The following information was obtained from the July 8 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notice and Hearing DADS will hold a public hearing in conjunction with a DADS Council meeting on July 20, 2011, at 8:30 a.m., which will take place in the Public Hearing Room of the John H. Winters Building, 701 W. 51st Street, Austin. DADS will receive public comment on several proposed amendments. See the Texas Register for details. HHSC intends to submit an amendment to the Texas State Plan … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: DADS Council Meeting, Reimbursement Changes
ILs & News Alerts: CBA Changes, Ticket to Work Event
DADS released two information letters and several news alerts: CDSA for CBA: DADS has proposed to create two categories of personal assistance services in the CBA Program. The letter also outlines operational procedures for CDSAs. An excerpt: PAS Category I is proposed to include tasks delegated by a registered nurse (RN) to an unlicensed attendant, health maintenance activities, and extension of therapy. PAS Category II is proposed to include tasks that do not require delegation by an … [Read more...] about ILs & News Alerts: CBA Changes, Ticket to Work Event
CMS Rule Links Payments and Qualify of Care
Last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued fiscal 2012 proposed payment rates for doctors, outpatient hospitals, and dialysis centers. The proposed rule links payments for outpatient services and ambulatory surgical centers to quality of care. Additionally, the proposed rule would allow certain physician-owned hospitals to request a waiver from the healthcare reform law's ban on expansion. An excerpt: Outpatient departments are scheduled to get a 1.5 percent fee … [Read more...] about CMS Rule Links Payments and Qualify of Care
TX Register Updates: Hearing, CHIP Changes
The following information was obtained from the July 1 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices and Hearing HHSC will hold a public hearing on July 28, 2011, at 1:30 p.m., to receive comment on proposed amendments to the administrative rule at Title 1 Texas Administrative Code §355.80521 that governs the payment methodology for Medicaid inpatient hospital reimbursement. The hearing will be held in the Lone Star Conference Room, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Hearing, CHIP Changes
News Alerts: STAR+PLUS, Training Sessions
-- DADS reminded all HCSSAs currently serving a CBA in the counties listed below are required to follow the timeline in completing CBA reassessments/ ISP that expire August 31, 2011 or September 30, 2011. An excerpt: The September 1, 2011 expansion of the STAR+PLUS program into the contiguous counties of the Harris, Bexar, Nueces and Travis service areas includes the following counties: Harris service area: Austin, Matagorda and Wharton counties; Bexar service area: Bandera … [Read more...] about News Alerts: STAR+PLUS, Training Sessions
ILs: LON, STAR+PLUS Expansion
DADS released three information letters: HCS and ICF/MR: DADS notified these providers that effective June 20, 2011, it won't require program providers to submit a packet of documentation to accompany a request to renew a previously authorized Level of Need increase. (Letter) Medicaid Hospice providers: Effective July 1, 2011, DADS will begin requiring physicians who certify dual eligible and Medicaid only hospice patients as being terminally ill to include a brief narrative of the … [Read more...] about ILs: LON, STAR+PLUS Expansion
Feds to Investigate Primary Care Physician Shortage – UPDATED
Update: Politico reports that the Obama administration has scrapped its "mystery shoppers" plan to investigate the primary care physician shortage. *** The New York Times published a story about the Obama administration's plan to determine the extent of the primary care physician shortage. The government will send people posing as patients to make appointments and find out how easy or difficult it would be to see a doctor. As the health care reform law takes effect in a few years, the … [Read more...] about Feds to Investigate Primary Care Physician Shortage – UPDATED
TX Register Updates: July 12 Hearing, Medical Board Changes
The following information was obtained from the June 24 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices HHSC proposes to the following per diem reimbursement rates for the non-state operated ICF/MR: Per Diem Rates Chart HHSC will hold a public hearing on July 12, 2011, at 9 a.m., to receive comment on proposed Medicaid payments for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies and Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment services. The public hearing will be … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: July 12 Hearing, Medical Board Changes
ILs: Electronic Data Conversion, EVV Use
DADS released three information letters. Community Services, NF, Hospice, and ICF/MR: TMHP is converting from Electronic Data Interchange Version 4010 to Version 5010. Effective June 27, 2011, the ZZ Procedure Code Qualifier will no longer be accepted as a procedure code for claims submitted to TMHP. It will be replaced by Procedure Code Qualifier ER. (Letter) All LTC providers: DADS reminded providers that they can help maximize the federal matching funds Texas receives through June … [Read more...] about ILs: Electronic Data Conversion, EVV Use
Hospitals Courting Primary Care Physicians
The growing shortage of these doctors means they'll be in demand for the foreseeable future. The Washington Post features a story about hospitals in the Washington area trying to lure primary care physicians out of private practices. Hospitals in Texas also are courting primary care physicians. An aging population and doctors choosing more specialized fields of medicine have created a growing need for primary care physicians in East Texas, according to local doctors and hospital … [Read more...] about Hospitals Courting Primary Care Physicians
