HIVSTD Program - News and Events

Information for Ryan White and Texas HIV Medication Program Clients who have Texas Medicaid Coverage
DSHS is working together with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to make sure you know about changes that are coming to the Medicaid program in Texas. It’s important for your continuity of care that you know about these changes. Note: The changes described in the message only apply to you if you have Texas Medicaid coverage and a) you’re in the Primary Care Case Management (PCCM) Medicaid program or b) you’re in STAR or STAR+PLUS and there are new health plan options in your service area.

On March 1, 2012, the managed care model for Medicaid in Texas will expand statewide. If you get Medicaid services through Primary Care Case Management (PCCM), you should have gotten a packet in the mail from HHSC telling you about the change and encouraging you to pick a managed care medical plan. You also would have gotten this packet if you already have a Medicaid managed care plan and there are new medical plans to choose from in your service area. Here is more important information for you:

1. You need to pick a medical plan. If you have not yet picked a medical plan, you should have gotten a packet in the mail from HHSC encouraging you to do so. If you do not pick a medical plan by February 10, 2012, HHSC will pick one for you. The packet from HHSC will include information on the medical plans you can pick from and how to enroll. You can check the provider directories of the medical plans offered in your service area to find out which doctors are in which medical plan. Once you’ve picked your medical plan, call 1-800-964-2777. You also can call that number if you need help finding a provider or if you have questions. You can learn more about the medical plans and services by going to a meeting in your area. To see a list of these meetings, go to www.txmedicaidevents.com.
   
2. Your prescription drug benefit may be changing. If you get your Medicaid services through PCCM you are limited to 3 prescription drugs each month. On March 1, when you move from PCCM to STAR or STAR+PLUS that will change – you will no longer have a prescription limit. Since you’ll be able to get all your prescriptions through your STAR or STAR+PLUS medical plan, you will no longer be eligible to receive services from the Texas HIV Medication Program AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). Your medical plan will have network pharmacies where you can get your prescriptions filled. Contact information for your medical plan will be on the Your Texas Benefits Medicaid card and the member ID card that you will get from your medical plan. If you have both Medicare and Medicaid, you will continue to get your prescription benefit through Medicare.

Posted 1/17/2012

The State of HIV in Texas
In Texas over the past few years about 4,200 persons have been diagnosed with HIV each year. However, a little more than 1 in 3 persons diagnosed with HIV in Texas between 2003- 2009 had a late diagnosis – meaning they were diagnosed with AIDS within one year of their first HIV diagnosis, and they had been living with HIV for quite some time without diagnosis or treatment. DSHS also estimates that in Texas, about 1 in 3 persons with a known HIV infection were not receiving HIV-related care. To learn more about the state of HIV in Texas, visit the HIV/AIDS Dashboard. Posted 12/1/2011

DSHS Releases Epi Profile
The DSHS TB/HIV/STD/Viral Hepatitis Unit has released the Texas Integrated Epidemiologic Profile for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Services Planning (Epi Profile) (PDF : 3,348 kb), a summary of information on known HIV/AIDS cases in Texas. This Epi Profile will be the most comprehensive released by Texas to date. Due to the amount of data and the complexity of the document, DSHS will release several updates of the profile with new chapters added for each release. The final version will be released by the end of February 2012. Please check the DSHS HIV/STD Program Reports page periodically for new updates of this document. Posted 12/1/2011

Texas PCSI Plan
Program Collaboration, Service Integration (PCSI) is a unique way of looking at public health activities, combining two approaches for improving its outcomes:

• Program Collaboration (PC) is a mutually beneficial and defined relationship between programs or organizations to achieve common goals; while
• Service Integration (SI) occurs at the client level and is about providing multiple services at natural access points.

Because HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, TB and viral hepatitis share many social, environmental, behavioral, and biological determinants and are often managed by similar organizations, public health efforts to prevent their occurrence require a united strategy. Single services provided to persons with multiple related risks miss significant opportunities to diagnose, treat, and prevent disease. Common risks suggest the need for common solutions and enhanced collaboration among related prevention programs. DSHS has outlined several approaches to better understand and address these interrelated epidemics. Learn more by reading the Texas PCSI Plan (PDF : 1,306 kb). Contact  with comments or questions. Posted 10/4/2011

DSHS Announces Estimated Available Ryan White Part B Services Allocations
DSHS is pleased to announce the release of the estimated available Ryan White Part B services allocations for April 1, 2012 – March 31, 2013. View the available funding for each area (PDF : 12 kb). Posted 9/16/2011

No Texas HIV Medication Program Eligibility Changes on Sept. 1
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has determined that it will not be necessary to change existing eligibility criteria for the Texas HIV Medication Program (THMP) on September 1, 2011 – the start of state fiscal year 2012. No eligibility changes that would restrict THMP enrollment are planned at this time.  To learn more, see the HIV/STD Insider. Updated 9/9/2011

Pre-Existing Insurance Plan Guidance from DSHS
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the establishment of a new Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) that will offer coverage to uninsured Americans who have been unable to obtain health coverage because of a pre-existing health condition including HIV/AIDS. To learn more see the DSHS PCIP guidance sheet (PDF : 48 kb). Updated 8/8/2011

2010 STD Treatment Guidelines

Interagency Coordinating Council for HIV and Hepatitis Report to the Legislature, September 2010
The Interagency Coordinating Council for HIV and Hepatitis Report to the Legislature (PDF : 203 kb) is an annual report that describes program coordination activities in selected state agencies to address HIV and hepatitis in Texas. The report also contains epidemiologic data on HIV and viral hepatitis, as well as major funding sources used for prevention and treatment efforts in the state. Posted 1/27/2011

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Capacity Building Project Report and Feedback
The DSHS HIV/STD Program has released the report "Capacity Building Project: Serving the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Needs of HIV Infected Persons in Texas" and is seeking input on the recommendations contained in the report. To learn more about the project, the findings and recommendations in the report, and to comment, please visit the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Capacity Building Project page. Posted 1/5/2011

Express Visit
In response to increasing patient demand for STD screening and limited provider resources, some have implemented the "Express Visit" option as a routine part of care at STD clinics. With Express Visits, individuals who have no symptoms and report no known exposure to an STD can choose to be screened for STDs without having to be examined by a physician -- though a medical examination is available to any patient who requests it. Prior to the introduction of Express Visits, individuals seeking STD testing at these clinics had no option other than being examined by a clinician. In one study, researchers found the Express Visit option significantly increased the number of patients who were tested for STDs and identified a greater number of STD cases, while still allowing clinics to treat the same proportion of infected individuals within 30 days of screening.

If you are considering express services in your clinic, sample protocol (PDF : 10 kb) and a sample express clinic form (PDF : 57 kb) are available on the DSHS website. Posted 6/21/2010

Funding Opportunities

None at this time.

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