The Texas Department of Health and Human Services Commission will hold a hearing for public comment on proposed payment rates for the following operated by DADS: Residential Care program, assisted living/residential care services under the Community Based Alternatives program, and assisted living/residential care services under the Consolidated Waiver program. Rates will be effective January 1, 2007. The public hearing will be held on December 12, 2006, at 9:00 a.m. in the Lone Star … [Read more...] about Hearing on Provider Payment Rates
‘Cultural Transformation’ in the Long Term Care Industry
I’ve blogged about the impending retirement of waves of baby boomers before. It’s a hot topic in the health care industry, which will need to adjust to the influx of Americans who’ll need long term, and sometimes specialized care. A bipartisan committee called The National Commission for Quality Long-Term Care, co-chaired by former U.S. Sen. Bob Kerrey and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, will release a report that will guide the industry and help it prepare for new patients and new … [Read more...] about ‘Cultural Transformation’ in the Long Term Care Industry
Medicare Part D Open Enrollment
Open enrollment for Medicare Part D, the new prescription drug program, began last Wednesday and will end on December 31. Current beneficiaries may switch plans and first-timers may sign up for new plans. For more information, visit the Medicare.gov web page. … [Read more...] about Medicare Part D Open Enrollment
Industry vs. State: California Seeks to Control Drug Prices
Effective January 2007, the state of California will be authorized to seek drug discounts up of up to 60 percent for California residents receiving benefits from Medicare Part D. Drug companies are “alarmed,†of course. From the Kaiser Network: Although state officials say the measure is voluntary, the law also includes language that permits California in 2010 to remove from its Medicaid formulary treatments sold by companies that do not comply with the law. According to the Globe, … [Read more...] about Industry vs. State: California Seeks to Control Drug Prices
Texas Register Update: Nursing Facility Payment Rates for State Veterans Homes
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has adopted new pay per day payment rates for state-owned veterans nursing facilities for state fiscal year 2007, which became effective September 1, 2006: Big Spring, $133.00; Bonham, $133.00; Floresville, $133.00; Temple, $133.00: McAllen, $133.00 and El Paso, $133.00. For more information, see the relevant section of the November 17 issue of the Texas Register. … [Read more...] about Texas Register Update: Nursing Facility Payment Rates for State Veterans Homes
More News About Nursing Shortage
The nursing shortage is so critical that someone graduating with only a two-year nursing degree has his/her choice of nursing jobs at relatively high salaries. The average starting salary for RNs is $56,000. The New York Daily News featured a story on the nursing job market and cited statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the American Nurses Association. The average nurse is 50 years old, and nursing schools have had to turn away students because there weren’t enough faculty to … [Read more...] about More News About Nursing Shortage
Provider Letters: Billing Requirements, Immunizations, and CMS Alert
In a letter dated November 2, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) informed nursing facilities and community services providers that third-party billers are required to enter into a contract with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission before claims can be submitted to the Texas Medicaid HealthCare Partnership, effective June 30, 2007. This is an effort to combat fraud. You may download the letter here. DADS informed home and community support services … [Read more...] about Provider Letters: Billing Requirements, Immunizations, and CMS Alert
Party-Line Medicare Battles Continue
The new majority party in Congress didn’t wait long before it starting pulling rank. Under the current Medicare law, passed in 2003, the federal government is prohibited from negotiating drug prices or establishing a list of preferred drugs. Soon-to-be House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the Democrats will try to repeal the ban straight out of the starting gate. (Kaiser Network) So much for Republicans’ efforts to partially privatize the system. One of the concerns about the government … [Read more...] about Party-Line Medicare Battles Continue
Medicare News Roundup
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has made a series of announcements about Medicare: 1. Payment rates for home health services will increase by 3.3 percent for 2007. The acting administrator for CMS said this increase will “reward home health agencies who continue to report quality data and also provides beneficiaries with access to more affordable oxygen equipment.†(Source) 2. CMS also announced a final rule for Medicare payments for hospital outpatient services … [Read more...] about Medicare News Roundup
Texas Register Updates
On behalf of the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has adopted an amendment to §9.178 in Chapter 9, Subchapter D, which restores text inadvertently replaced with incorrect text during previous adoption of an amendment. For more information, see the relevant section of the Texas Register. HHSC announced its intent to submit Transmittal Number 06-030, Amendment Number 748, to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance. … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates