includes outpatient psychiatric services, up to 12-month period limit,
ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction under the provisions of Chapters 573 and 574 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, relating to court ordered commitments to psychiatric facilities. Court order serves as binding determination of medical
necessity. Any modification or termination of services must be presented to the court with jurisdiction over the matter for determination
  
 •     Inpatient days converted to sub-acute outpatient services are in addition to the outpatient
limits and do not count towards those limits
  
 •     A Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP), as defined by and credentialed through Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) standards (TAC Title 25, Part II, Chapter 412), is a Local Mental
Health Authorities provider. A QMHP must be working under the authority of an DSHS entity and be supervised by a licensed mental health professional or physician. QMHPs are acceptable providers as long as the services would be within the scope of
the services that are typically provided by QMHPs. Those services include individual and group skills training (which can be components of interventions such as day treatment and in-home services), patient and family education, and crisis
services
  
 •     Does not require PCP referral

		
	Inpatient Substance Abuse Treatment Services	  	 Services include, but are not limited to:
  
 •     Inpatient and residential substance abuse treatment services including detoxification and
crisis stabilization, and 24-hour residential rehabilitation programs
  
 •     Does not require PCP referral
  
 •     Medically necessary detoxification/stabilization services, limited to 14 days per 12-month
period.
  
 •     24-hour residential rehabilitation programs, or the equivalent, up to 60 days per 12-month period
  
 •     30 days may be converted to partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient rehabilitation,
on the basis of financial equivalence against the inpatient per diem cost
  
 •     30 days must be held in reserve for inpatient use only.

		
	Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment Services	  	 •     Services include, but are not limited to, the following:
  
 •     Prevention and
intervention services that are provided by physician and non-physician providers, such as screening, assessment and referral for chemical dependency disorders.
  
 •     Intensive outpatient services is defined as an organized non-residential service providing
structured group and individual therapy, educational services, and life skills training which consists of at least 10 hours per week for four to 12 weeks, but less than 24 hours per day
  
 •     Outpatient treatment
service is defined as consisting of at least one to two hours per week providing structured group and individual therapy, educational services, and life skills training
  

•     Outpatient treatment services up to a maximum of:
  
 •     Intensive outpatient
program (up to 12 weeks per 12-month period)
  
 •     Outpatient services (up to six-months per 12-month period)
  
 •     Does not require PCP referral

  

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	Subject: Attachment B-2 - Covered Services	  	Version 1.2

  

			
	 Covered Benefit
	 	 Description

	Rehabilitation Services	 	 Services include, but are not limited to, the following:
  
 •     Habilitation (the process of supplying a child with the means to reach age-appropriate
developmental milestones through therapy or treatment) and rehabilitation services include, but are not limited to the following:
  
 •     Physical, occupational and speech therapy
  
 •     Developmental
assessment

		
	Hospice Care Services	 	 Services include, but are not limited to:
  
 •     Palliative care, including medical and support services, for those children who have six
months or less to live, to keep patients comfortable during the last weeks and months before death
  
 •     Treatment for unrelated conditions is unaffected
  
 •     Up to a maximum of 120
days with a 6 month life expectancy
  
 •     Patients electing hospice services waive their rights to treatment related to their terminal illnesses; however, they may cancel this election at anytime
  
 •     Services apply to the
hospice diagnosis

		
	Emergency Services, including Emergency Hospitals, Physicians, and Ambulance Services	 	 HMO cannot require authorization as a condition for payment for emergency conditions or labor and delivery.
  
 Covered services include, but are not limited to, the following:
  
 •     Emergency services based
on prudent lay person definition of emergency health condition
  
 •     Hospital emergency department room and ancillary services and physician services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, both by in-network and out-of-network providers
  
 •     Medical screening
examination
  
 •     Stabilization services
  
 •     Access to DSHS designated Level 1 and Level II trauma centers or hospitals meeting equivalent levels of care for emergency services
  
 •     Emergency ground, air
and water transportation
  
 •     Emergency dental services, limited to fractured or dislocated jaw, traumatic damage to teeth, and removal of cysts.

		
	Transplants	 	 Services include, but are not limited to, the following:
  
 •     Using up-to-date FDA guidelines, all non-experimental human organ and tissue transplants and
all forms of non-experimental corneal, bone marrow and peripheral stem cell transplants, including donor medical expenses.

		
	Vision Benefit	 	 The health plan may reasonably limit the cost of the frames/lenses.
  

Services include:
  
 •     One examination of the eyes to determine the need for and prescription for corrective lenses
per 12-month period, without authorization
  
 •     One pair of non-prosthetic eyewear per 12-month period

		
	Chiropractic Services	 	Services do not require physician prescription and are limited to spinal subluxation
		
	Tobacco Cessation Program	 	 Covered up to $100 for a 12- month period limit for a plan- approved program
  
 •     Health Plan defines
plan-approved program.
  
 •     May be subject to formulary requirements.

		
	[Value-added services]	 	See Attachment B-3

  

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	Subject: Attachment B-2 - Covered Services	  	Version 1.2

  

 CHIP EXCLUSIONS FROM COVERED SERVICES 
  

	 	•	 	 Inpatient and outpatient infertility treatments or reproductive services other than prenatal care, labor and delivery, and care related to disease, illnesses, or
abnormalities related to the reproductive system 

  

	 	•	 	 Personal comfort items including but not limited to personal care kits provided on inpatient admission, telephone, television, newborn infant photographs, meals for
guests of patient, and other articles which are not required for the specific treatment of sickness or injury 

  

	 	•	 	 Experimental and/or investigational medical, surgical or other health care procedures or services which are not generally employed or recognized within the medical
community 

  

	 	•	 	 Treatment or evaluations required by third parties including, but not limited to, those for schools, employment, flight clearance, camps, insurance or court

  

	 	•	 	 Private duty nursing services when performed on an inpatient basis or in a skilled nursing facility. 

  

	 	•	 	 Mechanical organ replacement devices including, but not limited to artificial heart 

  

	 	•	 	 Hospital services and supplies when confinement is solely for diagnostic testing purposes, unless otherwise pre-authorized by Health Plan

  

	 	•	 	 Prostate and mammography screening 

  

	 	•	 	 Elective surgery to correct vision 

  

	 	•	 	 Gastric procedures for weight loss 

  

	 	•	 	 Cosmetic surgery/services solely for cosmetic purposes 

  

	 	•	 	 Out-of-network services not authorized by the Health Plan except for emergency care and physician services for a mother and her newborn(s) for a minimum of 48 hours
following an uncomplicated vaginal delivery and 96 hours following an uncomplicated delivery by caesarian section 

  

	 	•	 	 Services, supplies, meal replacements or supplements provided for weight control or the treatment of obesity, except for the services associated with the treatment
for morbid obesity as part of a treatment plan approved by the Health Plan 

  

	 	•	 	 Acupuncture services, naturopathy and hypnotherapy 

  

	 	•	 	 Immunizations solely for foreign travel 

  

	 	•	 	 Routine foot care such as hygienic care 

  

	 	•	 	 Diagnosis and treatment of weak, strained, or flat feet and the cutting or removal of corns, calluses and toenails (this does not apply to the removal of nail roots
or surgical treatment of conditions underlying corns, calluses or ingrown toenails) 

  

	 	•	 	 Replacement or repair of prosthetic devices and durable medical equipment due to misuse, abuse or loss when confirmed by the Member or the vendor

  

	 	•	 	 Corrective orthopedic shoes 

  

	 	•	 	 Convenience items 

  

	 	•	 	 Orthotics primarily used for athletic or recreational purposes 

  

	 	•	 	 Custodial care (care that assists a child with the activities of daily living, such as assistance in walking, getting in and out of bed, bathing, dressing, feeding,
toileting, special diet preparation, and medication supervision that is usually self-administered or provided by a parent. This care does not require the continuing attention of trained medical or paramedical personnel.) This exclusion does not
apply to hospice services. 

  

	 	•	 	 Housekeeping 

  

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	Subject: Attachment B-2 - Covered Services	  	Version 1.2

  

	 	•	 	 Public facility services and care for conditions that federal, state, or local law requires be provided in a public facility or care provided while in the custody
of legal authorities 

  

	 	•	 	 Services or supplies received from a nurse, which do not require the skill and training of a nurse 

  

	 	•	 	 Vision training and vision therapy 

  

	 	•	 	 Reimbursement for school-based physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy services are not covered except when ordered by a Physician/PCP

  

	 	•	 	 Donor non-medical expenses 

  

	 	•	 	 Charges incurred as a donor of an organ when the recipient is not covered under this health plan 

  

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 Contractual Document (CD) 
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	Subject: Attachment B-2 - Covered Services	  	Version 1.2

  

 CHIP DME/SUPPLIES 
  

							
	 SUPPLIES
	  	COVERED	  	EXCLUDED	  	 COMMENTS/MEMBER CONTRACT PROVISIONS

	 Ace Bandages
	  		  	X	  	Exception: If provided by and billed through the clinic or home care agency it is covered as an incidental supply.
				
	 Alcohol, rubbing
	  		  	X	  	Over-the-counter supply.
				
	 Alcohol, swabs (diabetic)
	  	X	  		  	Over-the-counter supply not covered, unless RX provided at time of dispensing.
				
	 Alcohol, swabs
	  	X	  		  	Covered only when received with IV therapy or central line kits/supplies.
				
	 Ana Kit Epinephrine
	  	X	  		  	A self-injection kit used by patients highly allergic to bee stings.
				
	 Arm Sling
	  	X	  		  	Dispensed as part of office visit.
				
	 Attends (Diapers)
	  	X	  		  	Coverage limited to children age 4 or over only when prescribed by a physician and used to provide care for a covered diagnosis as outlined in a treatment care plan
				
	 Bandages
	  		  	X	  	
				
	 Basal Thermometer
	  		  	X	  	Over-the-counter supply.
				
	 Batteries – initial
	  	X	  	.	  	For covered DME items
				
	 Batteries – replacement
	  	X	  		  	For covered DME when replacement is necessary due to normal use.
				
	 Betadine
	  		  	X	  	See IV therapy supplies.
				
	 Books
	  		  	X	  	
				
	 Clinitest
	  	X	  		  	For monitoring of diabetes.
				
	 Colostomy Bags
	  		  		  	See Ostomy Supplies.
				
	 Communication Devices
	  		  	X	  	
				
	 Contraceptive Jelly
	  		  	X	  	Over-the-counter supply. Contraceptives are not covered under the plan.
				
	 Cranial Head Mold
	  		  	X	  	
				
	 Diabetic Supplies
	  	X	  		  	Monitor calibrating solution, insulin syringes, needles, lancets, lancet device, and glucose strips.
				
	 Diapers/Incontinent Briefs/Chux
	  	X	  		  	Coverage limited to children age 4 or over only when prescribed by a physician and used to provide care for a covered diagnosis as outlined in a treatment care plan
				
	 Diaphragm
	  		  	X	  	Contraceptives are not covered under the plan.
				
	 Diastix
	  	X	  		  	For monitoring diabetes.
				
	 Diet, Special
	  		  	X	  	
				
	 Distilled Water
	  		  	X	  	
				
	 Dressing Supplies/Central Line
	  	X	  		  	Syringes, needles, Tegaderm, alcohol swabs, Betadine swabs or ointment, tape. Many times these items are dispensed in a kit when includes all necessary items for one dressing site
change.
				
	 Dressing Supplies/Decubitus
	  	X	  		  	Eligible for coverage only if receiving covered home care for wound care.
				
	 Dressing Supplies/Peripheral IV Therapy
	  	X	  		  	Eligible for coverage only if receiving home IV therapy.
				
	 Dressing Supplies/Other
	  		  	X	  	
				
	 Dust Mask
	  		  	X	  	
				
	 Ear Molds
	  	X	  		  	Custom made, post inner or middle ear surgery
				
	 Electrodes
	  	X	  		  	Eligible for coverage when used with a covered DME.
				
	 Enema Supplies
	  		  	X	  	Over-the-counter supply.
				
	 Enteral Nutrition
	  	X	  		  	Necessary supplies (e.g., bags, tubing, connectors, catheters, etc.) are

  

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	Subject: Attachment B-2 - Covered Services	  	Version 1.2

  

							
	 SUPPLIES
	  	 COVERED
	  	 EXCLUDED
	  	 COMMENTS/MEMBER CONTRACT PROVISIONS

				
	Supplies	  		  		  	eligible for coverage. Enteral nutrition products are not covered except for those prescribed for hereditary metabolic disorders, a non-function or disease of the structures that normally
permit food to reach the small bowel, or malabsorption due to disease
				
	Eye Patches	  	X	  		  	Covered for patients with amblyopia.
				
	Formula	  		  	X	  	 Exception: Eligible for coverage only for chronic hereditary metabolic disorders a non-function or disease of the structures that normally permit
food to reach the small bowel; or malabsorption due to disease (expected to last longer than 60 days when prescribed by the physician and authorized by plan.) Physician documentation to justify prescription of formula must include:
  
 •     Identification of a
metabolic disorder, dysphagia that results in a medical need for a liquid diet, presence of a gastrostomy, or disease resulting in malabsorption that requires a medically necessary nutritional product
  
 Does not include formula:
  
 •     For members who could be
sustained on an age-appropriate diet.
  
 •     Traditionally used for infant feeding
  
 •     In pudding form (except for clients with documented oropharyngeal motor dysfunction who
receive greater than 50 percent of their daily caloric intake from this product)
  
 •     For the primary diagnosis of failure to thrive, failure to gain weight, or lack of growth or
for infants less than twelve months of age unless medical necessity is documented and other criteria, listed above, are met.
  
 Food thickeners, baby food, or other regular grocery products that can be blenderized and used with an enteral system that are not medically necessary, are not covered,
regardless of whether these regular food products are taken orally or parenterally.

				
	Gloves	  		  	X	  	Exception: Central line dressings or wound care provided by home care agency.
				
	Hydrogen Peroxide	  		  	X	  	Over-the-counter supply.
				
	Hygiene Items	  		  	X	  	
				
	Incontinent Pads	  	X	  		  	Coverage limited to children age 4 or over only when prescribed by a physician and used to provide care for a covered diagnosis as outlined in a treatment care plan
				
	Insulin Pump (External) Supplies	  	X	  		  	Supplies (e.g., infusion sets, syringe reservoir and dressing, etc.) are eligible for coverage if the pump is a covered item.
				
	Irrigation Sets, Wound Care	  	X	  		  	Eligible for coverage when used during covered home care for wound care.
				
	Irrigation Sets, Urinary	  	X	  		  	Eligible for coverage for individual with an indwelling urinary catheter.
				
	IV Therapy Supplies	  	X	  		  	Tubing, filter, cassettes, IV pole, alcohol swabs, needles, syringes and any other related supplies necessary for home IV therapy.
				
	K-Y Jelly	  		  	X	  	Over-the-counter supply.
				
	Lancet Device	  	X	  		  	Limited to one device only.
				
	Lancets	  	X	  		  	Eligible for individuals with diabetes.
				
	Med Ejector	  	X	  		  	
				
	Needles and	  		  		  	See Diabetic Supplies

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	Subject: Attachment B-2 - Covered Services	  	Version 1.2

  

							
	 SUPPLIES
	  	COVERED	  	EXCLUDED	  	COMMENTS/MEMBER CONTRACT PROVISIONS
	Syringes/Diabetic	  		  		  	
				
	Needles and Syringes/IV and Central Line	  		  		  	See IV Therapy and Dressing Supplies/Central Line.
				
	Needles and Syringes/Other	  	X	  		  	Eligible for coverage if a covered IM or SubQ medication is being
administered at home.
				
	Normal Saline	  		  		  	See Saline, Normal
				
	Novopen	  	X	  		  	
				
	Ostomy Supplies	  	X	  		  	Items eligible for coverage include: belt, pouch, bags, wafer, face
plate, insert, barrier, filter, gasket, plug, irrigation kit/sleeve, tape,
skin prep, adhesives, drain sets, adhesive
remover, and pouch
deodorant.
Items not eligible for coverage include: scissors, room
deodorants, cleaners, rubber gloves, gauze, pouch covers, soaps,
and lotions.
				
	Parenteral Nutrition/Supplies	  	X	  		  	Necessary supplies (e.g., tubing, filters, connectors, etc.) are
eligible for coverage when the Health Plan has authorized the
parenteral nutrition.
				
	Saline, Normal	  	X	  		  	Eligible for coverage:
a) when used to dilute medications for nebulizer treatments;
b) as part of
covered home care for wound care;
c) for indwelling urinary catheter irrigation.
				
	Stump Sleeve	  	X	  		  	
				
	Stump Socks	  	X	  		  	
				
	Suction Catheters	  	X	  		  	
				
	Syringes	  		  		  	See Needles/Syringes.
				
	Tape	  		  		  	See Dressing Supplies, Ostomy Supplies, IV Therapy Supplies.
				
