The following information was obtained from the August 8 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearings The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will conduct a public hearing on August 25, 2008, at 1:30 p.m., to receive public comment on 440 proposed Medicaid payment rates for physician-administered drugs and biologicals and 10 proposed Medicaid payment rates for durable medical equipment covering the Augmentive Communication Devices. See the relevant section of the Texas … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Board of Nursing Amendments, Etc.
Replace Medicare Part D?
Medicare Part D isn't even three years old, and a lawmaker already wants to replace it. Congressman Dennis Kucinich, a Democrat from Ohio, introduced a measure that would replace Medicare Part D with a new program ostensibly to lower costs. According to the bill, Medicare would negotiate directly with drug companies for prescription drug discounts and do away with co-payments, premiums, and deductibles. (CQ Politics) In a statement, Kucinich said, "The privatized drug plan has been given a … [Read more...] about Replace Medicare Part D?
Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Payment Rates, Etc.
The following information was obtained from the August 1 of the Texas Register: Public Hearings The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will conduct a public hearing on August 18, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. to receive public comment on the proposed increase in Medicaid payment rates for seven procedure codes, including Breast Brachytherapy and THSteps Therapeutic Dental Services. Follow this link and scroll down to read each entry. Proposed Rules On behalf of the Department of … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Payment Rates, Etc.
GAO: CMS Lacks Oversight of Durable Equipment Medicare Funds
Talk about government waste! From April 2006 through March 2007, Medicare improperly paid $1 billion for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies in part because of fraudulent companies. According to a new report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) lacks oversight of millions of dollars in Medicare funds for durable equipment supplies. CMS allowed "sham companies" to fraudulently bill Medicare for … [Read more...] about GAO: CMS Lacks Oversight of Durable Equipment Medicare Funds
Information Letters: Verification of Nurse Licensure, Etc.
On July 22, 30 and 31, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) released six information letters: Verification of Nurse Licensure with the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) for Community Services Providers/Health Plan Organizations DADS informed Community Based Alternatives, Home and Community Support Services Agencies, Consolidated Waiver Programs, Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, State of Texas Access Reform Plus, and Integrated Care Management that … [Read more...] about Information Letters: Verification of Nurse Licensure, Etc.
U.S. Hospitals Deporting Illegal Aliens?
The New York Times (via Kaiser Network) featured an article last Sunday about how U.S. hospitals are deporting uninsured illegal aliens, sending them back to their home countries for continued medical care. U.S. nursing homes are unwilling to take uninsured illegal aliens as patients, and Medicaid does not cover long-term care for them. Medicaid does cover a small portion of emergency services, however. According to federal law, hospitals that receive Medicare funds must transfer or refer … [Read more...] about U.S. Hospitals Deporting Illegal Aliens?
Information Letters: DADS Community Programs Rate Increase, Etc.
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) released five information letters: Payment Rates for DADS Community Programs DADS informed Community Service Providers that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has approved a rate increase to recognize the impact of the increase in the federal minimum wage on certain provider types, effective August 1, 2008. The rates are posted on the HHSC Rate Analysis website. Download the letter and seven-page … [Read more...] about Information Letters: DADS Community Programs Rate Increase, Etc.
The Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act of 2008
Congress is considering the Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act of 2008, which make pre-admission arbitration agreements invalid and unenforceable. The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial Law and Administrative Law just approved the bill and refused amendments which would prevent it from being applied retroactively, among other things. Specifically, the bill: ...requires that agreements to arbitrate nursing home disputes be made after the dispute has arisen and not at the time … [Read more...] about The Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act of 2008
Medicare Pays Up to 30 Percent More for Medications Under Part D Plans
According to a report released by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Medicare Part D paid about 30 percent more for prescription drugs in the program's first two years than Medicaid would have paid for the same drugs. This has cost the program about $3.7 billion. (Kaiser Network) Drug company Johnson & Johnson received a whopping $615 million more from Part D than it would have received from Medicaid. Lawmakers already are trying to fix the problem. Congressman Henry … [Read more...] about Medicare Pays Up to 30 Percent More for Medications Under Part D Plans
Congress Delays Medicare Trigger Bill
Under the 2003 Medicare law, the president is required to propose a savings bill if Medicare trustees warn two consecutive years that the program will draw 45 percent of funding from the general government revenue. (Kaiser Network) Last Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 231-184 to delay the president's "trigger" bill for the rest of the 110th Congress. Democrats said they changed the rule, because the 45 percent threshold is "arbitrary" and would reduce Medicare spending or … [Read more...] about Congress Delays Medicare Trigger Bill
