The New York Times published a story about the new health care law's burden on already burdened states. Under the bill, millions more Americans will be covered under Medicaid. An excerpt: "Able-bodied adults under 65 — now mostly ineligible unless they have dependent children — will qualify for coverage in 2014 as long as they earn no more than $14,404 (in current dollars) for a single adult and $29,326 for a family of four, or 133 percent of the federal poverty level. "Of the 32 million … [Read more...] about Health Care Reform and Medicaid Expansion
Texas Register Updates: Texas Medical Board Amendments
The following information was obtained from the April 23 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearings and Notices HHSC will hold a public hearing on May 12, 2010, at 9 a.m., to receive public comment on rates for Levels 1 through 25 under the Attendant Compensation Rate Enhancement in the ICF/MR, HCS, and TxHmL programs. The hearing will be held in the Lone Star Conference Room of the Health and Human Services Commission, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric Boulevard, … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Texas Medical Board Amendments
Information Letters: CLASS, HCS, TxHmL, ICF/MR, AL/RC
DADS released four information letters: CLASS providers: On May 15, the Medicaid Eligibility Service Authorization Verification will replace the Individual Plan of Care (IPC) as the official notification that the IPC is approved. An excerpt: "CLASS providers should access a MESAV within 15 business days, not including a two business-day mailing period, from submission to the CLASS Program in the DADS Provider Services Office. MESAV information can only be requested for three consecutive … [Read more...] about Information Letters: CLASS, HCS, TxHmL, ICF/MR, AL/RC
Texas Register Updates: Social Security Act Amendments
The following information was obtained from the April 16 issue of the Texas Register: HHSC intends to submit amendments to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, that would modify the reimbursement methodology in the Texas Medicaid State Plan as a result of the General Appropriations Act. HHSC intends to submit other amendments that would modify the reimbursement methodologies in the Texas Medicaid State Plan as a result of Medicaid fee … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Social Security Act Amendments
Texas Register Updates: Strengthening Nonprofit Capacity, Renal Dialysis Reimbursement
The following information was obtained from the April 9 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearing The HHSC Task Force on Strengthening Nonprofit Capacity will hold a public hearing on April 19, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., in the Thompson Conference Center, Room 3.102, at 2405 Robert Dedman Drive, Austin, Texas. For more information, contact Joanne Pierce, Office of Community Collaboration, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, 9013 Tuscany Way, Suite 100, Austin, Texas 78754, … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Strengthening Nonprofit Capacity, Renal Dialysis Reimbursement
Wall Street Journal on the Doctor Shortage
Last week we mentioned that one of the new health care reform law's purposes is to attract more doctors to the primary care field. The Wall Street Journal covers the well-reported fact that the law will challenge hospitals and medical schools as millions more Americans are added to the Medicaid program. To draw more doctors to primary care, the law will raise the reimbursement rate, but maybe only temporarily. From the WSJ: The U.S. has 352,908 primary-care doctors now, and the college … [Read more...] about Wall Street Journal on the Doctor Shortage
Increased Medicaid Rates and Primary Care Physicians
Under the new health care reform law, millions more Americans will receive insurance coverage under Medicaid. According to Kaiser Health News, the health care reform law will raise Medicaid payment rates to the same level as Medicare rates in an effort to alleviate the burden on primary care physicians. However, the increase may be temporary. An excerpt: "The higher Medicaid payments would take effect in 2013 and would be funded entirely by the federal government. But the bill doesn't … [Read more...] about Increased Medicaid Rates and Primary Care Physicians
Texas Register Updates: Reimbursement Methodology MR Svc. Coordination
The following information was obtained from the April 2 issue of the Texas Register: HHSC proposes to repeal §355.746 and replace it with new §355.746, concerning Reimbursement Methodology for Mental Retardation (MR) Service Coordination. An excerpt: "The providers in this program are currently paid a statewide interim rate which is then later cost-settled to each provider's cost within certain parameters. Providers whose costs are less than 95 percent of the interim rate must repay the … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Reimbursement Methodology MR Svc. Coordination
Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Fees, Hearing Aid Services, Etc.
The following was obtained from the March 26 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearings and Notices HHSC will hold a public hearing on March 31, 2010 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 2900 Live Oak Street (Center for Community Cooperation, Oak Corner Meeting Facility), Dallas, Texas. See the relevant section of the Texas Register for details. HHSC intends to submit an amendment to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, which would modify the … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Fees, Hearing Aid Services, Etc.
Information Letters: HCSSAs, HCS, CBA, Etc.
DADS released two information letters: CBA and HCSSAs, ICM, CWP, DBMD, PHC, and SRO providers: DADS informed these providers that a review showed some of them were billed incorrectly during periods of time when Medicaid Long Term Care consumers were in a hospital or institution. Providers are asked to contact their regional contract managers for more information. (Letter) HCS: DADS explained the procedures it will take in offering individuals the option to transfer from an HCS … [Read more...] about Information Letters: HCSSAs, HCS, CBA, Etc.
