Last week, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals blocked California's five percent cut to Medi-Cal payments for hospitals. (Source) In July 2008, federal law authorized that Medi-Cal payments be reduced by 10 percent. The courts blocked the cuts for doctors, dentists, pharmacies, and other providers, with the exception of hospitals. The law recently expired, and a five percent cut went in effect. The purpose of the cut was to save California taxpayers about $80 million annually. The San … [Read more...] about California Court Stops Medi-Cal Cuts
Information Letters: Rescheduled Meeting, Individual Plan of Care
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) released two information letters: Public Hearing Regarding Proposed Rule Amendment to the Reimbursement Methodology for Home and Community-based Services (HCS) to Redistribute the HCS Monthly Administration and Operations HHSC informed HCS Providers that a public hearing, initially scheduled for April 22, 2009, has been rescheduled to May 27, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. in the … [Read more...] about Information Letters: Rescheduled Meeting, Individual Plan of Care
Medicaid-Related Legislative Bills
Below is a list of Medicaid-related bills introduced in the Texas Legislature last month: HB 582 - Relating to informing the parents and guardians of certain children about the availability of the child health plan and medical assistance programs. HB 748 - Relating to the provision of services to certain individuals with developmental disabilities by a state school or state center. HB 802 - Relating to the creation of the lifespan respite services program. HB 1453 - Relating to … [Read more...] about Medicaid-Related Legislative Bills
Texas Register Updates: Contract for Flew v. Hawkins Study, Etc.
The following information was obtained from the April 3 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced the award of contract 529-08-0187-00001 to the Altarum Institute to provide a court-ordered study in compliance with Frew v. Hawkins to determine whether there are barriers causing Class Members to receive no care or receive only emergency department or inpatient hospital care. The contract is valued at $562,698.50. HHSC … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Contract for Flew v. Hawkins Study, Etc.
CMS to Offer Nursing Home Quality of Care Incentive
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced last week that it will offer cash incentives to improve quality of care in nursing homes. CMS will ask Arizona, Mississippi, New York, and Wisconsin to participate. (Source) Quality of care areas include nurse staffing and the scope and severity of deficiency citations the home has received during inspections. Those with the highest scores/greatest performance will receive performance payment. Acting administrator Charlene … [Read more...] about CMS to Offer Nursing Home Quality of Care Incentive
Texas Register Updates: Texas Medical Board Emergency Rule, Etc.
The following information was obtained from the March 27 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced its intent to submit an amendment to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, which will modify the reimbursement methodology for clinical laboratory services in the Texas Medicaid State Plan as a result of Medicaid fee changes. HHSC also announced its intent to submit an … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Texas Medical Board Emergency Rule, Etc.
Information and Provider Letters: NF Quality Review, TAS Authorization, Etc.
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) issued six information and two provider letters: Nursing Facility (NF) Quality Review Process for 2009 In a letter to NF providers, DADS informed them that it's conducting annual Nursing Qualify Facility Quality Review evaluations of resident care in nursing facilities, the same process conducted for the past seven years as mandated by the Texas Legislature. Download the letter for details. Authorization of … [Read more...] about Information and Provider Letters: NF Quality Review, TAS Authorization, Etc.
More Legislative Bills
The following recently introduced bills may affect providers: HB 1897 - Relating to transportation services provided to aged or disabled clients of certain programs and facilities. HB 1905 - Relating to studying the costs and benefits of a pilot program for services for adults with autism. HB 2558 - Relating to registration for evacuation and disaster preparedness for clients of home and community support services agencies. HB 3142 - Relating to reimbursement rates for nursing home … [Read more...] about More Legislative Bills
Reminder: Check Bill Status
In the past few weeks, we've posted links to bills introduced in the Texas House and Senate that may affect long term care providers. Bill status may change from week to week, so we encourage you to check at least once a week. The following posts contain links to some of these bills: New Legislative Bills Legislative Updates: Bills Introduced … [Read more...] about Reminder: Check Bill Status
Long Term Care News Links
Last week, Senate Finance Health Subcommittee Chair Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) proposed giving the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) jurisdiction over Medicare reimbursement decisions. At present, MedPAC advises Congress on Medicare issues. Rockefeller said, "You take a MedPAC and give them the money and the time to ... go all around the country and they can dissect health care. To me, they're a lot better deal than having Congress do it and politics do it." (Source) In an … [Read more...] about Long Term Care News Links
