The Texas Tribune, a non-profit public media organization, published a story about nursing facilities in Texas facing Medicaid rate cuts. The article mentions a story we blogged about last month. To deal with a potential budget shortfall, Governor Rick Perry, Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst, and House Speaker Joe Straus asked HHSC to reduce Medicaid spending by five percent. HHSC Commissioner Tom Suehs offered a list of reductions worth $304 million. The Texas Tribune notes that last … [Read more...] about Medicaid Cuts for Texas Providers
Information Letters: CBA, HSC, DBMD, Etc.
DADS released three information letters: CBA, CBA Assisted Living/Residential Care, CLASS, DAHS, ICF/MR, ICM, HCS, NFs, PHC, RC, and TxHmL providers: The HHSC Rate Analysis Department has posted mandatory cost reporting and cost report training for 2009 information on its web site. The final session of the 2009 cost report training is scheduled for March 9-10, 2010. Providers must make sure the preparer has completed cost report training. HHSC RAD must receive all 2009 cost reports no … [Read more...] about Information Letters: CBA, HSC, DBMD, Etc.
Texas Register Updates: NFs, DBMD, Texas Medical Board
The following information was obtained from the February 26 issue of the Texas Register: Proposed Rules HHSC proposes to amend several sections of the code, including Nursing Facility Administrators, Nursing Facility Requirements For Licensure And Medicaid Certification, Medicaid Waiver Program For People Who Are Deaf Blind With Multiple Disabilities, DBMD Program, Enrollment Process, and Transfer Between Program Providers. See the relevant section of the Texas Register and scroll down … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: NFs, DBMD, Texas Medical Board
Information Letters for Hospice and CLASS Providers
DADS released two information letters: Hospice providers - billing instructions update: DADS informed hospice providers that they will use modifier U4 in the Modifier 4 location, along with Modifier U3 (Level of Care 1) in the Modifier 2 location, on the Medicaid Institutional Claim when billing hospice services for residents of State Supported Living Centers who are Medicare eligible, effective February 1. (Letter) All CLASS providers: DADS clarified information in IL 08-123, … [Read more...] about Information Letters for Hospice and CLASS Providers
Texas Register Updates: Life Safety Code Inspection, March 15 Hearing
The following information was obtained from the February 19 issue of the Texas Register: Proposed Rules HHSC proposes to amend Subchapter B, Definitions, §19.101, concerning definitions; Subchapter D, Facility Construction, §19.330, concerning construction and initial survey of completed construction; and new §19.220, concerning expedited life safety code and physical plant inspection fees, in Chapter 19, Nursing Facility Requirements for Licensure and Medicaid Certification. The … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Life Safety Code Inspection, March 15 Hearing
Medicaid Payment Rates for Clinical Laboratory Services
Apologies for the late notice. HHSC will hold a Medicaid payment hearing tomorrow at 1:30 p.m., to receive comment on proposed Medicaid payment rates for Clinical Laboratory Services. The hearing will be held in the Lone Star Conference Room of HHSC, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric Boulevard, Austin, Texas. This information appeared in the February 19 issue of the Texas Register. … [Read more...] about Medicaid Payment Rates for Clinical Laboratory Services
Texas Register Updates: HCS, Medicaid MCOs, Etc.
The following was obtained from the February 12 issue of the Texas Register: Proposed Rules HHSC proposes on behalf of DADS to amend Subchapter L, §2.553, concerning definitions; §2.554, concerning eligibility; §2.556, concerning MRA's responsibilities; §2.559, concerning minimum qualifications; §2.562 concerning review process; new §2.555 concerning funding service coordination; and the repeal of §2.555 concerning assessing an individual's need for service coordination, in Chapter 2, … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: HCS, Medicaid MCOs, Etc.
Texas HHSC Proposes Medicaid Cuts
The Dallas Morning News reports that nursing facilities could see a two percent Medicaid cut if Texas Health and Human Services Commissioner Tom Suehs's proposed reductions go through. To deal with a potential budget shortfall, Governor Rick Perry, Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst, and House Speaker Joe Straus asked HHSC to reduce Medicaid spending by five percent. Suehs offered a list of reductions worth $304 million. "We were asked to lay out options," Stephanie Goodman, a spokesperson … [Read more...] about Texas HHSC Proposes Medicaid Cuts
Information Letters and News Alerts: Hospice, CDSA Providers
DADS released two information letters and news alerts. Medicaid Hospice Providers: DADS clarified its Continuous Home Care (CHC) requirements at 40 TAC, Chapter 30 Medicaid Hospice Program, §30.54 Special Coverage Requirements and informed hospice providers of problems identified during annual CHC reviews that result in recoupment of CHC payments. An excerpt: "Recoupment Process…Based on the review, a determination is made to…approve an extension of CHC beyond the five days; deny an … [Read more...] about Information Letters and News Alerts: Hospice, CDSA Providers
The Political and Bureaucratic "Class" Thrives While YOU Suffer
Your excellence counts for nothing as they line their own pockets: "Pay for performance? Fuggeddaboutit! Congress keeps its automatic pay increase, and taxes, inflation, deficits, and the national debt all rise. Down Independence Avenue, Health and Human Services (HHS) bureaucrats get automatic pay raises and universal “outstanding” performance ratings. (Footnote: take a laptop with you into HHS headquarters and its serial number is logged in and out by an armed guard. Apparently, so many … [Read more...] about The Political and Bureaucratic "Class" Thrives While YOU Suffer