	Tracheostomy Supplies	  	X	  		  	Cannulas, Tubes, Ties, Holders, Cleaning Kits, etc. are eligible
for coverage.
				
	Under Pads	  		  		  	See Diapers/Incontinent Briefs/Chux.
				
	Unna Boot	  	X	  		  	Eligible for coverage when part of wound care in the home
setting. Incidental charge when applied during office visit.
				
	Urinary, External Catheter & Supplies	  		  	X	  	Exception: Covered when used by incontinent male where injury
to the urethra prohibits use of an indwelling catheter ordered by
the PCP and approved by the plan
				
	Urinary, Indwelling Catheter & Supplies	  	X	  		  	Cover catheter, drainage bag with tubing, insertion tray, irrigation
set and normal saline if needed.
				
	Urinary, Intermittent	  	X	  		  	Cover supplies needed for intermittent or straight catherization.
				
	Urine Test Kit	  	X	  		  	When determined to be medically necessary.
				
	Urostomy supplies	  		  		  	See Ostomy Supplies.

  

 13 of 13 

 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
 Subject:
Attachment B-3.1 - STAR+PLUS Value-added Services 
 Version 1.6 

  

 Modified by Version 1.6 
 ATTACHMENT B-3.1: STAR+PLUS VALUE-ADDED SERVICES 
 February 1, 2007 through August 31,
2007 
 HMO: MOLINA HEALTHCARE OF TEXAS, INC. (MHT) 
 HMO PROGRAM: STAR PLUS Program 
 SERVICE AREA(S): HARRIS and BEXAR 
 Physical Health Value-added Services 
  

							
	 Value-added
 Service
	  	 Description of Value-added Services and
Members Eligible to Receive the Services
	  	 Limitations or Restrictions
	  	 Provider(s)
 responsible for
 providing this
 service

	Nurse advice line	  	MHT will make available to all its members a toll-free multi-lingual nurse advice line on a 24-hour, 7 days per week basis. Staff on this line will take calls from members and perform triage
services to help them determine the appropriate setting from which to obtain necessary care.	  	None	  	Registered Nurses and on-call PCPs
				
		  	Physicians will be on call to support staff for situations not covered by established protocols. After normal business hours, the staff will also take calls from providers and perform
eligibility and authorization services. In all instances, staff on the advice line will coordinate medical care with the member’s primary care physician.	  		  	
				
		  	Information regarding availability and how to access this service will be provided to members in handbooks and other written material.	  		  	

  

 1 of 5 

 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
 Subject:
Attachment B-3.1 - STAR+PLUS Value-added Services 
 Version 1.6 

  

 Physical Health Value-added Services 
  

							
				
	Eyeglasses-Lens and Frames	  	 MHT will furnish eyeglasses (Frame and Lens) to Medicaid only members in addition to the vision benefits under the STAR PLUS program.
  
 Information regarding the availability of this service will be provided to members in handbooks and
other written educational material.
  
 Eligible members will be able to access this
service from network providers.
	  	Limited to $200 every other year	  	Network vision providers, e.g., ophthalmologists, optometrists and optical companies, will render these services
				
	Adult Dental	  	Members age 21 and over will have access to basic dental coverage for: Preventive, X-rays, Extractions, and Fillings. Procedures Codes include: 00120/periodic oral evaluation; 00140/limited oral
evaluation; 00150 new established (comprehensive oral evaluation); 00210 intraoral complete series (including bitewings); 00220 intraoral periapical 1st film; 00230 intraoral periapical ea. Additional; 00240 intraoral occlusal film; 00270 bitewings-single film; 00272 bitewings-two films; 00274 bitewings-four films; 01110 prophylaxis- adult (cleaning -
once every 6 months);01240 topical application of fluoride (excluding prophlaxis)-adult; 02140 amalgum - 1 surface, primary or permanent; 02150 amalgum-2 surface,primary or permanent; 02330 resin-1 surface, anterior; 02331 resin-2 surface, anterior;
07140 extraction	  	Limit of $500 per year. All procedures not listed, including specialty services, Members will be subject to a co-payment of 75% of the dentists’ usual and customary charges for those
services.	  	Dental services to be subcontracted to OraQuest Dental Plans/StarDent Their provider network will be responsible for service provision. Contract in negotiation.

  

 2 of 5 

 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
 Subject:
Attachment B-3.1 - STAR+PLUS Value-added Services 
 Version 1.6 

  

 Community Based Long Term Care Value-added Services 
  

							
	 Value-added
Service
	  	 Description of Value-added Services and
 Members Eligible to Receive the Services
	  	 Limitations or Restrictions
	  	 Provider(s) responsible
for providing
this
service

 Behavioral Health Value-added Services for Members 21 and Over 
  

							
	 Value-added
Service
	  	 Description of Value-added Services and
 Members Eligible to Receive the Services
	  	 Limitations or Restrictions
	  	 Provider(s)
 responsible for
 providing this
 service

	Behavioral Health	  	Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOP)- To be used as a diversion to inpatient and as a step down from more restrictive levels of care.	  	Services must be authorized based on medical necessity. Services will be authorized for greater than one and one half hours, but less than five hours per day.	  	Behavioral health is subcontracted to CompCare. Their provider network will be responsible for service provision.
				
	Behavioral Health	  	Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) will be used as a diversion from inpatient and also as a step down from more restrictive level of care.	  	Services must be authorized based on medical necessity. Services will be authorized for a minimum of 4.5 hours to a maximum of 6 hours per 24-hours per day.	  	Behavioral health is subcontracted to CompCare. Their provider network will be responsible for service provision.

  

 3 of 5 

 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
 Subject:
Attachment B-3.1 - STAR+PLUS Value-added Services 
 Version 1.6 

  

 Behavioral Health Value-added Services for Members 21 and Over 
  

							
	 Value-added
Service
	  	 Description of Value-added Services and
 Members Eligible to Receive the Services
	  	 Limitations or Restrictions
	  	 Provider(s)
 Responsible for
 providing this
 service

	Behavioral Health	  	Off-site services such as intensive case management. This program is designed to offer services to members in a location other than the provider’s normal location. Services could be offered
in the member’s home or other location, except the member’s school. These services are provided to Members to help reduce or avoid inpatient admissions by a community based mobile, multi-disciplinary team of licensed clinicians and
trained, unlicensed workers working under the direction of a licensed professional of the healing arts (LPHA).	  	Services must be authorized and is based on medical necessity. And limited to 96 units per calendar day.	  	Behavioral health is subcontracted to CompCare. Their provider network will be responsible for service provision

 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 
  

	 	1.	Explain how and when Providers and Members will be notified about the availability of the value-added services to be provided. 

 Information regarding availability and how to access this service will be provided to: 
  

	 	1.	Members in Member handbooks (included in new membership packet) and other written material; 

  

	 	2.	Providers in provider manuals and other written material. 

  

 4 of 5 

 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
 Subject:
Attachment B-3.1 - STAR+PLUS Value-added Services 
 Version 1.6 

  

	2.	Describe how a Member may obtain or access the value-added services to be provided. 

 Members may find the information on how to obtain the value-added services located in their Member Handbooks or other printed materials which will describe how a member may call a toll-free number to be connected to
the Member Services Department or the Nurse Advice Line, to access the value added services. Members will have access also through their Service Coordinator. 
  

	3.	Describe how the HMO will identify the Value-added Service in administrative (encounter) data. 

 Molina maintains a health information system that will track information on value-added services to members. This system will allow for the collection,
analysis and integration of value added services that ensures the data has internal consistency and integrity. This data will be submitted to the state for reporting purposes including encounter data. 
 Data reports include: 
 1. Encounters on 837
files from vision, dental and behavioral health (providers and/or subcontractors) 
 2. Contact lists 
 The QXNT system is the core health management system. Data in this system are analyzed and reports generated for management reporting and program
monitoring. 
 The following are data collection sources and/or data sources: 
 Membership demographics 
 Claims payment

 Informacare (clinical programs system, service coordination and case management) 
  

	4.	By signing the Contract and/or Contract Amendment HMO certifies that it will provide the approved Value-added Services described herein from February 1, 2007 through
August 31, 2007. 

 [Modified by Version 1.6] 
  

 5 of 5 

 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

			
	Subject: Attachment B-4.1 – FY2008 Performance Improvement Goals	  	Version 1.6

  

 Texas Health and Human Services Commission 
 HMO Performance Improvement Goal Template 
 for State Fiscal Year 2008 
 (September 1, 2007 – August 31, 2008) 
  

			
	A. Health Plan Information
		
	Plan Name:	  	
	HMO Program:	  	
	HMO Service Delivery Area:	  	
		
	B. Overarching Goal	  	C. Sub Goals:
	Goal 1-5:	  	To be determined for FY2008.
	  
 Three to five Goals for all applicable HMO Programs to be determined and
negotiated prior to FY2008.
	  	
		
	Goal 6:	  	
	  
 (STAR+PLUS HMOs) Increase the use of the Consumer Directed Services
(CDS) Program
	  	Increase the percentage of enrollees receiving Personal Assistance Services (PAS) through the Consumer Directed Services (CDS) Program by 15% as compared to the baseline rate of
    

 Specific percentages for Sub-Goals will be negotiated by HHSC and the HMO before the beginning of
FY2008. 
 Additional information related to the Performance Improvement Goals can be found in Attachment B-1, Section 8.1.1.1,
to the Contract. 
  

 1 of 1 

 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

			
	Subject: Attachment B-5 – Deliverables/Liquidated Damages Matrix	  	Version 1.6

  

 Deliverables/Liquidated Damages Matrix 
  

									
	 Service/
 Component1
	  	 Performance Standard2
	  	 Measurement
 Period3
	  	 Measurement
 Assessment4
	  	 Liquidated Damages

	Contract Attachment B-1, RFP §7.3 — Transition Phase Schedule	  	The HMO must be operational no later than the agreed upon Operations Start Date. HHSC, or its agent, will determine when the HMO is considered to be operational based on the requirements in
Section 7 and 8 of Attachment B-1.	  	 Operations Start
 Date
	  	Each calendar day of non-compliance, per HMO Program, per Service Area (SA).	  	HHSC may assess up to $10,000 per calendar day for each day beyond the Operations Start date that the HMO is not operational until the day that the HMO is operational, including all
systems.
					
	Contract Attachment B-1, RFP §7.3.1 — Transition Phase Tasks	  		  		  		  	
					
	Contract Attachment B-1, RFP §8.1 — General Scope	  		  		  		  	
					
		  		  		  		  	Modified by Version 1.1
					
	Contract Attachment B-1 RFP §7.3.1.5 — Systems Readiness Review	  	 The HMO must submit to HHSC or to the designated Readiness Review Contractor the following plans for review, by December 14, 2005 for STAR and CHIP,
and by July 31, 2006 for STAR+PLUS:
  
 •     Joint Interface Plan;
 •     Disaster Recovery Plan;
	  	Transition Period	  	Each calendar day of non-compliance, per report, per HMO Program, and per SA.	  	HHSC may assess up to $1,000 per calendar day for each day a deliverable is late, inaccurate or incomplete.

	1	Derived from the Contract or HHSC’s Uniform Managed Care Manual. 

 [Modified by Version 1.2] 
  

	2	Standard specified in the Contract. Note: Where the due date states 30 days, the HMO is to provide the deliverable by the last day of the month following the end of the
reporting period. Where the due date states 45 days, the HMO is to provide the deliverable by the 15th day of the second month following the end of the reporting period. 

	3	Period during which HHSC will evaluate service for purposes of tailored remedies. 

	4	Measure against which HHSC will apply remedies. 

  

 1 of 8 

 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

			
	Subject: Attachment B-5 – Deliverables/Liquidated Damages Matrix	  	Version 1.6

  

									
	 Service/
 Component1
	  	 Performance Standard2
	  	 Measurement
 Period3
	  	 Measurement
Assessment4
	  	 Liquidated Damages

					
		  	 •        Business Continuity Plan;
	  		  		  	
					
		  	 •        Risk Management Plan; and
	  		  		  	
					
		  	 •        Systems Quality Assurance Plan.
	  		  		  	
					
	Contract Attachment B-1 RFP §7.3.1.7 – Operations Readiness	  	Final versions of the Provider Directory must be submitted to the Administrative Services Contractor no later than 95 days prior to the
Operational Start Date for the CHIP, STAR, and STAR+PLUS HMOs, and no later than 30 days prior to the Operational Start Date for the CHIP Perinatal HMOs.	  	Transition Period	  	Each calendar day of non compliance, per directory, per HMO Program and per SA.	  	HHSC may assess up to $1,000 per calendar day for each 3day the directory is late, inaccurate or incomplete.
					
	 Contract Attachment B-1 RFP §§ 6, 7, 8 and 9
  
 Uniform Managed Care Manual
	  	All reports and deliverables as specified in Sections 6, 7, 8 and 9 of Attachment B-1 must be submitted according to the timeframes and requirements stated in the Contract (including all
attachments) and HHSC’s Uniform Managed Care Manual. (Specific Reports or deliverables listed separately in this matrix are subject to the specified liquidated damages.)	  	Transition Period, Quarterly during Operations Period	  	Each calendar day of non-compliance, per HMO Program, per SA.	  	HHSC may assess up to $250 per calendar day if the report/deliverable is late, inaccurate, or incomplete.

	1	Derived from the Contract or HHSC’s Uniform Managed Care Manual. 

 [Modified by Version 1.2] 
  

	2	Standard specified in the Contract. Note: Where the due date states 30 days, the HMO is to provide the deliverable by the last day of the month following the end of the reporting
period. Where the due date states 45 days, the HMO is to provide the deliverable by the 15th day of the second month following the end of the reporting period. 

	3	Period during which HHSC will evaluate service for purposes of tailored remedies. 

	4	Measure against which HHSC will apply remedies. 

  

 2 of 8 

 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

			
	Subject: Attachment B-5 – Deliverables/Liquidated Damages Matrix	  	Version 1.6

  

									
	 Service/
 Component1
	  	 Performance Standard2
	  	 Measurement
 Period3
	  	 Measurement
 Assessment4
	  	 Liquidated Damages

					
	 Contract
 Attachment B-1 RFP §8.1.6 —
Marketing & Prohibited Practices
  
 Uniform Managed Care Manual
	  	The HMO may not engage in prohibited marketing practices.	  	Transition, Measured Quarterly during the Operations Period	  	Per incident of non-compliance.	  	HHSC may assess up to $1,000 per incident of non-compliance.
					
	 Contract Attachment B-1 RFP §8.1.17.2 — Financial Reporting Requirements
  
 Uniform Managed Care Manual – Chapter 5
	  	Financial Statistical Reports (FSR): For each SA, the HMO must file quarterly and annual FSRs. Quarterly reports are due no later than 30 days after the conclusion of each State Fiscal Quarter
(SFQ). The first annual report is due no later than 120 days after the end of each Contract Year and the second annual report is due no later than 365 days after the end of each Contract Year.	  	Quarterly during the Operations Period	  	Per calendar day of non-compliance, per HMO Program, per SA.	  	HHSC may assess up to $1,000 per calendar day a quarterly or annual report is late, inaccurate or incomplete.
					
	Contract Attachment B-1 RFP §8.1.17.2 — Financial Reporting Requirements:	  	Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) Reports: The Medicaid HMO must submit, on an annual basis, preliminary and final DSH Reports. The Preliminary report is due no later than June
1st after each reporting year, and the	  	Measured during 4th Quarter of the Operations Period
(6/1–8/31)	  	Per calendar day of non-compliance, per HMO Program, per SA.	  	HHSC may assess up to $1,000 per calendar day, per program, per service area, for each day the report is late, incorrect, inaccurate or incomplete.

	1	Derived from the Contract or HHSC’s Uniform Managed Care Manual. 

 [Modified by Version 1.2] 
  

	2	Standard specified in the Contract. Note: Where the due date states 30 days, the HMO is to provide the deliverable by the last day of the month following the end of the
reporting period. Where the due date states 45 days, the HMO is to provide the deliverable by the 15th day of the second month following the end of the reporting period. 

	3	Period during which HHSC will evaluate service for purposes of tailored remedies. 

	4	Measure against which HHSC will apply remedies. 

  

 3 of 8 

 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

			
	Subject: Attachment B-5 – Deliverables/Liquidated Damages Matrix	  	Version 1.6

  

									
	 Service/
 Component1
	  	 Performance Standard2
	  	 Measurement
Period3
	  	 Measurement
Assessment4
	  	 Liquidated Damages

	 Uniform
 Managed Care
 Manual –
 Chapter 5
	  	final report is due no later than July 15th after each
reporting year. This standard does not apply to CHIP HMOs.	  		  		  	
					
