The Houston Chronicle published a story last Sunday on funding problems in Texas nursing homes. It seems that Medicaid payments have not kept up with increasing health care costs. Reimbursements are too low for some providers to stay in business. Sixty nursing homes have shut their doors in the past three years. Texas Health and Human Services Commission spokesperson Stephanie Goodman said, "The nursing home rate that we have in Texas does not, and has not for a long time, fully cover the … [Read more...] about Funding Troubles for Texas Nursing Homes
Information Letters: ICF/MR Cost Reporting, Etc.
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) released three new information letters: Medicaid Cost Reporting for Behavioral Support Services Prior to Transition to Community-based Services DADS informed Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation (ICF/MR) providers about a recent clarification from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding allowable Medicaid cost reporting. From the letter: "CMS recently provided … [Read more...] about Information Letters: ICF/MR Cost Reporting, Etc.
Law, Health & Liberty Podcast–Andy Schlafly of the Association of American Physicians & Surgeons
This is Garlo Ward's second podcast. It now has a name, Law, Health & Liberty. Click on the title to see the podcast. I chose this name because I see my firm's job as protecting the liberty interests of health providers against the actions of government which undermine your ability to serve patients, consumers and residents. In this podcast, I interview Andy Schlafly , the General Counsel of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) about sham peer review and the … [Read more...] about Law, Health & Liberty Podcast–Andy Schlafly of the Association of American Physicians & Surgeons
Texas Register Updates: RFP in Compliance with Frew v. Hawkins
The following information was obtained from the February 6 issue of the Texas Register: The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced the release of a Request for Proposals for "Consulting Services to Provide a Study of Various Outreach and Informing Strategies" (RFP #529-09-0060). HHSC wants to find out why Medicaid enrollees 20 and under miss checkups and to determine what are the best outreach and informing strategies. The court-ordered study is in compliance with the … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: RFP in Compliance with Frew v. Hawkins
Home Care Group Develops Medicare Anti-Fraud Plan
The Kaiser Network reports that the American Association for Homecare presented a 13-point plan on preventing Medicare fraud and abuse related to durable medical equipment. According to the group's plan, suppliers of home durable medical equipment would be subject to site inspections, and contract renewal would be contingent on these inspections. Also required under the plan would be a six-month trial period, an anti-fraud office, and stronger penalties and fines for fraud and … [Read more...] about Home Care Group Develops Medicare Anti-Fraud Plan
Information and Provider Letters: Licensure, Abuse/Neglect Reporting, Etc.
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) has issued one provider and three information letters: DADS Time Frames for Submission of a Plan of Correction (PoC) for Licensure Violations and Assessing an Administrative Penalty When a Facility Fails to Submit a Timely PoC for Licensure Violations DADS informed Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation or a Related Condition (ICFs/MR) that it adopted a rule to allow DADS to assess an administrative … [Read more...] about Information and Provider Letters: Licensure, Abuse/Neglect Reporting, Etc.
Legislative Updates: Bills Introduced
The following is a list of bills introduced in the 81st Legislative Session that impact providers: HB 5 - Relating to the elimination of smoking in all workplaces and public places; providing penalties. HB 67 - Relating to a medical assistance buy-in program for children with certain developmental disabilities. HB 87 - Relating to increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district to $45,000, providing for a reduction of the … [Read more...] about Legislative Updates: Bills Introduced
Obama Reverses Bush’s SCHIP Policy
Last week, President Barack Obama issued a memorandum lifting President George Bush's directives on limiting expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), potentially adding up to four million children. (Source) Obama also signed a bill into law reflecting these changes. The new law reauthorizes and expands SCHIP, offers dental care to children who don't receive it under private insurance plans, and gives states the option to eliminate a five-year waiting period for … [Read more...] about Obama Reverses Bush’s SCHIP Policy
Information and Provider Letters: Pre-licensure Training, Etc.
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) released one provider letter and two information letters: Pre-licensure Training Provided Through the DADS Internet Site DADS issued a letter to Assisted Living Facilities to inform them of the following: Texas Administrative Code Title 40, Part 1, Chapter 92, §92.14(a) now states that an applicant for an initial license must complete a pre-licensure training course, provided by DADS, before submitting an application. … [Read more...] about Information and Provider Letters: Pre-licensure Training, Etc.
Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Payment Rate Hearings, Etc.
The following information was obtained from the January 23 and January 30 issues of the Texas Register: Public Hearings and Notices The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will hold public hearings on Medicaid payment rates for several programs on February 17, 2009, at 1:30 p.m., in the Lone Star Conference Room of HHSC, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric Boulevard, Austin, Texas. Follow this link and scroll down to read each entry. HHSC announced its … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Payment Rate Hearings, Etc.
