Policy impacts practice. The Texas Occupational Therapy Association is committed to being proactive relative to legislative issues that impact you, the practitioner, and the clients we serve. We hope that you will find the information here helpful as you advocate for your profession and your future.
News and Updates:
School-Based Practitioner’s Advocacy Efforts
How occupational therapy practitioners can contribute to general education activities as required by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA).
The TOTA School-Based Practice Focus group is sharing these valuable resources with you for distribution throughout the state. There are two documents:
Occupational Therapy’s Role as SISPs Under ESSA - Long
Occupational Therapy’s Role as SISPs Under ESSA - Admin
HHSC
Beginning April 7, 2022, Occupational Therapist Providers Can Enroll as Groups and Performing Providers Within a Group
Last updated on 4/1/2022
Note: Texas Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) must provide all medically necessary, Medicaid-covered services to eligible clients. Administrative procedures such as prior authorization, precertification, 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.
For more information, call the TMHP Contact Center at 800-925-9126 or the TMHP-CSHCN Services Program Contact Center at 800-568-2413.
Autism Services Benefits Added to TMPPM
Last updated on 2/1/2022
Note: Texas Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) must follow all aspects of the Medicaid Autism Services Policy as outlined in this provider notice. MCOs must provide all medically necessary, Medicaid-covered services to eligible clients. Providers should contact the client's specific MCO for details.
Effective February 1, 2022, the Texas Medicaid Provider Procedures Manual, Children’s Services Handbook, has been updated to include autism services benefits.
Updated telehealth guidance:
HB4: Interim Guidance for Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy Services Delivered by Synchronous Audiovisual
There is no exception for the requirement for a seating assessment in person:
Specialized evaluations required for the provision of new complex rehabilitation technology, such as power mobility and adaptive seating systems or augmentative communication devices, require the physical presence of the speech-language pathologist, the occupational therapist, or the physical therapist and should not be delivered by telehealth.
TOTA’s 2022-2023 Legislative Agenda
The TOTA Board of Directors will be meeting to work on the strategic plan, goals for the association, and the Legislative Agenda. We have identified three possible areas of interest to the Texas OT community:
1. Pursue Legislation to be included in the Interstate Licensure Compact
2. Advocate for Occupational Therapy in Mental and Behavioral Health.
3. Pursue Legislation for clarification on Occupations Code Section 454.007 USE OF TITLE DOCTOR
An occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant may not use the abbreviation "Dr.," the word "Doctor," or any suffix or affix indicating or implying that the person is a physician.
Complete the brief google survey to let us know what you would like for TOTA to pursue in the next legislative session.
Legislative Information
