The State of the Union address is an overview of the current condition of the nation, not an in-depth analysis of economic, social, or cultural issues. However, I believe Medicare's controversial new prescription drug program is important enough to warrant a brief comment or two. Unfortunately, the president didn't mention it at all. The new drug program has received widespread criticism from beneficiaries, doctors, and providers who say the program is confusing and complicated. (See the … [Read more...] about State of the Union – Medicare/Medicaid
Important New Provider Letter Affecting Both Hospice Providers and Nursing Facilities
Important New Provider Letter Affecting Both Hospice Providers and Nursing Facilities DADS has replaced April 29, 2005, hospice and nursing facility Provider Letter 05-20 with Long Term Care (LTC) Provider Letter No. 06-07 in order to emphasize that Medicaid hospice providers will not be paid for services unless the hospice provider already has its contract and Medicaid number. The bottom line is that... If licensed and certified hospice providers provide hospice services to an … [Read more...] about Important New Provider Letter Affecting Both Hospice Providers and Nursing Facilities
Delayed and Expired Licenses
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) issued a provider letter (PDF) to Home and Community Support Services Agencies last February regarding delays in initial licensure and Medicare certification. Last week DADS issued an updated letter, reminding providers of a continued delay because of a "very large number" of applications. To shorten the delay, DADS encourages applicants to make requests at least eight months in advance, delay requests until they've provided … [Read more...] about Delayed and Expired Licenses
Hurricane Katrina Waivers, Computer Updates
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) has released a new provider letter with information on waivers for Hurricane Katrina evacuees. You may access it here (PDF). This past September, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved a waiver that allowed Hurricane Katrina evacuees in Texas to enroll in the waiver program through January 31, 2006. In response to providers' questions about beneficiaries whose eligibility is expiring, DADS stated that … [Read more...] about Hurricane Katrina Waivers, Computer Updates
Telehealth
With budget cuts to Medicare, we can assume that home health care agencies are looking for ways to save money. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is pushing for more home health agencies to participate in "telehealth." Instead of visiting homes, home health agencies can collect information, offer diagnoses and medical advice via telephone. (Medical News Today) The goals of telehealth include: Reducing the rate of hospitalization Increasing the rate of influenza and … [Read more...] about Telehealth
Get On The Drug Train!
Saturday Night Live does Medicare Part D. Click here to watch. (You will need Windows Media, Real Player or something similar to watch) (HT Healthy Blog) … [Read more...] about Get On The Drug Train!
Medicare Drug Program Opinion Round-up
Medical News Today rounds up opinions from major newspapers on Medicare's new (and confusing) prescription drug program. A large part of the problem is government bureaucracy. From the Los Angeles Times (free registration): Pharmacists are having trouble finding out which plan people are enrolled in, forcing some to leave pharmacies empty-handed. The most desperate are showing up at emergency-room doors hoping to get the medication they were promised. Meanwhile, waits on help lines set … [Read more...] about Medicare Drug Program Opinion Round-up
CMS Hires Staff to Deal with Medicare Drug Program Confusion
Despite innumerable news stories, op-eds, and general negative reaction about the new drug program, CMS apparently didn't anticipate delays in filling prescriptions for Medicare beneficiaries. Some beneficiaries have had to pay for prescriptions themselves, and some pharmacies have "loaned" medication until CMS fixes the mess. Larry Kocot, an adviser to CMS Administrator Mark McClellan, said some of the problems were caused by the late December rush to enroll in the prescription drug … [Read more...] about CMS Hires Staff to Deal with Medicare Drug Program Confusion
61 Percent Say Individuals and Government Should Finance Long-Term Health Care
In a survey conducted by The Commonwealth Fund, a majority of respondents said individuals and government should share the responsibility of paying for long-term care, and 80 percent favor adding a long-term care benefit to Medicare. (via PNN Online) The Commonwealth Fund also found that patient surveys provide reliable information about physician quality, citing a Massachusetts research study in which patients were asked about their doctors. Researchers found "highly reliable and stable … [Read more...] about 61 Percent Say Individuals and Government Should Finance Long-Term Health Care
The 2005 CPR Guidelines And Treating Hyperkalemia
The nephrologist at KidneyNotes takes issue with some of the 2005 CPR guidelines for treating hyperkalemia. The good doctor says: Given a lack of standardization, it's not surprising that different doctors treat hyperkalemia in different ways. The new 2005 CPR guidelines from the American Heart Association provide recommendations for the treatment of hyperkalemia. Unfortunately, while these new guidelines are easy to follow, there are many potential problems, and I offer some … [Read more...] about The 2005 CPR Guidelines And Treating Hyperkalemia