Garlo Ward, P.C.

Navigation

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst: Health Care Law Will Bust Budget

by

Sources report that doctors, concerned about an onslaught of new patients, coupled with low reimbursement rates, are opting out of Medicare and Medicaid programs. The new health care reform law will introduce millions more patients into Medicaid., and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst expressed concerns about the $27 billion in extra costs the state will face under the new law: "That's an astounding number for us. We're on the hook for all those folks we've been trying to get to sign up for … [Read more...] about Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst: Health Care Law Will Bust Budget

DADS Alerts: DBMD Manual, Provider Meetings

by

DADS has updated the DBMD Program manual. Effective July 26, 2010, the following DBMD forms and instructions have been updated: Individual Plan of Care (Form 6500) IPC Service Delivery Transfer worksheet (Form 6500-T) (formally ISP Service Delivery Transfer worksheet) DBMD Summary of Services Delivered (Form 6503) Prior Authorization for Dental Services (Form 6504) See the DBMD program manual to access the forms. DADS will host a provider meeting for Region 6 HCSSA providers … [Read more...] about DADS Alerts: DBMD Manual, Provider Meetings

Information Letters: HCS, TxHmL, ICF/MR

by

DADS released four information letters: DADS reminded providers listed below that any claims for services performed during FY08 (September 1, 2007 – August 31, 2008) received by the Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership after noon Tuesday, August 10, 2010, will be processed as Miscellaneous, and can't be paid through the standard payment process. Mail paper claims early enough to be received by Tuesday, August 3, 2010, at 5 p.m. Community Services Providers Nursing Facility … [Read more...] about Information Letters: HCS, TxHmL, ICF/MR

Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Buy-In, Medical Board, GME

by

The following information was obtained from the July 23 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notice HHSC intends to submit Amendment 798, Transmittal Number TX 10-046, to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, which would exempt certain groups enrolled in the Medicaid Buy-in program from being required to pay premiums or other cost sharing charges. See the Texas Register for details. Proposed Rules The Texas Medical Board proposes … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Buy-In, Medical Board, GME

The Return of Debtor’s Prisons

by

As this article states, Debtors Prisons were abolished in America in the 1800's. Collection companies are now using courts as their personal debt collection agencies by having debtors thrown in jail based on contempt charges for missing hearings. The rub? The collection companies are effecting this by failing to give debtors notice of the hearings! The question I have? WHY AREN'T THE JUDGES SUFFICIENTLY VETTING THE NOTICE ISSUE?! One solution? We have elections coming up. Find out … [Read more...] about The Return of Debtor’s Prisons

DADS News Alerts: MDS Mentor Newsletter, CWP Operations

by

DADS has made available the June 2010 issue of The MDS Mentor, written by Cheryl Shiffer, Texas MDS RAI Coordinator, and Andy Alegria, Texas MDS Automation Coordinator, for Minimum Data Set stakeholders. Articles include: The Correction Form and Section X Correcting Your MDS How to Address Validation Warnings Correcting the Hard Copy of MDS What Needs Sending When Medicaid is Pending? MDS News in Review DADS previously allowed CWP HCSSAs to use either the Form 3650, … [Read more...] about DADS News Alerts: MDS Mentor Newsletter, CWP Operations

NFs and Hospice providers:

by

DADS released two information letters: NFs and Hospice providers: DADS offered guidelines and instructions to manage the most common errors that result in NF and Hospice claim rejections and denials. An excerpt: "Providers are encouraged to review and share this information with their billing staff to reduce errors and maximize efficiency. "During the first three quarters of the state Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 (September 2009 through May 2010), the Claims Management System (CMS) … [Read more...] about NFs and Hospice providers:

Texas Register Updates: Texas Medical Board, Nursing Facilities

by

The following information was obtained from the July 16 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearing and Notice HHSC will hold a public hearing on August 2, 2010, at 1:30 p.m., to receive comment on proposed Medicaid payments for Case Management for Children and Pregnant Women, to be held in the Lone Star Conference Room of HHSC, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric Boulevard, Austin, Texas. Send written comments to the attention of Rate Analysis, HHSC, Rate Analysis, Mail … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Texas Medical Board, Nursing Facilities

Provider and Information Letters: ADC, DAHS, NFs

by

DADS released a provider/information letter and an information letter: Adult Day Care Providers (ADC) Contracted to Provide Day Activity and Health Services (DAHS): When a licensed ADC facility that contracts with DADS to provide DAHS intends to relocate, the ADC must meet certain requirements to continue its licensing status and contracting relationship with DADS. (Letter) NFs: CMS is releasing a 3.0 version of the MDS assessments, effective October 1, 2010. An excerpt: MDS 2.0 … [Read more...] about Provider and Information Letters: ADC, DAHS, NFs