Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Reimbursement Rates, Grant Program, Etc.

The following information was obtained from the December 21 and December 28 editions of the Texas Register:
Open Meetings
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will hold a public rate hearing on January 10, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. in the Palo Duro Canyon Conference Room of the Braker Center, to receive public comment on proposed [...]

“Alert: New Form I-9 Effective Immediately”

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), which enforces federal employment verification requirements, has issued the first updated Form I-9 since 1991. Devised to help employers verify that every new employee is either a U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the U.S., the law requires that the new Form I-9 be used for all [...]

Provider and Information Letters: Health Care Decisions, Treatment Consent, Etc.

Since December 11, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) has issued provider and information letters to the following:
Nursing Facilities

Authority to Make Health Care Decisions (letter)
Rules and Regulations Concerning Provider Continuing In-service Education for Certified Nurse Aides (letter)

Home and Community Support Services Agencies

Medicare Treatment Consent Requirements (letter)

Primary Home Care and Community Attendant Services [...]

GAO Releases Reports on Medicare Part D and SCHIP

According to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) released last month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) may have made $90 million worth of “questionable” payments to Medicare Part D contractors hired to help launch the program. (Kaiser Network)
Some payments didn’t comply with terms of the contracts, the GAO found. Jeff Nelligan, CMS spokesperson, [...]

Texas Medical Board is Sued in Federal Court

The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons has filed suit on behalf of its members against the Texas Medical Board. Go here to see the allegations.

Senate Votes to Delay Physicians Fee Cut and Extend SCHIP

Earlier this week, the U.S. Senate approved a bill that would delay a 10 percent physicians fee cut for six months. The Senate also voted to extend the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) through March 2009. (Kaiser Network)
The bill would increase physicians fees by 0.5 percent for six months. Commenting on this action, the [...]

Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Provider Payment Rates

The following information was obtained from the December 14 edition of the Texas Register:
Open Meetings
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has issued notice of adopted Medicaid provider payment rates for the Truman W. Smith Children’s Care Center. The rates are as follows: $182.75, effective January 1, 2007 through August 31, 2007; and $189.04, [...]

Texas Register Updates: Open Meetings

The following information was obtained from the December 7 edition of the Texas Register:
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) will hold a public meeting on Autism Spectrum Disorders in Texas on December 12, 2007, at the Texas State Capitol Building, Room E1.012 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. The goal of the [...]

Bush Vetoes SCHIP Again

For the second time, President George W. Bush has vetoed a bill that would have expanded the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). According to Newsday, lawmakers say they will no longer seek to expand the bill.
Mike Leavitt, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said the president would have been willing [...]

Information Letters: Relocation Contract Budget Changes, Etc.

In an information letter to relocation contractors, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) explained changes that can be made to the relocation contract budget, effective immediately. For information about line items and transfers between line items, download the letter.
DADS informed Community Living Assistance and Support Service Program Providers, Deaf Blind with Multiple [...]

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