Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill that would allow the government to negotiate Medicare prescription drug prices. (Source) If passed by the Senate and signed into law by the president, the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2007 would nullify the part of Medicare Part D law that prohibits the government from negotiating drug prices. As expected, it was a party line vote, with mostly Democrats voting in favor of the bill. According to the Washington … [Read more...] about House Approves Medicare Drug Negotiation Bill
Four New Provider Letters
Submission of the Hospice Election Form 3071 and Physician Certification of Terminal Illness Form 3074 The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) informed Medicaid hospice providers that it has updated its list of regional contacts for hospice election and certification forms to Community Services, Texas Medicaid and Healthcare Partnership, and Health and Human Services Commission Medicaid Eligibility staff. For more information, download the letter and attached list of … [Read more...] about Four New Provider Letters
U.S. Supreme Court to Address Companionship Exemption Under FLSA
In mid-2004, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit became the first federal appellate court holding that the companionship services exemption under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSAâ€) could not be used by home health agencies to avoid paying its home care attendants minimum wage and overtime pay. (Coke v Long Island Care at Home, Ltd., 376 F3d 118 (2d Cir 2004)). Citing a 2005 Wage and Hour Advisory Memorandum issued by the Department of Labor (DOL), the US … [Read more...] about U.S. Supreme Court to Address Companionship Exemption Under FLSA
Inch-by-Inch: The Fair Minimum Wage Act passes the House of Representatives
As proposed by the House of Representatives, minimum wage requirements would increase from the current standard of $5.15 to $7.25 in approximately three years. Introduced by Representative George Miller, the Fair Minimum Wage Act passed the House by 315-116 on January 10, 2007, and is expected to affect up to 13 million of America's minimum wage workers. As currently drafted, minimum wages would increase as follows: • 60 days after enactment: The minimum wage will increase from the … [Read more...] about Inch-by-Inch: The Fair Minimum Wage Act passes the House of Representatives
Texas Register Updates: Sanctions, Health Passport, and SSI Gap
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has proposed a new rule titled, “Internet Posting of Sanctions Imposed For Contractual Violations.†Among other things, the rule would outline HHSC’s authority to impose sanctions on Medicaid Managed Care Organization’s that do not comply with contractual terms. This information would be posted on HHSC’s web site. Submit written comments to the following: Gilbert Estrada, Policy Analyst Medicaid/CHIP Division Texas … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Sanctions, Health Passport, and SSI Gap
More Texas Register Updates: Board of Nurse Examiners
The Board of Nurse Examiners has adopted amendments regarding Vocational and Profession Nursing Education. The amendments incorporate guidelines for faculty waivers into the nursing education rules, eliminating the need to issue waivers. For more information, see the relevant section in the January 5 Texas Register. … [Read more...] about More Texas Register Updates: Board of Nurse Examiners
U.S. Supreme Court to Address Companionship Exemption Under FLSA
In mid-2004, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit became the first federal appellate court holding that the companionship services exemption under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSAâ€) could not be used by home health agencies to avoid paying its home care attendants minimum wage and overtime pay. (Coke v Long Island Care at Home, Ltd., 376 F3d 118 (2d Cir 2004)). Citing a 2005 Wage and Hour Advisory Memorandum issued by the Department of Labor (DOL), the US … [Read more...] about U.S. Supreme Court to Address Companionship Exemption Under FLSA
Waiting for New FMLA Rules? DOL Wants Your Input by Feb. 2, 2007
The Department of Labor (DOL) has been promising new Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) rules since 2002. In each subsequent Agenda published by the DOL, it promised that amendments would be out “soon.†Finally, the DOL announced in the December 1, 2006 Federal Register [http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/FMLARequestForInformation.pdf] that it wants your comments on the FMLA. All comments are due by February 2, 2007. The DOL has long been aware that employers struggle under the burdens of the … [Read more...] about Waiting for New FMLA Rules? DOL Wants Your Input by Feb. 2, 2007
Medicare Preventive Services
As part of a plan to lower costs and make sure people stay healthy, Medicare provides preventative services for beneficiaries. (Medical News Today) Services offered include a one-shot “Welcome to Medicare†exam, cardiovascular screenings to detect problems early enough for prevention and treatment, mammograms, pap tests and pelvic exams, colorectal cancer screenings, diabetes screenings, and more. For more information, visit CMS’s prevention page. … [Read more...] about Medicare Preventive Services
Bush Reverses Medicare Reimbursement Cut
President George W. Bush saved the day for physicians who receive Medicare reimbursements. Last week, he signed legislation that will reverse a 5.1 percent reduction in Medicare reimbursements. Current reimbursements rates will be maintained, and physicians who report quality-of-care data will see a reimbursement increase of 1.5 percent. (Medical News Today) Last month I told you that Congress passed the bill. President Bush signed it into law and reportedly said, “This is a good piece of … [Read more...] about Bush Reverses Medicare Reimbursement Cut