HB 29 has been signed by Gov. Abbott granting increased direct access to patients under certain conditions: Professional liability coverage in the minimum amount required by board Doctoral degree through program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical therapy or agency or association recognized by the US Secretary of Education or completion of 30 hours of continuing competence activities in the area of differential diagnosis. with doctoral degree may treat … [Read more...] about HB 29 Direct Access Legislation for Physical Therapists in Texas
June 2019 Provider Letter from Texas HHS
On June 5, HHS posted Provider Letter No. 19-13 impacting the HCS, LIDDA and TxHmL handbooks. The letter gave notification of additions regarding requirements to "Train Staff, Member, Service Providers, and Volunteers" regarding Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation. On June 7, HHS posted Long-Term Care Regulator Provider letter PL 19-14 affecting Nursing Facilities (NF) regarding Proper Authorization of Applied Income from Resident Trust Fund(s). Remember that NF residents have the right … [Read more...] about June 2019 Provider Letter from Texas HHS
EHR Hack Causes Clinic to Close
The libertarian-leaning Citizen's Council for Health Freedom is reporting on a massive patient data hack at a clinic in Michigan. The doctors refused to pay the ransom demanded by hackers that attacked the clinic's EHR with ransomware. The hackers then wiped the entire system, deleting all patient data. This blow caused the two doctors running the clinic to retire early: “Rather than rebuild their practice from scratch, the doctors retired early, leaving their patients to find … [Read more...] about EHR Hack Causes Clinic to Close
Employers Can Now Reimburse Employees for Individual Insurance Plans
New regulations have been finalized to allow employers to pay into employee accounts: The Trump administration finalized some new regulations late last week for those tax-preferred accounts. In short, employers can pay money into their employees’ health reimbursement accounts, and then the workers can take that money and use it to buy insurance on the individual market. Companies can alternatively pay into a different kind of HRA that their workers can then use to pay directly for … [Read more...] about Employers Can Now Reimburse Employees for Individual Insurance Plans
US Post Office Clarification Regarding Mailing of Hemp and CBD Products
After instances of hemp and CBD companies encountering problems with local post offices regarding the legality of mailing hemp and CBD products, the US Postal Service has clarified and promulgated a new policy with the relevant provision below: 453.37 Hemp-based Products For purposes of this section, “hemp” shall have the meaning provided under federal law, including Section 10113 of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, Pub. L.115-334 (7 U.S.C. § 1639o), or any … [Read more...] about US Post Office Clarification Regarding Mailing of Hemp and CBD Products
Federal HHSC OIG Report Contends Incidents of Potential Abuse and Neglect not being Reported
This month, the HHSC OIG released a report entitled INCIDENTS OF POTENTIAL ABUSE AND NEGLECT AT SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES WERE NOT ALWAYS REPORTED AND INVESTIGATED. According to the Waco Tribune: " Nursing facilities have failed to report thousands of serious cases of potential neglect and abuse of seniors on Medicare even though it's a federal requirement for them to do so, according to a watchdog report released Wednesday that calls for a new focus on protecting frail … [Read more...] about Federal HHSC OIG Report Contends Incidents of Potential Abuse and Neglect not being Reported
Texas Governor Signs Bill Allowing Cultivation of Hemp & USDA Legalized THC
Yesterday, Governor Abbott signed HB 1325 into law. This allows a federally approved program for Texas farmers to grow hemp. "The bill, which passed both the Texas House and Senate unanimously, will allow for a federally-approved program for Texas farmers to grow hemp as a crop, including procedures for sampling, inspection and testing." It is important to note that it will not be legal to grow until 2020 after the federal government has written rules which have completed the … [Read more...] about Texas Governor Signs Bill Allowing Cultivation of Hemp & USDA Legalized THC
Nurses Lose Overtime Case in Texas Supreme Court
In McAllen Hospitals LP et al. v. Lopez issued by the Texas Supreme Court, a group of nurses lost a case in which they claimed that they were intended to have been paid a yearly salary rather than hourly. A yearly salary would have meant more money. The Court found: The Court stated that “we hold there is no evidence that would have allowed reasonable, fair-minded people to find that the employer and its employees had a meeting of the minds on a fixed amount of pay. We … [Read more...] about Nurses Lose Overtime Case in Texas Supreme Court
Welcome to the First Grand Rounds Legal Podcast: “Staying Profitable and in Compliance”
Grand Rounds Legal Podcast will discuss current events, legal issues and other topics important to health care professionals, practices and businesses. I am proud to announce our first episode with Greg Thrash, owner of Innovations in Medical Revenue. To participate in the survey mentioned in the podcast, click here. Click below for the first episode. … [Read more...] about Welcome to the First Grand Rounds Legal Podcast: “Staying Profitable and in Compliance”
Insys Therapeutics Inc. to Pay $225 Million to End Opioid Investigation
Drug manufacturer Insys Therapeutics Inc. has agreed to pay $225 million in order to end federal investigations into allegations that it used illegal marketing schemes to push a powerful opioid-based painkiller. Federal prosecutors allege that company used kickbacks and veiled bribes in order to sell a fentanyl spray, called Susbys, which is designed for cancer patients suffering from severe pain. The company agreed to pay a $2 million criminal fine and forfeit $28 million. … [Read more...] about Insys Therapeutics Inc. to Pay $225 Million to End Opioid Investigation
