The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced newly adopted interim per diem reimbursement rates for large, state-operated Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation (ICF/MR), including state schools operated by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services: $345.87 for Medicaid-only clients and $338.59 for dual eligibles. The public hearing was held on November 6, 2006. Mark your calendars for upcoming public hearings for proposed provider … [Read more...] about Texas Register: Adopted and Proposed Reimbursement Rates
Archives for January 2007
Texas Register Updates: Reimbursement Rates for Medicaid Hospital Services
Last year, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) proposed two amendments to implement a supplemental payment program to private hospitals. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved the proposed amendments. For more information about the amendments, visit the relevant section in the January 19, 2007, Texas Register. Submit written comments within 30 days of publication in the Texas Register to Kevin Niemeyer by telephone at (512) 491-1366, by fax at (512) 491-1998, … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Reimbursement Rates for Medicaid Hospital Services
Provider Letter: Expansion of the STAR+PLUS Program
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) issued a provider letter to Community Based Alternative (CBA) providers about the expansion of the STAR+PLUS Program. To help CBA consumers transition to the STAR+PLUS waiver, DADS lays out some guidelines, including the following: 1. The CBA HCSSA is responsible for completing the annual reassessment activities for consumers, whose individual service plans (ISPs) end on 01/31/07 and 02/28/07. 2. For ISPs finalized before or … [Read more...] about Provider Letter: Expansion of the STAR+PLUS Program
MedPAC Seeks Medicare Reimbursement Increase
Although President George Bush reversed a proposed cut to physicians’ Medicare reimbursements late last year, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) will lobby Congress to increase reimbursements by about 1.7 percent in 2008. (Source) Reimbursement will be decreased by 10 percent under the present payment system, according to MedPAC, and it will urge Congress to act now. MedPAC will also recommend that Congress freeze 2008 reimbursement increases for long term care facilities … [Read more...] about MedPAC Seeks Medicare Reimbursement Increase
House Approves Medicare Drug Negotiation Bill
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill that would allow the government to negotiate Medicare prescription drug prices. (Source) If passed by the Senate and signed into law by the president, the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2007 would nullify the part of Medicare Part D law that prohibits the government from negotiating drug prices. As expected, it was a party line vote, with mostly Democrats voting in favor of the bill. According to the Washington … [Read more...] about House Approves Medicare Drug Negotiation Bill
Four New Provider Letters
Submission of the Hospice Election Form 3071 and Physician Certification of Terminal Illness Form 3074 The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) informed Medicaid hospice providers that it has updated its list of regional contacts for hospice election and certification forms to Community Services, Texas Medicaid and Healthcare Partnership, and Health and Human Services Commission Medicaid Eligibility staff. For more information, download the letter and attached list of … [Read more...] about Four New Provider Letters
U.S. Supreme Court to Address Companionship Exemption Under FLSA
In mid-2004, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit became the first federal appellate court holding that the companionship services exemption under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSAâ€) could not be used by home health agencies to avoid paying its home care attendants minimum wage and overtime pay. (Coke v Long Island Care at Home, Ltd., 376 F3d 118 (2d Cir 2004)). Citing a 2005 Wage and Hour Advisory Memorandum issued by the Department of Labor (DOL), the US … [Read more...] about U.S. Supreme Court to Address Companionship Exemption Under FLSA
Inch-by-Inch: The Fair Minimum Wage Act passes the House of Representatives
As proposed by the House of Representatives, minimum wage requirements would increase from the current standard of $5.15 to $7.25 in approximately three years. Introduced by Representative George Miller, the Fair Minimum Wage Act passed the House by 315-116 on January 10, 2007, and is expected to affect up to 13 million of America's minimum wage workers. As currently drafted, minimum wages would increase as follows: • 60 days after enactment: The minimum wage will increase from the … [Read more...] about Inch-by-Inch: The Fair Minimum Wage Act passes the House of Representatives
Texas Register Updates: Sanctions, Health Passport, and SSI Gap
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has proposed a new rule titled, “Internet Posting of Sanctions Imposed For Contractual Violations.†Among other things, the rule would outline HHSC’s authority to impose sanctions on Medicaid Managed Care Organization’s that do not comply with contractual terms. This information would be posted on HHSC’s web site. Submit written comments to the following: Gilbert Estrada, Policy Analyst Medicaid/CHIP Division Texas … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Sanctions, Health Passport, and SSI Gap
More Texas Register Updates: Board of Nurse Examiners
The Board of Nurse Examiners has adopted amendments regarding Vocational and Profession Nursing Education. The amendments incorporate guidelines for faculty waivers into the nursing education rules, eliminating the need to issue waivers. For more information, see the relevant section in the January 5 Texas Register. … [Read more...] about More Texas Register Updates: Board of Nurse Examiners
