SB2578 - Relating to licensure and contracting for the delivery of medical assistance by nursing facilities.

  2025S0205-1 03/10/25     By: Hancock S.B. No. 2578     A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to licensure and contracting for the delivery of medical   assistance by nursing facilities.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 32.021, Human Resources Code, is amended   by adding Subsection (t) to read as follows:           (t)     The commission shall ensure that contracts for the   delivery of medical assistance to a nursing facility:                 (1)     are awarded on terms and conditions that are no   more stringent than the federal requirements governing Medicare   certification and enrollment of skilled nursing facilities ;                 (2)  allow uninterrupted Medicaid payments if:                       (A)     the new provider meets the requirements of   this chapter and licensure requirements under Chapter 242, Health   and Safety Code;                       (B)     the new provider assumes the prior provider's   contract terms and conditions that were in effect as of the time of   ownership transfer; and                         (C)     the new provider enters into a successor   liability agreement with the commission and the prior provider   indicating the new provider agrees to pay the commission for any   liabilities that exist or may be found to exist during the period of   the prior provider's contract with the commission; and                 (3)     satisfy the requirements of Section 242.033(h),   Health and Safety Code.            SECTION 2.  Section 242.033, Health and Safety Code, is   amended by adding Subsection (h) to read as follows:           (h)     The department shall ensure that rules adopted under   this section:                 (1)     provide for a single application for licensure and   contracting for the delivery of medical assistance consistent with   Section 532.0052, Government Code;                 (2)     require the department to issue a contract for the   delivery of medical assistance within 30 days after the date of   issuance of a temporary change of ownership license as provided by   Section 242.0336(c); and                 (3)     ensure that vendor payments are made to nursing   facilities within 30 days of the effective date of a contract for   delivery of medical assistance, including requiring any managed   care organization contracts with the commission to provide for   expedited credentialing of nursing facilities consistent with the   commission's rules within 30 days, and that managed care   organizations' contracts with nursing facilities be effective on   the date of the commission's Medicaid contract with such nursing   facilities.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.