CMS recently announced that that certain state Medicaid programs will receive federal matching funds for efforts to implement the electronic health record incentive program. A list of states and funding amounts: Connecticut: $695,000 Delaware: $247,000 District of Columbia: $817,000 Hawaii: 836,000 Indiana: $2.31 million New Hampshire: $335,000 North Dakota: $226,000 Ohio: $2.29 million Rhode Island: $401,000 West Virginia: $945,000 … [Read more...] about Matching Funds For Electronic Health Record Incentives Program
Alabama Supreme Court Upholds Arbitration Agreement Signed by Nursing Home Resident’s Daughter
In April of this year, the Alabama Supreme Court, in Tennessee Health Management, Inc. v. Carol J. Rousseau Johnson, as personal representative of the estate of Dolores J. Rousseau, deceased (CV-08-900469) held that a nursing home resident “passively permitted” her daughter to sign an pre-admission arbitration agreement on her behalf. As a result, the woman’s estate was forced to settle its dispute with the nursing home through arbitration. Dolores J. Rousseau was admitted to Millennium … [Read more...] about Alabama Supreme Court Upholds Arbitration Agreement Signed by Nursing Home Resident’s Daughter
Texas Register Updates: Hearings, Medical Board Changes
The following information was obtained from the September 24 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearing and Notices HHSC will hold a public hearing on October 12, 2010, at 9 a.m. to receive public comment on proposed rates for Hospice routine home, continuous home, inpatient respite, and general inpatient care. The hearing will take place in the Lone Star Conference Room of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric Boulevard, … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Hearings, Medical Board Changes
CMS Releases Final Rule Supporting “Meaningful Use” of Electronic Health Records
On July 28, 2010, CMS’ final rule was published in the Federal Register regarding incentive payments to eligible professionals and hospitals participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs that adopt and successfully demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health record (“EHR”) technology. The rule makes final a proposed rule issued in January 2010. The final rule differs from January’s proposed rule in allowing professionals and hospitals more flexibility in choosing which … [Read more...] about CMS Releases Final Rule Supporting “Meaningful Use” of Electronic Health Records
Information Letter and Alerts: DADS Edit, Webinars
DADS released an information letter and news alerts: CLASS and DBMD providers: DADS will implement an edit that won't allow providers to be paid for more than 24 hours of service in 24-hour day, effective September 1. (Letter) DADS alerted MRAs and HSC program providers of the revised Form 8665, Person Directed Plan. Registration for DADS 2010 ICF/MR Provider and Surveyor Conference is now open. For more information, click here. The conference will be held on November 3-4 at the … [Read more...] about Information Letter and Alerts: DADS Edit, Webinars
TX Register Updates: Hearing, Texas Medical Board Rule Changes
The following information was obtained from the September 17 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices HHSC announced a contract award (529-09-0062-00001) to IBG Management Consulting to assist HHSC with implementation, operational, and strategic planning support with the MEHIS project. Total contract value is $2,634,084. HHSC will renew the Consultant Contract for Information Technology Negotiation Support Services to continue the services of a single, qualified vendor to provide … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Hearing, Texas Medical Board Rule Changes
Don’t Forget to Renew Your License
In a recent case, Riley v. Texas State Bd. Of Examiners of Prof. Counselors, No. 03-09-0058-CV (Tex. App. – Austin May 14, 2010), an individual failed to timely file her professional counselor license renewal. She subsequently sued the Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors for failing to send her the required notice under Tex. Occ. Code Sec. 503.353 that her license was about to expire. However, the court found that the Board’s failure to send the notice does not affect the renewal … [Read more...] about Don’t Forget to Renew Your License
Health Care Reform: Nursing Home Transparency and Improvement
Title IV, Subtitle B, of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, entitled Nursing Home Transparency and Improvement, contains several provisions affecting nursing homes. The legislation requires nursing homes to disclose their owners, managers, and the organizational structure to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”), the HHS Inspector General, the state in which the nursing home is located, and in certain cases, the state long-term care ombudsman. The HHS … [Read more...] about Health Care Reform: Nursing Home Transparency and Improvement
Information Letter and Alerts: MDCP, NF Computer-Based Training
DADS release on information letter and news alerts: MDCP: DADS informed these providers that during the development of the Individual Plan of Care, the service initiation date will be negotiated before the provider receives a service authorization form as indicated in 40 TAC, Chapter 50, §51.217(b). An excerpt: When the initial service initiation date has been agreed upon by all required parties, the case manager will send the provider the appropriate service authorization form, either … [Read more...] about Information Letter and Alerts: MDCP, NF Computer-Based Training
Texas Register Updates: STAR+PLUS Expansion Forums, Medical Board Updates
The following information was obtained from the September 10 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearings and Notice The Medicaid Managed Care Stakeholder Forum of the Expansion of STAR+PLUS (Dallas Service Area) will be held on September 21, 2010, from 2-5 p.m., at the Texas Health Resources Corporate Office, Executive Conference Hall, 7th Floor, 612 E. Lamar Blvd., Arlington, TX 76011. The Medicaid Managed Care Stakeholder Forum of the Expansion of STAR+PLUS (Tarrant Service Area) … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: STAR+PLUS Expansion Forums, Medical Board Updates
