Meeting summary

Quick recap

The meeting focused on several key topics related to funding and program management in the behavioral health sector. Participants discussed the recent reversal of SAMHSA grant terminations, which had a significant impact on various organizations' funding and operations. They also addressed changes in CMVHS gender classification requirements and their implications for client care and documentation. The group explored strategies for diversifying funding sources and collaborating with other organizations to ensure sustainability. Additionally, they discussed recent changes in contract managers at HHSC and the challenges these changes present for ongoing projects and budgeting. The conversation ended with participants sharing their experiences and concerns about the constantly shifting landscape of behavioral health funding and regulation.

Next steps

• Jennifer: Follow up after the call to locate and forward documentation of the federal approval for the 15% de minimis rate to Doug.

• FiskB: Ask the CFO about documentation or award…

Quick recap

The team discussed logistics for an upcoming meeting and addressed recent communications, including email updates and link issues. They reviewed changes to various programs and grants, expressing concern for affected employees and staff. The conversation ended with discussions on payment delays, grant challenges, and the need for alternative funding sources, with participants encouraged to complete a survey assessing the impact of these grants.

Next steps

• Anna: Continue working on notification settings for the website to reduce mass emails and clarify if users need to adjust settings themselves.

• All group members: Fill out the survey regarding the impact of SAMHSA grant cuts (if not already done), regardless of whether the cuts are rescinded, to help communicate impact to the state.

• Noelle: Update the group with more information after her call with HHSC.

  
  

Quick recap

Noelle and Crystal discussed the challenges of work-related travel and catching up on tasks, while also exploring Noelle's interest in learning more about Be Well, a program under the University of Texas umbrella. Crystal provided background on Be Well's evolution from a substance use treatment center to a centralized funding organization in Texas, including details about its funding structure and new requirements for healthcare providers. The conversation concluded with discussions about connecting with key contacts at the university, organizing medical director meetings, and strategies for engaging healthcare providers through continuing education and networking opportunities.

Next steps

• Crystal to find and email the list of providers in the Treatment Provider Network to Noelle.

• Noelle to reach out to Dr. Jennifer Potter for a connection with Be Well Texas.

• Crystal to connect Noelle with major players in Be Well Texas.

Quick recap

Duane reported on the state's special session and proposed transitioning the meeting to a legislative planning committee to prepare for the next session by developing priorities in key areas including treatment access, HHSC rules revision, and sunset review. The committee will focus on gathering member feedback, encouraging direct engagement with legislators, and organizing work into categories to facilitate participation and track progress. Noelle will invite members to participate in the newly structured meetings while Guillermo suggested bringing additional staff to help with advocacy efforts and shared plans for an October trip to DC to advocate against federal funding changes.

Next steps

• Duane to prepare and send out meeting agenda at least one week in advance

• Duane to locate and share previous ASP rule comments/submissions

• Sherry to be contacted regarding locating previous ASP rule comments

Quick recap

The meeting focused on discussing the ongoing government shutdown and its potential impacts on federal funding and operations, with participants sharing updates on how different agencies might be affected. The group reviewed current federal budget negotiations and congressional activities, including discussions about proposed restructuring of HHS and the status of key funding programs. The conversation ended with conversations about upcoming advocacy efforts, regulatory changes, and implementation of SB12, along with plans for future stakeholder meetings and briefings.

Next steps

• Noelle to RSVP for the HHSC regulatory reform stakeholder meeting on October 20th on behalf of the association.

• Vaughan to forward the HHSC regulatory reform stakeholder meeting information to Sherri and Duane.

• Sherri to forward Philip Sharp's contact information to Duane.

Quick recap

The meeting began with introductions and updates on legislative advocacy efforts, including the importance of federal funding and rule changes. The group discussed various challenges facing substance use disorder services, including budget cycles, parental consent requirements, and credentialing issues for community behavioral health centers. The conversation ended with discussions on developing a legislative strategy, focusing on identifying organizational strengths and addressing potential threats, while emphasizing the need to finalize priorities by early next year.

Next steps

• Noelle: collect feedback on chemical dependency treatment facility regulation rules by today

• Noelle: set up notification to track when parental consent rule clarifications will be discussed on the education side

• Noelle: send the December 11th Health and Human Services executive committee meeting agenda regarding Texas Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics rule changes

Quick recap

In a meeting with limited attendance, the group discussed significant funding cuts affecting service providers, particularly Santa Maria's reduced capacity for pregnant and parenting women clients. They explored challenges with contract models shifting to cost reimbursement, requiring detailed expense reporting, and concerns about timely contract execution for fiscal 2026. The discussion also covered difficulties with private insurance enrollment and billing, with Noelle offering to raise these concerns in an upcoming meeting with HHSC, particularly regarding where to refer clients given Santa Maria's reduced bed capacity.

Next steps

• Noelle to ask HHSC in Monday's meeting about where providers should refer clients who can no longer be served due to funding cuts, particularly pregnant and parenting women.

• Noelle to inquire with HHSC about the status of TRF and TRA contracts for fiscal year 2026 and address concerns about the inability to backdate claims if contracts are not executed by September…

Quick recap

The meeting addressed ongoing issues with Be Well contracts and private insurance matters, including challenges with contract execution, billing processes, and provider credentialing. The team discussed specific billing problems with CMBHS contracts, including technical issues with claim uploads and incorrect clinic numbers, while also exploring solutions for handling private pay and deductibles with HHSC. Noelle provided updates on discussions with HHSC to align processes and requested action items to improve insurance acceptance, with team members encouraged to reach out for further support.

Next steps

• LUCI to provide Barbara with contact information for Be Well clinic setup in CMBHS.

• LUCI to compile questions for HHSC regarding private insurance billing challenges, including deductible assistance, copay, coinsurance, and admission fees.

• LUCI to include questions to HHSC about insurance not covering recommended services and whether that justifies using HHSC funding.

Quick recap

The meeting began with personal updates from Carrie about her daughter's surgery and recovery, followed by discussions about meeting logistics and scheduling issues. The team addressed billing challenges related to RSS and PRS contracts, including delays in submitting invoices and processing payments through various systems. The conversation concluded with discussions about credentialing processes and authorization requirements for OTP services, highlighting ongoing challenges with payment processing and Medicaid revalidation.

Next steps

• Carrie to check the REDCap link in the email for submitting September billing for the PRS contract.

• Carrie to prepare for Medicaid revalidation due in April.

• Noelle to reset and streamline meeting invites after the November member meeting.