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
Long Term Care Providers and the Election
To say that long term care providers will be impacted by the presidential election two months away is an understatement. The political parties have different philosophies and approaches to Medicaid and Medicare, and whoever ends up in the White House will seek to push through his priorities. The New York Times reports on the health care law and the election. An excerpt: To fulfill the law's goal of near-universal coverage, the president envisions adding as many as 17 million people to the … [Read more...] about Long Term Care Providers and the Election
Physicians Speak Out on Government Regulation of the Patient-Physician Relationship
In July 2012, the American College of Physicians ("ACP") published a lengthy Statement of Principles on the Role of Governments in Regulating the Patient-Physician Relationship. The statement discusses proposed or adopted legislation and regulations governing medical practice and how those mandates interfere, or have the potential to interfere, with appropriate clinical practice. The statement notes that a particular concern are laws and regulations that require physicians to provide care not … [Read more...] about Physicians Speak Out on Government Regulation of the Patient-Physician Relationship
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
Court Rejects Challenge to Physicians-Owned Hospital Provision
The health care reform law, which the U.S. Supreme Court upheld in June, contains a provision that limits the construction of new physician-owned hospitals and the expansion of existing ones. MedPage Today reports on a ruling that is considered a set-back for these hospitals. A physician-owned hospital in the state, the Texas Spine & Joint Hospital in Tyler, stopped expansion plans after the health care law was passed. Physician Hospitals of America and other plaintiffs challenged the law in … [Read more...] about Court Rejects Challenge to Physicians-Owned Hospital Provision
More on the Physician Shortage
Most Texas providers are well aware of the shortage of primary care physicians in the state. A majority of those probably are aware that the Affordable Care Act will impact the accessibility of care. Under the law, millions of uninsured will be added to the Medicaid rolls, and many will encounter physicians who don't accept Medicaid patients. In other words, the law will exacerbate the shortage. The New York Times reported on the shortage, focusing on the Inland Empire area of … [Read more...] about More on the Physician Shortage
TX Register Updates: August Hearings, Medical Board Changes
The following information was obtained from the July 27 issue of the Texas Register. Public Hearings and Notice The Council on Children and Families will hold a public hearing on Thursday, August 9, 2012, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to hear testimony about its ongoing work. The hearing will be held in the Public Hearing Room of the Brown-Heatly Building, 4900 N. Lamar Boulevard in Austin. HHSC will hold a public hearing on August 15, 2012, at 1 p.m. to receive public comment on the proposed … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: August Hearings, Medical Board Changes
Texas Medicaid Chief on Supreme Court Decision
As we blogged last week, Government Rick Perry went on record to say Texas will not expand Medicaid to accommodate the Affordable Care Act. He also said the state won't set up insurance exchanges. Bill Millwee, the director of the Texas Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance programs, agreed that the new law will be financially difficult for the state, as uninsured individuals not enrolled in Medicaid are required enroll in some kind of coverage by 2014. Millwee, who is retiring in August, … [Read more...] about Texas Medicaid Chief on Supreme Court Decision
TX Register Updates: Continuing Ed for Tick-borne Disease Treatment
The following information was obtained from the July 13 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices The Texas Medical Board adopted new 22 TAC §§198.1 - 198.3 in the June 29, 2012, issue of the Texas Register (37 TexReg 4929). On page 4929, the name of the chapter, "Unlicensed Practice," is incorrect and reflects the old topic of Chapter 198 rules. The correct name of the new chapter is "Standards for Use of Investigational Agents." HHSC intends to submit transmittal number 12-028 to the … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Continuing Ed for Tick-borne Disease Treatment
