On July 1, a new rule went into effect that requires new Medicaid applicants and current beneficiaries re-enrolling in Medicaid to show proof of U.S. citizenship in order to collect benefits. Last month I wrote about the new law and followed up with a post about the Texas Health and Human Services Commission's intention to verify the citizenship and identity of beneficiaries in Texas. At least one state will delay implementing the new law. North Carolina will push the effective date back as … [Read more...] about Medicaid Proof of Citizenship in Effect
High Employee Turnover Rates Affect LTC
According to an article in The Enid News and Eagle, the national turnover rate for elderly health care jobs is as high as 150 percent. There are several reasons for the country's shortage of elderly health care workers - especially nurses - and aging is high on the list. With an aging baby boom generation beginning to retire, including nurses in the cohort, shortages will likely become more pronounced. According to the National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses, the average age of the … [Read more...] about High Employee Turnover Rates Affect LTC
The End of Medicine : How Silicon Valley (and Naked Mice) Will Reboot Your Doctor
That's the name of a new book by Andy Kessler. I haven't read the book yet, but it is about amazing new breakthroughs (via Silicon Valley) in diagnostic tools that will be able to detect potential problems long before they become a problem. The book description at Amazon.com says the following about the book: Your doctor can't be certain what's going on inside your body, but technology will. Embedding the knowledge of doctors in silicon will bring a breakout technology to health care, and … [Read more...] about The End of Medicine : How Silicon Valley (and Naked Mice) Will Reboot Your Doctor
Long Term Care Providers Prepare for Disasters
Because of nightmarish stories like this one, long term care providers are doing more to prepare for disasters, natural and man-made. An organization called Mather LifeWays Institute created a program called PREPARE to train long term care providers in preparing for disasters and public health emergencies. (Senior Journal) To learn more about PREPARE, see the press release. More than 60 percent of Hurricane Katrina victims were elderly, according to the Louisiana Department of Health. A … [Read more...] about Long Term Care Providers Prepare for Disasters
Provider Letter: LTC Online Portal Transition
On June 2, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services issued a letter to various providers to inform them about upgrades to the LTC Online Portal system. (Letter No. 06-37). In a letter dated June 27, DADS provides additional information about the LTC Online Portal. Download the letter for information on viewing forms, portal registration, transitioning from old to new forms, etc., on the new web-based online system. … [Read more...] about Provider Letter: LTC Online Portal Transition
Long Term Care Providers Insurance and Funding News
Long term care providers in Texas will have another insurance option. Continuing Care Risk Retention Group, Inc. (CCRRG), will underwrite polices for providers in Texas, according to the San Antonio Business Journal. Bob Bates, president of Magnolia LTC, the company that administers CCRRG, said that health care industry tort reform in Texas is the reason. High insurance rates have driven up health care costs, but the Texas legislature recently reformed the state's tort system. As a result, … [Read more...] about Long Term Care Providers Insurance and Funding News
Citizenship Verification for Medicaid Recipients
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will begin verifying the citizenship and identity of people applying for or receiving Medicaid to comply with a new federal law that takes effect July 1. The federal Deficit Reduction Act, passed earlier this year, does not change who is eligible to receive services. But the new law does require states to verify the citizenship or immigration status of all Medicaid clients. HHSC Executive Commissioner Albert Hawkins said Texas already … [Read more...] about Citizenship Verification for Medicaid Recipients
OSHA Teen Worker Safety Program
Many teen workers are starting their first jobs. Congratulations! And they're probably more focused on how to spend their paychecks than on job safety issues. If you have teens working over the summer, you should check out the safety campaign posted online by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) this past April. OSHA's safety campaign was developed to help educate both teens and employers on workplace hazards and identify ways to ensure teen safety on-the-job. The Teen … [Read more...] about OSHA Teen Worker Safety Program
Provider Letter: Special Enrollment; New Dual Eligibles
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is extending the Medicare Part D prescription drug program enrollment period for Hurricane Katrina victims, according to a June 20 DADS provider letter to community services providers. Beneficiaries who lived in "designated parishes and counties" when the hurricane hit will have until December 31, 2006, to enroll. CMS also released information for new dual eligible beneficiaries. You may download PDF copies all related letters and documents … [Read more...] about Provider Letter: Special Enrollment; New Dual Eligibles
Louisiana Seeks to Overhaul Medicaid System
Louisiana is one of a growing number of states seeking to overhaul its Medicaid system. I wrote about the subject a few days ago. (See States Take On Medicaid Reform) Louisiana plans to propose changes designed to provide flexibility in its Medicaid program in order to treat more uninsured patients. The changes would likely increase out-of-pocket expenses for these patients. Louisiana has a charity hospital system that treats uninsured patients, but some believe the system should be shut … [Read more...] about Louisiana Seeks to Overhaul Medicaid System