This section limits when the department may provide certain waiver services above a cost limit, but allows some continued services and exemptions in specific cases.
Sec. 32.058. LIMITATION ON MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IN CERTAIN ALTERNATIVE COMMUNITY-BASED CARE SETTINGS. (a) In this section: (1) "Department" means the Department of Aging and Disability Services. (2) "Medical assistance waiver program" means a program operated by the Department of Aging and Disability Services, other than the Texas home living waiver program, that provides services under a waiver granted in accordance with 42 U.S.C. Section 1396n(c). (b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), (d), (e), or (f), the department may not provide services under a medical assistance waiver program to a person if the projected cost of providing those services over a 12-month period exceeds the individual cost limit specified in the medical assistance waiver program. (c) The department shall continue to provide services under a medical assistance waiver program to a person who was receiving those services on September 1, 2005, at a cost that exceeded the individual cost limit specified in the medical assistance waiver program, if continuation of those services: (1) is necessary for the person to live in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of the person; and (2) does not affect the department's compliance with the federal average per capita expenditure requirement of the medical assistance waiver program under 42 U.S.C. Section 1396n(c)(2)(D). (d) The department may continue to provide services under a medical assistance waiver program, other than the home and community-based services program, to a person who is ineligible to receive those services under Subsection (b) and to whom Subsection (c) does not apply if: (1) the projected cost of providing those services to the person under the medical assistance waiver program over a 12-month period does not exceed 133.3 percent of the individual cost limit specified in the medical assistance waiver program; and (2) continuation of those services does not affect the department's compliance with the federal average per capita expenditure requirement of the medical assistance waiver program under 42 U.S.C. Section 1396n(c)(2)(D). (e) The department may exempt a person from the cost limit established under Subsection (d)(1) for a medical assistance waiver program if the department determines that: (1) the person's health and safety cannot be protected by the services provided within the cost limit established for the program under that subdivision; and (2) there is no available living arrangement, other than one provided through the program or another medical assistance waiver program, in which the person's health and safety can be protected, as evidenced by: (A) an assessment conducted by clinical staff of the department; and (B) supporting documentation, including the person's medical and service records. (f) The department may continue to provide services under the home and community-based services program to a person who is ineligible to receive those services under Subsection (b) and to whom Subsection (c) does not apply if the department makes, with regard to the person's receipt of services under the home and community-based services program, the same determinations required by Subsections (e)(1) and (2) in the same manner provided by Subsection (e) and determines that continuation of those services does not affect: (1) the department's compliance with the federal average per capita expenditure requirement of the home and community-based services program under 42 U.S.C. Section 1396n(c)(2)(D); and (2) any cost-effectiveness requirements provided by the General Appropriations Act that limit expenditures for the home and community-based services program. (g) The executive commissioner may adopt rules to implement Subsections (d), (e), and (f). (h) If a federal agency determines that compliance with any provision in this section would make this state ineligible to receive federal funds to administer a program to which this section applies, a state agency may, but is not required to, implement that provision. Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 317 (S.B. 626), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005. Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 268 (S.B. 10), Sec. 19(a), eff. September 1, 2007. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 4.133, eff. April 2, 2015.