Democrats in Texas are hopeful that the state will expand Medicaid to cover millions, although Governor Rick Perry said Texas won't broaden the federal program. Rather than striking down Obamacare, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the law constitutional but gave states the option of expanding Medicaid to carry it out. From the Texas Tribune: Despite Gov. Rick Perry's firm opposition to a key tenet of federal health reform — expanding the state’s Medicaid program for those with low incomes — Texas … [Read more...] about Texas Dems and Medicaid Expansion
Medicaid Expansion in the News
The Associated Press published a story on Governor Rick Perry's stance against implementing the new health care reform law. An excerpt: Texas has about 6 million uninsured residents, which comes out to nearly a quarter of its population — higher than any other state. Both Republicans and Democrats agree that's too many, but they disagree on how to get that number down. In a July letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Perry said he opposed the Affordable Care Act … [Read more...] about Medicaid Expansion in the News
Obama Admin Extends State Insurance Exchange Deadline
The reelection of President Barack Obama means the health care reform law will be implemented. Although the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states would have the option to expand Medicaid, the administration likely expects most states to comply. Texas is one of several states whose governors say they will not expand Medicaid or set up a state insurance exchange. Perhaps this is part of the reason the administration has twice extended the deadline for states to set up insurance exchanges. An … [Read more...] about Obama Admin Extends State Insurance Exchange Deadline
Some Physicians Won’t See Higher Payment Rates
Back in May, CMS reported that under the health care reform, primary care physicians would see an increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates. Kaiser News reports that OB/GYNs and ER doctors presently are excluded. Instead, the higher Medicaid rates, which will be in effect for two years, are reserved for family doctors, internists and pediatricians, because those specialties are specifically listed in the 2010 law, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said. The OB/GYNs and ER doctors … [Read more...] about Some Physicians Won’t See Higher Payment Rates
Texas Counties and Medicaid Expansion
Governor Rick Perry has made his opposition to "Obamacare" known. He is against the policy and said Texas will not expand Medicaid. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the health care reform law, but gave states the option to expand Medicaid to implement it. The Texas Tribune published a story on the election's impact on Texas Medicaid. An excerpt: Gov. Rick Perry says Texas will opt-out of that expansion. But Anne Dunkelberg of the Center for Public Policy Priorities, a liberal state policy … [Read more...] about Texas Counties and Medicaid Expansion
Feds to States: Expand Medicaid Now, Reverse Later
Texas is one of several states whose governors say they will not expand Medicaid to implement the new health care reform law. Although the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the law, the court gave states the option to expand Medicaid. Naturally, the federal government seeks to give reluctant states an incentive to expand. From the New York Times: Citing [the U.S. Supreme Court] decision, Cindy Mann, the federal official in charge of Medicaid, said, "A state may choose whether and when to expand, and if … [Read more...] about Feds to States: Expand Medicaid Now, Reverse Later
Partial Medicaid Expansion?
The Wall Street Journal published a story on how some states might partially expand Medicaid under the new health care reform law, rather than implementing a complete overhaul. Will Texas join these states? Governor Rick Perry said Texas won't expand the Medicaid program or set up state insurance exchanges. Indiana, New Mexico and Wisconsin are among the states asking the federal government to let them omit from the Medicaid expansion residents whose incomes put them just above the poverty … [Read more...] about Partial Medicaid Expansion?
SSLC IL & Med School Incentives
HSC, State-Supported Living Centers (SSLC), and Local Authorities: DADS implemented a new process to assign level of need 6 for leaving an SSLC and enrolling in the HSC program, effective August 1, 2012. An excerpt: 1) A SSLC must continue to follow requirements set forth in DADS rules at Title 40, Chapter 2, Subchapter F, Division 4 (relating to Moving From a State Facility to an Alternative Living Arrangement) in identifying individuals who will enroll in the HCS Program, including: • … [Read more...] about SSLC IL & Med School Incentives
Texas Counties Want Medicaid Expansion
Although Governor Rick Perry said Texas would not expand Medicaid to implement the health care reform law nor set up a state insurance exchange, some counties in Texas want to expand the program. The counties are considering defying the governor. An excerpt: For years, Texas's six most populous counties, as well as some smaller localities, have offered free or low-cost health care for uninsured residents with incomes as much as three times the federal poverty level, or about $57,000 for a … [Read more...] about Texas Counties Want Medicaid Expansion
Certification and Recertification by Physicians for Extended Care Services
In skilled nursing facilities, in accordance with CMS manual guidance, CMS will only make payment for covered post-hospital extended care services if a physician makes the required certification and, where applicable, the required re-certification regarding the services furnished. Skilled nursing facilities are responsible for obtaining the required physician certification and recertification statements. Such certification must clearly note that that post-hospital inpatient extended … [Read more...] about Certification and Recertification by Physicians for Extended Care Services
