The following information appeared in the January 11 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notice Correction HHSC published a correction to an intent to submit an amendment to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance. An excerpt: The announcement incorrectly described the fiscal impact of the proposed state plan amendment. The correct fiscal impact is as follows: The proposed amendment is estimated to result in an additional annual aggregate expenditure of $21,300,000 for the … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Notice Correction, Medical Board Changes
State Insurance Exchanges Approved
CMS reports that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has conditionally approved health insurances exchanges in California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Vermont, and Utah. "States across the country are working to implement the health care law and build a marketplace that works for their residents,” Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said. "In ten months, consumers in all fifty states will have access to a new marketplace where they will be able to easily purchase affordable, … [Read more...] about State Insurance Exchanges Approved
NURSING FACILITY COMPLIANCE PROGRAM: AUDITING OR THE ART OF FINDING OUT IF YOUR POLICIES WORK
The deadline for having your compliance plan in place is rapidly approaching on March 13, 2013. Having a compliance plan in place will be of no real benefit if you are not focusing on effectiveness. As part of the compliance program enforcement under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) starting in March of 2013, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and The Center for Medicare Services (CMS) state that a reliable audit and monitoring system are key elements to a effective compliance program. … [Read more...] about NURSING FACILITY COMPLIANCE PROGRAM: AUDITING OR THE ART OF FINDING OUT IF YOUR POLICIES WORK
TX Register Updates: NPI Changes
The following information was obtained from the January 4 issue of the Texas Register. HHSC adopted amendments to §354.1001, Claim Information Requirements, and §354.1121, Definitions. The changes require, among other things, the claim for services or supplies to include the name and associated NPI of the performing provider, the referring or ordering provider, and the supervising provider, if the referring or ordering provider is acting under the direction or supervision of another provider … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: NPI Changes
News Alerts: 1/7/13 Stakeholders’ Meetings
DADS posted the following late-notice (January 4) stakeholders' meetings: CLASS Stakeholder Meeting Winters Building - 701 W. 51st Street Austin, TX 78751 Public Hearing Room January, 7, 2013 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Home and Community Support Services Agencies Quarterly Stakeholder Meeting Winters Building - 701 W. 51st Street Austin, TX 78751 Public Hearing Room January, 7, 2013 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. See the news page for more information about these and other alerts. … [Read more...] about News Alerts: 1/7/13 Stakeholders’ Meetings
ILs/News Alert: Cost Reports, MDS Data
2012 Cost Report and Cost Report Training Requirements for (in PDF): CBA HCSSA, CLASS CMA and DSA, and PHC HCS, TxHmL, and ICF/IID CBA AL, DAHS, DBMD, NF, and RC MDS 3.0 update Everyone with a Quality Improvement Evaluation System (QIES) account to submit MDS data and view CASPER reports should now update their account. Be sure all MDS Coordinators, Swing Bed Coordinators, and any other corporate and provider staff who have a QIES account follow this process to ensure they … [Read more...] about ILs/News Alert: Cost Reports, MDS Data
Medicaid/Medicare News Around the Web
"The US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) may be duplicating efforts and paying for the same services under multiple programs to test new payment and treatment delivery models, the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) said in a recent report. Better coordination among the programs is needed to prevent the inefficient use of federal resources, GAO said." – Medcape Medical News "In all, Medicare is rewarding 1,557 hospitals with more money and reducing payments to 1,427 … [Read more...] about Medicaid/Medicare News Around the Web
TX Register Updates: 1/11/13 Hearing, Medical Board Changes
The following information was obtained from December 28 issue of the Texas Register. Public Hearing and Notice HHSC will hold a public hearing on Friday, January 11, 2013, at 1:30 p.m. to receive comment on proposed Medicaid payment methodology for cost sharing payments for Medicare services provided to dual eligibles. The hearing will be held in the Lone Star Conference Room. HHSC intends to submit Transmittal Number 13-001 to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, which would … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: 1/11/13 Hearing, Medical Board Changes
Medicaid and Managed Care–Who Benefits?
Is Medicaid really broke? If not, who is making money where Managed Care is involved? According to this, not the providers. Is this ignored so that attention is focused on allegations of fraud by providers? … [Read more...] about Medicaid and Managed Care–Who Benefits?
House and Senate Bills: Medical Board, Elderly/Disabled
The following long term care-related bills were recently introduced in the 83rd Legislative Session: HB 305: Relating to the release of complaint information by the Texas Medical Board to the legislature. SB 152: Relating to the protection and care of persons who are elderly or disabled or who are children. SB 153: Relating to the amounts of administrative penalties assessed or imposed against certain health facilities. … [Read more...] about House and Senate Bills: Medical Board, Elderly/Disabled