	 Contract
 Attachment B-1
 RFP §8.1.18 –
 Management
 Information
 System (MIS)
 Requirements
	  	The HMO’s MIS must be able to resume operations within 72 hours of employing its Disaster Recovery Plan.	  	 Measured
 Quarterly during
 the Operations
 Period
	  	Per calendar day of non-compliance, per HMO Program, per SA.	  	HHSC may assess up to $5,000 per calendar day of non-compliance
					
	 Contract
 Attachment B-1
 RFP §8.1.18.3 –
 Management
 Information
 System (MIS)
 Requirements:
 System-Wide
 Functions
	  	The HMO’s MIS system must meet all requirements in Section 8.1.18.3 of Attachment B-1.	  	 Measured
 Quarterly during
 the Operations
 Period
	  	Per calendar day of non-compliance, per HMO Program, per SA.	  	HHSC may assess up to $5,000 per calendar day of non-compliance.
					
	 Contract
 Attachment B-1
 RFP §8.1.18.5 –
 Claims
 Processing Requirements
	  	The HMO must adjudicate all provider Clean Claims within 30 days of receipt by the HMO. The HMO must pay providers interest at an 18% per annum, calculated daily for the full period in which the
Clean	  	 Measured
 Quarterly during
 the Operations
 Period
	  	Per incident of non- compliance.	  	 HHSC may assess up to $1,000 per claim if the HMO fails to timely pay interest.
  
 [Modified by Version 1.2]

	1	Derived from the Contract or HHSC’s Uniform Managed Care Manual. 

 [Modified by Version 1.2] 
  

	2	Standard specified in the Contract. Note: Where the due date states 30 days, the HMO is to provide the deliverable by the last day of the month following the end of the
reporting period. Where the due date states 45 days, the HMO is to provide the deliverable by the 15th day of the second month following the end of the reporting period. 

	3	Period during which HHSC will evaluate service for purposes of tailored remedies. 

	4	Measure against which HHSC will apply remedies. 

  

 Page 4 of 8 

 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

			
	Subject: Attachment B-5 – Deliverables/Liquidated Damages Matrix	  	Version 1.6

  

									
	 Service/
 Component1
	  	 Performance Standard2
	 	 Measurement Period3
	  	 Measurement
Assessment4
	 	 Liquidated Damages

	 Uniform Managed
 Care Manual
 Chapter 2
	  	 Claim remains unadjudicated
 beyond the 30-day
claims
 processing deadline.
	 		  		 	
					
	 Contract
 Attachment B-1
 RFP §8.1.18.5 –
 Claims
 Processing
 Requirements
  
 Uniform
 Managed Care
 Manual –
 Chapter 2
	  	 The HMO must comply with the
 claims processing
requirements and
 standards as described in Section
 8.1.18.5 of
Attachment B-1 and in
 Chapter 2 of the Uniform Managed
 Care
Manual.
	 	 Measured
 Quarterly during
 the Operations
 Period
	  	 Per quarterly
 reporting
 period, per
 HMO
 Program, per
 SA.
	 	 HHSC may assess liquidated damages of up to $5,000 for the first quarter that an
HMO’s Claims
 Performance percentages
 by type and by Program
 fall below the performance
 standards. HHSC may
 assess up to $25,000
 per quarter for each
 additional quarter that the Claims Performance
percentages by type and by Program fall below the performance standards.
  
 [Modified by Version 1.2]

					
	 Contract
 Attachment B-1
 RFP §8.1.20.2 –
 Reporting
 Requirements
  
 Uniform Managed
 Care Manual
 Chapters 2 and
5
	  	 Claims Summary Report:
 The HMO must submit
quarterly,
 Claims Summary Reports to HHSC
 by HMO Program and
each SA and
 claims processing subcontractor by the
 30th day following the reporting period
 unless otherwise specified.
	 	 Measured
 Quarterly during
 the Operations
 Period
	  	 Per calendar
 day of non-
 compliance,
 per HMO
 Program, per
 SA.
	 	 HHSC may assess
 up to $1,000 per calendar
 day the report is late,
 inaccurate, or
 incomplete.
  
 [Modified by Version 1.2]

	1	Derived from the Contract or HHSC’s Uniform Managed Care Manual. 

 [Modified by Version 1.2] 
  

	2	Standard specified in the Contract. Note: Where the due date states 30 days, the HMO is to provide the deliverable by the last day of the month following the end of the
reporting period. Where the due date states 45 days, the HMO is to provide the deliverable by the 15th day of the second month following the end of the reporting period. 

	3	Period during which HHSC will evaluate service for purposes of tailored remedies. 

	4	Measure against which HHSC will apply remedies. 

  

 5 of 8 

 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

			
	Subject: Attachment B-5 – Deliverables/Liquidated Damages Matrix	  	Version 1.6

  

									
	 Service/
 Component1
	 	 Performance Standard2
	 	 Measurement
 Period3
	 	 Measurement
 Assessment4
	 	 Liquidated Damages

	 Contract
 Attachment B-1
 RFP §8.1.5.9 –
 Member
 Complaint and
 Appeal Process
 Contract
 Attachment B-1
 RFP §8.2.7.1 –
 Member
 Complaint
 Process
 Contract
 Attachment B-1
 RFP §8.4.3 –
 CHIP Member
 Complaint and
 Appeal Process
	 	 The HMO must resolve at least
 98% of Member
Complaints
 within 30 calendar days from the
 date the
Complaint is received
 by the HMO.
	 	Measured
Quarterly during
the Operations
Period	 	 Per reporting period, per HMO Program,
 per SA.
	 	 HHSC may assess
 up to $250 per
reporting
 period if the HMO
 fails to meet
 the performance
 standard.

					
	 Contract
 Attachment B-1
 RFP §8.3.3 –
 STAR+PLUS
 Assessment
 Instruments
 Uniform
 Managed Care
 Manual
	 	 The MDS-HC instrument must be
 completed and
electronically
 submitted to HHSC in
 the specified format
within
 30 days of enrollment
 for every
Member receiving
 Community-based Long-term Care
 Services, and then each year
 by the anniversary of the
 Member’s date of enrollment.
	 	Operations,
Turnover	 	 Per calendar day
 of non-compliance,
 per Service Area.
	 	 HHSC may assess
 up to $500 per
 calendar day
 per Service Area, for
 each day a report
 is late, inaccurate
 or incomplete.
  
 [Added by Version 1.1]

					
	 Contract
	 	The HMO must resolve at least	 	Measured	 	Per reporting period,	 	 HHSC may assess
 up to $500 per

	1	Derived from the Contract or HHSC’s Uniform Managed Care Manual. 

 [Modified by Version 1.2] 
  

	2	Standard specified in the Contract. Note: Where the due date states 30 days, the HMO is to provide the deliverable by the last day of the month following the end of the reporting
period. Where the due date states 45 days, the HMO is to provide the deliverable by the 15th day of the second month following the end of the reporting period. 

	3	Period during which HHSC will evaluate service for purposes of tailored remedies. 

	4	Measure against which HHSC will apply remedies. 

  

 6 of 8 

 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

			
	Subject: Attachment B-5 – Deliverables/Liquidated Damages Matrix	  	Version 1.6

  

									
	 Service/
 Component1
	  	 Performance Standard2
	  	 Measurement
Period3
	  	 Measurement
Assessment4
	  	 Liquidated Damages

	 Attachment B-1 RFP §8.1.5.9– Member Complaint and Appeal Process
 Contract Attachment B-1 RFP §8.2.7.2 – Medicaid Standard
 Member Appeal
 Process
 Contract Attachment B-1 RFP § 8.4.3
 CHIP Member
 Complaint and Appeal Process
	  	98% of Member Appeals within 30 calendar days from the date the Appeal is filed with the HMO.	  	 Quarterly during
 the Operations
 Period
	  	per HMO Program, per SA.	  	reporting period if the HMO fails to meet the performance standard.
					
	Contract Attachment B-1 RFP §9.2 – Transfer of Data	  	The HMO must transfer all data regarding the provision of Covered Services to Members to HHSC or a new HMO, at the sole discretion of HHSC and as directed by HHSC. All transferred data must
comply with the Contract requirements, including HIPAA.	  	 Measured at Time
 of Transfer of Data and ongoing after
 the Transfer of
 Data until
 satisfactorily
 completed
	  	 Per incident of
 non-compliance (failure to
provide data and/or failure to provide data in required format), per HMO Program, per SA.
	  	HHSC may assess up to $10,000 per calendar day the data is late, inaccurate or incomplete.
					
	Contract Attachment B-1	  	Six months prior to the end of the contract period or any extension	  	 Measured at Six
 Months prior to the
	  	Each calendar day of non-compliance, per	  	HHSC may assess up to $1,000 per calendar day the Plan is late,

	1	Derived from the Contract or HHSC’s Uniform Managed Care Manual. 

 [Modified by Version 1.2] 
  

	2	Standard specified in the Contract. Note: Where the due date states 30 days, the HMO is to provide the deliverable by the last day of the month following the end of the reporting
period. Where the due date states 45 days, the HMO is to provide the deliverable by the 15th day of the second month following the end of the reporting period. 

	3	Period during which HHSC will evaluate service for purposes of tailored remedies. 

	4	Measure against which HHSC will apply remedies. 

  

 Page 7 of 8 

 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

			
	Subject: Attachment B-5 – Deliverables/Liquidated Damages Matrix	  	Version 1.6

  

									
	 Service/
 Component1
	  	 Performance Standard2
	  	 Measurement
Period3
	  	 Measurement
Assessment4
	  	 Liquidated Damages

	 RFP §9.3 – Turnover
 Services
	  	thereof, the HMO must propose a Turnover Plan covering the possible turnover of the records and information maintained to either the State (HHSC) or a successor HMO.	  	end of the contract period or any extension thereof and ongoing until satisfactorily completed	  	HMO Program, per SA.	  	inaccurate, or incomplete.
					
	Contract Attachment B-1 RFP §9.4 – Post-Turnover Services	  	The HMO must provide the State (HHSC) with a Turnover Results report documenting the completion and results of each step of the Turnover Plan 30 days after the Turnover of
Operations.	  	 Measured 30 days after the Turnover
 of Operations
	  	Each calendar day of non-compliance, per HMO program, per SA.	  	HHSC may assess up to $250 per calendar day the report is late, inaccurate or incomplete.
					
	Contract Attachment A HHSC Uniform Managed Care Contract Terms and Conditions, Section 4.08 Subcontractors	  	The HMO must notify HHSC in writing immediately upon making a decision to terminate a subcontract with a Material Subcontractor or upon receiving notification from the Material Subcontractor of
its intent to terminate such subcontract.	  	Transition, Measured Quarterly during the Operations Period	  	Each calendar day of non-compliance, per HMO Program, per SA.	  	HHSC may assess up to $5,000 per calendar day of non-compliance.

	1	Derived from the Contract or HHSC’s Uniform Managed Care Manual. 

 [Modified by Version 1.2] 
  

	2	Standard specified in the Contract. Note: Where the due date states 30 days, the HMO is to provide the deliverable by the last day of the month following the end of the reporting
period. Where the due date states 45 days, the HMO is to provide the deliverable by the 15th day of the second month following the end of the reporting period. 

	3	Period during which HHSC will evaluate service for purposes of tailored remedies. 

	4	Measure against which HHSC will apply remedies. 

  

 Page 8 of 8 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

			
	Subject: Attachment B-7 – STAR+PLUS Attendant Care Enhanced Payments Methodology	  	Version 1.6

  

 ATTACHMENT B-7: STAR+PLUS ATTENDANT CARE ENHANCED PAYMENTS METHODOLOGY 
 HMO: Molina Healthcare of Texas, Inc. 
 SERVICE AREA(S):
Harris and Bexar 
  

			
	I. Provider Contracting	  	 (a) Description of criteria the HMO will use to allow participation in the STAR+PLUS Attendant Care Enhanced Payments. Will the HMO have a
enrollment period that corresponds to the DADS enrollment period to allow new providers to participate in the HMO’s Attendant Care Enhanced Payments, or will the HMO have it’s own enrollment period that is separate and not tied to the DADS
enrollment?
  
 (b) Description of any limitations or
restrictions.

		
		  	Molina Healthcare of Texas, Inc. (MHT) will offer all providers participating in the DADS Attendant Compensation Rate Enhancement the opportunity to participate in the MHT STAR+PLUS Attendant
Care Enhanced Payments.
		
		  	MHT does not have a designated enrollment period for providers to submit applications. In the process of building our network we will have ongoing enrollment activities until the network is
complete and we have met the 7.3% figure HHSC as given to us as the target for enhancements payments. Participation for new providers to receive the enhanced payments will depend on future funding or upon current providers dropping out of the
program that will need to be replaced.

  

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 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

			
	Subject: Attachment B-7 – STAR+PLUS Attendant Care Enhanced Payments Methodology	  	Version 1.6

  

			
	 II. Payment for STAR+PLUS Attendant Care Enhanced Payments
	  	Description of methodology the HMO will use to pay for the Attendant Care Enhanced Payments. Provide sufficient detail to fully explain the planned methodology.
		
		  	The methodology that MHT will use to pay the STAR+PLUS Attendant Care Enhanced Payments will be to add the enhancement payment to the Personal Assistance Services (PAS), DAHS and Assisted
Living participant provider rates. Based on the participant level that is contracted with each provider, the enhancement rate in effect, once supported by sufficient proof, will be added to the negotiated rate of service unit price. For example, if
a provider is at a level where the unit rate is $10.00 with an enhancement payment of an additional $1.00 then the total payment made to the provider would be $ 11.00 ($10.00+$1.00). The additional STAR+PLUS Attendant Care Enhancement Payment of $
1.00 will be tracked from encounter data for a report to break this payment out of the total expense for tracking on the quarterly FSR reports. This will also allow MHT the ability to attest to the total payouts related to long term care and the
percentage of those dollars paid for the STAR+PLUS Attendant Care Enhancement Payment. The additional enhancement payments will be tied to the unique provider.
		
	 III. Timing of the Attendant Care Enhanced Payments
	  	Description of when the payments will be made to the Providers and the frequency of payments. Also include timeframes for Providers complaints and appeals regarding enhanced
payments.

  

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 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

			
	Subject: Attachment B-7 – STAR+PLUS Attendant Care Enhanced Payments Methodology	  	Version 1.6

  

			
		  	The Attendant Care Enhanced Payment will be made as claims are being processed. MHT creates check writes for claims adjudicated twice weekly. Therefore, the receipt of the STAR+PLUS Attendant
Care Enhanced Payment will be immediate as the claims are processed and will not require a separate process after the fact. Providers who submit clean claims will receive their STAR+PLUS Attendant Care Enhanced Payment in a timely
manner.
		
		  	MHT will develop additional provider complaint and appeal policies for the STAR+ PLUS program that are similar to those in place for the STAR and CHIP products that include enhanced payments.
These policies were previously submitted to HHSC (MST-CA 01.003 and MST-CA 01.004). These policies are designed to ensure that provider complaints and appeals are resolved in a timely manner in accordance with federal and Texas regulations. MHT will
advise the provider of the final resolution regarding the complaint within 30 days from the date the initial complaint was received. The provider must file a request for appeal within 30 days from the receipt of the notice of the action. The Appeal
And Complaint Coordinator will send a letter to the provider within 5 business days acknowledging receipt of the appeal. MHT will advise the provider of the final decision for a standard Medicaid appeal within 30 calendar days after receipt of the
initial written or oral request for an appeal.
		
	IV. Assurances
from Participating
Providers	  	Description of how the HMO will ensure that the participating Providers are using the enhancement funds to compensate direct care workers as intended by the 2000-01 General Appropriations Act
(Rider 27, House Bill 1, 76th Legislature, Regular Session, 1999) and by T.A.C. Title 1, Part 15, Chapter
355.

  

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 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

			
	Subject: Attachment B-7 – STAR+PLUS Attendant Care Enhanced Payments Methodology	  	Version 1.6

  

			
		 	The STAR+ PLUS Attendant Enhanced Payment program was introduced as an incentive to increase wages and benefits for community care attendants. Participating providers in the STAR+ PLUS Attendant
Enhanced Payment program must file an attestation report, on at least an annual basis, that will affirm that the enhancement dollars received and the specific allotment of those dollars. Providers failing to meet their spending requirement for the
reporting period will have their STAR+ PLUS Attendant Care Enhanced Payment add-on revenues associated with the unmet spending requirements recouped. At no time will a participating provider’s attendant care rate after their spending recoupment
be less than the rate paid to providers not participating in the enhanced add-on rates.
		
		 	In the event that MHT believes that a claim has been overpaid or paid in duplicate, or that funds were paid beyond or outside of what is provided for under the provider agreement, provider
agrees to make repayment to plan or payer within thirty (30) days of written notification by MHT of the overpayment, duplicate payment, or other excess payment. Should provider discover excess money of any kind prior to being notified, provider
shall contact MHT and hold the money until it is determined to whom the money belongs. In the event it is determined that MHT has underpaid provider for covered services under the provider agreement, MHT will pay provider the amount of the
underpayment within thirty (30) days after agreement has been reached as to the amount of the underpayment.
		
