Texas Statutes
Subchapter C. Medicaid and Other Health and Human Services Fraud, Abuse, or Overcharges
Section 531.118. Preliminary Investigations of Allegations of Fraud or Abuse and Fraud Referrals

Sec. 531.118. PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS OF ALLEGATIONS OF FRAUD OR ABUSE AND FRAUD REFERRALS. (a) The commission shall maintain a record of all allegations of fraud or abuse against a provider containing the date each allegation was received or identified and the source of the allegation, if available. The record is confidential under Section 531.1021(g) and is subject to Section 531.1021(h).
(b) If the commission receives an allegation of fraud or abuse against a provider from any source, the commission's office of inspector general shall conduct a preliminary investigation of the allegation to determine whether there is a sufficient basis to warrant a full investigation. A preliminary investigation must begin not later than the 30th day, and be completed not later than the 45th day, after the date the commission receives or identifies an allegation of fraud or abuse.
(c) In conducting a preliminary investigation, the office must review the allegations of fraud or abuse and all facts and evidence relating to the allegation and must prepare a preliminary investigation report before the allegation of fraud or abuse may proceed to a full investigation. The preliminary investigation report must document the allegation, the evidence reviewed, if available, the procedures used to conduct the preliminary investigation, the findings of the preliminary investigation, and the office's determination of whether a full investigation is warranted.
(d) If the state's Medicaid fraud control unit or any other law enforcement agency accepts a fraud referral from the office for investigation, a payment hold based on a credible allegation of fraud may be continued until:
(1) that investigation and any associated enforcement proceedings are complete; or
(2) the state's Medicaid fraud control unit, another law enforcement agency, or other prosecuting authorities determine that there is insufficient evidence of fraud by the provider.
(e) If the state's Medicaid fraud control unit or any other law enforcement agency declines to accept a fraud referral from the office for investigation, a payment hold based on a credible allegation of fraud must be discontinued unless the commission has alternative federal or state authority under which it may impose a payment hold or the office makes a fraud referral to another law enforcement agency.
(f) On a quarterly basis, the office must request a certification from the state's Medicaid fraud control unit and other law enforcement agencies as to whether each matter accepted by the unit or agency on the basis of a credible allegation of fraud referral continues to be under investigation and that the continuation of the payment hold is warranted.
Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 622 (S.B. 1803), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2013.
Amended by:
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 945 (S.B. 207), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2015.

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