DADS posted several news alerts. A sample: DADS posted a new version of the Mental Retardation/Related Conditions Assessment, Form 8578, with a revision date of June 2010, to the forms library on the web site . However, some direct service agencies continue to use the old version of this form, with a revision date of October 2009. The DADS ICF/MR Provider and Surveyor Conference is scheduled for Oct. 20-21, 2011, at the Commons Learning Center in … [Read more...] about News Alerts: New Form, Conference Input
Bill May Open Medicare Data; Medicaid News
The Wall Street Journal reports that lawmakers seek to make public what physicians earn through Medicare, which would overturn a 32-year-old law that bars the public from the data. The rationale behind the move is to identify fraud and waste in the federal program. An excerpt: Currently, the government is effectively barred from releasing how much money any individual doctor earns from Medicare by the 1979 injunction. That injunction stemmed from a lawsuit filed by the Florida Medical … [Read more...] about Bill May Open Medicare Data; Medicaid News
Provider/Information Letters: E-Verify, EMR/NAR Checks
DADS released three provider and three information letters: Adult Day Care, Assisted Living, HCSSA, ICFs/MR, and NFs: DADS recommends that providers consider using E-Verify to determine an employee's eligibility to work in the U.S., as reported on the individual's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. (Letter) ICFs/MR: In the letter, DADS provides guidance for conducting for annual EMR and NAR checks in ICFs/MR, effective immediately. The guidelines supersede those set forth … [Read more...] about Provider/Information Letters: E-Verify, EMR/NAR Checks
House and Senate Bills: More Week of 2/21
The following bills (which may affect long term care providers) were recently introduced in the 82nd Legislative Session: HB 1700: Relating to the employment of physicians by certain hospitals. HB 1719: Relating to the regulation of health care interpreters. HB 1720: Relating to improving health care provider accountability and efficiency under the child health plan and Medicaid programs. SB 894: Relating to the employment of physicians by certain hospitals. SB 906: Relating to … [Read more...] about House and Senate Bills: More Week of 2/21
TX Register Update: Medical and Nursing Board Changes
From the February 25 issue of the Texas Register: Proposed Rules The Texas Medical Board proposes to amend §164.2, Definitions; §164.4, Board Certification; and §164.6, Required Disclosures on Websites, which would add definitions, establish the process for applicants to have certifying boards approved by the Medical Board for advertising purposes, and provide that this section applies only to licensees who bill for services provided via the web. The board proposes new §166.7, Report of … [Read more...] about TX Register Update: Medical and Nursing Board Changes
House and Senate Bills: Week of 2/21
The following bills (which may affect long term care providers) were recently introduced in the 82nd Legislative Session: HB 1566: Relating to the authority of counties to appoint, contract for, or employ physicians, dentists, or other health care providers for county jails. HB 1567: Relating to the authority of certain counties to appoint, contract for, or employ physicians, dentists, or other health care providers for county jails HB 1653: Relating to the inclusion of optometrists, … [Read more...] about House and Senate Bills: Week of 2/21
House and Senate Bills: More Week of 2/14
The following bills (which may affect long term care providers) were recently introduced in the 82nd Legislative Session: HB 1468: Relating to the child health plan program. HB 1512: Relating to an electronic record of eligibility for Medicaid benefits. SB 7: Relating to strategies for and improvements in quality of health care provided through and care management in the child health plan and medical assistance programs designed to achieve healthy outcomes and efficiency. SB 8: … [Read more...] about House and Senate Bills: More Week of 2/14
TX Register Update: Targeted Case Management
From the February 18 issue of the Texas Register: HHSC intends to submit to CMS an amendment to the Texas State Plan to update the service description for targeted case management for individuals with chronic mental illness using the CMS recommended template, effective September 1, 2011. For more information, contact Perry Young by mail at Mail Code 2018, 909 W. 45th Street, P.O. Box 149347, Austin, TX 78714-9347; by telephone at (512) 206-5575; by facsimile at (512) 206-4775; or by e-mail at … [Read more...] about TX Register Update: Targeted Case Management
House and Senate Bills Filed Week of 2/14
The following bills (which may affect long term care providers) were recently introduced in the 82nd Legislative Session: HB 1320: Relating to the period of continuous eligibility for the child health plan program. HB 1332: Relating to the investigation, prosecution, and punishment of criminal Medicaid fraud and certain other offenses related to Medicaid fraud; providing penalties. HB 1333: Relating to expedited credentialing of certain physicians by managed care plans. HB 1380: … [Read more...] about House and Senate Bills Filed Week of 2/14
Texas Strives for Balance in Medicaid Cuts
Last month, Texas lawmakers released a proposed budget that would reduce Medicaid reimbursement rates by 10 percent. Rates are being reduced to the point that Texas have threatened to withdraw from the program altogether. The Dallas Morning News reports that budget writers are grappling with potential unintended consequences while figuring out which services to cut. For instance, cutting kidney dialysis treatment may cause an increase in hospital patients with severe renal disease. An … [Read more...] about Texas Strives for Balance in Medicaid Cuts
