According to the Congressional Budget Office, Medicaid spending would increase by $10 billion from 2008 to 2012 and by $23 billion from 2008 to 2017, under the current immigration bill. (Kaiser Network) The bill would open the door to allowing millions of illegal aliens to become U.S. citizens. Lawmakers would need to raise taxes to compensate for Medicaid benefits paid out to these new citizens. The so-called immigration reform bill was a compromise between national Republicans and … [Read more...] about Medicaid Spending Would Increase Under Immigration Bill
Bush Proposes Medicare Reimbursement Cuts to Fund Proposals
The Bush administration seeks to cut Medicare reimbursements to hospitals, home health agencies, and skilled nursing facilities in an effort to save as much as $100 billion to fund health care proposals. (Kaiser Network) Last week, the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, chaired by Democrat Pete Stark, held a hearing to consider a proposal from the Bush administration “to freeze Medicare reimbursements for home health agencies and skilled nursing facilities." A health care … [Read more...] about Bush Proposes Medicare Reimbursement Cuts to Fund Proposals
Long Term Care Providers Face More Medicare Reimbursement Cuts
Providers receiving Medicare reimbursements could see more reductions in reimbursements by 2011, the Kaiser Network reports. Under the 2005 Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act, which President Bush signed into law in 2006, the federal government will be required to withhold three percent of payments to business that pay taxes and contract with the government. This law will significantly affect providers that depend on Medicare reimbursements to operate. Lawmakers are working to … [Read more...] about Long Term Care Providers Face More Medicare Reimbursement Cuts
Last week, the New York Times ran an extremely troubling story about Long Term Care Insurance. Apparently, some Long Term Care Insurance companies are using bureacratic tactics to delay payment of claims until the insured dies, or is outright denying them. In depositions conducted on behalf of angry policyholders, Conseco employees described bureaucratic obstacles that prevented payment of claims. Those depositions were sealed in settlement agreements but were obtained by The … [Read more...] about
Long Term Care Financing
The Kaiser Foundation has updated its issue module on financing long term care. According to Kaiser, about 9.5 million Americans need long term care, and with the first of the baby boomers ready to retire, the number will increase. By 2030, the number of long term care recipients will double. Kaiser estimates that over $158 billion was spent on long term care in 2004, and the average yearly cost of nursing home care is $74,000. Medicaid pays for most long term care, but recipients pay … [Read more...] about Long Term Care Financing
Texas Register Updates for March 9 and 16
March 9 The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced on behalf of the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) that it has adopted the repeal of §§7.301 - 7.311 and §§7.313 - 7.316 in Chapter 7. The repeal is intended to facilitate the consolidation of rules dealing with volunteer programs and donations to DADS by striking obsolete rules. For more information, see the relevant section in the March 9 Texas Register. Additionally, HHSC will submit an … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates for March 9 and 16
DOL Announces Grants for Long Term Care Industry
The Department of Labor (DOL) announced that it will spend more than $43 million dealing with shortages in the health care industry, including long term care. (Source) On several occasions, I’ve blogged about the shortage of nurses and geriatric physicians. As baby boomers retire and age, many will need long term care, which will put pressure on an industry already faced with worker shortages. Ironically, baby boomer retirement is linked to shortages among long term caregivers. DOL and … [Read more...] about DOL Announces Grants for Long Term Care Industry
Long Term Care Providers Insurance and Funding News
Long term care providers in Texas will have another insurance option. Continuing Care Risk Retention Group, Inc. (CCRRG), will underwrite polices for providers in Texas, according to the San Antonio Business Journal. Bob Bates, president of Magnolia LTC, the company that administers CCRRG, said that health care industry tort reform in Texas is the reason. High insurance rates have driven up health care costs, but the Texas legislature recently reformed the state's tort system. As a result, … [Read more...] about Long Term Care Providers Insurance and Funding News
Complaints About Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership
I am collecting complaints from providers about service problems with Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership (TMHP). So far, I have heard complaints that TMHP does not return telephone calls and that processing Electronic Data Interchange Agreements has been unduly slow, causing unconscionable delays in Medicaid payment to contractors for services they have provided. I have heard, from more than one source, that the delays have been blamed by TMHP supervisors on the illness and absence of … [Read more...] about Complaints About Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership
Proposed Increase in Payment Rates for Texas Medicaid Nursing Facilities and Associated Increases in Staffing and Spending Requirements for Facilities Participating in the Enhanced Direct Care Staff Rate
Texas HHSC has posted a letter regarding payment rates. It begins, On February 14, 2006, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) received a letter from House Speaker Tom Craddick and Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst authorizing the expenditure of $75 million in General Revenue and $115.7 million in Federal Funds at the Department of Aging and Disability Services for nursing facility services, including rate increases. The letter further stated that rate increases should be … [Read more...] about Proposed Increase in Payment Rates for Texas Medicaid Nursing Facilities and Associated Increases in Staffing and Spending Requirements for Facilities Participating in the Enhanced Direct Care Staff Rate