The following bills (which may affect long term care providers) were recently introduced in the 82nd Legislative Session: HB 13: Relating to the Medicaid program and alternate methods of providing health services to low-income persons in this state. HB 2453: Relating to the release of complaint information by the Texas Medical Board to the legislature. HB 2474: Relating to eligibility for and administration of the child health plan program. HB 2478: Relating to the provision of … [Read more...] about House and Senate Bills: Week of 3/7 and 3/11
House and Senate Bills: Week of 2/28 and 3/7
The following bills (which may affect long term care providers) were recently introduced in the 82nd Legislative Session: HB 1947: Relating to the personal needs allowance for certain Medicaid recipients who are residents of long-term care facilities. HB 2041: Relating to alternative methods of dispute resolution in certain disputes between the Department of Aging and Disability Services and an assisted living facility licensed by the department. HB 2079: Relating to the administration … [Read more...] about House and Senate Bills: Week of 2/28 and 3/7
Bill May Open Medicare Data; Medicaid News
The Wall Street Journal reports that lawmakers seek to make public what physicians earn through Medicare, which would overturn a 32-year-old law that bars the public from the data. The rationale behind the move is to identify fraud and waste in the federal program. An excerpt: Currently, the government is effectively barred from releasing how much money any individual doctor earns from Medicare by the 1979 injunction. That injunction stemmed from a lawsuit filed by the Florida Medical … [Read more...] about Bill May Open Medicare Data; Medicaid News
Information and Provider Letters: HCS, TxHmL, CDSAs, Etc.
DADS released 12 information and provider letters: DBMD: HHSC approved new payment rates for Employment Assistance and Supported Employment in the DBMD waiver program effective, February 1, 2011: Employment Assistance $33.44; Supported Employment $33.44. (Letter) NF Administrators, Social Workers, and Rehabilitation Therapy staff: DADS clarified the provision of specialized services to Medicaid-eligible nursing facility residents and Preadmission Screening and Resident Review … [Read more...] about Information and Provider Letters: HCS, TxHmL, CDSAs, Etc.
Why Should You Have a Compliance Program?
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ("PPACA") mandates in Sections 6102 and 6401 that a broad range of providers, suppliers, and physicians adopt compliance and ethics programs. By March 23, 2013, skilled nursing facilities and other nursing facilities must have “in operation” a compliance and ethics program that meets the PPACA’s criteria. Although the PPACA's requirements for nursing facilities are specific, the PPACA also contains broad compliance program requirements for all other … [Read more...] about Why Should You Have a Compliance Program?
Medicare Seeks to Reward High Quality of Care
Last week, CMS proposed a rule to reward hospitals based on high quality of patient care, a requirement under the health care reform law. Under "value-based purchasing," high-performing hospitals will receive higher Medicare payments. "Today's proposal is a huge leap forward in improving the quality and safety of America’s hospitals for both Medicare beneficiaries and all Americans," CMS administrator Donald Berwick said. "The hospital value-based purchasing program will reward hospitals for … [Read more...] about Medicare Seeks to Reward High Quality of Care
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
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
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
Midterm Elections and Health Care Reform
Yesterday, the Republicans regained control of the U.S. House of Representatives, capturing 60+ seats and gaining at least six seats in the U.S. Senate. Republicans also won key governor races across the country. How do these state and national results affect providers? Republican victors have vowed to repeal President Barack Obama's health care reform law, an almost impossible task given the Democratic Senate and White House. From Kaiser Health News: While unable to overturn the federal … [Read more...] about Midterm Elections and Health Care Reform
