SCHIP Compromise?

Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill are trying to reach a compromise on expanding the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). (Kaiser Network) Two weeks ago, President George W. Bush vetoed a bill that would have added $35 billion to SCHIP over a five-year period. Last week, the House of Representatives passed a modified SCHIP [...]

Provider and Information Letters: Closure Notices, Provider Input Needed

In a recent provider letter, the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) reminded Nursing Facilities that any facility that decided to voluntarily close must give residents at least 30 days written notice of this intent, pursuant to Texas Human Resources Code §102.003, 40 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §19.401(b)(21) and §19.502(e)(1), and 42 Code of [...]

More SCHIP Votes

According to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services secretary Mike Leavitt, President George W. Bush, who vetoed a bill to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), would accept a bill that increases SCHIP funding by only $20 billion over five years, as opposed to $35 billion over five years. (Kaiser Network) Yesterday, [...]

HHS Appeals Ruling Requiring Release of Medicare Physicians Claims Data

Last August, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must release Medicare physicians claims information for Illinois, Maryland, Virginia, Washington state, and the District of Columbia. (Kaiser Network) An organization called Consumers’ CHECKBOOK/Center for the Study of Services sued for access to [...]

Information Letters: Training Class, Requisition Fee

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) informed Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) and Texas Home Living (TxHmL ) Program Providers that it will offer a Data Entry Training Class for HCS and TxHml Waiver Program Providers. To see the full list of scheduled classes, download the letter here. DADS informed Community Living [...]

Texas Register Updates: Community-Based Services Amendments, Etc.

Adopted Rules The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) adopted amendments to §48.2901 and §48.6003 in Chapter 48, Community Care for Aged and Disabled, to clarify eligibility criteria for certain community-based services provided by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS). An excerpt: Under the new Integrated Care Management (ICM) Program, implemented [...]

Will the House Override President Bush’s SCHIP Veto?

Last week, President George W. Bush vetoed a bill that would have expanded the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). His veto caused quite a backlash in the mainstream media and among Democrats. The House of Representatives will vote tomorrow whether to override the veto. The expansion would add $35 billion over five years to [...]

Provider Letter: Incomplete Licensure Applications

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) issued a letter to Nursing Facilities, Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation or Related Conditions, Assisted Living Facilities, and Adult Day Care Facilities, about incomplete licensure applications. Specifically, DADS reminded these providers that a letter of explanation must accompany incomplete license applications, effective October [...]

Texas Register Updates: HHSC Advisory Committees, Reimbursement Rates, Etc.

Proposed Rules The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has proposed to repeal §351.3(a) – (j) of the Purpose, Task, and Duration of Advisory Committees section, and replace it with new §351.3(1) – (13), to provide required information about the current HHSC advisory committees. See this link for more information. HHSC also seeks to [...]

Michigan Ends Home Exemption for Nursing Home Patients

Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm is set to sign a bill that will require the state to recoup the cost of Medicaid services from the estates of deceased recipients who lived in nursing homes or received in-home care, as required by federal law. (Source) Under the old law, the estates of such recipients were exempt from [...]

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