		 	In addition to any other contractual or legal remedy, MHT may recover the amounts owed by way of offset or recoupment from current or future amounts due provider following provider’s
exercise of provider appeal rights under this agreement. Prior to any offset or recoupment, MHT shall give provider at least thirty (30) days written notice. Any disputes concerning of overpayment or underpayment not resolved within such thirty
(30) day period shall be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures outlined in the MHT Provider Manual.

  

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 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

			
	Subject: Attachment B-7 – STAR+PLUS Attendant Care Enhanced Payments Methodology	  	Version 1.6

  

			
	 V. Monitoring of
 Attendant Care
 Enhanced
Payments
	  	 Explanation of the Monitoring Process that the HMO will use to monitor whether the Attendant Care Enhanced
Payments are used for
the purposes intended by the Texas Legislature.

		  	As mentioned above, MHT will collect an attestation report (at least annually) from each provider to ensure the enhanced payments received were used for the proper purpose. The audit of the
attestation report will in the form of a desk audit. Depending on the findings, there may be an on site review. Depending on the filings, the providers may face correction actions or recoupment of their enhancement payments. All findings and
information will be discussed and shared with the provider. The attestation report will be similar to those currently being used by HHSC. These desk reviews and potential audits will adhere to any HHSC requirements.

 By signing the Contract and/or Contract Amendment, HMO certifies that the approved STAR+PLUS Attendant Care
Enhanced Payments Methodology described herein is the methodology the HMO will use to make the legislatively mandated payments to its Long Term Services and Support (LTSS) Providers participating in the Attendant Care Enhanced Payments.

 Additional information related to the Attendant Care Enhanced Payments can be found in Attachment B-1, Section 8.3.7.3 of the Contract.

  

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 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

			
	Subject: Attachment B-3 – Value-added Services	  	Version 1.6

  

 ATTACHMENT B-3: VALUE-ADDED SERVICES 
 September 1, 2006 – August 31, 2007 
  

			
	HMO:	  	 Molina Healthcare of Texas, Inc. (MHT)

	HMO PROGRAM:	  	 STAR and CHIP programs

	SERVICE AREA(S):	  	 HARRIS

 Physical Health Value-added Services 
  

							
	 Value-added
Service
	  	 Description of Value-added Services and Members
 Eligible to Receive the Services
	  	 Limitations or Restrictions
	  	 Provider(s)
responsible for
providing
this
service

	Nurse Advice Line	  	 MHT will make available to all its members a toll-free multi- lingual nurse advice line on a 24-hour, 7 days per week basis. Staff on this line will
take calls from members and perform triage services to help them determine the appropriate setting from which to obtain necessary care.
  
 Physicians will be on-call to support staff for situations not covered by established criteria/protocols. After normal business hours the staff will also take calls from
providers and perform eligibility and authorization services. In all instances, staff on the advice line will coordinate medical care with the member’s primary care physician.
  
 Available to both STAR and CHIP members. Information regarding availability and how to access this
service will be provided to members in handbooks and other written material.
  
 MHT will
provide this service for at least 12 months from the operational start date of the contract.
	  		  	Registered Nurses and on-call PCPs

  

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 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

			
	Subject: Attachment B-3 – Value-added Services	  	Version 1.6

  

 Physical Health Value-added Services 
  

							
	 Value-added
 Service
	  	 Description of Value-added Services and Members
 Eligible to Receive the Services
	  	 Limitations or Restrictions
	  	 Provider(s)
responsible for
providing
this
service

	 Weight Reduction
 through Participation in a Weight Watchers® program
	  	1. MHT will enroll interested and eligible members in a local Weight Watchers® program and provide vouchers for five consecutive weeks of program attendance. The initial mailing to the member, with the vouchers, will include fact
sheets about the program and suggestions for getting started with an exercise regimen; these materials are in addition to those that will be provided at the Weight Watchers ® program meetings.	  	Limited to members in STAR and CHIP, aged 15 or older with a BMI of 30 or above.	  	Certified Health Education Staff
				
		  	Within two months of issuing the initial vouchers a MHT health educator will contact the member to assess their success and commitment to the program. If the member is fully participating in the
program, the educator will issue vouchers for an additional five weeks of program attendance. Eligible members will be allowed a maximum of ten vouchers.	  		  	
				
		  	2. MHT will provide this service to members aged 15 and older in STAR and CHIP in every contracted service area who have a BMI of 30 or above.	  		  	
				
		  	3. The service will be limited to members aged 15 and older. A member’s body mass index (level of obesity), readiness to make behavior changes important to weight control and willingness to
attend group classes for five consecutive weeks will be assessed by MHT health education staff before program participation is approved. The second set of five vouchers will only be issued to members who show commitment to and active participation
in the program.	  		  	
				
		  	4. Local Weight Watchers® programs will provide their established package of educational services for MHT members, with supplemental information and assessments provided by MHT health education staff.	  		  	

  

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 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

			
	Subject: Attachment B-3 – Value-added Services	  	Version 1.6

  

							
	 Physical Health Value-added Services
  

	 Value-added
 Service
	  	 Description of Value-added Services and Members
 Eligible to Receive the Services
	  	 Limitations or Restrictions
	  	 Provider(s)
responsible for
providing
this
service

	Weight Reduction through Participation in a Weight Watchers® program	  	5. Information regarding the availability of this service will be provided to members in handbooks and other written educational material. In addition, primary care physicians and other network
providers will be informed of the availability of this service and encouraged to recommend program participation to members who could benefit.	  	Limited to members in STAR and CHIP, aged 15 or older with a BMI of 30 or above.	  	Certified Health Education Staff
				
	(continued)	  		  		  	
				
		  	6. Members will be able to call MHT health education staff directly, during regular business hours, to request participation in a local Weight Watchers® program. Physicians may also make referrals on behalf of their member patients to MHT
for program participation.	  		  	
				
		  	7. MHT will provide this service for at least 12 months from the operational start date of the contract.	  		  	
				
	Smoking Cessation	  	1. MHT will utilize a nationally recognized telephonic smoking cessation program, called Free and Clear®, that also includes written informational and support material. Participating members will be mailed a smoking
cessation “kit” including a workbook, smoking diary and handbooks and other written material. Telephone support is a major factor of the program.	  	 STAR: Limited to members in STAR who are aged 18 or older or pregnant women of any age.
  
 Limited to $185.00 per eligible member.
	  	Certified Health Education Staff and PCPs
				
		  	A smoking cessation specialist will telephone the member within two weeks of program registration to answer any questions and on three subsequent occasions in the months following the
member’s “quit date” to provide support and relapse prevention information. Program participants will have toll free telephone access to smoking cessation specialists for support and counseling.	  		  	

  

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 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

			
	Subject: Attachment B-3 – Value-added Services	  	Version 1.6

  

							
	 Physical Health Value-added Services
  

	 Value-added
 Service
	  	 Description of Value-added Services and Members
 Eligible to Receive the Services
	  	 Limitations or Restrictions
	  	 Provider(s)
responsible for
providing
this
service

	Smoking Cessation	  	2. MHT will provide this service to members in STAR who are aged 18 or older and all pregnant women in the Star program of any age, with a tobacco addiction and who desire to end the
addiction.	  		  	
				
	(continued)	  		  		  	
				
		  	3. Group Health Cooperative, a company based in Seattle, Washington, will provide the Free and Clear® telephonic smoking cessation program for MHT members, with administrative support provided by MHT.	  		  	
				
		  	4. Primary care physicians and other network providers will be informed of the availability of this service and encouraged to recommend program participation to members who could
benefit.	  		  	
				
		  	5. Members will be able to call MHT health education staff directly, during regular business hours, to request participation in the Free and Clear ® smoking cessation program. Physicians may also make referrals on behalf of their member
patients to MHT for program participation.	  		  	
				
		  	6. MHT will provide this service for at least 12 months from the operational start date of the contract.	  		  	

  

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 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

			
	Subject: Attachment B-3 – Value-added Services	  	Version 1.6

  

 Physical Health Value-added Services 
  

											
	 Value-added
 Service
	  	 Description of Value-added Services and Members
 Eligible to Receive the Services
	  	 Limitations or Restrictions
	  	 Provider(s)
responsible for
providing this
service

	 Disease Management
 Program
–
 Congestive Heart
 Failure
	  	 1. MHI is finalizing a new disease management program for congestive heart failure, which will be complete at the end of 2004. It will operate on
the InformaCare platform, enabling integration of all disease management components. Program components will resemble those utilized for MHT’s diabetes and asthma disease management programs, and will include:
  
 •     Strategies and
methodologies to identify members eligible for the program,
  
 •     Clinical indicators for participation and stratification to risk levels,
  
 •     Member outreach methodologies,
  
 •     Development and
dissemination of clinical practice guidelines,
  
 •     Provider education,
  
 •     Member interventions specific to each risk level, and
  
 •     Evaluation indicators for clinical and financial outcomes.
  
 2. MHT will make the program available to all STAR members diagnosed with congestive heart failure
in every contracted service area.
  
 3. All members with diagnosed congestive heart
failure will be enrolled in Disease Management services.
  
 4. MHT health professional
staff will render these disease management services in conjunction with the member’s providers.
	  		  	PCPs

  

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 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

			
	Subject: Attachment B-3 – Value-added Services	  	Version 1.6

  

 Physical Health Value-added Services 
  

							
	 Value-added
 Service
	  	 Description of Value-added Services and Members
 Eligible to Receive the Services
	  	 Limitations or Restrictions
	  	 Provider(s)
responsible for
providing
this
service

	 Disease Management
 Program
–
 Congestive Heart
 Failure
	  	5. Information regarding the availability of this service will be provided to members in handbooks and other written educational material. In addition, primary care and specialty physicians will
be informed of the availability of this service and encouraged to recommend program participation to and for members who could benefit.	  		  	PCPs
				
	(continued)	  		  		  	
				
		  	 6. Physicians may make referrals to MHT for disease management services for their member patients. MHT health professional staff may also contact a
member’s primary care or specialty physician to initiate such services based on a review of paid claims.
  
 7. MHT will provide this service for at least 12 months from the operational start date of the contract.
	  		  	
				
	Vision Services	  	 1. MHT will provide to STAR and CHIP members a larger choice of available frames, lens types, and materials. Subject to medical necessity for a new
prescription for glasses.
  
 2. Information regarding the availability of this service
will be provided to members in handbooks and other written educational material.
  
 3.
Eligible members will be able to access this service from network providers.
  
 4. MHT
will provide this service for at least 12 months from the operational start date of the contract.
	  	Increase of benefit limited to $50.00 above the basic benefit per eligible member.	  	Network vision providers, e.g., optometrists and optical companies, will render these services.

  

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 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

			
	Subject: Attachment B-3 – Value-added Services	  	Version 1.6

  

 Behavioral Health Value-added Services for Members Under 21 
  

							
	 Value-added
Service
	  	 Description of Value-added Services and Members
 Eligible to Receive the Services
	  	 Limitations or Restrictions
	  	 Provider(s)
responsible for
providing
this
service

	 None
	  		  		  	

  
  
 Behavioral Health Value-added Services for Members 21 and Over 
  

							
	 Value-added
Service
	  	 Description of Value-added Services and Members
 Eligible to Receive the Services
	  	 Limitations or Restrictions
	  	 Provider(s)
responsible for
providing
this
service

	 None
	  		  		  	

  
  
 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 
  

	 	1.	Explain how and when Providers and Members will be notified about the availability of the value-added services to be provided. 

 Information regarding availability and how to access this service will be provided to: 
  

	 	1.	Members in Member handbooks (included in new membership packet) and other written material; 

  

	 	2.	Providers in provider manuals and other written material. 

  

	 	2.	Describe how a Member may obtain or access the value-added services to be provided. 

  

 7 of 8 

 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

			
	Subject: Attachment B-3 – Value-added Services	  	Version 1.6

  

 Members may find the information on how to obtain the value-added services located in their Member
Handbooks or other printed materials which will describe how a member may call a toll-free number to be connected to the Member Services Department or the Nurse Advice Line, to access the value added services. Member Services staff will be able to
assist the members with accessing the value-added service(s) in question. 
  

	3.	Describe how the HMO will identify the Value-added Service in administrative (encounter) data. 

 Molina maintains a health information system that collects, analyzes, and integrates the data necessary to implement its Value-added Services; ensures the
information received from providers of services is reliable and complete; and makes available to the State the collected information, including encounter data. 
 Multiple sources of identification are used to identify the members in the eligible population. These include the following: 
  

	 	•	 	 Pharmacy claims data for all classifications of diabetic medications 

  

	 	•	 	 Encounter data or paid claim with an CPT or ICD-9 code indicating a diagnosis of diabetes 

  

	 	•	 	 Member Services – incoming calls have the potential to identify eligible members. Eligible members are referred to the program registry.

  

	 	•	 	 Practitioner referral 

  

	 	•	 	 Case Management or Utilization Management review for an eligible member 

  

	 	•	 	 Member self-referral – general plan promotion of program through member newsletter and other member communications 

  

	 	Collecting	Data  

  

	 	a.	QNXT is the core system used by Molina. The data are analyzed for the development of ongoing programs and the monitoring of healthcare outcomes. All systems are constantly evaluated
for performance, reliability, and usefulness. 

  

	 	b.	The following are the systems and their data source: Membership (age/sex, language, ethnicity demographics): QNXT (core enrollment, utilization and claims payment system) membership
data; and InformaCare (clinical programs system – disease management, care coordination, and medical case management); and Language Line (outside vendor). 

  

	4.	By signing the Contract and/or Contract Amendment HMO certifies that it will provide the approved Value-added Services described herein from September 1, 2006 through
August 31, 2007. 

  

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 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

			
	Subject: Attachment B-3.2 – CHIP Perinatal Program Value-added Services	  	Version 1.6

  

 ATTACHMENT B-3.2: CHIP PERINATAL PROGRAM VALUE-ADDED SERVICES 
 January 1, 2007 through August 31, 2007 
  

			
	HMO:	  	  

			
		
	SERVICE AREA(S):	 	  

 Physical Health Value-added Services 
  

							
	 Value-added
Service
	  	 Description of Value-added Services and Members
 Eligible to Receive the Services
	  	 Limitations or Restrictions
	  	 Provider(s)
responsible for
providing
this
service

  
  
  
 Behavioral Health Value-added Services for Members Under 21

  

							
	 Value-added
Service
	  	 Description of Value-added Services and Members
 Eligible to Receive the Services
	  	 Limitations or Restrictions
	  	 Provider(s)
responsible for
providing
this
service

  
  
  

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 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

			
	Subject: Attachment B-3.2 – CHIP Perinatal Program Value-added Services	  	Version 1.6

  

							
	 Behavioral Health Value-added Services for Members 21 and Over
  
	  	 
	 Value-added
Service
	  	 Description of Value-added Services and
 Members Eligible to Receive the Services
	  	 Limitations or Restrictions
	  	Provider(s)
responsible for
providing this service

  
  
  
 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 
  

	1.	Explain how and when Providers and Members will be notified about the availability of the value-added services to be provided. 

  
  
  

	2.	Describe how a Member may obtain or access the value-added services to be provided. 

  

 
  

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 Contractual Document (CD) 
 Responsible Office: HHSC Office of General Counsel (OGC) 
  

			
	Subject: Attachment B-3.2 – CHIP Perinatal Program Value-added Services	  	Version 1.6

  

	 	3.	Describe how the HMO will identify the Value-added Service in administrative (encounter) data. 

  
  

	 	4.	By signing the Contract and/or Contract Amendment HMO certifies that it will provide the approved Value-added Services described herein from January 1, 2007 through
August 31, 2007. 

  
  

 3 of 3 

 Texas Health and Human Services Commission 
 STAR and CHIP HMO 
 Performance Improvement Goals 
 SFY 2007 
 (September 1, 2006 –
August 31, 2007) 
 Modified by Version 1.2 and 1.4 
 A. Health Plan Information 
 Plan Name: Molina Healthcare of Texas, Inc. 
 HMO Program: CHIP 
 HMO Service Delivery Area: Harris/
Harris Expansion SDA 
  

			
	 B. Overarching Goal
	  	 C. Sub Goals:

	Goal 1:	  	 
	  
 Improve Access to Primary
 Care Services for Members
	  	 •     90% of new members will be contacted and reminded/assisted with
making a PCP appointment within 90 days of entering the health plan
  
 •     90% of new members with default assigned PCP will be contacted to assist with re-assignment within 30 days of default PCP assignment

		
	Goal 2:	  	 
	  
 Improve Access to
 Behavioral Health Services
 for Members
	  	 •     Contact 90% of members discharged from a behavioral health
inpatient stay to remind them of the 7-day follow-up appointment needed
  
 •     Identify and survey 90% of members who do not keep their 7-day follow-up appointment to determine why appointments were not made/kept

		
	Goal 3:	  	 
	  
 Improve Current Member
 Understanding About the
 CHIP Benefit Renewal
 Processes
	  	 •     87% of current members are (successfully*) mailed renewal
reminders by the 10th day of their 4th month of enrollment
  
 •     90% of members who are in months 4-6 of their renewal period and who call Members Services
Helpline will get a reminder about renewing CHIP enrollment packet and submitting on time
  
 * a successful mailing is one that is not returned as undeliverable

 Additional information related to the Performance Improvement Goals can be found in Attachment B-1,
Section 8.1.1.1, to the Contract. 
  

