The following bills (which may affect long term care providers) were recently introduced in the 82nd Legislative Session: HB 1008: Relating to the State of Texas entering into the Interstate Medicaid Reform Compact. HB 1013: Relating to the powers and duties of the Texas Medical Board. Be sure to check previous posts with legislative bills updates. Texas Register: Public Notice HHSC intends to submit to CMS a request for an amendment to HSC waiver program, which would implement … [Read more...] about House Bills, TX Register Updates
Providers Face 10 Percent Medicaid Cuts
Earlier this month, Texas lawmakers released a proposed budget that would reduce Medicaid reimbursement rates by 10 percent. (Source) We've written about how Texas physicians are limiting new Medicaid patients because of low payment rates. An excerpt from the Austin Statesman: Such a reduction, on top of earlier rate trims, would drive Texas doctors out of the Medicaid business entirely, said John Holcomb, a Texas Medical Association doctor and chairman of the association’s select committee of … [Read more...] about Providers Face 10 Percent Medicaid Cuts
House Bills, TX Register Updates
The following bills (which may affect long term care providers) were recently introduced in the 82nd Legislative Session: HB 637: Relating to certain treatment by a physical therapist. HB 680: Relating to a physician's response to a complaint filed with the Texas Medical Board. Proposed Rules HHSC proposes to amend §371.1647, concerning notice of sanction; and new §371.1709, concerning recoupment of overpayments pursuant to audit, in Chapter 371, Medicaid and Other Health and Human … [Read more...] about House Bills, TX Register Updates
Why Should You Have a Compliance Program?
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ("PPACA") mandates in Sections 6102 and 6401 that a broad range of providers, suppliers, and physicians adopt compliance and ethics programs. By March 23, 2013, skilled nursing facilities and other nursing facilities must have “in operation” a compliance and ethics program that meets the PPACA’s criteria. Although the PPACA's requirements for nursing facilities are specific, the PPACA also contains broad compliance program requirements for all other … [Read more...] about Why Should You Have a Compliance Program?
TX Register Updates: Correction, Rate Hearings
The following information was obtained from the January 7 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices and Hearings HHSC issued a correction for an error in the December 24, 2010, published under, "Notice of Public Hearing on Proposed Medicaid Payment Rates." The correction: "Hearing. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission will conduct a public hearing on January 7, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. to receive public comment on payment rate reductions for the non-state operated Intermediate Care … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Correction, Rate Hearings
Association of American Physicians and Surgeons Challenges PECOS
In August 2010, the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons ("AAPS") filed an amended complaint asking the court to vacate HHS regulations requiring non-Medicare providers to enroll with Medicare, to appear in the Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System ("PECOS"), or to obtain a National Provider Identifier ("NPI"). A copy of AAPS' full amended complaint is available here. AAPS argues that the ability of non-Medicare enrolled physicians to order or refer for services provided … [Read more...] about Association of American Physicians and Surgeons Challenges PECOS
Fifth Circuit Rules Against Texas Medical Board in Due Process Case
On December 2, 1010, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled against the Texas Medical Board ("TMB"), remanding a suit brought by the Association of American Physicians and Surgeon ("AAPS") and allowing the case to proceed. The AAPS complaint accused the TMB of the following: manipulation of anonymous complaints; conflicts of interest; violation of due process; breach of privacy; and retaliation against those who speak out. The key issue in the case was whether AAPS … [Read more...] about Fifth Circuit Rules Against Texas Medical Board in Due Process Case
Institute of Medicine to Conduct Year-Long Study in HIT Safety
Under the HITECH Act of 2009, the Medicare and Medicaid electronic health record ("EHR") incentive programs provide a financial reward for the meaningful use of qualified, certified EHRs to achieve health and efficiency goals. In July, CMS announced regulations outlining the initial requirements that eligible health care providers must meet to demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology for the Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments program, which CMS will administer. Also in … [Read more...] about Institute of Medicine to Conduct Year-Long Study in HIT Safety
TX Register Updates: Medical Board, Nursing Board Changes
The following information was obtained from the December 24 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearings and Notices HHSC proposes the following per diem reimbursement rates for the DADS-operated, non-state-operated ICF/MR program, effective February 1, 2011. HHSC also proposes the following per diem reimbursement rates for the DADS-operated NF program, effective February 1, 2011. See the Texas Register for details about each proposed rule. HHSC will hold a public hearing, "Medicaid … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Medical Board, Nursing Board Changes
A Doctor’s Successful Fight Against Prosecutorial Abuse
Read about it here in the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons. Here is a taste: Dr. Becker then filed a motion to suppress the evidence with the Third District Court in Utah. Subsequent to this filing, the stateprosecutor dismissed the case with prejudice, ending this part of thesaga. His reasons, explained under oath in deposition, were: As I carefully analyzed that, I had to scrutinize whether we could win that motion hearing, whether we could persuade the judge that these things … [Read more...] about A Doctor’s Successful Fight Against Prosecutorial Abuse
