Some Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) flexibilities put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, including authority to use telemedicine more broadly, have been extended through April, state health officials announced.
The extensions, which TMA has sought throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, are set to expire April 30. They had been set to expire March 31.
"Texas Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) must provide all medically necessary, Medicaid-covered services to eligible clients," the Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership said on its website. "Administrative procedures such as prior authorization, pre-certification, referrals, and claims/encounter data filing may differ from traditional Medicaid (fee-for-service) and from MCO to MCO. Providers should contact the client's specific MCO for details."
The national public health emergency related to COVID-19 has been extended until April 21, and likely will continue throughout 2021, the acting secretary of the federal Health and Human Services (HHS) Department said in January. That means many state and federal waivers and protections are likely to continue all year long.
The recent Medicaid changes should be extended long after the emergency period to ensure physicians can continue to provide care for Texas’ children and youth, TMA and several specialty societies said in a letter to state health officials in May.
Stay up to date with the latest news, resources, and government guidance on the coronavirus outbreak by visiting TMA’s COVID-19 Resource Center regularly.
Last Updated On
March 26, 2021
Originally Published On
May 26, 2020