The Kaiser Network has released a reported titled "Financing Medicare: An Issue Brief," which gives an overview of Medicare's future, including funding issues and challenges. In other Medicare news, lawmakers say they will resume the business of Medicare, State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and Medicaid policy changes in 2008. One issue on the list is preventing a 10 percent cut in Medicare physician fees. Other issues include genetic non-discrimination and discussing the Bush … [Read more...] about Kaiser Releases Medicare Report
OIG Report: Physician-Own Specialty Hospitals Poorly Equipped to Handle Emergency Care
According to a report issued by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), only 55 percent of physician-owned specialty hospitals had emergency departments and 7 percent didn't meet Medicare requirements that an RN be present at all times or that a doctor be on call if none are present on site. (Kaiser Network) The OIG concluded that physician-owned specialty hospitals are "poorly equipped" to handle emergency care. Molly Sandvig, executive … [Read more...] about OIG Report: Physician-Own Specialty Hospitals Poorly Equipped to Handle Emergency Care
Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Reimbursement Rates, Grant Program, Etc.
The following information was obtained from the December 21 and December 28 editions of the Texas Register: Open Meetings The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will hold a public rate hearing on January 10, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. in the Palo Duro Canyon Conference Room of the Braker Center, to receive public comment on proposed Medicaid payment rates for Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Clinics. For more information, including where to send written comments, … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Reimbursement Rates, Grant Program, Etc.
Texas Medical Board is Sued in Federal Court
The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons has filed suit on behalf of its members against the Texas Medical Board. Go here to see the allegations. … [Read more...] about Texas Medical Board is Sued in Federal Court
Senate Votes to Delay Physicians Fee Cut and Extend SCHIP
Earlier this week, the U.S. Senate approved a bill that would delay a 10 percent physicians fee cut for six months. The Senate also voted to extend the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) through March 2009. (Kaiser Network) The bill would increase physicians fees by 0.5 percent for six months. Commenting on this action, the American Medical Association (AMA) said: "It is extremely disappointing that after all the hard work in the House earlier this year to replace two … [Read more...] about Senate Votes to Delay Physicians Fee Cut and Extend SCHIP
Medicare Budget News
Federal lawmakers are in budget negotiations this week. (Kaiser Network) One program under discussion is Medicare. The House of Representatives version of the Omnibus Appropriations bill includes $50 billion in cuts to Medicare Advantage plans. Max Baucus, a Democrat and chair of the Senate Finance Committee, wants to reduce cuts to $20 billion. Lawmakers will continue debating the budget bill today. Additionally, a 2004 moratorium on the building of new physician-owned specialty hospitals … [Read more...] about Medicare Budget News
Changes in Health & Safety Code Regarding Transport
As of September 1, 2007, a change has been effected in the Texas Health & Safety Code regarding transport of patients by stretcher: SECTION 14. (a) Subsection (a), Section 773.004, Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) This chapter does not apply to: (1) [a ground transfer vehicle and staff used to transport a patient who is under a physician's care between medical facilities or between a medical facility and a private … [Read more...] about Changes in Health & Safety Code Regarding Transport
Outpatient Hospital Care Reimbursements to Increase
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that Medicare outpatient hospital care reimbursements will increase by 3.8 percent in 2008. (Kaiser Network) According to CMS, this higher reimbursement rate was established because of the increased volume and complexity of outpatient hospital care services. Hospitals are required to report quality of care data, or they could see reimbursements reduced by 2 percent in 2009. In related news, CMS announced that it will reduce … [Read more...] about Outpatient Hospital Care Reimbursements to Increase
HHS Appeals Ruling Requiring Release of Medicare Physicians Claims Data
Last August, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must release Medicare physicians claims information for Illinois, Maryland, Virginia, Washington state, and the District of Columbia. (Kaiser Network) An organization called Consumers' CHECKBOOK/Center for the Study of Services sued for access to this information apparently "to help the public evaluate the performance of the program and the physicians," and HHS … [Read more...] about HHS Appeals Ruling Requiring Release of Medicare Physicians Claims Data
Update On Texas Medical Board Decision
I wrote here about a decision by the Texas Medical Board to reject an ALJ's proposal-for-decision.The case involves the Board's rejection of the ALJ's Proposal that the case against the physician be dismissed. The physician had committed a one time error by responding to a patient's request for medical records with a bill based on the amount that hospitals are allowed to charge, rather than in accordance with the Board rule laying out what physicians are allowed to charge. All of the parties … [Read more...] about Update On Texas Medical Board Decision