Hearing. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will conduct a public hearing on July 9, 2019, at 9:00 a.m., to receive comment on proposed Medicaid payment rates for the Deaf-Blind with Multiple Disabilities Waiver Program (DBMD).

The public hearing will be held in HHSC's Public Hearing Room at the Brown-Heatly Building, located at 4900 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas. Entry is through Security at the main entrance of the building, which faces Lamar Boulevard. HHSC will broadcast the public hearing. Persons watching remotely can submit written comments. The broadcast can be accessed at https://hhs.texas.gov/about-hhs/communications-events/live-archived-meetings, and it will be archived for access on demand at the same website. The public hearing will be held in compliance with Texas Human Resources Code §32.0282, which requires public notice of and hearings on proposed Medicaid reimbursements.

Proposal. HHSC proposes to increase the payment rates for all DBMD services in accordance with the 2020-21 General Appropriations Act (Article II, 86th Legislature, Regular Session, 2019, Rider 44). These payment rates are proposed to be effective September 1, 2019.

Methodology and Justification. The proposed payment rates were calculated in accordance with Title 1 of the Texas Administrative Code §355.513, which addresses the reimbursement methodology for the DBMD program.

Briefing Package. A briefing package describing the proposed payment rates will be available at http://rad.hhs.texas.gov/rate-packets on June 28, 2019. Interested parties may obtain a copy of the briefing package before the hearing by contacting the HHSC Rate Analysis Department by telephone at (512) 424-6637; by fax at (512) 730-7475; or by e-mail at RAD-LTSS@hhsc.state.tx.us. The briefing package will also will be available at the public hearing.

Written Comments. Written comments regarding the proposed payment rates may be submitted in lieu of, or in addition to, oral testimony until 5:00 p.m. the day of the hearing. Written comments may be sent by U.S. mail to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Attention: Rate Analysis, Mail Code H-400, P.O. Box 149030, Austin, Texas 78714-9030; by fax to Rate Analysis at (512) 730-7475; or by e-mail to RAD-LTSS@hhsc.state.tx.us. In addition, written comments may be sent by overnight mail or hand delivered to Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Attention: Rate Analysis, Mail Code H-400, Brown-Heatly Building, 4900 North Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas 78751.

Persons with disabilities who wish to attend the hearing and require auxiliary aids or services should contact Rate Analysis at (512) 424-6637 at least 72 hours prior to the hearing so appropriate arrangements can be made.

TRD-201902009

Karen Ray

Chief Counsel

Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Filed: June 26, 2019