The Houston Chronicle reported that in the last two years, about 350 Texas doctors have dropped the Medicare program. In 2008, 62 percent of those doctors were primary care physicians. Something similar is happening with Medicaid, the government health insurance program for low-income individuals and families. In the age of lower reimbursement rates, specializing may be a more attractive option for medical students than going into primary care. Would a solo practice trend encourage more … [Read more...] about Solo Primary Care Physicians
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst: Health Care Law Will Bust Budget
Sources report that doctors, concerned about an onslaught of new patients, coupled with low reimbursement rates, are opting out of Medicare and Medicaid programs. The new health care reform law will introduce millions more patients into Medicaid., and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst expressed concerns about the $27 billion in extra costs the state will face under the new law: "That's an astounding number for us. We're on the hook for all those folks we've been trying to get to sign up for … [Read more...] about Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst: Health Care Law Will Bust Budget
Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Buy-In, Medical Board, GME
The following information was obtained from the July 23 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notice HHSC intends to submit Amendment 798, Transmittal Number TX 10-046, to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, which would exempt certain groups enrolled in the Medicaid Buy-in program from being required to pay premiums or other cost sharing charges. See the Texas Register for details. Proposed Rules The Texas Medical Board proposes … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Buy-In, Medical Board, GME
Texas Register Updates: Texas Medical Board, Nursing Facilities
The following information was obtained from the July 16 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearing and Notice HHSC will hold a public hearing on August 2, 2010, at 1:30 p.m., to receive comment on proposed Medicaid payments for Case Management for Children and Pregnant Women, to be held in the Lone Star Conference Room of HHSC, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric Boulevard, Austin, Texas. Send written comments to the attention of Rate Analysis, HHSC, Rate Analysis, Mail … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Texas Medical Board, Nursing Facilities
Texas Doctors May Drop State Medicaid
As Medicare goes, so goes Medicaid. Physicians in Texas are leaving Medicare, according to the Houston Chronicle. In the last two years, about 350 Texas doctors have dropped the program. In 2008, 62 percent of Texas doctors opting out of Medicare were primary care physicians. Something similar is happening with Medicaid, the government health insurance program for low-income individuals and families. NBC reports that over three million poor and disabled people in the state are covered by … [Read more...] about Texas Doctors May Drop State Medicaid
Texas Register Updates: June 25 Issue
The following information was obtained from the June 25 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices HHSC has proposed and adopted Medicaid payment rates for contracts not participating in the Attendant Compensation Rate Enhancement (the Enhancement) and the attendant compensation base rate for contracts participating in the Enhancement for non-state operated ICF/MR residential services and day habilitation services. HHSC also proposed new per diem reimbursement rates for the non-state … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: June 25 Issue
Number of Doctors Refusing Medicare Patients Growing
We wanted to point you to another news story about the growing number of doctors who no longer accept Medicare patients. An excerpt from USA Today: Recent surveys by national and state medical societies have found more doctors limiting Medicare patients, partly because Congress has failed to stop an automatic 21% cut in payments that doctors already regard as too low. The cut went into effect Friday, even as the Senate approved a six-month reprieve. The House has approved a different bill. • … [Read more...] about Number of Doctors Refusing Medicare Patients Growing
Physicians Seek Injunction Against Health Care Reform Law
Under the new health care reform law, physician-owned hospitals face limitations. According to Investors.com, a physician-owned hospital that seeks to expand must, among other things, apply to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services only once every two years, and it must wait for a period of time for community input. Additionally, the hospital's bed occupancy rate can't exceed the state average. Opponents of physician-owned hospitals say that doctors may base medical decisions on how … [Read more...] about Physicians Seek Injunction Against Health Care Reform Law
Texas Register Updates: NFs, TX Medical Board
The following information was obtained from the May 28 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearing and Notices HHSC will hold a public hearing on June 15, 2010, at 1 p.m., to receive public comment on proposed payment rates for the state-owned veterans nursing facilities, to be held in the Permian Basin Room of the HHSC, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric Boulevard, Austin, Texas. HHSC intends to submit Transmittal Number 10-022, Amendment Number 915, to the Texas State … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: NFs, TX Medical Board
Doctors May See 21.3 Percent Medicare Cut
Last week we linked to an article in the Houston Chronicle about doctors in Texas dropping out of the Medicare program. The program provides health insurance coverage to people age 65 and older and those who meet certain criteria. Because of lower reimbursement rates and other problems, many physicians are no longer accepting Medicare patients. For doctors still accepting Medicare patients, the problem may get worse. Starting June 1, physicians will see a 21.3 percent cut in Medicare … [Read more...] about Doctors May See 21.3 Percent Medicare Cut
