Information Letters: MDS Admission Assessment, Etc.

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) released four information letters: Minimum Data Sets (MDS) Admission Assessment In a letter to Nursing Facility (NF) providers, DADS clarified when an MDS admission assessment should be submitted as well as the appropriate reasons for the assessment if the form is dually coded for Omnibus Budget [...]

Colorado Expands Medicaid

If the federal government approves the proposal, Colorado will be allowed to expand the state’s Medicaid program by imposing a fee on hospitals, which would raise about $600 million each year for the program. (Kaiser Network) Recently signed into law by Governor Bill Ritter, the expanded Medicaid program would cover more children and pregnant women [...]

Texas Register Updates: Blind Program Medicaid Payment Rates, Etc.

The following information was obtained from the April 17 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will hold a public hearing on May 5, 2009, at 3:00 p.m. to receive public comment regarding the proposed Medicaid payment rate for case management services for the Blind Children’s Vocational [...]

Primary Care Physician Shortage

The shortage of nurses in the United States is well documented. As baby boom-generation nurses retire and others leave the profession because of burn-out, the shortage will continue to increase. What is not discussed as often in mainstream press is the shortage of physicians. The shortage of primary care doctors will have the most impact [...]

More Medicaid-Related Bills

The following Medicaid-related bills may affect providers: HB 1876 – Relating to creating the health care access fund to recruit health care providers in health professional shortage areas and to support federally-qualified health centers and to using for those purposes revenue from a tax imposed on certain tobacco products. HB 1878 – Relating to monitoring [...]

CMS News: Preventable Readmissons, Bidding Program Resumed

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a pilot program called the Care Transitions Project, designed to reduce preventable hospital readmissions. (Source) The national program, running through summer 2011 in 14 communities, will look at readmission rates at hospitals and develop ways to reduce readmissions. Acting administrator Charlene Frizzera said one in [...]

New FMLA Standards Applicable: Some Employees May Be Entitled to Up To 26 Unpaid Weeks Leave

On January 28, 2008, President Bush signed into law new FMLA leave entitlements for military families (“military family leave provisions”). The National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2008 amended the FMLA to provide two new types of unpaid military family leave for FMLA-eligible employees: “qualifying exigency leave” and “military caregiver leave.” Both types of leave [...]

Information Letters: Case Manager’s Role; Billing Training

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) released two information letters: Clarification of the Case Manager’s Role when Individuals Receiving Waiver Services are Admitted for Inpatient Psychiatric Treatment In a letter to Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities, Providers, Community Living Assistance and Support Services Providers, Case Management Agencies, and Direct Service Agencies, DADS [...]

Texas Register Updates: Pediatric Subspecialty Contract

The following information was obtained from the April 10 Texas Register: Public Notices The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced the award of a contract to Health Management Associates, Inc., to provide Consulting Services regarding identification of barriers to pediatric subspecialty consultations and referrals and to enumerate new methods to address these identified [...]

California Court Stops Medi-Cal Cuts

Last week, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals blocked California’s five percent cut to Medi-Cal payments for hospitals. (Source) In July 2008, federal law authorized that Medi-Cal payments be reduced by 10 percent. The courts blocked the cuts for doctors, dentists, pharmacies, and other providers, with the exception of hospitals. The law recently expired, [...]

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