The following information was obtained from the May 14 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearings and Notice HHSC will hold a public hearing on June 8, 2010, from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. on Strengthening Nonprofit Capacity. The hearing will take place in the Harlingen Cultural Arts Center Liberty Hall, 576 '76 Drive, Harlingen, Texas 78550. For more information, contact Joanne Pierce, Office of Community Collaboration, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, 9013 Tuscany Way, Suite 100, … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Strengthening Nonprofit Capacity Hearing
Texas Doctors Dropping Medicare at ‘Alarming’ Rate
The primary care physician shortage in the U.S. is well documented. The health care reform law will increase pressure on these doctors as it goes into effect. Add this to news that more doctors are opting out of Medicaid and Medicare, and the situation appears critical. According to the Houston Chronicle, doctors in Texas are essentially fleeing Medicare. The program provides health insurance coverage to people age 65 and older and those who meet certain criteria. Because of lower … [Read more...] about Texas Doctors Dropping Medicare at ‘Alarming’ Rate
More on Health Care Reform and Physician-Owned Hospitals
The Heritage Foundation's Rob Bluey wrote an article for the Washington Examiner about the health care reform law's effect on physician-owned hospitals. An excerpt: "Physicians at McBride Orthopedic Hospital had ambitious plans for their Oklahoma City hospital before Obamacare. Two new operating rooms and a four-bed intensive-care unit were part of a multimillion-dollar expansion project that promised to bring competition and more health care choices to the community. "But once President … [Read more...] about More on Health Care Reform and Physician-Owned Hospitals
Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Rates, TX Medical Board
The following information was obtained from the April 30 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearings and Notices On May 12 at 1:30 p.m., HHSC will hold a public hearing to receive comments proposed Medicaid rates changes to Ceravix, special fee review and medical policy changes that are part of the projects known as COR 79 and COR 119, Environmental Lead Investigation, Blood Factor Products Furnishing Fee, Hospital Beds, Cribs and Equipment - Comprehensive Care Program, Substance Use … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Rates, TX Medical Board
Health Care Reform and Medicaid Expansion
The New York Times published a story about the new health care law's burden on already burdened states. Under the bill, millions more Americans will be covered under Medicaid. An excerpt: "Able-bodied adults under 65 — now mostly ineligible unless they have dependent children — will qualify for coverage in 2014 as long as they earn no more than $14,404 (in current dollars) for a single adult and $29,326 for a family of four, or 133 percent of the federal poverty level. "Of the 32 million … [Read more...] about Health Care Reform and Medicaid Expansion
Texas Register Updates: Texas Medical Board Amendments
The following information was obtained from the April 23 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearings and Notices HHSC will hold a public hearing on May 12, 2010, at 9 a.m., to receive public comment on rates for Levels 1 through 25 under the Attendant Compensation Rate Enhancement in the ICF/MR, HCS, and TxHmL programs. The hearing will be held in the Lone Star Conference Room of the Health and Human Services Commission, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric Boulevard, … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Texas Medical Board Amendments
CMS News: Physician Payment Rates, Inpatient Care
Physicians will get a temporary reprieve from Medicare reimbursement payment cuts. Last week, President Barack Obama signed into law the Continuing Extension Act of 2010, which holds off a payment reduction through May 31, 2010. The law is retroactive to April 1, 2010. "The Administration has repeatedly stated that the formula that determines what physicians and others are paid under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule is broken and needs to be fixed. We will continue to work with Congress to … [Read more...] about CMS News: Physician Payment Rates, Inpatient Care
Texas Register Updates: Social Security Act Amendments
The following information was obtained from the April 16 issue of the Texas Register: HHSC intends to submit amendments to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, that would modify the reimbursement methodology in the Texas Medicaid State Plan as a result of the General Appropriations Act. HHSC intends to submit other amendments that would modify the reimbursement methodologies in the Texas Medicaid State Plan as a result of Medicaid fee … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Social Security Act Amendments
Here’s A Little Medical Humor
Wall Street Journal on the Doctor Shortage
Last week we mentioned that one of the new health care reform law's purposes is to attract more doctors to the primary care field. The Wall Street Journal covers the well-reported fact that the law will challenge hospitals and medical schools as millions more Americans are added to the Medicaid program. To draw more doctors to primary care, the law will raise the reimbursement rate, but maybe only temporarily. From the WSJ: The U.S. has 352,908 primary-care doctors now, and the college … [Read more...] about Wall Street Journal on the Doctor Shortage
