The bill, S.B. No. 2728, aims to enhance the provision of information regarding Medicaid benefits for newborn children in Texas. It introduces a new section, 32.0631, to the Human Resources Code, which mandates that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission provide annual written notices to managed care organizations and healthcare providers. This notice will remind them that when a newborn has not been assigned a Medicaid identification number, the provider can use the mother's Medicaid number for reimbursement claims. Additionally, it encourages providers to inform mothers about the use of their Medicaid identification number until the newborn is enrolled in Medicaid.

Furthermore, the bill amends Section 161.501(a) of the Health and Safety Code to require healthcare providers to give new parents information about Medicaid benefits, including eligibility and application processes. It also specifies that if the mother is a Medicaid recipient, she must receive a resource guide that includes various child development and health topics, as well as a written notice confirming the newborn's automatic eligibility for Medicaid. The bill sets a compliance deadline for these provisions to be implemented by January 1, 2026, and it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 161.501 (Health and Safety Code 161)