In light of Republican Scott Brown's defeat of Democrat Martha Coakley for the late Ted Kennedy's U.S. Senate seat in Massachusetts, Democrats in both houses of Congress are considering trying to pass health care reform in smaller bills rather than one large bill. During his campaign, Brown publicly opposed President Barack Obama's health care reform plan. Democrats interpreted his win as a consensus against reform as offered by Congress. Kaiser Health News has a round-up of stories from … [Read more...] about Congressional Democrats Now Wary of Health Care Reform
Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Payment Rates
The following information was obtained from the January 22 issue of the Texas Register: HHSC will hold a public hearing on February 16, 2010, at 1:30 p.m., in the Lone Star Conference Room of HHSC, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric Boulevard, Austin, Texas, to receive comment on proposed Medicaid payment rates for the following: Augmentative Communication Devices Vagal Nerve Stimulators 2010 Annual Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Updates Bath and … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Payment Rates
DADS Alerts: HCS News
DADS posted two alerts for HCS providers. 1) Providers have requested face-to-face HCS billing guidelines training. Consequently, staff from DADS Billing and Payment Unit will provide half-day training on the recent changes to the billing guidelines, to be conducted in multiple waiver contract areas together with scheduled billing and payment reviews until the spring 2010. Training in Dallas will be held at Dallas Metrocare Services at 1380 Riverbend Drive, Dallas, Texas, in Room 319 on … [Read more...] about DADS Alerts: HCS News
MedPAC Recommends Adjusted Medicare Payment Rates
MedPAC, which advises Congress on Medicare, released a set of recommendations. (Source - PDF) An excerpt: "To restore budget neutrality, the Congress should require the Secretary to fully offset increases in inpatient payments due to hospitals' documentation and coding improvements. To accomplish this, the Secretary must reduce payment rates in the inpatient prospective payment system by the same percentage (not to exceed 2 percentage points) each year in 2011, 2012, and 2013. The lower rates … [Read more...] about MedPAC Recommends Adjusted Medicare Payment Rates
Information Letters: Rehabilitation Services, CDS Option
DADS released two information letters. NF and Rehab Services providers: To expedite review and approval/disapproval process for Rehabilitation Authorization Requests, DADS will no longer return approvals by fax for Physical Therapy /Occupational Therapy and Speech, effective February 1. DADS will only return faxes for reasons (Exceptions to Requests) listed in the two-page letter. CDSAs for the CWP: The CDS option will be available for individuals in CWP who use personal assistance services, … [Read more...] about Information Letters: Rehabilitation Services, CDS Option
CMS: Health Care Spending Rate Slowest Since 1960
CMS issued an annual report on national health care spending that showed nominal spending in the U.S. grew 4.4 percent last year, to $2.3 trillion, the slowest rate of growth since CMS started tracking health care spending in 1960. The health care spending rate in 2007 was 6.0. However, health care spending grew faster than nominal economic growth. Jonathan Blum, director of CMS's Center for Medicare Management, said the report "contains some welcome news and yet another warning sign. Health … [Read more...] about CMS: Health Care Spending Rate Slowest Since 1960
Information Letters: LVN/RN Form 3050, Etc.
DADS released three information letters: Hospice providers: DADS sent a corrected letter that notifies these providers that they can bill for ventilator services provided to residents in nursing facilities. In the attached letter, the corrections are indicated in red. (Letter) Day Activity Health Services providers: DADS determined that either an LVN or an RN can complete and sign the Form 3050 (DAHS Health Assessment/Individual Service Plan) when it is used for assessment in a Day Activity … [Read more...] about Information Letters: LVN/RN Form 3050, Etc.
Texas Register Updates: Intervener Rates, Physician Services
The following information was obtained from the January 8 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearing HHSC will hold a public hearing on January 26, 2010, at 10:30 a.m., for public comment on proposed rates for Intervener services in the DBMD, operated by DADS. The hearing will be held in the Lone Star Conference Room of the Health and Human Services Commission, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric Blvd, Austin, Texas. See the relevant section of the Texas Register for more … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Intervener Rates, Physician Services
Physicians Criticize Bundled Medicare Payment Proposal
According to the American Medical News, published by the American Medical Association, Congress is considering a new policy of paying both doctors and hospitals under Medicare in one payment to treat a particular condition. This includes all office visits and procedures. The current health care reform bill would expand the proposed "bundled payment" system. Why the proposed change? Lawmakers and "other policy circles" think the Medicare fee-for-service payment system isn't working, and bundled … [Read more...] about Physicians Criticize Bundled Medicare Payment Proposal
Information Letters: Transfer Case Management Function, Cost Reporting
HCS: DADS proposes to transfer case management function, currently performed by HCS program providers, to Mental Retardation Authorities, as required by the 2010-2011 General Appropriations Act, effective June 1, 2010. (Letter) An excerpt: "Effective the date of this letter, a program provider is not required to provide case management using only employees of the program provider (that is, a program provider could use a qualified contractor to provide case management). If a program provider … [Read more...] about Information Letters: Transfer Case Management Function, Cost Reporting