 Page 1 of 2 

 Texas Health and Human Services Commission 
 STAR and CHIP HMO 
 Performance Improvement Goals 
 SFY 2007 
 (September 1, 2006 –
August 31, 2007) 
 Modified by Versions 1.2 and 1.4 
 A. Health Plan Information 
 Plan Name: Molina Healthcare of Texas, Inc. 
 HMO Program: STAR 
 HMO Service Delivery Area: Harris/
Harris Expansion SDA 
  

			
	 B. Overarching Goal
	  	 C. Sub Goals:

	Goal 1:	  	 
	  
 Improve Access to Primary
Care Services
for Members
	  	•     90% of new members will be contacted and reminded/assisted with making a PCP
appointment within 90 days of entering the health plan  
 •     90% of new members with default assigned PCP will be contacted to assist with
re-assignment within
30 days of default PCP assignment

		
	Goal 2:	  	 
	  
 Improve Access to
Behavioral Health Services
for
Members
	  	•     Contact 90% of members discharged from a behavioral health inpatient stay to
remind them of the 7-day follow-up appointment needed  
 •     Identify and survey 90% of members who do not keep their 7-day follow-up
appointment to determine
why appointments were not made/kept

		
	Goal 3:	  	 
	  
 Improve Access to Clinically
Appropriate
Alternatives to
Emergency Room Services
Outside of Regular Office
Hours
	  	•     100% of member newsletters will contain appropriate reminders and information
about alternatives to inappropriate ER utilization  
 •     Increase number of contracted urgent care clinics to 2 by the end of the fiscal
year

 Additional information related to the Performance Improvement Goals can be found in Attachment B-1,
Section 8.1.1.1, to the Contract. 
  

 Page 2 of 2Common form of Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan Contract

 Exhibit 10.27 
 Contract with Eligible Medicare Advantage (MA) Organization Pursuant to 
 Sections 1851 through 1859 of the
Social Security Act for the Operation 
 of a Medicare Advantage Coordinated Care Plan(s) 
 CONTRACT (# H5628) 
 Between

 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (hereinafter referred to as CMS) 
 and 
 Molina Healthcare of
            , Inc. 
 (hereinafter referred to as the MA Organization) 

CMS and the MA Organization, an entity which has been determined to be an eligible Medicare Advantage Organization by the Administrator of the Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services under 42 CFR 422.503, agree to the following for the purposes of sections 1851 through 1859 of the Social Security Act (hereinafter referred to as the Act): 
 (NOTE: Citations indicated in brackets are placed in the text of this contract to note the regulatory authority for certain contract provisions. All references to Part
422 are to 42 CFR Part 422). 
  

					
	You must check off AND initial each required Addendum type to reflect the coverage offered under the H (or R) number associated with this contract
	  
	  	 
	Addendum Type	  	Initials
		
	x Part D Addendum	  	 /s/ GKO

		
	             Employer-Only MA-PD Addendum (800 Series)	  	  

		
	             Employer-Only MA Only Addendum (800 Series)	  	  

		
	             Variances/Waivers (Provided directly to Demonstration Organizations by CMS)	  	  

		
	             Regional Preferred Provider Organization Addendum (Provided directly to RPPOs by CMS)	  	  

 Article I 
 Term of Contract 
 The term of this contract shall be from the date of signature by CMS’ authorized representative
through December 31, 2006, after which this contract may be renewed for successive one-year periods in accordance with 42 CFR 422.505(c) and as discussed in Paragraph A in Article VII below. [422.505] 
 This contract governs the respective rights and obligations of the parties as of the effective date set forth above, and supersedes any prior agreements between the MA
Organization and CMS as of such date. MA organizations offering Part D also must execute an Addendum to the Medicare Managed Care Contract Pursuant to Sections 1860D-1 through 1860D-42 of the Social Security Act for the Operation of a Voluntary
Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (hereafter the “Part D Addendum”). For MA Organizations offering MA-PD plans, the Part D Addendum governs the rights and obligations of the parties relating to the provision of Part D benefits, in accordance
with its terms, as of its effective date. 
 Article II 
 Coordinated Care Plan 
 A. The Medicare Advantage Organization agrees to operate one or more coordinated care plans as
defined in 42 CFR 422.4(a)(l)(iii)), including at least one MA-PD plan as required under 42 CFR 422.4(c), as described in its final Plan Benefit Package (PBP) bid submission (benefit and price bid) proposal as approved by CMS and as attested to in
the Medicare Advantage Attestation of Benefit Plan and Price, and in compliance with the requirements of this contract and applicable Federal statutes, regulations, and policies. 
 B. Except as provided in paragraph (C) of this Article, this contract is deemed to incorporate any changes that are required by statute to be implemented during the term of the contract and any regulations or
policies implementing or interpreting such statutory provisions. 
 C. CMS will not implement, other than at the beginning of a calendar year, requirements
under 42 CFR Part 422 that impose a new significant cost or burden on MA organizations or plans, unless a different effective date is required by statute. [422.521] 
 Article III 
 Functions To Be Performed By Medicare Advantage Organization 
 A. PROVISION OF BENEFITS 
 1. The MA Organization agrees to provide enrollees
in each of its MA plans the basic benefits as required under §422.101 and, to the extent applicable, supplemental benefits under §422.102 and as established in the MA Organization’s final benefit and price bid proposal as approved by
CMS and listed in the MA Organization Plan Attestation of Benefit Plan and Price, which is attached to this contract. The MA Organization agrees to provide access to such benefits as required under subpart C in a manner consistent with
professionally recognized standards of health care and according to the access standards stated in §422.112. 
  

 2 

 2. The MA Organization agrees to provide post-hospital extended care services, should an MA enrollee elect such coverage,
through a skilled nursing home facility according to the requirements of section 1852(1) of the Act and §422.133. A skilled nursing home facility is a facility in which an MA enrollee resided at the time of admission to the hospital, a facility
that provides services through a continuing care retirement community, a facility in which the spouse of the enrollee is residing at the time of the enrollee’s discharge from the hospital, or hospital, or wherever the enrollee resides
immediately before admission for extended care services. [422.133; 422.504(a)(3)] 
 B. ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS 
 1. The MA Organization agrees to accept new enrollments, make enrollments effective, process voluntary disenrollments, and limit involuntary disenrollments, as provided
in subpart B of part 422. 
 2. The MA Organization shall comply with the provisions of §422.110 concerning prohibitions against discrimination in
beneficiary enrollment, other than in enrolling eligible beneficiaries in a CMA-approved special needs plan that exclusively enrolls special needs individuals as consistent with §§422.2, 422.4(a)(1)(iv) and 422.52. [422.504(a)(2)]

 C. BENEFICIARY PROTECTIONS 
 1. The MA Organization agrees to
comply with all requirements in subpart M of part 422, governing coverage determinations, grievances, and appeals. [422.504(a)(7)] 
 2. The MA
Organization agrees to comply with the confidentiality and enrollee record accuracy requirements in §422.118. 
 3. Beneficiary Financial
Protections. The MA Organization agrees to comply with the following requirements: 
 (a) Each MA Organization must adopt and maintain
arrangements satisfactory to CMS to protect its enrollees from incurring liability for payment of any fees that are the legal obligation of the MA Organization. To meet this requirement the MA Organization must— 
 (i) Ensure that all contractual or other written arrangements with providers prohibit the Organization’s providers from holding any beneficiary
enrollee liable for payment of any fees that are the legal obligation of the MA Organization; and 
 (ii) Indemnify the beneficiary enrollee
for payment of any fees that are the legal obligation of the MA Organization for services furnished by providers that do not contract, or that have not otherwise entered into an agreement with the MA Organization, to provide services to the
organization’s beneficiary enrollees. [422.504(g)(1)] 
 (b) The MA Organization must provide for continuation of enrollee health
care benefits- 
 (i) For all enrollees, for the duration of the contract period for which CMS payments have been made; and 

(ii) For enrollees who are hospitalized on the date its contract with CMS terminates, or, in the event of the MA Organization’s insolvency,
through the date of discharge. [422.504(g)(2)] 
  

 3 

 (c) In meeting the requirements of this section (C), other than the provider contract requirements
specified in paragraph (C)(3)(a) of this Article, the MA Organization may use— 
 (i) Contractual arrangements; 
 (ii) Insurance acceptable to CMS; 
 (iii) Financial reserves acceptable to CMS; or 
 (iv) Any other arrangement acceptable to CMS. [422.504(g)(3)]

 D. PROVIDER PROTECTIONS 
 1. The MA Organization agrees to
comply with all applicable provider requirements in 42 CFR Part 422 Subpart E, including provider certification requirements, anti-discrimination requirements, provider participation and consultation requirements, the prohibition on interference
with provider advice, limits on provider indemnification, rules governing payments to providers, and limits on physician incentive plans. [422.504(a)(6)] 
 2. Prompt Payment. 
 (a) The MA Organization must pay 95 percent of “clean claims” within 30 days of receipt if
they are claims for covered services that are not furnished under a written agreement between the organization and the provider. 
 (i) The
MA Organization must pay interest on clean claims that are not paid within 30 days in accordance with sections 1816(c)(2) and 1842(c)(2) of the Act. 
 (ii) All other claims from non-contracted providers must be paid or denied within 60 calendar days from the date of the request. [422.520(a)] 
 (b) Contracts or other written agreements between the MA Organization and its providers must contain a prompt payment provision, the terms of which are
developed and agreed to by both the MA Organization and the relevant provider. [422.520(b)] 
 (c) If CMS determines, after giving
notice and opportunity for hearing, that the MA Organization has failed to make payments in accordance with subparagraph (2)(a) of this section, CMS may provide— 
 (i) For direct payment of the sums owed to providers; and 
 (ii) For appropriate reduction in the amounts that would otherwise be paid to the MA Organization, to reflect the amounts of the direct payments and the cost of making those payments. [422.520(c)] 

E. QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM 
 1. The MA Organization agrees to operate,
for each plan that it offers, an ongoing quality improvement program as stated in accordance with Section 1852(e) of the Social Security Act and 42 CFR 422.152. 
 2. Chronic Care Improvement Program 
 (a) Each MA organization (other than MA private-fee-for-service plans)
must have a chronic care improvement program and must establish criteria for participation in the program. The CCIP must have a method for identifying enrollees with multiple or sufficiently severe chronic conditions who meet the criteria for
participation in the program and a mechanism for monitoring enrollees’ participation in the program. 
 (b) Plans have flexibility to
choose the design of their program; however, in addition to meeting the requirements specified above, the CCIP selected must be relevant to the plan’s MA population. MA organizations are required to submit annual reports on their CCIP program
to CMS. 
  

 4 

 3. Performance Measurement and Reporting: The MA Organization shall measure performance under its MA plans using
standard measures required by CMS, and report (at the organization level) its performance to CMS. The standard measures required by CMS during the term of this contract will be uniform data collection and reporting instruments, to include the Health
Plan and Employer Data Information Set (HEDIS), Consumer Assessment of Health Plan Satisfaction (CAHPS) survey, and Health Outcomes Survey (HOS). These measures will address clinical areas, including effectiveness of care, enrollee perception of
care and use of services; and non-clinical areas including access to and availability of services, appeals and grievances, and organizational characteristics. [422.152(b)(1), (e)] 
 4. Utilization Review: 
 (a) An MA Organization for an MA coordinated care plan must use written
protocols for utilization review and policies and procedures must reflect current standards of medical practice in processing requests for initial or continued authorization of services and have in effect mechanisms to detect both underutilization
and over utilization of services. [422.152(b)] 
 (b) For MA regional preferred provider organizations (RPPOs) and MA local preferred
provider organizations (PPOs) that are offered by an organization that is not licensed or organized under State law as an HMOs, if the MA Organization uses written protocols for utilization review, those policies and procedures must reflect current
standards of medical practice in processing requests for initial or continued authorization of services and include mechanisms to evaluate utilization of services and to inform enrollees and providers of services of the results of the evaluation.
[422.152(e)] 
 5. Information Systems: 
 (a) The MA Organization must: 
 (i) Maintain a health information system that collects, analyzes and integrates the data necessary
to implement its quality improvement program; 
 (ii) Ensure that the information entered into the system (particularly that received from
providers) is reliable and complete; 
 (iii) Make all collected information available to CMS. [422.152(f)(1)] 
 6. External Review 
 The MA Organization will comply with any requests
by Quality Improvement Organizations to review the MA Organization’s medical records in connection with appeals of discharges from hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies. 
 F. COMPLIANCE PLAN 
 The MA Organization agrees to implement a compliance
plan in accordance with the requirements of §422.503(b)(4)(vi). [422.503(b)(4)(vi)] 
 G. COMPLIANCE DEEMED ON THE BASIS OF ACCREDITATION

 CMS may deem the MA Organization to have met the quality improvement requirements of §1852(e) of the Act and §422.152, the confidentiality and
accuracy of enrollee records requirements of §1852(h) of the Act and §422.118, the anti-discrimination requirements of §1852(b) of the Act and §422.110, the access to services requirements of §1852(d) of the Act and
§422.112, and the advance directives requirements of §1852(i) of the Act and §422.128, the 
  

 5 

 
provider participation requirements of § 1852(j) of the Act and 42 CFR Part 422, Subpart F, and the applicable requirements described in §423.165,
if the MA Organization is fully accredited (and periodically reaccredited) by a private, national accreditation organization approved by CMS and the accreditation organization used the standards approved by CMS for the purposes of assessing the MA
Organization’s compliance with Medicare requirements. The provisions of §422.156 shall govern the MA Organization’s use of deemed status to meet MA program requirements. 
 H. PROGRAM INTEGRITY 
 1. The MA Organization agrees to provide notice based on best knowledge, information, and belief to
CMS of any integrity items related to payments from governmental entities, both federal and state, for healthcare or prescription drug services. These items include any investigations, legal actions or matters subject to arbitration brought
involving the MA Organization (or MA Organization’s firm if applicable) and its subcontractors (excluding contracted network providers), including any key management or executive staff, or any major shareholders (5% or more), by a government
agency (state or federal) on matters relating to payments from governmental entities, both federal and state, for healthcare and/or prescription drug services. In providing the notice, the sponsor shall keep the government informed of when the
integrity item is initiated and when it is closed. Notice should be provided of the details concerning any resolution and monetary payments as well as any settlement agreements or corporate integrity agreements. 
 2. The MA Organization agrees to provide notice based on best knowledge, information, and belief to CMS in the event the MA Organization or any of its subcontractors is
criminally convicted or has a civil judgment entered against it for fraudulent activities or is sanctioned under any Federal program involving the provision of health care or prescription drug services. 
 I. MARKETING 
 1. The MA Organization may not distribute any marketing
materials, as defined in 42 CFR 422.80(b) and in the Marketing Materials Guidelines for Medicare Advantage-Prescription Drug Plans and Prescription Drug Plans (Medicare Marketing Guidelines), unless they have been filed with and not disapproved by
CMS in accordance with §422.80. The file and use process set out at §422.80(a)(2) must be used, unless the MA organization notifies CMS that it will not use this process. 
 2. CMS and the MA Organization shall agree upon language setting forth the benefits, exclusions and other language of the Plan. The MA Organization bears full responsibility for the accuracy of its marketing
materials, CMS, in its sole discretion, may order the MA Organization to print and distribute the agreed upon marketing materials, in a format approved by CMS. The MA Organization must disclose the information to each enrollee electing a plan as
outlined in 42 CFR 422.111. 
 3. The MA Organization agrees that any advertising material, including that labeled promotional material, marketing materials,
or supplemental literature, shall be truthful and not misleading. All marketing materials must include the Contract number. All membership identification cards must include the Contract number on the front of the card. 
 4. The MA Organization must comply with the Medicare Marketing Guidelines, as well as all applicable statutes and regulations, including and without limitation
Section 1851(h) of the Act and 42 CFR §§422.80, 422.111 and 423.50. Failure to comply may result in sanctions as provided in 42 CFR Part 422 Subpart O. 
  

