The following recently introduced House bills could affect long term care providers: HB 2276: Relating to notice of residential services available for persons with intellectual disabilities. HB 2288: Relating to the exemption from sales and use taxes of certain health care supplies. HB 2348: Relating to the powers and duties of the Texas Medical Board and the regulation of certain persons licensed by the board. HB 2358: Relating to the regulation of the practice of nursing. HB … [Read more...] about House Bills: PPACA, Medicaid
House and Senate Bills: PPACA, Medicaid
The following recently introduced House and Senate bills could affect long term care providers: HCR 60: Urging the United States Congress to modify the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to allow cost-sharing payments and premium tax credits to be made available to the Texas political subdivision health care benefit pools on the same basis as those for health plans participating in the new federal exchange. HCR 64: Requesting the comptroller to conduct a study to determine the … [Read more...] about House and Senate Bills: PPACA, Medicaid
News Alerts/Medicaid Expansion
-- DADS updated the following information on the DADS Nursing Services web page. -- CMS staff clarified that contact precautions for influenza do NOT warrant coding in Item O0100M on the MDS. -- The State Supported Living Centers division is inviting comments on draft revised Policy #007, Psychiatry Services. Send your comments to Eric Moorad, Policy/Rules Coordinator, at eric.moorad@dads.state.tx.us or via fax at 512-438-4605 by close of business Friday, March 15, 2013. See the news … [Read more...] about News Alerts/Medicaid Expansion
House and Senate Bills: STAR + PLUS, PPACA
The following recently introduced House and Senate bills could affect long term care providers: HB 1137: Relating to the use of maximum allowable cost lists under a Medicaid managed care pharmacy benefit plan. HB 1112: Relating to state assistance for certain county health care expenditures. HB 1088: Relating to consumer protection provisions applicable to Medicaid managed care contracts. HB 1066: Relating to a review process for managed care organizations participating in the STAR + … [Read more...] about House and Senate Bills: STAR + PLUS, PPACA
House and Senate Bills: Criminal History, PPACA
The following recently introduced House and Senate bills could affect long term care providers: HB 729: Relating to access to criminal history record information by certain hospitals and other facilities. HB 658: Relating to interest on damages subject to Medicare subrogation. HB 620: Relating to the regulation of certain health care provider network contract arrangements. HB 624: Relating to the payment for services provided by certain types of health care practitioners under … [Read more...] about House and Senate Bills: Criminal History, PPACA
House and Senate Bills: Medicaid, Nurse Lawsuits
The following recently introduced House and Senate bills could affect long term care providers: HB 593: Relating to the expansion of eligibility for medical assistance to certain persons under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. HB 595: Relating to the repeal of certain health programs and councils, to the review of certain health programs, panels, councils, systems, foundations, centers, committees, and divisions under the Texas Sunset Act, and to the transfer of … [Read more...] about House and Senate Bills: Medicaid, Nurse Lawsuits
House and Senate Bills: Health Care Reform, Identification
The following long term care-related bills were recently introduced in the 83rd Legislative Session: HB 486: Relating to outsourcing a service performed by a health and human services agency to a private commercial contractor HB 459: Relating to the creation of a navigator program as described by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. HB 395: Relating to the use by certain health care providers of electronically readable information from a driver's license or personal … [Read more...] about House and Senate Bills: Health Care Reform, Identification
State Insurance Exchanges Approved
CMS reports that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has conditionally approved health insurances exchanges in California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Vermont, and Utah. "States across the country are working to implement the health care law and build a marketplace that works for their residents,” Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said. "In ten months, consumers in all fifty states will have access to a new marketplace where they will be able to easily purchase affordable, … [Read more...] about State Insurance Exchanges Approved
TX Register Updates: 1/11/13 Hearing, Medical Board Changes
The following information was obtained from December 28 issue of the Texas Register. Public Hearing and Notice HHSC will hold a public hearing on Friday, January 11, 2013, at 1:30 p.m. to receive comment on proposed Medicaid payment methodology for cost sharing payments for Medicare services provided to dual eligibles. The hearing will be held in the Lone Star Conference Room. HHSC intends to submit Transmittal Number 13-001 to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, which would … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: 1/11/13 Hearing, Medical Board Changes
Medicare and Medicaid Court Decisions
Medicare recipients with chronic conditions can no longer be turned down for home health services provided by skilled nurses and therapists, according to a recent settlement between the federal government and consumer advocates. Home care and other long term care providers benefit as well. An excerpt: To receive this coverage, patients must meet specific requirements. First, a doctor must prescribe care from a nurse or therapist. Patients in skilled-nursing facilities also must demonstrate a … [Read more...] about Medicare and Medicaid Court Decisions
