DADS News Alerts: 4/16 Webinar Reminder

–  An MDS update excerpt: A recent DADS provider alert and an article in The MDS Mentor have clarified the correct way to complete MDS 3.0 item A0410. A frequent provider question is how to prevent MDS records from being submitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) when Prospective Payment System (PPS) [...]

ILs/News Alert: Cost Reports, MDS Data

2012 Cost Report and Cost Report Training Requirements for (in PDF): CBA HCSSA, CLASS CMA and DSA, and PHC HCS, TxHmL, and ICF/IID CBA AL, DAHS, DBMD, NF, and RC MDS 3.0 update Everyone with a Quality Improvement Evaluation System (QIES) account to submit MDS data and view CASPER reports should now update their account. [...]

TX Register Updates: NorthSTAR Correction, Dual Eligibles

The following information was obtained from the June 22 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notice Correction A notice in the June 8, 2012, issue incorrectly stated that an amendment changed the NorthSTAR behavioral health program enrollment period from 30 days to 15 days. The correct period is from 45 days to 15 days. See [...]

DADS News Alerts: Cultural Change Initiative, NF meeting

–  As part of the cultural change initiative, DADS will host four symposia in 2012. Registration information will be available a month before each event: Lubbock – Wednesday, August 22, Holiday Inn Lubbock – Hotel and Towers Dallas – Friday, August 24, Westin Park Central San Antonio – Tuesday, November 13, Sheraton Gunter Hotel Houston [...]

Non-payment for “Never Events”: Coming to a Long-Term Care Provider Near You

Since October 2008, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) have not paid hospitals for certain hospital-acquired conditions. That is, CMS will not pay for certain conditions that were not present in the patient upon admission. The conditions are, as designated by CMS, conditions that are: (a) high cost or high volume or both, [...]

TX Register Updates: Medical Board Changes

The following information was obtained from the September 16 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notice HHSC intends to submit transmittal number 11-045 to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, which would limit payments for Medicare Part B services provided to dual eligibles to no more than the Medicaid payment amount for the same [...]

TX Register Updates: Contract, TxHmL Changes

The following information was obtained from the August 12 issue of the Texas Register: HHSC awarded contract 529-06-0425-00046 RFQ 39 to Health Management Associates, which will produce documents and reports. Total contact value is $41,000. HHSC will hold a public hearing on August 18, 2011, at 1 p.m. to receive comment on payment rate adjustments [...]

Association of American Physicians and Surgeons Challenges PECOS

In August 2010, the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (“AAPS”) filed an amended complaint asking the court to vacate HHS regulations requiring non-Medicare providers to enroll with Medicare, to appear in the Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (“PECOS”), or to obtain a National Provider Identifier (“NPI”). A copy of AAPS’ full amended complaint is available here. AAPS argues [...]

GOP Proposes Health Care Law Repeal in ‘Pledge to America’

In the lead-up to the November midterm elections, House Republicans have issued a “Pledge to America,” which proposes changes in spending, foreign policy, national security, and other areas. Republicans also propose to repeal the health care reform law. An excerpt from the 21-page PDF document: Our Plan to Repeal the Job Killing Health Care Law [...]

Can Physicians Thrive Without Medicare and Insurance Plans?

Here is an interesting column about just that.  It is written by Dr. George Watson, president of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons. I have previously interviewed the General Counsel for AAPS, Andy Schlafly, here.

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