The following information was obtained from the July 10 Texas Register: Public Hearing The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will hold a public hearing on July 24, 2009, at 1 p.m. to receive public comment on proposed rates for Professional Services in Home and Community-Based Services waivers. The hearing will take place in the Lone Star Conference Room of the Health and Human Services Commission, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric Boulevard, Austin, Texas. … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Licensure Applications and Registrations Changes, Etc.
Medicare Fraud Strike Force in Texas
According to the Houston Chronicle, there's a federal Medicare fraud strike force on the loose in Texas. The article highlights a number of Houston-area clinics committing Medicare fraud. Medicare fraud in the U.S. last year totaled $2.35 billion. There were 575 health fraud criminal actions and 342 civil actions filed. The task force has reduced identification of Medicare fraud from months to days, thanks to improved technology. Justice Department spokeswoman Melissa Schwartz said, "There … [Read more...] about Medicare Fraud Strike Force in Texas
Information and Provider Letters: Critical Incident Reporting
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) released three information letters and one provider letter: Resident Choice of Health Professionals DADS reminded Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs) and Home and Community Support Services Agencies of a resident's right to choose and contract with his or her own health care professionals. According to DADS, ALFs must specify in the facility resident admission agreement any requirements the facility imposes on non-facility … [Read more...] about Information and Provider Letters: Critical Incident Reporting
Texas Register Updates: New Contract Award, Etc.
The following information was obtained from the July 3 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced a contract award valued at $259,690 to Navigant Consulting, Inc., to provide consulting and application development services to HHSC to design and develop a risk-based contract performance management/monitoring tool for the Texas Medicaid/Children with Special Health Care Needs Claims Processing, Primary Care Case Management, and … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: New Contract Award, Etc.
Extending Medicare Drug Coverage May Lower Other Costs
A recent study showed that extending Medicare Part D coverage to Medicare enrollees who previously had limited or no drug coverage may result in lowering other medical costs. (Source) According to the study, prescription drug spending for newly enrolled beneficiaries without previous coverage rose by $41 a month, $27 a month for those who'd had a $150 quarterly cap, and $13 a month for who'd had a $350 cap. The study also found that spending for other forms of medical care for the … [Read more...] about Extending Medicare Drug Coverage May Lower Other Costs
Information Letters/Announcement: HCS and TxHmL Stakeholder Meeting, Etc.
The Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) announced that the next quarterly stakeholder meeting for the Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) and Texas Home Living (TxHmL) waiver programs will be held on July 23, 2009, in the Public Hearing Room at DADS state office, Winters Building, 701 West 51st Street, Austin, Texas. Providers may register here. Contact Mary Valente at mary.valente@dads.state.tx.us for more information. DADS released two information letters: Amended … [Read more...] about Information Letters/Announcement: HCS and TxHmL Stakeholder Meeting, Etc.
Texas Register Updates: State-owned Veterans Nursing Facility Payment Rates, Etc.
The following information was obtained from the June 26 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices and Hearings The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) adopted the following per day payment rates for the state-owned veterans nursing facilities for fiscal year (FY) 2009, effective September 1, 2008: Big Spring, $133.00; Bonham, $133.00; Floresville, $133.00; Temple, $133.00; McAllen, $133.00; El Paso, $133.00 and Amarillo, $133.00. Effective March 1, 2009 the rates adopted … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: State-owned Veterans Nursing Facility Payment Rates, Etc.
Rulings Favor California Providers
California is attempted to solve a budget deficit by cutting programs, and in-home care workers would have received a $2 hourly wage cut beginning July 1. A federal judge blocked the wage cut. In-home care workers in California will maintain their present wage level. (Source) The salary cut would have saved the state $98 million in 2009 and 2010. In other provider news, the Supreme Court ruled that California's Medicaid providers may challenge the state's proposed cuts to provider fees, … [Read more...] about Rulings Favor California Providers
Child Health Program Bills Introduced
The Texas House and Senate introduced bills related to the child health plan program: Senate Bill 6 and House Bill 11. Among other things, the bills would change family income eligibility levels. Earlier this month, we reported that the Texas Senate had approved a bill to increase enrollment in the State Children's Health Insurance Program, raising the income eligibility limits from $44,000 to $66,000 for a family of four. An additional 80,000 uninsured children would be covered. … [Read more...] about Child Health Program Bills Introduced
Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Rates, Texas Medical Board Changes
The following information was obtained from the June 19 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearings and Notices The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will hold a public hearing on July 15, 2009, at 1:30 p.m., to receive comment on proposed Medicaid payment rates for Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Personal Care Services for Type of Service (TOS) 1, Ambulance Services, and Certified Nurse Midwife services in a birthing center for types of service … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Rates, Texas Medical Board Changes
