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:
Got Advocacy?
Would you like more information about TOTA's role in state Advocacy?
Would you like quick tips on what you can do today to improve your advocacy for tomorrow?
TOTA is now offering free presentations for students and practitioners via zoom.
If you are interested, click here to request a presentation for your class, clinic, or department.
August 16, 2022 update: Comments and Responses on Draft Behavioral Health Services HB 4 Telecommunications Policy Available
Click here for the responses summary
August 10, 2022 update: House Bill 4 Telecommunications Comments and Responses Available for Comment
Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Services - Medicaid
The 14-day comment period for the Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Services –
Medicaid policy ended June 15, 2022. During this period, HHSC received multiple comments from stakeholders. A summary of comments relating to the proposed policy and HHSC's responses follow. Click here for the public comments.
Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy Services and related Durable Medical Equipment services - Medicaid
The 2-week comment period for the Physical Therapy (PT), Occupational Therapy (OT), and Speech Therapy (ST) Services and related Durable Medical Equipment (DME) services– Medicaid policy ended June 15, 2022. During this period, HHSC received multiple comments from stakeholders. A summary of comments relating to the proposed policy and HHSC's responses follow. Click here for the responses
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.
Legislative Information
