Information Letters: PACE and Hospice Provider Updates, Etc.

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) released three new information letters: Community Services Medical Necessity (MN) and Level of Care (LOC) Assessment for PACE Participants Residing in Nursing Facilities (NFs) DADS served notice to PACE providers about MN/LOC assessments and billing for participants whose permanent residence is a Medicaid NF. PACE submits [...]

More Doctors E-Prescribing

To eliminate medication errors caused by misreading handwritten prescriptions and other purposes, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced an electronic prescribing system. To encourage doctors to use the system, CMS allowed them to earn a payment of two percent of the total allowed Medicare charges during 2009 and another two percent incentive [...]

Medicaid Enrollment Climbs During Recession

As expected, Medicaid enrollment grew by 5-10 percent in several states in the past year because of the recession. (Kaiser Network) Sixteen of the 40 states that responded to a New York Times survey reported at least a 5 percent increase in Medicaid enrollment in the past year. States also reported an increase in State [...]

SCHIP Bill Would Bar New Physician-Owned Hospitals

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill that would reauthorize and expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The measure, which passed by a vote of 289 to 139, would expand coverage for children from families with incomes of up to three times the federal poverty. Such an expansion would cover [...]

Texas Register Updates: Repeal of Fair Hearing Rules, Texas Medical Board Rule Changes

The following information was obtained from the January 9 and January 16 issues of the Texas Register: Public Hearing The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will hold a public hearing on January 30, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. to receive public comment on the proposed interim per diem Medicaid reimbursement rate for small, state-operated [...]

Information Letters: Co-Payment Chart Changes, Hurricane Ike Costs, Etc.

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) released eight information letters: Effective December 1, 2008 — Change in the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 40, Chapter 44, Consumer Managed Personal Attendant Services (CMPAS), Relating to the Co-payment Chart DADS notified CMPAS providers about a TAC change, effective December 1, 2008. The change removes [...]

Congress Reauthorizes and Expands SCHIP

Earlier this week, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill that would reauthorize and expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The Kaiser Network reports that the measure passed by a vote of 289 to 139. Children from families with incomes of up to three times the federal poverty level would qualify for [...]

California Supreme Court Bars Balance Billing

Emergency department doctors and hospitals in California can no longer directly bill insured patients for charges HMOs refuse to pay. Last week, the state’s highest court barred balance billing and contended that ER doctors and HMOs must iron out their disagreements. The responsibility should not fall on patients. (Source) In a press release, Governor Arnold [...]

Smaller Reimbursements for Home Health Agencies

According to the Kaiser Network, MedPAC has recommended reducing Medicare reimbursements to home health agencies by 5.5 percent from FY 2009 levels and increasing payments to long term care hospitals and dialysis centers. MedPAC, which advises Congress on Medicare issues, will send a report to the legislative body in March. The report will also contain [...]

Information Letters: Special Purpose License Correction, Etc.

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) issued two information letters and two memos from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC): Change in the DAHS and CBA Provider Manuals Relating to Physicians with a Special Purpose License In a letter to Day Activity and Health Services (DAHS), Community Based Alternatives (CBA), [...]

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