According to a new report by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the health care reform bill would cost $289 billion over the next 10 years. Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives asked CMS to prepare the report. To pay for the health care system overhaul, Medicare would be reduced by over $500 billion, which in turn would reduce benefits for seniors enrolled in Medicare and impact access for millions of Americans. The report also concluded that hospitals and … [Read more...] about CMS: Health Care Reform Will Cost $289 Billion
Texas Register: Rates Changes, NF Eligibility Changes
The following information was obtained from the October 30 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices HHSC intends to submit an amendment to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, which would modify the reimbursement methodologies in the Texas Medicaid State Plan as a result of Medicaid rate changes for Primary Home Care, and Day Activity and Health Services. You may obtain copies of the proposed amendment from Pam McDonald, Director of Rate Analysis for Long Term Care, by mail … [Read more...] about Texas Register: Rates Changes, NF Eligibility Changes
Are Doctors Dropping Medicare Patients?
In the past month, we've blogged about the travails of doctors, especially primary care physicians. As doctors reduce patient loads and medical students opt to specialize to earn more money, the primary care physicians shortage will only grow. The American Academy of Family Physicians said there will be 40,000 fewer such doctors in 10 years. The group predicts 160,000 fewer primary care doctors by 2025. One solution to the impending shortage is to increase residency positions at teaching … [Read more...] about Are Doctors Dropping Medicare Patients?
Provider and Information Letters: HCS, TxHmL, CDSAs
DADS released one provider and three information letters: HCSSAs: All Medicare-approved home health agencies or those seeking approval under Medicare must comply with Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS)-C requirements. Download the patient classification table here and the letter here. HCS, TxHmL, and CDSAs: HHSC approved new payment rates for these programs, effective September 1, available at the HHSC Rate Analysis web page and TxHmL web page. Download the letter for … [Read more...] about Provider and Information Letters: HCS, TxHmL, CDSAs
Texas Register Updates: ICF/MR, DBMD, CLASS, Etc.
The following public notices were obtained from the October 16 issue of the Texas Register: HHSC adopted the following per diem reimbursement rates: Per Diem Rates for Large, State-Operated ICF/MR Services Large State-Operated ICF/MR Facilities-Medicaid Only clients Adopted interim daily rate: $469.88 Large State-Operated ICF/MR Facilities - Dual-eligible Medicaid/Medicare clients Adopted interim daily rate: $450.30 Per Diem Rate for Small, State-Operated ICF/MR Services … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: ICF/MR, DBMD, CLASS, Etc.
Primary Care Physician Shortage Bills ‘Anemic’
According to the Kaiser Network, congressional bills set to extend health insurance to the presently uninsured don't address how primary care physicians will deal with the heavy load of new patients. The American Academy of Family Physicians said there will be 40,000 fewer such doctors in 10 years. The group predicts 160,000 fewer primary care doctors by 2025. One solution to the impending shortage is to increase residency positions at teaching hospitals. We blogged last week about medical … [Read more...] about Primary Care Physician Shortage Bills ‘Anemic’
Recession and Nursing Facilities
How is the recession affecting nursing facilities? According to the Associated Press, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services cut Medicare rates to nursing facilities (NFs) by $16 billion over 10 years. These facilities can expect more cuts if President Barack Obama's health care reform bill becomes law. American Health Care Association (AHCA) president and CEO Bruce Yarwood said, "As health reform deliberations continue, we respectfully urge lawmakers to keep in mind that any … [Read more...] about Recession and Nursing Facilities
Trouble for Medicaid, Primary Care Doctors
President Barack Obama proposes to expand Medicaid to cover some uninsured Americans. Obviously, the expansion would involve taxpayers forking over a great deal of money, which would put more pressure on already cash-strapped states. Arizona, for example, has the highest Medicaid rate in the country, and would face a "financial tsunami" under Obama's plan. Florida has seen money-saving results when it moved thousands of Medicaid patients into private managed care plans. Patients' bills were … [Read more...] about Trouble for Medicaid, Primary Care Doctors
Provider and Information Letters: ICFs/MR, Assisted Living, NFs
DADS issued three provider and three information letters last week: DADS notified ICFs/MR providers of amendments to Section 252.122 of the Health and Safety Code, Section 261.109 of the Family Code, Section 48.052 of the Human Resources Code, and Section 22.04 of the Penal Code, which added new language. Example (new language in bold): "Notification of duty to report abuse, neglect and exploitation. Each facility shall require each employee of the facility, as a condition of employment … [Read more...] about Provider and Information Letters: ICFs/MR, Assisted Living, NFs
Rising Costs Affect Medicaid Expansion and Primary Care Physicians
The question in the health care reform debate is not whether Medicaid and providers will be affected by changes, but rather how they will be affected. The goal of Barack Obama's health care reform plan is to reduce the number of uninsured Americans. Doing so will cost money. The News-Leader reports that under the president's plan, uninsured people with low incomes would be covered by Medicaid. Lawmakers have grappled over expanding Medicaid for years, and the debate will only grow louder if … [Read more...] about Rising Costs Affect Medicaid Expansion and Primary Care Physicians
