The following information was obtained from the June 12 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearings The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will hold a public hearing on July 1, 2009, at 9 a.m. to receive public comment on rate increases for the Community Based Alternatives waiver program, the Community Living Assistance and Support Services waiver program, the Deaf-Blind with Multiple Disabilities waiver program, and others. The hearing will be held in the Lone Star … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Changes to Physicians Assistants Section, Etc.
Texas Register Updates: Rates for Tuberculosis Clinic Services
The following information was obtained from the June 5 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will hold a public hearing on June 24, 2009, at 1:30 p.m. to receive public comment on the proposed Medicaid payment rates for Tuberculosis Clinic services. The hearing will be held in the Lone Star Conference Room of HHSC, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric Boulevard, Austin, Texas. HHSC announced its intent to submit … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Rates for Tuberculosis Clinic Services
Nursing-Related Bills
The following nursing-related bills may affect certain providers: HB 392 - Relating to the availability and use of automated external defibrillators in nursing homes and related institutions. HB 703 - Relating to fall prevention awareness. HB 1081 - Relating to requiring posting of certain information regarding nursing homes and related institutions on the Department of Aging and Disability Services website. HB 2248 - Relating to an emergency management plan for certain health care … [Read more...] about Nursing-Related Bills
Texas Register Updates: Texas Medical Board Reviews and Changes
The following information was obtained from the April 24 and May 1 issues of the Texas Register: Public Notices On May 14, 2009, at 1 p.m., the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will hold a public hearing on proposed payment rates for nursing facilities. The hearing will take place in the Permian Basin Room of the Health and Human Services Commission, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric Blvd., Austin, Texas. See the relevant section of the Texas Register for … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Texas Medical Board Reviews and Changes
Primary Care Physician Shortage
The shortage of nurses in the United States is well documented. As baby boom-generation nurses retire and others leave the profession because of burn-out, the shortage will continue to increase. What is not discussed as often in mainstream press is the shortage of physicians. The shortage of primary care doctors will have the most impact on people without insurance and people who'll need long term care, such as older Americans. Because a medical education is so expensive, many are opting to … [Read more...] about Primary Care Physician Shortage
More Medicaid-Related Bills
The following Medicaid-related bills may affect providers: HB 1876 - Relating to creating the health care access fund to recruit health care providers in health professional shortage areas and to support federally-qualified health centers and to using for those purposes revenue from a tax imposed on certain tobacco products. HB 1878 - Relating to monitoring physicians' compliance with continuing medical education requirements. HB 1888 - Relating to standards required for certain … [Read more...] about More Medicaid-Related Bills
Texas Register Updates: Texas Medical Board Emergency Rule, Etc.
The following information was obtained from the March 27 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced its intent to submit an amendment to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, which will modify the reimbursement methodology for clinical laboratory services in the Texas Medicaid State Plan as a result of Medicaid fee changes. HHSC also announced its intent to submit an … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Texas Medical Board Emergency Rule, Etc.
More Legislative Bills
The following recently introduced bills may affect providers: HB 1897 - Relating to transportation services provided to aged or disabled clients of certain programs and facilities. HB 1905 - Relating to studying the costs and benefits of a pilot program for services for adults with autism. HB 2558 - Relating to registration for evacuation and disaster preparedness for clients of home and community support services agencies. HB 3142 - Relating to reimbursement rates for nursing home … [Read more...] about More Legislative Bills
Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Per Diem, Reimbursement Methodologies
The following information was obtained from the March 6, 13, and 20 issues of the Texas Register: Public Meetings and Notices The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will hold a public meeting on March 30, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. to receive public comment on the proposed interim per diem Medicaid reimbursement rate for large, state-operated Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation, operated by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services. The … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Per Diem, Reimbursement Methodologies
Texas Register Updates: STAR+PLUS Changes
The following information was obtained from the February 27 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced its intent to submit to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services a request to amend the State of Texas Access Reform + PLUS (STAR+PLUS) program, to integrate delivery of acute and long-term care services through a managed care system. HHSC also intends to submit an amendment to the Texas State Plan for Medical … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: STAR+PLUS Changes
