SICKLE CELL DISEASE TREATMENT.

To the extent possible, the commission shall:

(1) in collaboration with the sickle cell task force established under Chapter 52, Health and Safety Code:

(A) support initiatives to assist managed care plans in promoting timely, evidence-informed health care services to plan enrollees diagnosed with sickle cell disease to ensure the services reflect national clinical practice guidelines and protocols for sickle cell disease treatment and meet medical necessity criteria; and

(B) address sickle cell disease education for Medicaid providers, including emergency department providers, by collaborating with medical specialty organizations in this state, state agencies, and health-related institutions to promote existing or new continuing education courses or facilitate development of any necessary new courses to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and management of sickle cell disease and the personal treatment of patients with sickle cell disease; and

(2) use the commission's existing data to identify opportunities for improving health outcomes of recipients diagnosed with sickle cell disease by:

(A) reducing hospital admissions and readmissions; and

(B) connecting those recipients to a sickle cell disease health home or sickle cell disease expert.