Bill > HB2379

This bill amends the functions and administration of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and the HHSC Office of Inspector General (OIG) in relation to fraud, waste, and abuse in health and human services programs. Key provisions include: - Expanding the OIG's authority to conduct audits, inspections, and investigations independent of the HHSC executive commissioner, while requiring coordination to ensure the OIG has a thorough understanding of the health and human services system. - Clarifying that the chief counsel for the HHSC is the final authority for legal interpretations related to HHSC-administered programs. - Requiring the OIG to prepare final reports on its audits, inspections, and investigations, which are subject to public disclosure with certain confidentiality protections. - Expanding the use of learning, neural network, or other technology to identify and deter Medicaid fraud. - Modifying requirements for managed care organizations (MCOs) to report and recover payments related to fraud or abuse, including allowing MCOs to retain a portion of recovered funds. - Authorizing the OIG to recover payments made as a result of fraud, waste, or abuse and deposit the recovered funds to the general revenue fund.