House Bill No. 3396 aims to enhance the authority of medical consenters for children in foster care by allowing them to assume financial responsibility for out-of-network medical care. The bill introduces a new section, 266.0043, to the Family Code, which defines key terms such as "health care provider," "medical consenter," and "out-of-network provider." It specifies that a medical consenter, other than the department, can take on financial responsibility for medical care provided by out-of-network providers, including enrolling the child in a health insurance plan. Additionally, the bill clarifies that the department is not liable for these costs unless ordered by a court.

Furthermore, the bill includes provisions to ensure that Medicaid managed care organizations cannot take adverse actions against recipients accessing care as per the new section. It mandates that contracts between these organizations and the commission must comply with this requirement. The bill also states that it does not create liability for Medicaid managed care organizations regarding the costs of care assumed by medical consenters. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and includes a provision for state agencies to seek necessary federal waivers before implementation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: ()
House Committee Report: ()