The following information was obtained from the October 3 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearing The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will hold a public hearing on October 21, 2008, to receive public comment on proposed rates for Hospice routine home, continuous home, inpatient respite, and general inpatient care. The hearing will take place at 9 a.m. in the Lone Star Conference Room of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Braker Center, Building H, at … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Rates for Hospice Routine Home Care, Etc.
Texas Register Updates: Census Bureau Temp Worker Income
The following information was obtained from the September 26 issue of the Texas Register: The Texas Health and Human Services Commission announced its intent to submit Amendment 20 to the Texas State Plan for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) under Title XXI of the Social Security Act, effective October 1, 2008. The amendment would exempt people who did temporary work for the Census Bureau from including this income to determine Medicaid and Temporary Assistance to Needy … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Census Bureau Temp Worker Income
Economic Stimulus Bills Blocked
Earlier this month, the Kaiser Network reported that House Democrats were considering a bill to add billions more in Medicaid reimbursements as part of a second economic stimulus package they'd hoped to pass before Congress adjourns this month. Kaiser reported late last week that House Democrats proposed a package of $61 billion (some sources report $56 billion), with $13 billion set aside for Medicaid. Their counterparts in the Senate proposed a $56.2 billion package that would provide … [Read more...] about Economic Stimulus Bills Blocked
Texas Register Updates: TANF Changes, Etc.
The following information was obtained from the September 19 issue of the Texas Register: Proposed Rules The Texas Medical Board has proposed amendments to nine sections of the rules, including Medical Records, Authority of Physicians to Buy Drugs, Complaints, and Investigations. Follow this link and scroll down to read each entry. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) proposed to amend §97.3, concerning license fees; §97.17, concerning application procedures for a … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: TANF Changes, Etc.
Illegal Alien Health Care Spending Difficult to Track
Last year, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that Medicaid spending would increase by $10 billion from 2008 to 2012 and by $23 billion from 2008 to 2017, under a so-called comprehensive immigration reform bill that failed to pass Congress. Three years earlier, the Government Accountability Office reported that the cost of caring for illegal aliens is difficult to track, for obvious reasons. Those in the country in violation of U.S. immigration law can and likely do use phony or stolen … [Read more...] about Illegal Alien Health Care Spending Difficult to Track
Democrats Seek to Increase Medicaid Reimbursements
Democrats in Congress may give states billions more in Medicaid reimbursements as part of a second economic stimulus package they hope to pass before Congress adjourns this month. (Kaiser Network) Proponents seek to make sure recipients aren't "kicked out" of the Medicaid program and the State Children's Health Insurance Program and may require states to agree not to cut eligibility. At the same time, proponents aim to deal with budget deficits, which 29 states will face in 2009. As a result, … [Read more...] about Democrats Seek to Increase Medicaid Reimbursements
Texas Register Updates: Reimbursement Methodology for Medicaid Hospice, Etc.
The following information was obtained from the September 5 issue of the Texas Register: The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced its intent to submit an amendment to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, which will revise the reimbursement methodology for Medicaid Hospice room and board when the recipient resides in a nursing facility. The changes also involve replacing references to the TILE case mix classification … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Reimbursement Methodology for Medicaid Hospice, Etc.
Congress to Postpone SCHIP
Earlier this year, the Bush administration sought to prevent the expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The president twice vetoed versions of the bill that would have expanded the program amid concerns that parents who could afford private insurance would seek coverage under SCHIP, depriving low-income children of coverage. The Government Accountability Office studied the issue and concluded the administration violated federal law when it prevented states from … [Read more...] about Congress to Postpone SCHIP
Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Hearing Aid Services, Etc.
The following information was obtained from the August 29 issue of the Texas Register: Proposed Rules The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) proposes to amend §354.1231, Benefits and Limitations; §354.1233, Requirements for Hearing Aid Services; and §354.1235, Requirements for Provider Participation, in Title 1, Part 15, Chapter 354, Subchapter A, Division 15, related to Medicaid hearing aid services. The amended rules would better align Medicaid rules with current … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Hearing Aid Services, Etc.
Texas Register Updates: Reimbursement Methodology for NFs, Etc.
The following information was obtained from the August 15 and August 22 issues of the Texas Register: Adopted Rules HHSC adopted amendments to §355.307, Reimbursement Setting Methodology, §355.308, Direct Care Staff Rate Component, and §355.311 Medicaid Reimbursement Rates for State Veterans Homes, which will establish the reimbursement methodology for the Nursing Facility program, including Medicaid reimbursement rates for state veteran's homes. See the relevant section of the Texas … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Reimbursement Methodology for NFs, Etc.
