Governor Rick Perry has made his opposition to "Obamacare" known. He is against the policy and said Texas will not expand Medicaid. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the health care reform law, but gave states the option to expand Medicaid to implement it. The Texas Tribune published a story on the election's impact on Texas Medicaid. An excerpt: Gov. Rick Perry says Texas will opt-out of that expansion. But Anne Dunkelberg of the Center for Public Policy Priorities, a liberal state policy … [Read more...] about Texas Counties and Medicaid Expansion
ILs/News Alert: Cost Avoidance Project
NF, Hospice, and ICF/IID: DADS provided a status of the Cost Avoidance Project implementation: Release 1 (August 2012), Release 2 (November 2012), and Release 3 (February 2013). (Letter) All providers: DADS alerted providers of three changes to the MESAV, effective November 2, 2012. An excerpt: 1) "Other Insurance Policies" Section A new section "Other Insurance Policies" will be added to the MESAV. Insurance policies for Long Term Care (LTC) individuals will be displayed on the … [Read more...] about ILs/News Alert: Cost Avoidance Project
TX Register Updates: 10/29 Forum, 11/14-15 Hearings
The following information was obtained from the October 26 issue of the Texas Register. Public Hearings and Notices HHSC will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, November 14, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. to receive comment on proposed Medicaid payment rates for Ambulance Services, case management services provided to children and pregnant women, hearing aids; Medicaid biennial calendar fee review, and vaccine and toxoids (shingles vaccine); on Thursday, November 15, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. receive … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: 10/29 Forum, 11/14-15 Hearings
DADS News Alerts: 11/13 and 11/15 Culture Change Symposium
-- Registration is open for the DADS Culture Change Initiative: Symposium 2012. Please register here for the following events: San Antonio — Tuesday, November 13, 2012, Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center Houston — Thursday, November 15, 2012, Hilton Houston Southwest -- DADS requests comments for proposed HCS rule amendments to Title 40, TAC, Chapter 9, Subchapter D. Please submit comments from October 12, 2012 through November 11, 2012 at: hcs@dads.state.tx.us. -- DADS has … [Read more...] about DADS News Alerts: 11/13 and 11/15 Culture Change Symposium
IL and S&C Letters: DFP Investigations, Dementia Training
HCS and TxHmL: DADS reminds these providers of their responsibility to provide information to alleged victims of abuse, neglect or exploitation or their legally authorized representatives and service coordinators of the findings of the investigation, the program provider's corrective action in response to the investigation, etc. (Letter) State Survey Agency Directors – issued last month CMS has revised the State Operations Manual, Appendix P-Traditional Survey Protocol for Long-Term … [Read more...] about IL and S&C Letters: DFP Investigations, Dementia Training
TX Register Update: MOU Repeals
The following information was obtained from the October 19 issue of the Texas Register. Proposed Rules HHSC proposed to amend §355.8085, Reimbursement Methodology for Physicians and Other Practitioners to set Medicaid rates for certain evaluation and management services and vaccine administration services equal to the 2013-2014 Medicare rates. See the Texas Register for more information. Adopted Rules The Texas Board of Nursing adopted amendments to Chapter 214, §§214.1 - 214.13, … [Read more...] about TX Register Update: MOU Repeals
Long Term Care in Home Health
It's no surprise that the home health care industry is growing, as seniors choose to "age in place" at home instead of in nursing homes. Home health care is a long term health care option with huge growth potential, as the Baby Boom generation enters retirement. Demand for home health care will increase, but right now, the wages don't match the demand. That likely will change in the coming years. These days, home health care workers do more than provide basic services. An excerpt … [Read more...] about Long Term Care in Home Health
DADS News Alerts: 10/17 Webinar, 11/28 Orientation
-- DADS invited providers to register for the Culture Change Webinar #5 -- The Value and Importance of Spending Time Outdoors, scheduled for Wednesday, October 17, 2012, from 1-2 p.m. Register here. -- Recordings of previous webinars on antipsychotic medication are now available on the Culture Change Training page under the Past Events section. -- DADS will conduct an orientation on Wednesday, November 28, 2012, from 1-5 p.m. for individuals interested in serving as a court-appointed … [Read more...] about DADS News Alerts: 10/17 Webinar, 11/28 Orientation
TX Register Updates: New Medical Board Rules
The following information was obtained from the October 12 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notice HHSC intends to submit to CMS a request to renew the Youth Empowerment Services waiver for the period beginning April 1, 2013, through March 31, 2018. See the Texas Register for more information. Proposed Rules HHSC proposed new Chapter 352, Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Provider Enrollment—§§352.1, 352.3, 352.5, 352.7, 352.9, 352.11, 352.13, 352.15, … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: New Medical Board Rules
Providers in ‘Limbo’?
Last Sunday, the Associated Press reported that millions of health care providers (and the uninsured) in Florida are caught between two opposing camps. The governor and the state lawmakers seek to privatize Medicaid, but require the Obama administration's go-ahead. An excerpt: Florida's Medicaid program currently costs more than $21 billion a year, with the federal government picking up roughly half the tab. It covers nearly 3 million people - about half are children - and consumes about 30 … [Read more...] about Providers in ‘Limbo’?
