DADS released two information letters: To CBA, AL/RC, CLASS, DAHS, PHC, and other providers: HHSC approved a rate increase for these providers as a result of the federal minimum wage increase. See this web page at HHSC for details. (Letter) The CLASS waiver program received new rates on September 1. Claims received after this date automatically will be paid at the new rate, except claims submitted by a CDSA. IPCs already submitted for individuals participating in the agency option for all … [Read more...] about DADS Letters: CBA, AL/RC, CLASS, DAHS, PHC, and Other
Texas Register Updates: Board of Nursing, HCS Providers
The following information was obtained from the September 11 issue of the Texas Register: Emergency Rules The Texas Board of Nursing adopted emergency amendments and new paragraphs to §213.32, concerning Schedule of Administrative Fine(s), effective September 1, 2009. Among of things, the rules would render an individual ineligible to receive corrective action if the person committed one of the specified violations more than once or if the person committed more than one of the specified … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Board of Nursing, HCS Providers
Trouble for Medicaid, Primary Care Doctors
President Barack Obama proposes to expand Medicaid to cover some uninsured Americans. Obviously, the expansion would involve taxpayers forking over a great deal of money, which would put more pressure on already cash-strapped states. Arizona, for example, has the highest Medicaid rate in the country, and would face a "financial tsunami" under Obama's plan. Florida has seen money-saving results when it moved thousands of Medicaid patients into private managed care plans. Patients' bills were … [Read more...] about Trouble for Medicaid, Primary Care Doctors
DADS Letters: NF, CDSA, ICR/MR, HCS, TxHmL
DADS released one provider and six information letters: DADS sent a disaster/emergency guideline letter that applies to HCSSAs temporarily locating a place of business, temporarily expanding their service area, voluntarily suspending operations, or permanently closing in response to a disaster or emergency that affects services or the ability to provide them. (Letter) CDSAs may delegate any task (under the RN delegation of services) to an unlicensed person employed in the CDS option, as … [Read more...] about DADS Letters: NF, CDSA, ICR/MR, HCS, TxHmL
Texas Register Updates: ICF/MR, Nurses, Medical Board
The following information was obtained from the September 4 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notice HHSC intents to submit an amendment to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, which would delete the provisions for fiscal accountability for the non-state-operated ICF/MR 2008 cost reporting period, effective September 4, 2009. See the relevant section of the Texas Register for details. Proposed Rules The Texas Board of Nursing proposes to amend §211.7, concerning Executive … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: ICF/MR, Nurses, Medical Board
State Medicaid, Health Care Issues
Last month we wrote about how some primary care physicians are dealing with the growing costs of health care by charging fees to provide personalized, or concierge, care. These efforts involve reducing the number of patients and charging remaining patients about $2,000 a year for services that include annual physicals, 24/7 access by phone and e-mail, same-day/next-day appointments, and a CD containing personal medical information. The Kaiser Network rounds up links to news articles about the … [Read more...] about State Medicaid, Health Care Issues
The Feds’ War on Pain Management Physicians
Heroic civil liberties lawyer, Harvey Silverglate writes about the war on physicians who attempt to alleviate the chronic pain of their patients. I just started reading his new book, Three Felonies a Day: How the Feds Target the Innocent, and will be writing more about that. In the meantime, read this column. Not only are the Feds attempting to "to effectively control the practice of pain relief medicine", they are now prosecuting people who try to educate the public about the issue under … [Read more...] about The Feds’ War on Pain Management Physicians
Provider and Information Letters: ICFs/MR, Assisted Living, NFs
DADS issued three provider and three information letters last week: DADS notified ICFs/MR providers of amendments to Section 252.122 of the Health and Safety Code, Section 261.109 of the Family Code, Section 48.052 of the Human Resources Code, and Section 22.04 of the Penal Code, which added new language. Example (new language in bold): "Notification of duty to report abuse, neglect and exploitation. Each facility shall require each employee of the facility, as a condition of employment … [Read more...] about Provider and Information Letters: ICFs/MR, Assisted Living, NFs
Texas Register Updates: CBA, CWP, CLASS, Nursing
The following information was obtained from the August 28 issue of Texas Register: Public Hearing and Notices HHSC will hold a public hearing on September 18, 2009, at 9:30 a.m. to receive public comment on proposed Medicaid payment rates for Personal Care III services in the CBA waiver program, CWP, and CLASS, in the Lone Star Conference Room HHSC. Send written comments up to 5 p.m. the day of the hearing to Meisha Scott to fax (512) 491-1998, e-mail at meisha.scott@hhsc.state.tx.us, or … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: CBA, CWP, CLASS, Nursing
Rising Costs Affect Medicaid Expansion and Primary Care Physicians
The question in the health care reform debate is not whether Medicaid and providers will be affected by changes, but rather how they will be affected. The goal of Barack Obama's health care reform plan is to reduce the number of uninsured Americans. Doing so will cost money. The News-Leader reports that under the president's plan, uninsured people with low incomes would be covered by Medicaid. Lawmakers have grappled over expanding Medicaid for years, and the debate will only grow louder if … [Read more...] about Rising Costs Affect Medicaid Expansion and Primary Care Physicians
