The following information was obtained from the September 6 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notices DADS published a notice of a limited waiver from requirements of Chapter 2254 and a consultant contract award. The University of Florida (P.O. Box 115500, Gainesville, Florida 32611) was selected as contractor to provide an assessment of the functionality of an electronic health record system that SSLCs currently use, and its potential for customization to meet DADS future needs. The … [Read more...] about TX Register Update: EHR Contract, Per Diem Rates
TX Register Updates: 7/19 Hearing, Revised Hearing Notice
The following information was obtained from the July 5 issue of the Texas Register. Public Hearings and Notices HHSC will hold a hearing on Friday, July 19, 2013, at 1:30 p.m. to receive comment on proposed Medicaid payment rates for hospital outpatient imaging services, hospital outpatient reimbursement, and hospital inpatient reimbursement. The hearing will be held in the Public Hearing Room, Winters Building, located at 701 W. 51st Street, Austin. Revised Hearing Notice: [HHSC] is … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: 7/19 Hearing, Revised Hearing Notice
TX Register Updates: THTQIP, Hospital Waiver Payments
The following information was obtained from the June 7 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notice HHSC intends to submit to CMS a request to amend the Texas Healthcare Transformation Quality Improvement Program waiver program. An excerpt: Effective September 1, 2013, the expenditures for STAR+PLUS enrollees for elimination of the 30-day spell of illness limitation will no longer be authorized. Under this policy, after 30 days of inpatient care has been provided, additional inpatient care … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: THTQIP, Hospital Waiver Payments
Enrolled House and Senate Bills
-- The following recently enrolled bills affect certain long term care providers: HB 33: Relating to alternative methods of dispute resolution in certain disputes between the Department of Aging and Disability Services and an assisted living facility licensed by the department. HB 908: Relating to the assessment of an elderly or disabled person's psychological status for purposes of an emergency order authorizing protective services. HB 1358: Relating to procedures for certain audits … [Read more...] about Enrolled House and Senate Bills
Medicaid Premiums and Disbursement
The Texas Tribune reports that state lawmakers gave HHSC approval to raise Medicaid premiums. An excerpt of an earlier story: To contain growing Medicaid costs, Texas expanded Medicaid managed care statewide in March. HHSC estimates the premium rate increases would reduce the cost savings achieved by managed care over the previous fee-for-service model from 13.2 percent to 9.7 percent. In response to the premium hike proposal, Dr. Michael Speer, president of the Texas Medical Association, … [Read more...] about Medicaid Premiums and Disbursement
LTC News: Convictions, Expansion, and Fraud
CMS recently released a report (PDF) on nursing homes, direct access employees, and criminal convictions. (McKnight's) Providers self-disclosing potential Medicare and Medicaid fraud. (McKnight's) Lawmaker proposes alternative to expanding Medicaid. (Texas Tribune) Hospitals and Medicaid expansion. (Pew) Providers push for whole-treatment payments. (USA Today) … [Read more...] about LTC News: Convictions, Expansion, and Fraud
TX Register Updates: 5/15 Hearing, Family Violence Program
The following information was obtained from the April 19 issue of the Texas Register. Public Hearings and Notices HHSC will hold a public hearing on proposed Medicaid payment rates for the following: physician-administered drug - Xolair, PASRR Level II Evaluation, Certified Respiratory Care Practitioners through the Comprehensive Care Program, Diabetic Equipment and Supplies, EPSDT - Dental Services, hearing aids, incontinence supplies, Medicaid Biennial Calendar Fee Review, Mobility Aids, … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: 5/15 Hearing, Family Violence Program
TX Register Updates: Medical and Nursing Board Changes
The following information was obtained from the April 12 issue of the Texas Register. Proposed Rules HHSC proposed to amend §354.1281, Psychologists' Services Benefits and Limitations. The change would add provisionally licensed psychologists as another type of provider who can perform psychological counseling and services under the direct supervision of a licensed psychologist. HHSC also proposed to amend §355.8081, Payments for Laboratory and X-ray Services, Radiation Therapy, … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Medical and Nursing Board Changes
TX Register Updates: Waiver Renewals, Medical Board Changes
The following information was obtained from the March 15 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notices HHSC intends to submit to CMS a request to renew the HCS waiver program and an amendment to the CBA waiver program. See the Texas Register for details. Proposed Rules HHSC proposed to amend §355.8066, Hospital-Specific Limit Methodology, which would provide more detail about the formulas used to calculate the hospital-specific limit, describe the use of a survey to collect data from … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Waiver Renewals, Medical Board Changes
House and Senate Bills: PPACA, Medicaid
The following recently introduced House and Senate bills could affect long term care providers: HCR 60: Urging the United States Congress to modify the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to allow cost-sharing payments and premium tax credits to be made available to the Texas political subdivision health care benefit pools on the same basis as those for health plans participating in the new federal exchange. HCR 64: Requesting the comptroller to conduct a study to determine the … [Read more...] about House and Senate Bills: PPACA, Medicaid