Last week, House Democrats failed to override President George W. Bush's veto of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) expansion bill. This week, they're considering drafting a new bill that would expand SCHIP, place a moratorium on rules limiting Medicaid eligibility, and provide a temporary boost to the federal medical assistance percentage for Medicaid. (Kaiser Network) Will Democrats garner enough votes for the proposed bill to override a presidential veto? Probably not. … [Read more...] about House Democrats Consider New SCHIP and Medicaid Funding Bill
Information and Provider Letters: System Downtime, Voluntary Contract Termination
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services has released 10 new information and provider letters: Final Notice of Tentatively Planned DADS Payment System Downtime for All Provider Payments (letter) HCS Voluntary Contract Termination Procedures (letter) Improper Duplication of AL/RC Services Provided to Dually-Eligible CBA, CWP and ICM Participants (letter) Office of Inspector General Review of Personal Assistance Services (letter) New Application Requirements … [Read more...] about Information and Provider Letters: System Downtime, Voluntary Contract Termination
AHA Objects to Medicare Auditing Program Expansion
The American Hospital Association (AHA) and other groups objected to and began a campaign against the expansion of a pilot program to audit Medicare claims, citing concerns about contingency fees. (Kaiser Network) Under the program, private-sector auditing firms will examine Medicare claims by hospitals and other providers, and the firms will receive contingency fees based on how much money their assessments save the government. Hospital groups believe that such fees encourage auditors to be … [Read more...] about AHA Objects to Medicare Auditing Program Expansion
House Dems Fail to Override SCHIP Veto
Last Wednesday, Democrats in the House of Representatives failed to override President George W. Bush's veto of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) expansion bill. Democrats were 15 votes short of the required 2/3 majority needed to override a presidential veto. (Kaiser Network) Last year, Bush twice vetoed a bill that would have expanded SCHIP by $35 million over five years. Mike Leavitt, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, said the administration … [Read more...] about House Dems Fail to Override SCHIP Veto
Texas Register Updates: Three Hearings, Income Exclusions Rule
The following information was obtained from the January 18 edition of the Texas Register: Open Meetings On February 4, 2008, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will conduct hearings on procedure codes relating to two physician-administered drugs, Eculizumab and Nelarabine (10 a.m.), proposed Medicaid payment rates for certain radiological service procedures (1:30 p.m.), and 12 specific DADS nursing facility rehabilitative and specialized services occupational, physical, … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Three Hearings, Income Exclusions Rule
CMS Proposes Policy Changes for Long Term Care Hospitals
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced policy changes for long term are hospitals. (Source) According to CMS acting administrator Kerry Weems, the proposed policy changes are designed to increase incentives for long term care hospitals to provide more efficient and high quality care for patients. Almost 400 hospitals would be affected. From the press release: CMS is proposing a standard Federal rate of $39,076.28 for the 2009 rate year. This is based on a proposed … [Read more...] about CMS Proposes Policy Changes for Long Term Care Hospitals
Information Letters: Accounting System Upgrade, Etc.
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) reminded all Long Term Services and Supports Providers that DADS is planning to upgrade its financial accounting system and expects a delay in payment processing for all claims billed while the system is unavailable. Download the letter for more information. DADS informed Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) Providers and Mental Retardation Authorities about activities that must take place when an HCS provider notifies DADS of … [Read more...] about Information Letters: Accounting System Upgrade, Etc.
Can CMS Prevent States From Expanding Medicaid?
One ongoing issue in Congress will be whether the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has the authority to prevent states from expanding Medicaid coverage. President George W. Bush twice vetoed measures that would have expanded the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). According to the Kaiser Network, the administration has restricted states like Ohio, Louisiana, and Oklahoma from expanding SCHIP unless they demonstrate that they've enrolled at least 95 percent of … [Read more...] about Can CMS Prevent States From Expanding Medicaid?
Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Payment Rates for Surgery
The following information was obtained from the January 11 edition of the Texas Register: Open Meetings The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will hold a public hearing on January 30, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. in the Lone Star Conference Room of the Health and Human Services Commission, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric Blvd, Austin, Texas. HHSC will receive public comment on proposed Medicaid payment rates for eye surgery by laser and bariatric surgery … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Payment Rates for Surgery
Kaiser Releases Medicare Report
The Kaiser Network has released a reported titled "Financing Medicare: An Issue Brief," which gives an overview of Medicare's future, including funding issues and challenges. In other Medicare news, lawmakers say they will resume the business of Medicare, State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and Medicaid policy changes in 2008. One issue on the list is preventing a 10 percent cut in Medicare physician fees. Other issues include genetic non-discrimination and discussing the Bush … [Read more...] about Kaiser Releases Medicare Report
