Bill > HB2865

This bill establishes restrictions on how the Texas Health and Human Services Commission conducts Medicaid eligibility renewals. Specifically, the bill prohibits the commission from using information provided in applications for other public assistance programs (like food stamps/SNAP) as automatic verifiable electronic data for conducting "ex parte renewals" - which are redeterminations of Medicaid eligibility conducted without directly requesting additional information from the recipient. The bill defines an ex parte renewal as an automatic eligibility review using electronic data sources without requiring the recipient to provide new information. While the commission is still permitted to review applications from other assistance programs for potential changes in circumstances that might affect Medicaid eligibility, they cannot use those applications as sole basis for automatic renewals. The bill requires the Health and Human Services Commission to seek any necessary federal waivers within 180 days of the act's effective date, which will be either immediately upon receiving a two-thirds legislative vote or September 1, 2025, if that threshold is not met. The goal appears to be ensuring more direct communication and verification with Medicaid recipients during eligibility renewal processes.

Health and Social Services

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB2865