Three provider letters have been released by Texas HHS since December 10, 2018: Acceptable Documentation for a Criminal History Check (replacing old letters), released on January 1, 2019, describes the documentation that Alf's, DAH, HCSSA ICF/IID, NF, and PPECC may use to show that a criminal history check has been conducted, as well that the provider reviewed the results and determined that there was no impediment for employment. It also details what is not acceptable documentation and what … [Read more...] about Texas HHS Provider Letters
How will the SUPPORT Act Affect Physicians and Their Practice?
One way act this act will affect Physicians and their practices with new provisions regarding fraud and abuse with a section entitled "Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery." This resembles the federal Anti-Kickback statute with some important differences. Its purpose is to (1) Curtail patient's brokering with opioid treatment centers and to (2) slow the overutilization of laboratory toxicology screenings by closing a loophole in the Anti-Kickback statutes. Physicians who have ownership … [Read more...] about How will the SUPPORT Act Affect Physicians and Their Practice?
CMS 2019 Physician Fee Schedule–Small Practice Impact
The Final Rule was released in November, 2019. Here is a good analysis of the rule as it will impact small practices. … [Read more...] about CMS 2019 Physician Fee Schedule–Small Practice Impact
Federal HHS Seeking Comment on Reducing Regulatory Burdens of HIPAA Rules
Comments due February 11, 2019: Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office for Civil Rights (OCR), issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input from the public on how the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Rules, especially the HIPAA Privacy Rule, could be modified to further the HHS Secretary’s goal of promoting coordinated, value-based healthcare. This RFI is a part of the Regulatory Sprint to Coordinated Care, … [Read more...] about Federal HHS Seeking Comment on Reducing Regulatory Burdens of HIPAA Rules
Gearing up for the 2019 Legislative Session
It appears that politicians are gearing up to address health care in the upcoming legislative session: Texas has both the largest number (4.7 million) and highest percentage (19 percent) of uninsured residents under age 65 in the country, according to a new Urban Institute analysis. Two-thirds of the uninsured are in families with at least one full- or part-time worker. The state ranks 34th in the 2017 issue of America’s Health Rankings, an annual state-by-state assessment of … [Read more...] about Gearing up for the 2019 Legislative Session
Immediate Jeopardy Decision Upheld by 7th Circuit Court of Appeals
The 7th Circuit upheld a finding of Immediate Jeopardy regarding sexual encounters between residents with dementia. The facility in question had a "policy of intervening in sexual encounters only when “outward signs” of non-consent were displayed, according to court documents." CMS determined that this was not adequate to protect residents and fined the facility for $83,000. The appeal by the facility argued that the residents have a right to have consensual intimate relationships, … [Read more...] about Immediate Jeopardy Decision Upheld by 7th Circuit Court of Appeals
Employment Issues and Medical Marijuana
Even if Texas legalizes and expands medical marijuana beyond the CBD oil issue, questions will still need to be resolved in various areas of law, including employment law. This is true, even if the State passes and anti-retaliation law to protect employees who have been prescribed medical marijuana. Employers will need to fully understand when you can and can't terminate a legitimate user. This article gives a good perspective on the issue. … [Read more...] about Employment Issues and Medical Marijuana
Trump Administration Issues Plan to Promote Healthcare Choice and Competition
Here is one analysis: Details: Several of the Trump administration's recommendations mirror an April 2017 policy paper authored by health care policy experts Martin Gaynor, Farzad Mostashari and Paul Ginsburg. Show less It calls for: Repealing state laws that require providers to ask for permission to build new facilities. Allowing physician assistants and dental hygienists to do more without supervision by a doctor or dentist. More site-neutral … [Read more...] about Trump Administration Issues Plan to Promote Healthcare Choice and Competition
Medical Marijuana to be Available in Arkansas in Spring 2019
Cultivation should start in early 2019. Two of the five companies licensed to grow medical cannabis -- Bold Team of Cotton Plant and Natural State Medicinals Cultivation of Jefferson County -- testified before the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission on Wednesday that construction at both facilities was well underway, and they expected to plant the first seeds around the start of 2019. … [Read more...] about Medical Marijuana to be Available in Arkansas in Spring 2019
Backup Plan in the Event Obamacare Struck Down
A plan is being formulated by the Trump Administration in the event the lawsuit by states to strike down is successful: The Trump administration is formulating a backup plan to ensure that Obamacare customers can still get insurance if a state-driven lawsuit is successful in striking down the 2010 health law. Seema Verma, administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, declined to give details of those plans or who might be covered, but the fact that planning is underway … [Read more...] about Backup Plan in the Event Obamacare Struck Down