 6 

 Article IV 
 CMS Payment to MA Organization 
 A. The MA Organization agrees to develop its annual benefit and price bid proposal and
submit to CMS all required information on premiums, benefits, and cost sharing, as required under 42 CFR Part 422 Subpart F. [422.504(a)(10)] 
 B.
Methodology. CMS agrees to pay the MA Organization under this contract in accordance with the provisions of section 1853 of the Act and 42 CFR Part 422 Subpart G. [422.504(a)(9)] 
 C. Attestation of payment data (Attachments A, B, and C). 
 As a
condition for receiving a monthly payment under paragraph B of this article, and 42 CFR Part 422 Subpart G, the MA Organization agrees that its chief executive officer (CEO), chief financial officer (CFO), or an individual delegated with the
authority to sign on behalf of one of these officers, and who reports directly to such officer, must request payment under the contract on the forms attached hereto as Attachment A (enrollment attestation) and Attachment B (risk adjustment data)
which attest to (based on best knowledge, information and belief, as of the date specified on the attestation form) the accuracy, completeness, and truthfulness of the data identified on these attachments. The Medicare Advantage Plan
Attestation of Benefit Plan and Price must be signed and attached to the executed version of this contract. 
 1. Attachment A requires that the CEO, CFO, or
an individual delegated with the authority to sign on behalf of one of these officers, and who reports directly to such officer, must attest based on best knowledge, information, and belief that each enrollee for whom the MA Organization is
requesting payment is validly enrolled, or was validly enrolled during the period for which payment is requested, in an MA plan offered by the MA Organization. The MA Organization shall submit completed enrollment attestation forms to CMS, or its
contractor, on a monthly basis. (NOTE: The forms included as attachments to this contract are for reference only. CMS will provide instructions for the completion and submission of the forms in separate documents. MA Organizations should not take
any action on the forms until appropriate CMS instructions become available.) 
 2. Attachment B requires that the CEO, CFO, or an individual delegated with
the authority to sign on behalf of one of these officers, and who reports directly to such officer, must attest to (based on best knowledge, information and belief, as of the date specified on the attestation form) that the risk
adjustment data it submits to CMS under §422.310 are accurate, complete, and truthful. The MA Organization shall make annual attestations to this effect for risk adjustment data on Attachment B and according to a schedule to be published by
CMS. If such risk adjustment data are generated by a related entity, contractor, or subcontractor of an MA Organization, such entity, contractor, or subcontractor must similarly attest to (based on best knowledge, information, and belief, as of
the date specified on the attestation form) the accuracy, completeness, and truthfulness of the data. [422.504(l)] 
 3. The Medicare Advantage
Plan Attestation of Benefit Plan and Price (which is attached hereto_ requires that the CEO, CFO, or an individual delegated with the authority to sign on behalf of 

  

 7 

 
one of these officers, and who reports directly to such officer, must attest (based on best knowledge, information and belief, as of the date specified on
the attestation form) that the information and documentation comprising the bid submission proposal is accurate, complete, and truthful and fully conforms to the Bid Form and Plan Benefit Package requirements; and that the benefits described in
the CMS-approved proposal bid submission agree with the benefit package the MA Organization will offer during the period covered by the proposal bid submission. This document is being sent separately to the MA Organization and must be signed and
attached to the executed version of this contract, and is incorporated herein by reference. [422.502(l)] 
 Article V 
 MA Organization Relationship with Related Entities, Contractors, and Subcontractors 
 A. Notwithstanding any relationship(s) that the MA Organization may have with related entities, contractors, or subcontractors, the MA Organization maintains full responsibility for adhering to and otherwise fully
complying with all terms and conditions of its contract with CMS. [422.504(i)(1)] 
 B. The MA Organization agrees to require all related entities,
contractors, or subcontractors to agree that— 
 (1) HHS, the Comptroller General, or their designees have the right to inspect,
evaluate, and audit any pertinent contracts, books, documents, papers, and records of the related entity(s), contractor(s), or subcontractor(s) involving transactions related to this contract; and 
 (2) HHS, the Comptroller General, or their designees have the right to inspect, evaluate, and audit any pertinent information for any particular contract
period for 10 years from the final date of the contract period or from the date of completion of any audit, whichever is later. [422.504(i)(2)] 
 C.
The MA Organization agrees that all contracts or written arrangements into which the MA Organization enters with providers, related entities, contractors, or subcontractors (first tier and downstream entities) shall contain the following elements:

 (1) Enrollee protection provisions that provide— 
 (a) Consistent with Article III(C), arrangements that prohibit providers from holding an enrollee liable for payment of any fees that are the legal obligation of the MA Organization; and 
 (b) Consistent with Article III(C), provision for the continuation of benefits. 
 (2) Accountability provisions that indicate that the MA Organization may only delegate activities or functions to a provider, related entity, contractor,
or subcontractor in a manner consistent with requirements set forth at paragraph D of this article. 
 (3) A provision requiring that any
services or other activity performed by a related entity, contractor or subcontractor in accordance with a contract or written agreement between the related entity, contractor, or subcontractor and the MA Organization will be consistent and comply
with the MA Organization’s contractual obligations to CMS. [422.504(i)(3)] 
  

 8 

 D. If any of the MA Organization’s activities or responsibilities under this contract with CMS is delegated to other
parties, the following requirements apply to any related entity, contractor, subcontractor, or provider: 
 (1) Written arrangements must
specify delegated activities and reporting responsibilities. 
 (2) Written arrangements must either provide for revocation of the delegation
activities and reporting requirements or specify other remedies in instances where CMS or the MA Organization determine that such parties have not performed satisfactorily. 
 (3) Written arrangements must specify that the performance of the parties is monitored by the MA Organization on an ongoing basis. 
 (4) Written arrangements must specify that either— 
 (a) The credentials of medical professionals affiliated with the party or parties will be either reviewed by the MA Organization; or 
 (b) The credentialing process will be reviewed and approved by the MA Organization and the MA Organization must audit the credentialing process on an ongoing basis. 
 (5) All contracts or written arrangements must specify that the related entity, contractor, or subcontractor must comply with all applicable Medicare
laws, regulations, and CMS instructions. [422.504(i)(4)] 
 E. If the MA Organization delegates selection of the providers, contractors, or
subcontractors to another organization, the MA Organization’s written arrangements with that organization must state that the MA Organization retains the right to approve, suspend, or terminate any such arrangement. [422.504(i)(5)]

 F. As of the date of this contract and throughout its term, the MA Organization 
 (1) Agrees that any physician incentive plan it operates meets the requirements of §422.208, and 
 (2) Has assured that all physicians and physician groups that the MA Organization’s physician incentive plan places at substantial financial risk
have adequate stop-loss protection in accordance with §422.208(f). [422.208] 
  

 9 

 Article VI 
 Records Requirements 
 A. MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS 
 1. The MA Organization agrees to maintain for 10 years books, records, documents, and other evidence of accounting procedures and practices that— 
 (a) Are sufficient to do the following: 
 (i)
Accommodate periodic auditing of the financial records (including data related to Medicare utilization, costs, and computation of the benefit and price bid) of the MA Organization. 
 (ii) Enable CMS to inspect or otherwise evaluate the quality, appropriateness and timeliness of services performed under the contract, and the facilities
of the MA Organization. 
 (iii) Enable CMS to audit and inspect any books and records of the MA Organization that pertain to the ability of
the organization to bear the risk of potential financial losses, or to services performed or determinations of amounts payable under the contract. 
 (iv) Properly reflect all direct and indirect costs claimed to have been incurred and used in the preparation of the benefit and price bid proposal. 
 (v) Establish component rates of the benefit and price bid for determining additional and supplementary benefits. 
 (vi) Determine the rates utilized in setting premiums for State insurance agency purposes and for other government and private purchasers; and 
 (b) Include at least records of the following: 
 (i) Ownership and operation of the MA Organization’s
financial, medical, and other record keeping systems. 
 (ii) Financial statements for the current contract period and six prior periods.

 (iii) Federal income tax or informational returns for the current contract period and six prior periods. 
 (iv) Asset acquisition, lease, sale, or other action. 
 (v) Agreements, contracts (including, but not limited to, with related or unrelated prescription drug benefit managers) and subcontracts. 
 (vi) Franchise, marketing, and management agreements. 
 (vii) Schedules of charges for the MA
Organization’s fee-for-service patients. 
 (viii) Matters pertaining to costs of operations. 
 (ix) Amounts of income received, by source and payment. 
 (x) Cash flow statements. 
 (xi) Any financial reports filed with other Federal programs or State
authorities. [422.504(d)] 
 2. Access to facilities and records. The MA Organization agrees to the following: 
 (a) The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Comptroller General, or their designee may evaluate, through inspection or other means—

 (i) The quality, appropriateness, and timeliness of services furnished to Medicare enrollees under the contract; 
 (ii) The facilities of the MA Organization; and 
  

 10 

 (iii) The enrollment and disenrollment records for the current contract period and ten prior periods.

 (b) HHS, the Comptroller General, or their designees may audit, evaluate, or inspect any books, contracts, medical records, documents,
papers, patient care documentation, and other records of the MA Organization, related entity, contractor, subcontractor, or its transferee that pertain to any aspect of services performed, reconciliation of benefit liabilities, and determination of
amounts payable under the contract, or as the Secretary may deem necessary to enforce the contract. 
 (c) The MA Organization agrees to make
available, for the purposes specified in section (A) of this article, its premises, physical facilities and equipment, records relating to its Medicare enrollees, and any additional relevant information that CMS may require, in a manner that
meets CMS record maintenance requirements. 
 (d) HHS, the Comptroller General, or their designee’s right to inspect, evaluate, and
audit extends through 10 years from the final date of the contract period or completion of audit, whichever is later unless- 
 (i) CMS
determines there is a special need to retain a particular record or group of records for a longer period and notifies the MA Organization at least 30 days before the normal disposition date; 
 (ii) There has been a termination, dispute, or fraud or similar fault by the MA Organization, in which case the retention may be extended to 10 years
from the date of any resulting final resolution of the termination, dispute, or fraud or similar fault; or 
 (iii) HHS, the Comptroller
General, or their designee determines that there is a reasonable possibility of fraud, in which case they may inspect, evaluate, and audit the MA Organization at any time. [422.502(e)] 
 B. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS 
 1. The MA Organization shall have an effective
procedure to develop, compile, evaluate, and report to CMS, to its enrollees, and to the general public, at the times and in the manner that CMS requires, and while safeguarding the confidentiality of the doctor-patient relationship, statistics and
other information as described in the remainder of this section (B). [422.516(a)] 
 2. The MA Organization agrees to submit to CMS certified
financial information that must include the following: 
 (a) Such information as CMS may require demonstrating that the organization has a
fiscally sound operation, including: 
 (i) The cost of its operations; 
 (ii) A description, submitted to CMS annually and within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year, of significant business transactions (as defined in
§422.500) between the MA Organization and a party in interest showing that the costs of the transactions listed in paragraph (2)(a)(v) of this section do not exceed the costs that would be incurred if these transactions were with someone
who is not a party in interest; or 
 (iii) If they do exceed, a justification that the higher costs are consistent with prudent management
and fiscal soundness requirements. 
 (iv) A combined financial statement for the MA Organization and a party in interest if either of the
following conditions is met: 
  

 11 

 (aa) Thirty-five percent or more of the costs of operation of the MA Organization go to a party in
interest. 
 (bb) Thirty-five percent or more of the revenue of a party in interest is from the MA Organization. [422.516(b)]

 (v) Requirements for combined financial statements. 
 (aa) The combined financial statements required by paragraph (2)(a)(iv) must display in separate columns the financial information for the MA Organization and each of the parties in interest. 
 (bb) Inter-entity transactions must be eliminated in the consolidated column. 
 (cc) The statements must have been examined by an independent auditor in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and must include
appropriate opinions and notes. 
 (dd) Upon written request from the MA Organization showing good cause, CMS may waive the requirement that
the organization’s combined financial statement include the financial information required in paragraph (2)(a)(v) with respect to a particular entity. [422.516(c)] 
 (vi) A description of any loans or other special financial arrangements the MA Organization makes with contractors, subcontractors, and related entities.

 (b) Such information as CMS may require pertaining to the disclosure of ownership and control of the MA Organization.
[422.502(f)(1)(ii)] 
 (c) Patterns of utilization of the MA Organization’s services. 
 3. The MA Organization agrees to participate in surveys required by CMS and to submit to CMS all information that is necessary for CMS to administer and evaluate the
program and to simultaneously establish and facilitate a process for current and prospective beneficiaries to exercise choice in obtaining Medicare services. This information includes, but is not limited to: 
 (a) The benefits covered under the MA plan; 
 (b) The MA monthly basic beneficiary premium and MA monthly supplemental beneficiary premium, if any, for the plan. 
 (c) The
service area and continuation area, if any, of each plan and the enrollment capacity of each plan; 
 (d) Plan quality and performance
indicators for the benefits under the plan including— 
 (i) Disenrollment rates for Medicare enrollees electing to receive benefits
through the plan for the previous 2 years; 
 (ii) Information on Medicare enrollee satisfaction; 
 (iii) The patterns of utilization of plan services; 
 (iv) The availability, accessibility, and acceptability of the plan’s services; 
 (v) Information on health outcomes and other
performance measures required by CMS; 
 (vi) The recent record regarding compliance of the plan with requirements of this part, as
determined by CMS; and 
 (vii) Other information determined by CMS to be necessary to assist beneficiaries in making an informed choice
among MA plans and traditional Medicare; 
 (e) Information about beneficiary appeals and their disposition; 
 (f) Information regarding all formal actions, reviews, findings, or other similar actions by States, other regulatory bodies, or any other certifying or
accrediting organization; 
 (g) Any other information deemed necessary by CMS for the administration or evaluation of the Medicare program.
[422.502(f)(2)] 
  

 12 

 4. The MA Organization agrees to provide to its enrollees and upon request, to any individual eligible to elect an MA
plan, all informational requirements under §422.64 and, upon an enrollee’s, request, the financial disclosure information required under §422.516. [422.502(f)(3)] 
 5. Reporting and disclosure under ERISA. 
 (a) For any employees’ health benefits plan that
includes an MA Organization in its offerings, the MA Organization must furnish, upon request, the information the plan needs to fulfill its reporting and disclosure obligations (with respect to the MA Organization) under the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). 
 (b) The MA Organization must furnish the information to the employer or the employer’s designee,
or to the plan administrator, as the term “administrator” is defined in ERISA. [422.516(d)] 
 6. Electronic communication. The MA
Organization must have the capacity to communicate with CMS electronically. [422.504(b)] 
 7. Risk Adjustment data. The MA Organization agrees
to comply with the requirements in §422.310 for submitting risk adjustment data to CMS. [422.504(a)(8)] 
 Article VII 

Renewal of the MA Contract 
 A. Renewal of
contract: In accordance with §422.505, following the initial contract period, this contract is renewable annually only if- 
 (1)
The MA Organization has not provided CMS with a notice of intention not to renew; [422.506(a)] 
 (2) CMS and the MA Organization
reach agreement on the bid under 42 CFR Part 422, Subpart F; and [422.505(d)] 
 (3) CMS informs the MA Organization that it
authorizes a renewal. 
 B. Nonrenewal of contract 
 (1) Nonrenewal by the Organization. 
 (a) In accordance with §422.506, the MA Organization may elect not to renew its
contract with CMS as of the end of the term of the contract for any reason, provided it meets the time frames for doing so set forth in subparagraphs (b) and (c) of this paragraph. 
 (b) If the MA Organization does not intend to renew its contract, it must notify— 
 (i) CMS, in writing, by the first Monday in June of the year in which the contract would end, pursuant to §422.506 
 (ii) Each Medicare enrollee, at least 90 days before the date on which the nonrenewal is effective. This notice must include a written description of all
alternatives available for obtaining Medicare services within the service area including alternative MA plans, Medicare options, and original Medicare and prescription drug plans and must receive CMS approval prior to issuance. 
 (iii) The general public, at least 90 days before the. end of the current calendar year, by publishing a CMS-approved notice in one or more newspapers of
general circulation in each community located in the MA Organization’s service area. 
  

