According to the Kaiser Network, congressional bills set to extend health insurance to the presently uninsured don't address how primary care physicians will deal with the heavy load of new patients. The American Academy of Family Physicians said there will be 40,000 fewer such doctors in 10 years. The group predicts 160,000 fewer primary care doctors by 2025. One solution to the impending shortage is to increase residency positions at teaching hospitals. We blogged last week about medical … [Read more...] about Primary Care Physician Shortage Bills ‘Anemic’
Recession and Nursing Facilities
How is the recession affecting nursing facilities? According to the Associated Press, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services cut Medicare rates to nursing facilities (NFs) by $16 billion over 10 years. These facilities can expect more cuts if President Barack Obama's health care reform bill becomes law. American Health Care Association (AHCA) president and CEO Bruce Yarwood said, "As health reform deliberations continue, we respectfully urge lawmakers to keep in mind that any … [Read more...] about Recession and Nursing Facilities
Information and Provider Letters: H1N1, Indv. on Temp Discharge
DADS issued one provider and three information letters: To All Adult Day Care Facilities, ALs, CSSAs, ICFs/MR, and NFs: DADS created a web page with links to H1N1 and seasonal influenza information provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the CDC: DSHS main page for flu CDC main page for flu The letter contains links to specific pages on the site. (Letter) To HCS and TxHmL program providers: Effective immediately, a DADS Program Enrollment/Enrollment, … [Read more...] about Information and Provider Letters: H1N1, Indv. on Temp Discharge
Texas Register Updates: Rates for Nursing, Medical Board Rules
The following information was obtained from the October 2 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices HHSC has adopted new Medicaid per diem payment rates for the nursing facility program operated DADS, effective September 1, 2009: Base Rates by RUG Add-on Rates by Enhancement Level Liability Insurance See the relevant section of the Texas Register for more information. HHSC will hold a public hearing on October 20, 2009, at 9:00 a.m. to receive public comment on proposed … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Rates for Nursing, Medical Board Rules
Information Letters: ICF/MR, HCS, CDSAs, DBMD
DADS released four information letters: Screen 573 allows ICFs/MR to monitor compliance with RLO. The screen's new function is to identify individuals in each queried component code that have not received a RLO due to being a new admission. These individuals will show as "Not Found" on Screen 573. A vendor will place a hold on payments to facilities until all reviews are updated and completed. (Letter) HCS, MRAs, and CDSAs: DADS implemented in CARE new nursing categories and new rates for … [Read more...] about Information Letters: ICF/MR, HCS, CDSAs, DBMD
A Future with Fewer Primary Care Physicians?
Everyone in health care is feeling the pinch of the recession, including primary care physicians. Some are opting to charge patients annual fees to provide personal services. For example, they're reducing patient loads and charging remaining patients $2,000 a year for services like annual physicals, 24/7 access by phone and e-mail, same-day and next-day appointments, and a CD containing personal medical records. As more medical students are choosing to go into specialties, the pressure on … [Read more...] about A Future with Fewer Primary Care Physicians?
Texas Register Updates: Higher FY Expenditures
The following information was obtained from the September 25 Texas Register: HHSC will submit amendments to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, which would modify reimbursement methodologies for Physicians and Certain Other Practitioners, and Durable Medical Equipment. The changes may result in an additional aggregate expenditure of $17,784,701 for FY 2010. HHSC will submit an amendment that would provide for higher levels of managed care savings in the PACE program, and may … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Higher FY Expenditures
DADS Letters: ICFs/MR re: A/N/E, CDSAs, and DBMD
DADS released one provider and two information letters: Some ICFs/MR providers have been confused about when to report and investigate suspected client abuse, neglect or exploitation (A/N/E). Continue to report incidents to DADS until June 1, 2010, at which time the Department of Family and Protective Services will take over. (Letter) DADS issued a letter to CDSAs to give these providers directions for updating CDS employers' budgets to accommodate the recent rate changes. The following … [Read more...] about DADS Letters: ICFs/MR re: A/N/E, CDSAs, and DBMD
Texas Register Updates: Medical Board, Board of Nursing
The following information was obtained from the September 18 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices HHSC adopted new Medicaid per diem rates for Non-State Operated ICF/MR Services by Level of Need and Facility Size. The rates are found here. See the relevant section of the Texas Register for more information. Emergency Rules The Texas Board adopted an emergency repeal of §180.1, concerning Rehabilitation Orders, and added new sections to Chapter 180, concerning Texas Physician … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Medical Board, Board of Nursing
Physician-Owned Hospitals
Dallas-Forth Worth has more physician-owned hospitals than any other metro area, according to the Dallas Morning News. About 9.7 percent of the country's physician-owned hospitals are in the area, and Texas itself has the highest rate in the country. Opponents of such facilities believe doctors may base medical decisions on how much money they'll make, citing a study showing that after doctors bought a Tulsa specialty hospital, the odds of a patient undergoing a complex spinal procedure was … [Read more...] about Physician-Owned Hospitals
