Bill would require hospitals and providers be informed that newborns may use mother's Medicaid ID until enrollment completes
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Summary
Sen. Paxton presented House Bill 39 40, requiring HHSC to notify providers and include information in hospital discharge resources so newborns who should be auto-enrolled in Medicaid can use the mother's Medicaid ID while awaiting assignment of the baby's Medicaid number; testimony emphasized delays that leave infants uninsured.
Sen. Drew Paxton laid out House Bill 39 40, a measure to address gaps in newborn Medicaid auto-enrollment. Under current law, a newborn whose mother is enrolled in Medicaid should be automatically enrolled at birth; Paxton said state data showed more than 22,000 newborns were not auto-enrolled in 2023 and required manual action.
Paxton said manual enrollment averages 45 days compared with six days for automatic enrollment, which can leave infants uninsured during early checkups and screenings. HB 39 40 would require the Health and Human Services Commission to annually notify hospitals, birthing centers, managed care organizations and providers that if an eligible newborn does not yet have an assigned Medicaid ID, the provider may use the mother's Medicaid number for reimbursement during the baby's first year of life.
The bill also requires providing parents with information in the hospital discharge materials about infant Medicaid eligibility and how to use the mother’s ID while the baby is assigned a separate number. Alec Mendoza of Texans Care for Children testified in support, saying the policy will ensure newborns receive care while agencies process manual enrollments.
The committee heard the single witness and left the bill pending for further consideration.