 13 

 (c) CMS may accept a nonrenewal notice submitted after the applicable annual non-renewal notice deadline
if — 
 (i) The MA Organization notifies its Medicare enrollees and the public in accordance with subparagraph (l)(b)(ii) and
(l)(b)(iii) of this section; and 
 (ii) Acceptance is not inconsistent with the effective and efficient administration of the Medicare
program. 
 (d) If the MA Organization does not renew a contract under subparagraph (1), CMS will not enter into a contract with the
Organization for 2 years from the date of contract separation unless there are special circumstances that warrant special consideration, as determined by CMS. [422.506(a)] 
 (2) CMS decision not to renew. 
 (a)
CMS may elect not to authorize renewal of a contract for any of the following reasons: 
 (i) The MA Organization’s level of enrollment,
growth in enrollment, or insufficient number of contracted providers is determined by, CMS to threaten the viability of the organization under the MA program and or be an indicator of beneficiary dissatisfaction with the MA plan(s) offered by the
organization. 
 (ii) For any of the reasons listed in §422.510(a) [Article VIII, section (B)(l)(a) of this contract], which would also
permit CMS to terminate the contract. 
 (iii) The MA Organization has committed any of the acts in §,422.752(a) that would support the
imposition of intermediate sanctions or civil money penalties under 42 CFR Part 422 Subpart O. 
 (iv) The MA Organization did not submit a
benefit and price bid or the benefit and price bid was not acceptable [422.505(d)] 
 (b) Notice, CMS shall provide notice of
its decision whether to authorize renewal of the contract as follows: 
 (i) To the MA Organization by May 1 of the contract year, except
in the event of (2)(a)(iv) above, for which notice will be sent by September 1. 
 (ii) To the MA Organization’s Medicare enrollees
by mail at least 90 days before the end of the current calendar year. 
 (iii) To the general public at least 90 days before the end of the
current calendar year, by publishing a notice in one or more newspapers of general circulation in each community or county located in the MA Organization’s service area. 
 (c) Notice of appeal rights. CMS shall give the MA Organization written notice of its right to reconsideration of the decision not to renew in
accordance with § 422.644. [422.506(b)] 
  

 14 

 Article VIII 
 Modification or Termination of the Contract 
 A. Modification or Termination of Contract by Mutual Consent 
 1. This contract may be modified or terminated at any time by written mutual consent 
 (a) If the contract is modified by written mutual consent, the MA Organization must Notify its Medicare enrollees of any changes that CMS determines are appropriate for notification within time frames specified by
CMS. [422.508(a)(2)] 
 (b) If the contract is terminated by written mutual consent, except as provided in section (A)(2) of this
Article, the MA Organization must provide notice to its Medicare enrollees and the general public as provided in section B(2)(b)(ii) and B(2)(b)(iii) of this Article. [422.508(a)(l)] 
 2. If this contract is terminated by written mutual consent and replaced the day following such termination by a new MA contract, the MA Organization is not required to
provide the notice specified in section B of this article. [422.508(b)] 
 B. Termination of the Contract by CMS or the MA Organization 
 1. Termination by CMS. 
 (a) CMS may terminate a
contract for any of the following reasons: 
 (i) The MA Organization has failed substantially to carry out the terms of its contract with
CMS. 
 (ii) The MA Organization is carrying out its contract with CMS in a manner that is inconsistent with the effective and efficient
implementation of 42 CFR Part 422. 
 (iii) CMS determines that the MA Organization no longer meets the requirements of 42 CFR Part 422 for
being a contracting organization. 
 (iv) There is credible evidence that the MA Organization committed or participated in false, fraudulent
or abusive activities affecting the Medicare program, including submission of false or fraudulent data, 
 (v) The MA Organization
experiences financial difficulties so severe that its ability to make necessary health services available is impaired to the point of posing an imminent and serious risk to the health of its enrollees, or otherwise fails to make services available
to the extent that such a risk to health exists. 
 (vi) The MA Organization substantially fails to comply with the requirements in 42 CFR
Part 422 Subpart M relating to grievances and appeals. 
 (vii) The MA Organization fails to provide CMS with valid risk adjustment data as
required under §422.310 and 423.329(b)(3). 
 (viii) The MA Organization fails to implement an acceptable quality improvement program as
required under 42 CFR Part 422 Subpart D. 
 (ix) The MA Organization substantially fails to comply with the prompt payment requirements in
§422.520. 
 (x) The MA Organization substantially fails to comply with the service access requirements in §422.112. 
 (xi) The MA Organization fails to comply with the requirements of §422.208 regarding physician incentive plans. 
  

 15 

 (xii) The MA Organization substantially fails to comply with the marketing requirements in 422.80.

 (b) Notice. If CMS decides to terminate a contract for reasons other than the grounds specified in section (B)(l)(a) above, it will
give notice of the termination as follows: 
 (i) CMS will notify the MA Organization in writing 90 days before the intended date of the
termination. 
 (ii) The MA Organization will notify its Medicare enrollees of the termination by mail at least 30 days before the effective
date of the termination. 
 (iii) The MA Organization will notify the general public of the termination at least 30 days before the effective
date of the termination by publishing a notice in one or more newspapers of general circulation in each community or county located in the MA Organization’s service area. 
 (c) Immediate termination of contract by CMS. 
 (i) For terminations based on violations prescribed in paragraph (B)(l)(a)(v) of this article, CMS will notify the MA Organization in writing that its contract has been terminated effective the date of the termination decision by CMS. If
termination is effective in the middle of a month, CMS has the right to recover the prorated share of the capitation payments made to the MA Organization covering the period of the month following the contract termination. 
 (ii) CMS will notify the MA Organization’s Medicare enrollees in writing of CMS’ decision to terminate the MA Organization’s contract This
notice will occur no later than 30 days after CMS notifies the plan of its decision to terminate this contract. CMS will simultaneously inform the Medicare enrollees of alternative options for obtaining Medicare services, including alternative MA
Organizations in a similar geographic area and original Medicare. 
 (iii) CMS will notify the general public of the termination no later
than 30 days after notifying the MA Organization of CMS’ decision to terminate this contract. This notice will be published in one or more newspapers of general circulation in each community or county located in the MA Organization’s
service area. 
 (d) Corrective action plan 
 (i) General. Before terminating a contract for reasons other than the grounds specified in section (B)(l)(a)(v) of this article, CMS will provide the MA Organization with reasonable opportunity, not to exceed
time frames specified at 42 CFR Part 422 Subpart N, to develop and receive CMS approval of a corrective action plan to correct the deficiencies that are the basis of the proposed termination. 
 (ii) Exception. If a contract is terminated under section (B)(l)(a)(v) of this article, the MA Organization will not have the opportunity to
submit a corrective action plan. 
 (e) Appeal rights. If CMS decides to terminate this contract, it will send written notice to the
MA Organization informing it of its termination appeal rights in accordance with 42 CFR Part 422 Subpart N. [422.510] 
 2. Termination by the MA
Organization 
 (a) Cause for termination. The MA Organization may terminate this contract if CMS fails to substantially carry out the
terms of the contract. 
 (b) Notice. The MA Organization must give advance notice as follows: 
 (i) To CMS, at least 90 days before the intended date of termination. This notice must specify the reasons why the MA Organization is requesting contract
termination. 
  

 16 

 (ii) To its Medicare enrollees, at least 60 days before the termination effective date. This notice must
include a written description of alternatives available for obtaining Medicare services within the service area, including alternative MA and MA-PD plans, PDP plans, Medigap options, and original Medicare and must receive CMS approval. 

(iii) To the general public at least 60 days before the termination effective date by publishing a CMS-approved notice in one or more newspapers of
general circulation in each community or county located in the MA Organization’s geographic area. 
 (c) Effective date of
termination. The effective date of the termination will be determined by CMS and will be at least 90 days after the date CMS receives the MA Organization’s notice of intent to terminate. 
 (d) CMS’ liability. CMS’ liability for payment to the MA Organization ends as of the first day of the month after the last month for
which the contract is in effect, but CMS shall make payments for amounts owed prior to termination but not yet paid. 
 (e) Effect of
termination by the organization. CMS will not enter into an agreement with the MA Organization for a period of two years from the date the Organization has terminated this contract, unless there are circumstances that warrant special
consideration, as determined by CMS. [422.512] 
 Article IX 
 Requirements of Other Laws and Regulations 
 A. The MA Organization agrees to comply with—

 (1) Federal laws and regulations designed to prevent or ameliorate fraud, waste, and abuse, including, but not limited to, applicable
provisions of Federal criminal law, the False Claims Act (31 USC 3729 et seq.), and the anti-kickback statute (section 1128B(b) of the Act): and 
 (2) HIPAA administrative simplification rules at 45 CFR parts 160, 162, and 164. [422.504(h)] 
 B. The MA Organization maintains ultimate
responsibility for adhering to and otherwise fully complying with all terms and conditions of its contract with CMS, notwithstanding any relationship(s) that the MA organization may have with related entities, contractors, or subcontractors.
[422.504(i)] 
 C. In the event that any provision of this contact conflicts with the provisions of any statute or regulation applicable to an MA
Organization, the provisions of the statute or regulation shall have full force and effect. 
  

 17 

 Article X 
 Severability 
 The MA Organization agrees that, upon CMS’ request, this contract will be amended to exclude any MA plan
or State-licensed entity specified by CMS, and a separate contract for any such excluded plan or entity will be deemed to be in place when such a request is made. [422.504(k)] 
 Article XI 
 Miscellaneous 
 A. Definitions. Terms not otherwise defined in this contract shall have the meaning given to such terms in 42 CFR Part 422. 
 B. Alteration to Original Contract Terms. The MA Organization agrees that it has not altered in any way the terms of this contract presented for signature by CMS. The MA
Organization agrees that any alterations to the original text the MA Organization may make to this contract shall not be binding on the parties. 
 C.
Approval to Begin Marketing and Enrollment. The MA Organization agrees that it must complete CMS operational requirements prior to receiving CMS approval to begin Part C marketing and enrollment activities. Such activities include, but are not
limited to, establishing and successfully testing connectivity with CMS systems to process enrollment applications (or contracting with an entity qualified to perform such functions on the MA Organization’s Sponsor’s behalf) and
successfully demonstrating capability to submit accurate and timely price comparison data. To establish and successfully test connectivity, the MA Organization must, 1) establish and test physical connectivity to the CMS data center, 2} acquire user
identifications and passwords, 3) receive, store, and maintain data necessary to perform enrollments and send and receive transactions to and from CMS, and 4) check and receive transaction status information. 
 D. Incorporation of Applicable Addenda. All addenda checked off and initialed on the cover sheet of this contract by the MA Organization are hereby incorporated by
reference. 
  

 18 

 In witness whereof, the parties hereby execute this contract. 
  

			
	FOR THE MA ORGANIZATION
		
		    	Chief Executive Officer
	Printed Name	    	Title
		
	 /s/
	    	September 8, 2005
	Signature	    	
		
	Molina Healthcare of             , Inc.	    	

  

			
	FOR THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES
		
	 /s/ Patricia P. Smith
	    	10/17/05
	Patricia P. Smith	    	Date
	Director	    	
	Medicare Advantage Group	    	
	Center for Beneficiary Choices	    	

  

 19 

 Contract #H5628 
 ADDENDUM TO MEDICARE MANAGED CARE CONTRACT PURSUANT TO 
 SECTIONS 1860D-1
THROUGH 1860D-42 OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT 
 FOR THE OPERATION OF A VOLUNTARY MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION 
 DRUG PLAN 
 The Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (hereinafter referred to as “CMS”) and Molina Healthcare of             , Inc., a Medicare managed care organization (hereinafter referred to as the MA-PD
Sponsor) agree to amend the contract (H5628) governing the MA-PD Sponsor’s operation of a Part C plan described in Section 1851(a)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”) or a Medicare cost plan to
include this addendum under which the MA-PD Sponsor shall operate a Voluntary Medicare Prescription Drug Plan pursuant to sections 1860D-1 through 1860D-42 (with the exception of section 1860D-22 and 1860D-31) of the Act. 
 This addendum is made pursuant to Subpart L of 42 CFR Part 417 (in the case of cost plan sponsors offering a Part D benefit) and Subpart K of 42 CFR Part 422 (in the
case of an MA-PD Sponsor offering a Part C plan). 
 NOTE: For purposes of this addendum, unless otherwise noted, reference to an “MA-PD Sponsor”
or “MA-PD Plan” is deemed to include a cost plan sponsor or a MA private fee-for-service contractor offering a Part D benefit. 

 Article I 
 Medicare Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit 
  

	A.	The MA-PD Sponsor agrees to operate one or more Medicare Voluntary Prescription Drug Plans as described in its application and related materials, including but not limited to all
the attestations contained therein and all supplemental guidance, for Medicare approval and in compliance with the provisions of this addendum, which incorporates in its entirety the Solicitation For Applications from Prescription Drug Plans
released on January 21, 2005 (as revised on March 9, 2005) [applicable to Medicare Part C contractors] or the Solicitation for Applications from Cost Plan Sponsors released on January 21, 2005 as revised on March 9.
2005) [applicable to Medicare cost plan contractors] (hereinafter collectively referred to as “the addendum”). The MA-PD Sponsor also agrees to operate in accordance with the regulations at 42 CFR §423.1 through 42 CFR
§423.910 (with the exception of Subparts Q, R, and S), sections 1860D-1 through 1860D-42 (with the exception of sections 1860D-22(a) and 1860D-31) of the Social Security Act, and the applicable solicitation identified above, as well as all
other applicable Federal statutes, regulations, and policies. This addendum is deemed to incorporate any changes that are required by statute to be implemented during the term of this addendum and any regulations or policies implementing or
interpreting such statutory provisions. 

  

	B.	CMS agrees to perform its obligations to the MA-PD Sponsor consistent with the regulations at 42 CFR §423.1 through 42 CFR §423.910 (with the exception of Subparts Q, R,
and S), sections 1860D-1 through 1860D-42 (with the exception of sections 1860D-22(a) and 1860D-31) of the Social Security Act, and the applicable solicitation, as well as all other applicable Federal statutes, regulations, and policies.

  

	C.	CMS agrees that it will not implement, other than at the beginning of a calendar year, regulations under 42 CFR Part 423 that impose new, significant regulatory requirements on the
MA-PD Sponsor. This provision does not apply to new requirements mandated by statute. 

  

	D.	This addendum is in no way intended to supersede or modify 42 CFR, Parts 417, 422 or 423. Failure to reference a regulatory requirement in this addendum does not affect the
applicability of such requirements to the MA-PD Sponsor and CMS. 

 Article II 
 Functions to be Performed by the MA-PD Sponsor 
  

	A.	ENROLLMENT 

  

	 	1.	MA-PD Sponsor agrees to enroll in its MA-PD plan only Part D-eligible beneficiaries as they are defined in 42 CFR §423.30(a) and who have elected to enroll in MA-PD
Sponsor’s Part C or Section 1876 benefit. 

  

 2 

	 	2.	If the MA-PD Sponsor is a cost plan sponsor, the MA-PD Sponsor acknowledges that its Section 1876 plan enrollees are not required to elect enrollment in its Part D plan.

  

	B.	PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT 

  

	 	1.	MA-PD Sponsor agrees to provide the required prescription drug coverage as defined under 42 CFR §423.100 and, to the extent applicable, supplemental benefits as defined in 42
CFR §423.100 and in accordance with Subpart C of 42 CFR Part 423. MA-PD Sponsor also agrees to provide Part D benefits as described in the MA-PD Sponsor’s Part D bid(s) approved each year by CMS (and in the Attestation of Benefit Plan and
Price, attached hereto). 

  

	 	2.	MA-PD Sponsor agrees to calculate and collect beneficiary Part D premiums in accordance with 42 CFR §§423.286 and 423.293. 

  

	 	3.	If the MA-PD Sponsors is a cost plans sponsor, it acknowledge that its Part D benefit is offered as an optional supplemental service in accordance with 42 CFR
§417.440(b)(2)(ii). 

  

	C.	DISSEMINATION OF PLAN INFORMATION 

  

	 	1.	MA-PD Sponsor agrees to provide the information required in 42 CFR §423.48. 

  

	 	2.	MA-PD Sponsor agrees to disclose information related to Part D benefits to beneficiaries in the manner and the form specified by CMS under 42 CFR §§423.128 and 423.50 and
in the “Marketing Materials Guidelines for Medicare Advantage-Prescription Drug Plans (MA-PDs) and Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs).” 

  

	 	3.	MA-PD Sponsor certifies that all materials it submits to CMS under the File and Use Certification authority described in the Marketing Materials Guidelines are accurate, truthful,
not misleading, and consistent with CMS marketing guidelines. 

  

	D.	QUALITY ASSURANCE/UTILIZATION MANAGEMENT 

 MA-PD Sponsor
agrees to operate quality assurance, cost, and utilization management, medication therapy management programs, and support electronic prescribing in accordance with Subpart D of 42 CFR Part 423. 
  

	E.	APPEALS AND GRIEVANCES 

 MA-PD Sponsor agrees to comply
with all requirements in Subpart M of 42 CFR Part 423 governing coverage determinations, grievances and appeals, and formulary exceptions. MA-PD Sponsor acknowledges that these requirements are separate and distinct from the appeals and grievances
requirements applicable to the MA-PD Sponsor through the operation of its Part C or cost plan benefits. 
  

 3 

	F.	PAYMENT TO MA-PD SPONSOR 

  

	 	1.	MA-PD Sponsor and CMS agree that payment paid for Part D services under the addendum will be governed by the rules in Subpart G of 42 CFR Part 423. 

  

	 	2.	If the MA-PD Sponsor is participating in the Part D Reinsurance Payment Demonstration, described in 70 FR 9360 (Feb. 25, 2005), it affirms that it will not seek payment under
the demonstration for services provided to employer group enrollees. 

  

	G.	BID SUBMISSION AND REVIEW 

 If the MA-PD Sponsor intends to
participate in the Part D program for the future year, MA-PD Sponsor agrees to submit a future year’s Part D bid, including all required information on premiums, benefits, and cost-sharing, by the applicable due date, as provided in Subpart F
of 42 CFR Part 423 so that CMS and the MA-PD Sponsor may conduct negotiations regarding the terms and conditions of the proposed bid and benefit plan renewal, MA-PD Sponsor acknowledges that failure to submit a timely bid under this section may
affect the sponsor’s ability to offer a Part C plan, pursuant to the provisions of 42 CFR §422.4(c). 
  

