Reminder
As per Executive Order GA-46 issued by Governor Greg Abbott on August 8, 2024, providers will need to begin reporting information on hospital costs related to immigration status.
Impact
Hospitals should begin collecting the information by November 1, 2024, and begin reporting by March 1, 2025. Providers must ask each patient during the hospital intake process and quarterly report to HHSC, the number of inpatient discharges and emergency visits by patients who are:
- A citizen or alien lawfully present in the United Sates, or
- An alien not lawfully present in the United States
Hospital providers must also report, quarterly to HHCS, the cost of care for patients who are not lawfully in the United States.
As required by federal law, when collecting information about the patient’s immigration status, hospital providers must notify the patient their response will not affect patient care. A sample of the reporting spreadsheet is located here. It provides guidance to track, collect, and report so that any adjustments necessary before November 1, 2024, are completed.
The outline is below:
- March 1, 2025 – Information for September, October, November due (for this first year there will be no reporting for September or October).
- June 1, 2025 – Information for September through February due.
- September 1, 2025 – Information for September through May due.
- December 1, 2025 – Information for September through August will be due.
- January 1, 2026 – HHSC will provide report to the Governor, Lt. Governor, and Speaker of the House on the proceeding years costs.
HHSC will provide further guidance in coming weeks.
Questions
Providers, for questions or additional information, please:
- Contact your BCBSTX Medicaid Provider Network team at 1-855-212-1615
- Submit via email Texas Medicaid Network Department