Texas HHSC/Accenture Database Access Program
TALHI has been asked to create a group of member companies to discuss the best way to handle the recent database access request from HHSC through Accenture. Dental, vision, LTC, and possibly other types of products may be impacted by this program. Please let Jennifer know if you would like to be included in this group.

House Insurance Committee Hearing
The House Insurance Committee will meet on Wednesday, December 6, at 9 a.m. in the Capitol room E2.010 to consider the following interim charges:

• Assess the status of the health insurance market in Texas and opportunities to improve this market through waivers of federal law or other mechanisms. Monitor any changes in federal law that may affect these options.
• Evaluate recent efforts by the Legislature and the Texas Department of Insurance to minimize instances of surprise medical billing and to ensure the adequacy of health insurance networks. Identify instances in which surprise billing most often occurs and ways to decrease its frequency through enhanced transparency or other methods.
• Examine the impacts of changes in prescription drug coverage and drug formularies on patients, particularly those with chronic conditions.
• Evaluate recent efforts in Texas and in other states to enhance transparency regarding the practices of pharmacy benefit managers.

The committee will hear invited testimony only. TALHI will be monitoring this hearing. 

TALHI Dues Notices
Dues notices were both mailed and e-mailed to the primary contact on file for each member group. E-mails were sent yesterday, and hard copies should arrive in offices early next week. Dues are due no later than February 1, 2018.

Next Member Call
Our next call will be held on Wednesday, November 29, at 10 am Central. To call in, dial 1-888-537-7715 and enter code 789-999-987# when prompted. The agenda will be posted on both the website and mobile app closer to the meeting. An Outlook calendar file is attached.

Holiday Office Closure
The TALHI office will be closed Wednesday-Friday, November 22-24, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.