The following information was obtained from the July 26 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notices HHSC intends to submit to CMS a request to amend the Texas Healthcare Transformation and Quality Improvement Program (THTQIP) to remove the policy that allows a managed care organization to request disenrollment for beneficiaries dependent on a ventilator or diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease. HHSC intends to submit to CMS a request to amend the THTQIP to include the … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: THTQIP, A/N/E Changes
Texas NF Court Victory, Mandate Delay
-- "A Texas nursing home has triumphed in a lawsuit that claimed it had retaliated against a facility resident when family members complained about her care...The family filed allegations of negligent hiring, supervision, management, and retention of employees; breach of fiduciary duty; breach of contract; and retaliation. Per the state's Medical Liability Act requirement, it had to first file an expert report on the resident's care. The courts found the expert report deficient, crumbling much … [Read more...] about Texas NF Court Victory, Mandate Delay
Bills, New Federal Site for Long Term Care Providers
HB 87: Relating to the expansion of eligibility for Medicaid in certain counties under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. SCR 2: Authorizing a proposed interim agreement between the parties of a lawsuit regarding individuals with intellectual disabilities and related conditions residing in or at risk of being admitted to nursing facilities. -- Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology has unveiled a new webpage with information and … [Read more...] about Bills, New Federal Site for Long Term Care Providers
Introduced Bill, Resolution, and Provider News
HB 61: Relating to the applicability of adverse licensing, listing, or registration decisions by certain health and human services agencies. SJR 6: Proposing a constitutional amendment requiring the state to expand eligibility for the Medicaid program to certain persons. -- "Despite a shortage of U.S. primary care doctors, less than 25 percent of new doctors go into this field, and fewer still work in rural areas, researchers say...Lead study author Dr. Candice Chen, an assistant research … [Read more...] about Introduced Bill, Resolution, and Provider News
From McKnight’s: CMS Crackdown, NF Management Agreements
-- "A compliance expert cautioned long-term care providers about CMS' new Fraud Prevention System in a recent McKnight's Super Tuesday webcast. While technology can catch bad actors, it's also a crucial way to maintain compliance, advised Alliance Training Center Executive Director Leah Klusch, RN, BSN, FACHCA. She advocated for programs that electronically compare Minimum Data Set and billing data so administrators can catch problems early." – McKnight's -- "[Nursing home management] … [Read more...] about From McKnight’s: CMS Crackdown, NF Management Agreements
Medicaid Expansion News, LTC News
"Twenty states and the District of Columbia have agreed to expand their Medicaid programs, to cover everyone under 133 percent of the federal poverty line. That leaves 30 states that haven't... Some of these states have especially large uninsured populations. Texas, for example, has an estimated 1.8 million people who would be expected to enroll in Medicaid under the expansion. - Washington Post "Affordable Care Act requirements related to health insurance are leading some long-term care … [Read more...] about Medicaid Expansion News, LTC News
Governor Perry to Discuss Medicaid Today
McKnight's reports that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a final rule confirming that the federal government will pay the full cost of new Medicaid beneficiaries as the program expands across the country to implement the health care reform law. However, the federal government's contribution will decrease after 2016. By 2020, the contribution will be 90 percent. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the heath care reform law but gave states the option to expand Medicaid. Some … [Read more...] about Governor Perry to Discuss Medicaid Today
Senate Bill, Long Term Care News
SB 1842: Relating to rules for restraint and seclusion procedures at certain facilities. -- McKnight's reports on a lethal, antibiotic-resistant bacteria in acute and long term care facilities: The bacteria, Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), are found in healthy digestive systems but cause infections when they get in other organs or the bloodstream. Some CRE germs are resistant even to antibiotics of "last resort," such as carbapenems, and the germs can transfer their … [Read more...] about Senate Bill, Long Term Care News
Medicaid News: Expansion, Physician Shortage
"In the letter (PDF) [to the Texas congressional delegation ] Perry reaffirms his pledge not to expand Medicaid, an important — if optional — tenet of President Obama's federal health care law. Medicaid serves the disabled and poor children; the Affordable Care Act aims to expand coverage to more impoverished adults." - Texas Tribune "With extra federal money coming in, Medicaid expansion could offset $1.2 billion in the 2014-15 biennium budget that Texas would spend on other health programs … [Read more...] about Medicaid News: Expansion, Physician Shortage
Senate Bills: PPACA, Medicaid
The following recently introduced Senate bills could affect long term care providers: SJR 61: Proposing a constitutional amendment requiring the reduction of amounts paid by Texans to provide health care to the uninsured if Medicaid eligibility is expanded in accordance with the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; requiring hospital district tax rate reductions. SB 1045: Relating to an evaluation of the state supported living center system. SB 1058: Relating to the … [Read more...] about Senate Bills: PPACA, Medicaid
