If the federal government approves the proposal, Colorado will be allowed to expand the state's Medicaid program by imposing a fee on hospitals, which would raise about $600 million each year for the program. (Kaiser Network) Recently signed into law by Governor Bill Ritter, the expanded Medicaid program would cover more children and pregnant women and extend coverage to low-income, single, childless adults. The new law would allow disabled individuals who receive Medicaid and who earn up to … [Read more...] about Colorado Expands Medicaid
Texas Register Updates: Blind Program Medicaid Payment Rates, Etc.
The following information was obtained from the April 17 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will hold a public hearing on May 5, 2009, at 3:00 p.m. to receive public comment regarding the proposed Medicaid payment rate for case management services for the Blind Children's Vocational Discovery and Development Program. The location is the Padre Island Conference Room of HHSC, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Blind Program Medicaid Payment Rates, Etc.
Primary Care Physician Shortage
The shortage of nurses in the United States is well documented. As baby boom-generation nurses retire and others leave the profession because of burn-out, the shortage will continue to increase. What is not discussed as often in mainstream press is the shortage of physicians. The shortage of primary care doctors will have the most impact on people without insurance and people who'll need long term care, such as older Americans. Because a medical education is so expensive, many are opting to … [Read more...] about Primary Care Physician Shortage
More Medicaid-Related Bills
The following Medicaid-related bills may affect providers: HB 1876 - Relating to creating the health care access fund to recruit health care providers in health professional shortage areas and to support federally-qualified health centers and to using for those purposes revenue from a tax imposed on certain tobacco products. HB 1878 - Relating to monitoring physicians' compliance with continuing medical education requirements. HB 1888 - Relating to standards required for certain … [Read more...] about More Medicaid-Related Bills
CMS News: Preventable Readmissons, Bidding Program Resumed
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a pilot program called the Care Transitions Project, designed to reduce preventable hospital readmissions. (Source) The national program, running through summer 2011 in 14 communities, will look at readmission rates at hospitals and develop ways to reduce readmissions. Acting administrator Charlene Frizzera said one in five patients leaving hospitals will be readmitted within the next month, and 75 percent of those … [Read more...] about CMS News: Preventable Readmissons, Bidding Program Resumed
New FMLA Standards Applicable: Some Employees May Be Entitled to Up To 26 Unpaid Weeks Leave
On January 28, 2008, President Bush signed into law new FMLA leave entitlements for military families (“military family leave provisionsâ€). The National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2008 amended the FMLA to provide two new types of unpaid military family leave for FMLA-eligible employees: “qualifying exigency leave†and “military caregiver leave.†Both types of leave have been in effect since January 16, 2009, after the publication of new regulations by the Department of Labor. … [Read more...] about New FMLA Standards Applicable: Some Employees May Be Entitled to Up To 26 Unpaid Weeks Leave
Information Letters: Case Manager’s Role; Billing Training
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) released two information letters: Clarification of the Case Manager’s Role when Individuals Receiving Waiver Services are Admitted for Inpatient Psychiatric Treatment In a letter to Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities, Providers, Community Living Assistance and Support Services Providers, Case Management Agencies, and Direct Service Agencies, DADS clarified its expectations regarding case management responsibilities when … [Read more...] about Information Letters: Case Manager’s Role; Billing Training
Texas Register Updates: Pediatric Subspecialty Contract
The following information was obtained from the April 10 Texas Register: Public Notices The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced the award of a contract to Health Management Associates, Inc., to provide Consulting Services regarding identification of barriers to pediatric subspecialty consultations and referrals and to enumerate new methods to address these identified barriers. The contract's value is $110,755. HHSC also announced its intent to submit to the … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Pediatric Subspecialty Contract
California Court Stops Medi-Cal Cuts
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
