The following bills (which may affect long term care providers) were recently introduced in the 82nd Legislative Session: SB 263: Relating to the revocation or suspension of the license of a physician placed on deferred adjudication community supervision or arrested for certain offenses. SB 278: Relating to the personal needs allowance for certain Medicaid recipients who are residents of long-term care facilities. … [Read more...] about 82nd Legislative Session: Senate Bills
TX Register Updates: Medical Board, DBMD Changes,
The following information was obtained from the December 10 issue of the Texas Register: Proposed Rules The Texas Medical Board proposes to amend §163.13, concerning Expedited Licensure Process, which would delete language that requires applicants for an expedited license to practice medicine to submit proof of eligibility for a visa immigration waiver. The board proposes to amend §171.2, concerning Construction, and §171.5, concerning Duties of PIT Holders to Report, which would remove … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Medical Board, DBMD Changes,
Texas Providers to See Medicaid Fee Cut
The Dallas Morning News reports that doctors, dentists, hospitals, nursing facilities, and home health providers will see cuts in Medicaid reimbursement fees, effective February 1, 2011. After state leaders directed agencies to reduce spending by 2.5 percent, state Medicaid program managers announced that long term care providers would see a two percent reduction. Leaders seek to reduce spending in the two-year budget before the next budget. An excerpt: Last May, the leaders culled lists of … [Read more...] about Texas Providers to See Medicaid Fee Cut
Congress Delays Physician Medicare Cuts
Earlier this month, we blogged about doctors urging Congress to delay Medicare cuts. Policymakers created a payment formula for Medicare designed to make small adjustments every year to cut costs. Since then, Congress has passed short-term fixes to delay the cuts. Physicians faced a 23 percent cut in Medicare reimbursement rates starting December 1, but sources report that yesterday, Congress delayed cuts for only one month. From the AP: "This bill is a stopgap measure to make sure that seniors … [Read more...] about Congress Delays Physician Medicare Cuts
TX Register Updates: Medicaid, Nurses, and Physicians
HHSC intends to submit Transmittal Number 10-068, Amendment Number 961, to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, which would update the service description to clarify the scope of service and provider qualifications for specialized rehabilitative services provided by Early Childhood Intervention providers. For more information, see the Texas Register. The Texas Board of Nursing approved revisions to the Differentiated Entry Level Competencies of Graduates of Texas Nursing Programs, … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Medicaid, Nurses, and Physicians
82nd Legislative Session: New House and Senate Bills
The following bills (which may affect long term care providers) were recently introduced in the 82nd Legislative Session: HB 329: Relating to a pilot project to establish a comprehensive access point for long-term services and supports provided to older persons and persons with physical disabilities. HB 335: Relating to implementation and requirements of certain health care reform laws. SB 219: Relating to health and mental health services for children in foster care and kinship … [Read more...] about 82nd Legislative Session: New House and Senate Bills
Doctors Urge Medicare Cut Delay
Years ago, policymakers created a payment formula for Medicare designed to make small adjustments every year to cut costs. As deadlines for pay cuts loomed, Congress passed short-term fixes to delay the cuts. Now physicians are facing a 23 percent cut in Medicare reimbursement rates starting December 1, and groups like the American Medical Association are urging Congress to delay the cut. The Associated Press features a cancer surgeon who tells her story. Neither Democrats nor newly … [Read more...] about Doctors Urge Medicare Cut Delay
82nd Legislative Session: New House and Senate Bills
The following bills (which may affect long term care providers) were recently introduced in the 82nd Legislative Session: HB 297: Relating to certain federal health care legislation; imposing penalties. HB 309: Relating to the establishment of the supportive living facility pilot program. SB 204: Relating to insurance coverage for certain devices used in the treatment of diabetes. SB 190: Relating to the licensing and regulation of physicians, physician assistants, acupuncturists, and … [Read more...] about 82nd Legislative Session: New House and Senate Bills
TX Register Updates: Correction, TANF Hearing
The following information was obtained from the November 12 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices HHSC published an intent to submit an amendment that would modify reimbursement for Medicaid State Plan for Case Management for Infants and Toddlers with Development Delays program by ending the Time and Financial Information system used to collect time and financial information. The notice listed the incorrect effective date: October 22, 2010. The correct effective date is October 23, … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Correction, TANF Hearing
TX Register Updates: Texas CHIP, STAR Program Changes
The following information was obtained from the November 5 issue of the Texas Register Public Notices HHSC intends to submit an amendment to the Texas CHIP to assure that dental coverage includes dental benefits from each of the required categories of care. HHSC proposes to eliminate the current dental tiers, remove the coverage limits based on preventive dental services and therapeutic dental services, and provide all CHIP members coverage up to $564 per 12-month enrollment … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Texas CHIP, STAR Program Changes
