CMS is warning people against scams regarding the Medicare prescription plan, This scheme is called the "$299 Ring" for the typical amount of money Medicare beneficiaries are talked into withdrawing from their checking accounts to pay for a nonexistent prescription drug plan. Consumers can report these cases to their local law enforcement agencies or call 1-877-7SAFERX (1-877-772-3379). Beware of those asking for personal information, No Medicare drug plan can ask a person with … [Read more...] about Medicare Part D Scams
Hospital Quality Report; New Provider Letter
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a report titled, Hospital Quality Data (PDF). According to the report, hospitals that don't submit clinical data for patients lose 0.4 percent of Medicare payment updates. This information is necessary to calculate a hospital's quality measure. To ensure that publicly released data are reliable, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services needs more rigorous methods, the GAO concluded. In other news, the Texas Department of Aging and … [Read more...] about Hospital Quality Report; New Provider Letter
Proposed Increase in Payment Rates for Texas Medicaid Nursing Facilities and Associated Increases in Staffing and Spending Requirements for Facilities Participating in the Enhanced Direct Care Staff Rate
Texas HHSC has posted a letter regarding payment rates. It begins, On February 14, 2006, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) received a letter from House Speaker Tom Craddick and Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst authorizing the expenditure of $75 million in General Revenue and $115.7 million in Federal Funds at the Department of Aging and Disability Services for nursing facility services, including rate increases. The letter further stated that rate increases should be … [Read more...] about Proposed Increase in Payment Rates for Texas Medicaid Nursing Facilities and Associated Increases in Staffing and Spending Requirements for Facilities Participating in the Enhanced Direct Care Staff Rate
California’s Plan to Improve Nursing Homes in Jeopardy; New Provider Letter
More states would face cuts in nursing home funding in President Bush's proposed FY 2007 budget. Last week I blogged about the proposed budget's effect on Louisiana. An accounting firm called BDO Seidman and the American Health Care Association analyzed the FY 2007 budget proposal and found that Louisiana would face a $70.2 million cut in nursing home funding. According to the same analysis, California's nursing home funding would be cut by $125 million. From the press release: "The … [Read more...] about California’s Plan to Improve Nursing Homes in Jeopardy; New Provider Letter
Texas Pharmacists Lobby White House
A group of pharmacists in Texas is lobbying the White House, demanding to be reimbursed for giving away prescription drugs to Medicare beneficiaries. From CNNMoney.com: "If pharmacists don't receive immediate relief, some will go broke," Bill Pittman, a former president of the Texas State Board of Pharmacy who is chairman of Pharmacists for Bush, a political fund-raising group, was quoted by the Times as saying he told Rove. "Others are hurting so bad that they will choose not to … [Read more...] about Texas Pharmacists Lobby White House
States to be Reimbursed for ‘Dual Eligibles’ Payments
Mark McClellan, administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicare, has assured states that they will be reimbursed for payments for "dual eligibles," beneficiaries who qualified for Medicare and Medicaid coverage. Medicare's prescription drug program has caused much confusion, and some beneficiaries had trouble getting prescriptions filled because they missed the January 1 deadline to change plans. More than 40 states have spent millions to make sure dual eligibles received … [Read more...] about States to be Reimbursed for ‘Dual Eligibles’ Payments
Louisiana Faces $70.2 million Medicaid Cut
An accounting firm called BDO Seidman and the American Health Care Association analyzed the FY 2007 budget proposal and found that Louisiana would face a $70.2 million cut in Medicaid funding for nursing homes, which would represent the ninth highest reduction of all states analyzed. The cuts would add to the state's woes in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. From the press release: "At a time when nursing homes throughout the state are dealing with higher costs and government … [Read more...] about Louisiana Faces $70.2 million Medicaid Cut
Texas Medical Board Disciplines Doctors
The Texas Medical Board has disciplined 36 doctors for various violations, including those based on quality of care, drug and alcohol impairment, inappropriate conduct in the physician-patient relationship, and unprofessional conduct. One doctor is alleged to have prescribed drugs to her husband and children, and to herself under aliases. Another doctor took a call and arrived at the hospital allegedly intoxicated. The Board regulates physicians, physician assistants, surgical assistants … [Read more...] about Texas Medical Board Disciplines Doctors
Medicare Will Cover Obesity Surgery
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Medicare is expanding coverage for bariatric surgery. From the press release: CMS reviewed new data and analyses which demonstrate that surgeons with more experience have similar outcomes for patients of all ages. After reviewing the evidence and considering recommendations of professional societies and other experts in the field, the Agency determined that of the various bariatric surgeries currently available, the evidence … [Read more...] about Medicare Will Cover Obesity Surgery
CQ Editor Discusses Medicare; Millions Missing Out on Coverage
Mary Agnes Carey, associate editor of CQ [Congressional Quarterly] HealthBeat spoke about the FY 2007 budget, the FY 2006 budget reconciliation, and Medicare's prescription drug program. (Medical News Today) Under the FY 2007, Medicare spending would be cut by $36 billion. Medicare payments would be reduced for certain long term care providers, including home health agencies. Carey also discussed a clerical error found in the FY 2006 budget reconciliation bill after it was passed in the House … [Read more...] about CQ Editor Discusses Medicare; Millions Missing Out on Coverage