A-1. About
A-1.1. Board Information
The Texas Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board meets quarterly to develop criteria and standards impacting Texas Medicaid, including:
- Developing and submitting recommendations for the Texas Medicaid preferred drug list (PDL)
- Suggesting clinical prior authorizations on outpatient prescription drugs
- Recommending educational interventions for Medicaid providers
- Reviewing drug utilization across the Medicaid program
A-1.2. Rules and Statutes
HHSC is subject to federal and state rules, statutes, and regulations, among them:
- Texas Administrative Code
- Texas Government Code
- United States Code of Federal Regulations
Refer to these citations in the Rules and Statutes Handbook.
A-1.3. Resources
- HHS Meeting and Events
- HHS Live and Archived Meetings
- HHS Advisory committees
- Texas Secretary of State - Open Meetings
A-1.4. Members
The board is composed of 20 total members:
- 17 physicians and pharmacists providing services across the entire population of Medicaid and representing different specialties
- Two representatives from Medicaid managed care organizations as nonvoting members
- One consumer advocate representing people enrolled in the program
The HHS Executive Commissioner is authorized by statute and rule to appoint members. Anyone wishing to apply for an advisory committee must use the Advisory Committee Application Selection and complete an application for the committee. The selection website only shows committees currently seeking members.
HHSC will announce vacancies through the HHSC email notification service and on the Vendor Drug Program website.
A-1.5. Meeting Location
Meetings will convene at the John H. Winters Building in Austin, unless otherwise announced.
- 701 W. 51st St., Austin, TX 78751
- Public Hearing Room 125, first floor
- Directions to HHSC main campus
- Map of HHSC main campus (PDF)
- Includes the Winters, Brown-Heatly, and DSHS buildings (Moreton and Berstein) and parking locations
Visitor parking is in the north side parking lot of the Winters building. Visitors enter the building at the north entrance and check-in at the security station.
Persons who want to attend the meeting and require assistive technology or services should contact us at least 72 hours before the meeting to make appropriate arrangements.
A-1.6. Testimony
HHSC allows members of the public to submit two types of testimony to the DUR board:
- Written testimony: submitted electronically or on paper in the weeks before the meeting
- Public testimony: oral presentations on the day of the meeting
Your testimony must address one of the agenda items related to the preferred drug list, prospective or retrospective drug utilization reviews, or retrospective drug use criteria. You must complete one form for each type of presentation. Any special testimony instructions are announced before the meeting.
Individuals providing testimony must complete the appropriate testimony form and the Public Comment Registration form linked on the agenda.
A-1.6.1. Written Testimony
HHSC considers written comments by individuals advocating for products as a testimony before the board. Complete and submit the Written Testimony Registration (HHS Form 1334) to have your materials made available to the board for its review. HHSC publishes a new form for each meeting at least 10 business days before the meeting.
Your submission packet must include the form and any accompanying materials. You should submit the form and packet by email no sooner than the first day of the meeting month, and HHSC should receive it by the due date listed on the published meeting agenda on the HHSC website. You must include your name and the organization you represent or identify yourself as a private citizen on the form. Original form submissions are required. We do not accept photographs or reproductions.
Information about accompanying materials includes the following:
- Must be a separate document not exceeding 10 pages
- Must not require audiovisual equipment to review
- Promotional or marketing materials are not allowed
- Must not include protected health information or other confidential information
Refer to the Forms section for a link to the registration form.
A-1.6.2. Public Testimony
Complete and submit the Public Testimony Registration (HHS Form 1320). HHSC publishes a new form for each meeting. The form is available:
- Online, beginning 10 days before the meeting
- Original form submissions are required. We do not accept photographs or reproductions. Submit by email to HHSC.
- At the meeting site
You may download and complete the form before the meeting. The form is only accepted the day of the meeting at the meeting location. Speakers should deliver their form during one of the following registration times:
- Between 8 and 9 a. m. for preferred drug list agenda items
- Scheduled for comment before the executive work session
- Between 11:30 a. m. and 12:30 p. m. for prospective and retrospective drug utilization agenda items
- Scheduled for comment after the executive session
HHSC staff are available on the day of the meeting to receive the form and ensure all information is provided.
Information about publicly testifying includes:
- Testimony is limited to three minutes at the discretion of the Chair
- Presenters should begin their presentation by stating their name and the organization represented and ensure your information is new and relevant to the agenda item
- HHSC does not allow audiovisual equipment and marketing materials
- The Chair may disallow presentations on non-actionable issues or issues not on the agenda or not within the Drug Utilization Review Board's responsibility.
Refer to the Forms section for a link to the registration form.
A-1.7. Communication
A-1.7.1. Email Notification Service
The HHSC email notification service sends announcements to subscribers about VDP news and information. To receive messages, you must provide the following information:
- email address
- delivery preference (immediate, daily, or weekly updates)
- password (optional)
Subscribers then select the topics of subscriptions they want to receive. After subscribing, the service sends a validation email to your email account. You may change your subscription profile or unsubscribe from any mailing list at any time.
A-1.8. Contact
Mailing Address
Texas Drug Utilization Review Board (MC-2250)
Texas Health and Human Services
701 W. 51st St.
Austin, TX 78751
This address is only for issues pertaining to the board. Messages unrelated to the business of the board are not accepted.