Last year, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that Medicaid spending would increase by $10 billion from 2008 to 2012 and by $23 billion from 2008 to 2017, under a so-called comprehensive immigration reform bill that failed to pass Congress. Three years earlier, the Government Accountability Office reported that the cost of caring for illegal aliens is difficult to track, for obvious reasons. Those in the country in violation of U.S. immigration law can and likely do use phony or stolen … [Read more...] about Illegal Alien Health Care Spending Difficult to Track
Hospitals Entice Nurses With Improved Working Conditions
The Kaiser Network wrote about a Washington Post story on how hospitals are dealing with nursing shortages. While nurses can command top salaries because of shortages, some providers are luring them by streamlining paperwork, implementing technology, and giving nurses more authority. Hospitals have figured out that financial incentives and perks have unintended consequences. Some nurses work long enough to collect the money and perks, then leave. An excerpt: Inova Fairfax recently … [Read more...] about Hospitals Entice Nurses With Improved Working Conditions
Information Letters: ISPs Utilization Review, Etc.
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) issued three information letters: Utilization Review of Individual Service Plans (ISPs) DADS sent a letter to Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities Providers with an attachment that provides specific information regarding utilization review thresholds. These providers developed criteria to fully implement this review requirement, effective November 1, 2008. Download the letter and attachment here. Reminder -- Fiscal Year … [Read more...] about Information Letters: ISPs Utilization Review, Etc.
Democrats Seek to Increase Medicaid Reimbursements
Democrats in Congress may give states billions more in Medicaid reimbursements as part of a second economic stimulus package they hope to pass before Congress adjourns this month. (Kaiser Network) Proponents seek to make sure recipients aren't "kicked out" of the Medicaid program and the State Children's Health Insurance Program and may require states to agree not to cut eligibility. At the same time, proponents aim to deal with budget deficits, which 29 states will face in 2009. As a result, … [Read more...] about Democrats Seek to Increase Medicaid Reimbursements
Information and Provider Letters: FIVES Application, Etc.
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) issued one provider letter and two information letters: Facility Inventory, Vacancy and Evacuation Status (FIVES) Application DADS reminded all provider types that DADS wants facilities to update their number of vacancies and evacuation information in the FIVES application every day during the five days before and after a hurricane. Visit the FIVES web page, and download the provider letter here. Notification of … [Read more...] about Information and Provider Letters: FIVES Application, Etc.
Texas Register Updates: Reimbursement Methodology for Medicaid Hospice, Etc.
The following information was obtained from the September 5 issue of the Texas Register: 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 revise the reimbursement methodology for Medicaid Hospice room and board when the recipient resides in a nursing facility. The changes also involve replacing references to the TILE case mix classification … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Reimbursement Methodology for Medicaid Hospice, Etc.
Congress to Postpone SCHIP
Earlier this year, the Bush administration sought to prevent the expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The president twice vetoed versions of the bill that would have expanded the program amid concerns that parents who could afford private insurance would seek coverage under SCHIP, depriving low-income children of coverage. The Government Accountability Office studied the issue and concluded the administration violated federal law when it prevented states from … [Read more...] about Congress to Postpone SCHIP
Impact of Criminal Convictions on Occupational Licenses–An update on Legislation
During the 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, three bills involving criminal convictions and occupational licenses were introduced and none of them passed. The first would have limited a licensing authority's ability to suspend or revoke a license based only on criminal convictions that have occurred in the past 5 years. The second bill proposed provisional licenses and the third bill suggested standards for considering deferred adjudications as convictions. Will similar bills be filed … [Read more...] about Impact of Criminal Convictions on Occupational Licenses–An update on Legislation
What’s in a Rule?
Earlier this year, the Texas Supreme Court issued an opinion outlining the definition of a "rule." El Paso Hospital Dist. v. HHSC, 247 S.W.2d 709 (Tex. 2008). The Court stated, "a presumption favors adopting rules... through the formal rule-making procedures." This case supports the premise that agency action may be invalidated if it isn't backed by a rule crafted through the formal rule-making process. When an agency fails to follow all of the required rule adoption procedures, because it … [Read more...] about What’s in a Rule?
Texas Public Information Act (PIA)–It could be your information
Texas PIA grants the public at large access to information held by governmental agencies and is more generous than its federal counterpart. Why should you care? Because it could be your business information the government is providing to the public. Any information shared with a governmental body (think state agencies HHSC or DADS) whether voluntarily or involuntarily is likely accessible by others--including your competitors. This means that you should (1) not provide more information and … [Read more...] about Texas Public Information Act (PIA)–It could be your information