	H.	COORDINATION WITH OTHER PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE 

  

	 	1.	MA-PD Sponsor agrees to comply with the coordination requirements with State Pharmacy Assistance Programs (SPAPs) and plans that provide other prescription drug coverage as
described in Subpart J of 42 CFR Part 423. 

  

	 	2.	MA-PD Sponsor agrees to comply with Medicare Secondary Payer procedures as stated in 42 CFR §423.462. 

  

	I.	SERVICE AREA AND PHARMACY ACCESS 

  

	 	1.	The MA-PD Sponsor agrees to provide Part D benefits in the service area for which it has been approved by CMS to offer Part C or cost plan benefits utilizing a pharmacy network and
formulary approved by CMS that meet the requirements of 42 CFR §423.120. 

  

	 	2.	The MA-PD Sponsor agrees to ensure adequate access to Part D-covered drugs at out-of-network pharmacies according to 42 CFR §423.124. 

  

	 	3.	MA-PD Sponsor agrees to provide benefits by means of point-of-service systems to adjudicate prescription drug claims in a timely and efficient manner in compliance with CMS
standards, except when necessary to provide access in underserved areas, I/T/U pharmacies (as defined in 42 CFR §423.100), and long-term care pharmacies (as defined in 42 CFR §423.100). 

  

 4 

	 	4.	MA-PD Sponsor agrees to contract with any pharmacy that meets the MA-PD Sponsor’s reasonable and relevant standard terms and conditions. If MA-PD Sponsor has demonstrated that
it historically fills 98% or more of its enrollees’ prescriptions at pharmacies owned and operated by the MA-PD Sponsor (or presents compelling circumstances that prevent the sponsor from meeting the 98% standard or demonstrates that its Part D
plan design will enable the sponsor to meet the 98% standard during the contact year), this provision does not apply to MA-PD Sponsor’s plan. 

  

	 	5.	The provisions of 42 CFR §423.120(a) concerning the TRICARE retail pharmacy access standard do not apply to MA-PD Sponsor if the Sponsor has demonstrated to CMS that it
historically fills more than 50% of its enrollees’ prescriptions at pharmacies owned and operated by the MA-PD Sponsor. MA-PD Sponsors excused from meeting the TRICARE standard are required to demonstrate retail pharmacy access that meets the
requirements of 42 CFR §422.112 for a Part C contractor and 42 CFR §417.416(e) for a cost plan contractor. 

  

	J.	COMPLIANCE PLAN/PROGRAM INTEGRITY 

 MA-PD Sponsor agrees
that it will develop and implement a compliance plan that applies to its Part D-related operations, consistent with 42 CFR §423.504(b)(4)(vi). 
  

	K.	LOW-INCOME SUBSIDY 

 MA-PD Sponsor agrees that it will
participate in the administration of subsidies for low-income individuals according to Subpart P of 42 CFR Part 423. 
  

	L.	BENEFICIARY FINANCIAL PROTECTIONS 

 The MA-PD Sponsor
agrees to afford its enrollees protection from liability for payment of fees that are the obligation of the MA-PD Sponsor in accordance with 42 CFR §423.505(g). 
  

	M.	RELATIONSHIP WITH RELATED ENTITIES, CONTRACTORS, AND SUBCONTRACTORS 

  

	 	1.	The MA-PD Sponsor agrees that it maintains ultimate responsibility for adhering to and otherwise fully complying with all terms and conditions of this addendum.

  

	 	2.	The MA-PD Sponsor shall ensure that any contracts or agreements with subcontractors or agents performing functions on the MA-PD Sponsor’s behalf related to the operation of the
Part D benefit are in compliance with 42 CFR §423.505(i). 

  

	N.	CERTIFICATION OF DATA THAT DETERMINE PAYMENT 

 MA-PD
Sponsor must provide certifications in accordance with 42 CFR §423.505(k). 
  

 5 

 Article III 
 Record Retention and Reporting Requirements 
  

	A.	MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS 

 MA-PD Sponsor agrees to maintain
records and provide access in accordance with 42 CFR §§423.504(d) and 505(d) and (e). 
  

	B.	GENERAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS 

 The MA-PD Sponsor agrees
to submit to information to CMS according to 42 CFR §§423.505(f), 423.514, and the “Final Medicare Part D Reporting Requirements,” a document issued by CMS and subject to modification each program year. 
  

	C.	CMS License For Use of Plan Formulary 

 PDP Sponsor agrees
to submit to CMS each plan’s formulary information, including any changes to its formularies, and hereby grants to the Government[, and any person or entity who might receive the formulary from the Government,] a non-exclusive license to use
all or any portion of the formulary for any purpose related to the administration of the Part D program, including without limitation publicly distributing, displaying, publishing or reconfiguration of the information in any medium, including
www.medicare.gov, and by any electronic, print or other means of distribution. 
 Article IV 
 HIPAA Transactions/Privacy/Security 
  

	A.	MA-PD Sponsor agrees to comply with the confidentiality and enrollee record accuracy requirements specified in 42 CFR §423.136. 

  

	B.	MA-PD Sponsor agrees to enter into a business associate agreement with the entity with which CMS has contracted to track Medicare beneficiaries’ true out-of-pocket costs.

  

 6 

 Article V 
 Addendum Term and Renewal 
  

	A.	TERM OF ADDENDUM 

 This addendum is effective from the date
of CMS’ authorized representative’s signature through December 31, 2006. This addendum shall be renewable for successive one-year periods thereafter according to 42 CFR §423.506. MA-PD Sponsor shall not conduct Part D-related
marketing activities prior to October 1, 2005 and shall not process enrollment applications prior to November 15, 2005. MA-PD Sponsor shall begin delivering Part D benefit services on January 1, 2006. 
  

	B.	QUALIFICATION TO RENEW ADDENDUM 

  

	 	1.	In accordance with 42 CFR §423.507, the MA-PD Sponsor will be determined qualified to renew this addendum annually only if— 

  

	 	(a)	CMS informs the MA-PD Sponsor that it is qualified to renew its addendum; and 

  

	 	(b)	The MA-PD Sponsor has not provided CMS with a notice of intention not to renew in accordance with Article VII of this addendum, 

  

	 	2.	Although MA-PD Sponsor may be determined qualified to renew its addendum under this Article, if the MA-PD Sponsor and CMS cannot reach agreement on the Part D bid under Subpart F of
42 CFR Part 423, no renewal takes place, and the failure to reach agreement is not subject to the appeals provisions in Subpart N of 42 CFR Parts 422 or 423. (Refer to Article XI for consequences of non-renewal on the Part C contract and the ability
to enter into a Part C contract.) 

 Article VI 
 Nonrenewal of Addendum 
  

	A.	NONRENEWAL BY THE MA-PD SPONSOR 

  

	 	1.	MA-PD Sponsor may non-renew this addendum in accordance with 42 CFR 423.507(a). 

  

	 	2.	If the MA-PD Sponsor non-renews this addendum under this Article, CMS cannot enter into a Part D addendum with the organization for 2 years unless there are special circumstances
that warrant special consideration, as determined by CMS. 

  

	B.	NONRENEWAL BY CMS 

 CMS may non-renew this addendum under
the rules of 42 CFR 423.507(b). (Refer to Article X for consequences of non-renewal on the Part C contract and the ability to enter into a Part C contract.) 
 Article VII 
 Modification or Termination of Addendum by Mutual Consent 
 This addendum may be modified or terminated at any time by written mutual consent in accordance with 42 CFR 423.508. (Refer to Article X for consequences of non-renewal
on the Part C contract and the ability to enter into a Part C contract.) 
  

 7 

 Article VIII 
 Termination of Addendum by CMS 
 CMS may terminate this addendum in accordance with 42 CFR 423.509. (Refer to Article
X for consequences of non-renewal on the Part C contract and the ability to enter into a Part C contract.) 
 Article IX 
 Termination of Addendum by the MA-PD Sponsor 
  

	A.	The MA-PD Sponsor may terminate this addendum only in accordance with 42 CFR 423.510. 

  

	B.	CMS will not enter into a Part D addendum with an organization that has terminated its addendum within the preceding 2 years unless there are circumstances that warrant special
consideration, as determined by CMS. 

  

	C.	If the addendum is terminated under section A of this Article, the MA-PD Sponsor must ensure the timely transfer of any data or files. (Refer to Article X for consequences of
non-renewal on the Part C contract and the ability to enter into a Part C contract.) 

 Article X 
 Relationship Between Addendum and Part C Contract or 1876 Cost Contract 
  

	A.	MA-PD Sponsor acknowledges that, if it is a Medicare Part C contractor, the termination or nonrenewal of this addendum by either party may require CMS to terminate or non-renew the
Sponsor’s Part C contract in the event that such non-renewal or termination prevents the MA-PD Sponsor from meeting the requirements of 42 CFR §422.4(c), in which case the Sponsor must provide the notices specified in this contract, as
well as the notices specified under Subpart K of 42 CFR Part 422. MA-PD Sponsor also acknowledges that Article X.B. of this addendum may prevent the sponsor from entering into a Part C contract for two years following an addendum termination or
non-renewal where such non-renewal or termination prevents the MA- PD Sponsor from meeting the requirements of 42 CFR §422.4(c). 

  

	B.	The termination of this addendum by either party shall not, by itself, relieve the parties from their obligations under the Part C or cost plan contracts to which this document is
an addendum. 

  

 8 

	C.	In the event that the MA-PD Sponsor’s Part C or cost plan contract (as applicable) is terminated or nonrenewed by either party, the provisions of this addendum shall also
terminate. In such an event, the MA-PD Sponsor and CMS shall provide notice to enrollees and the public as described in this contract as well as 42 CFR Part 422, Subpart K or 42 CFR Part 417, Subpart K, as applicable. 

 Article XI 
 Intermediate Sanctions

 The MA-PD Sponsor shall be subject to sanctions and civil monetary penalties, consistent with Subpart 0 of 42 CFR Part 423. 
 Article XII 
 Severability

 Severability of the addendum shall be in accordance with 42 CFR §423.504(e). 
 Article XIII 
 Miscellaneous 
  

	A.	DEFINITIONS: Terms not otherwise defined in this addendum shall have the meaning given such terms at 42 CFR Part 423 or, as applicable, 42 CFR Part 422 or Part 417.

  

	B.	ALTERATION TO ORIGINAL ADDENDUM TERMS: The MA-PD Sponsor agrees that it has not altered in any way the terms of the MA-PD addendum presented for signature by CMS. MA-PD Sponsor
agrees that any alterations to the original text the MA-PD Sponsor may make to this addendum shall not be binding on the parties. 

  

	C.	ADDITIONAL CONTRACT TERMS: The MA-PD Sponsor agree to include in this addendum other terms and conditions in accordance with 42 CFR §423.505(j). 

  

	D.	 CMS APPROVAL TO BEGIN MARKETING AND ENROLLMENT ACTIVITIES: The MA-PD Sponsor agrees that it must complete CMS operational requirements related to its Part D benefit
prior to receiving CMS approval to begin MA-PD plan marketing activities relating to its Part D benefit. Such activities include, but are not limited to, establishing and successfully testing connectivity with CMS systems to process enrollment
applications (or contracting with an entity qualified to perform such functions on MA-PD Sponsor’s behalf) and successfully demonstrating the capability to submit accurate and timely price comparison data. To establish and successfully test
connectivity, the PDP Sponsor must, 1) establish and test physical connectivity to the CMS data center, 2) acquire user identifications and passwords, 3) receive, store, and maintain data necessary to perform enrollments and send and 

  

 9 

	 	 
receive transactions to and from CMS, and 4) check and receive transaction status information. 

  

 10 

 In witness whereof, the parties hereby execute this addendum. 
  

			
	FOR THE MA-PD SPONSOR
		
		  	Chief Executive Officer
	Printed Name	  	Title
		
	 /s/ 
	  	September 8, 2005
	Signature	  	
	Molina Healthcare of         , Inc.	  	

  

					
	FOR THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES	  	
			
	 /s/ Patricia Smith
	    	  
	  	
	Patricia Smith	    	Date	  	
	Director	    		  	
	Medicare Advantage Group	    		  	
	Center for Beneficiary Choices	    		  	
			
	 /s/ Robert Donnelly
	    	  
	  	
	Robert Donnelly	    	Date	  	
	Director	    		  	
	Medicare Drug Benefit Group	    		  	
	Center for Beneficiary Choices	    		  	

  

 11 

 PART C/D BENEFIT PLAN(S) DESCRIPTION 
 TO BE ATTACHED TO MA CONTRACT 
 SECTION 1876/PART D OPTIONAL SUPPLEMENTAL
BENEFIT PLAN 
 DESCRIPTION TO BE ATTACHED TO SECTION 1876 CONTRACT 
  

 12 

 ATTACHMENT A 
 ATTESTATION OF ENROLLMENT INFORMATION 
 RELATING TO CMS PAYMENT 
 TO A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE ORGANIZATION 
 Pursuant to the contract(s) between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and (Molina Healthcare of         , Inc.), hereafter referred to as the MA Organization,
governing the operation of the following Medicare Advantage plans (INSERT PLAN IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS HERE), the MA Organization hereby requests payment under the contract, and in doing so, makes the following attestation concerning CMS
payments to the MA Organization. The MA Organization acknowledges that the information described below directly affects the calculation of CMS payments to the MA Organization and that misrepresentations to CMS about the accuracy of such information
may result in Federal civil action and/or criminal prosecution. This attestation shall not be considered a waiver of the MA Organization’s right to seek payment adjustments from CMS based on information or data which does not become available
until after the date the MA Organization submits this attestation. 
 1. The MA Organization has reported to CMS for the month of
(INDICATE MONTH AND YEAR) all new enrollments, disenrollments, and changes in enrollees’ institutional status with respect to the above-stated MA plans. Based on best knowledge, information, and belief as of the date indicated below, all
information submitted to CMS in this report is accurate, complete, and truthful. 
 2. The MA Organization has reviewed the CMS monthly
membership report and reply listing for the month of (INDICATE MONTH AND YEAR) for the above-stated MA plans and has reported to CMS any discrepancies between the report and the MA Organization’s records. For those portions of the
monthly membership report and the reply listing to which the MA Organization raises no objection, the MA Organization, through the certifying CEO/CFO, will be deemed to have attested, based on best knowledge, information, and belief as of the date
indicated below, to their accuracy, completeness, and truthfulness. 
  

			
	  

	on behalf of
	
	  

	(INDICATE MA ORGANIZATION)
		
	Date:	 	  

  

 20 

 ATTACHMENT B 
 ATTESTATION OF RISK ADJUSTMENT DATA INFORMATION RELATING TO 
 CMS PAYMENT TO A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE
ORGANIZATION 
 Pursuant to the contract(s) between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and (Molina Healthcare
of         , Inc.), hereafter referred to as the MA Organization, governing the operation of the following Medicare Advantage plans (INSERT PLAN IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS HERE), the MA Organization
hereby requests payment under the contract, and in doing so, makes the following attestation concerning CMS payments to the MA Organization. The MA Organization acknowledges that the information described below directly affects the calculation of
CMS payments to the MA Organization or additional benefit obligations of the MA Organization and that misrepresentations to CMS about the accuracy of such information may result in Federal civil action and/or criminal prosecution. 
 The MA Organization has reported to CMS during the period of (INDICATE DATES) all (INDICATE TYPE OF DATA—INPATIENT HOSPITAL, OUTPATIENT
HOSPITAL, OR PHYSICIAN) risk adjustment data available to the MA Organization with respect to the above-stated MA plans. Based on best knowledge, information, and belief as of the date indicated below, all information submitted to CMS in
this report is accurate, complete, and truthful. 
  

	
	  

	Chief Executive Officer
	
	on behalf of
	
	  

	(INDICATE MA ORGANIZATION)
	
	  

	DATE

  

 21 

 Medicare Advantage Attestation of Benefit Plan and Price 
 MOLINA HEALTHCARE OF
                        , INC. 
 H5628 
 Date: 09/07/2005 
 I attest that the following plan numbers as established in the final Plan Benefit Package (PBP) will be operated by the above-stated organization and made available to eligible Medicare beneficiaries in the approved service area during
program year 2006. 
  

																			
	 Plan
 ID
	  	 Segment
 ID
	  	Version	  	 Plan
 Name
	  	Plan
Type	  	Transaction
Type	  	MA
Premium	  	Part D
Premium	  	CMS
Approval
Date	  	Effective
Date
	 001
	  	0	  	6	  	Molina
Advantage	  	HMO	  	Initial	  	0.00	  	32.34	  	09/07/2005	  	01/01/2006

  

					
	 /s/ 
	    	8 September 2005	  	
	CEO:	    	Date:	  	

  

					
	 /s/ 
	    	9/8/05	  	
	CFO:	    	Date:	  	

  

 Page 1 - MOLINA HEALTHCARE OF
                    , INC. - H5628 - 09/07/2005

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