-- "The House of Representatives passed a 3-month patch late Thursday to stabilize physicians' Medicare payments -- delaying dramatic cuts scheduled for 2014 -- while Congress works on a permanent repeal of Medicare's sustainable growth rate (SGR) payment formula." - MedPageToday -- "Long-term care providers have lambasted the current [outpatient therapy payment] system, which requires Medicare contractors to manually review claims in excess of a set annual amount. Providers and government … [Read more...] about LTC News: MedPAC Calls for SNF Cuts
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Alerts and News: Court Decision, STAR+PLUS Mistake
-- HHSC adopted amendments to §9.553, Definitions; §9.555, Definitions of TxHmL program service components; §9.567, Process for Enrollment; §9.578, Program Provider Certification Principles: Service Delivery; and §9.583, TxHmL program principles for local authorities, in Subchapter N, TxHmL Program, Chapter 9, Intellectual Disability Services--Medicaid State Operating Agency Responsibilities. -- From the news alert page: Some DADS waiver clients were enrolled in STAR+PLUS or got STAR+PLUS … [Read more...] about Alerts and News: Court Decision, STAR+PLUS Mistake
News Alerts/LTC News: 11/26 Comment Ends, 12/5 Meeting, 12/12 Webinar
-- DADS will hold a quality improvement webinar for Financial Management Services Agencies (FMSA), which is mandatory for FMSAs with a contract with DADS. The webinar is scheduled for Thursday, December 12, 2013, 1:30-3:30 p.m. You may reserve your seat here. -- From the news alert page: Due to software technical difficulties experienced over the holiday weekend, DADS may not have received any faxed Provider Investigation Report, DADS Form 3613 or 3613-A. Please refax any Provider … [Read more...] about News Alerts/LTC News: 11/26 Comment Ends, 12/5 Meeting, 12/12 Webinar
LTC News: Drs. Medicare Payment
-- "The Democratic and Republican leaders of two key congressional committees have agreed on a framework to scrap the problematic Medicare payment formula for physicians and replace it with one that would link physician reimbursement to the quality of care provided, a step that could put an end to the annual "doc fix" debate." - Kaiser -- "A bill in the House of Representatives aims to create a 'trusted provider' status in the Medicare program, which would potentially streamline the … [Read more...] about LTC News: Drs. Medicare Payment
LTC News: ACA Discussion, Gov’t Shutdown
-- "Although CMS posted the new manual Tuesday, just one week before it goes into effect, the agency previously had issued guidance to long-term care providers on notable changes regarding therapy and nutritional status." - McKnight's -- "The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has decided to ease guidelines concerning auditors' requests for additional documentation. CMS is giving providers a small break by saying auditors should accept additional documentation submissions in a … [Read more...] about LTC News: ACA Discussion, Gov’t Shutdown
Nursing Facility News
-- "Hospice workers who provide care for residents of skilled nursing facilities will have to provide more detailed claim data starting next year, according to recently released requirements from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services." – McKnight's -- "A new House bill aims to improve the nursing home survey process, enhance whistleblower protections for surveyors and establish an advisory committee for CMS that would include skilled nursing facility administrators, directors of … [Read more...] about Nursing Facility News
LTC News: Home Health, Hospice
-- "A proposed rule released Thursday would cause home health agencies to experience a 1.5 percent reduction in their Medicare payments for 2014, which the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services estimates could reduce payments to these facilities by $290 million next year." - News Medical -- "The Commission on Long-Term Care held its first meeting Thursday [June 28] on Capitol Hill with some members acknowledging that their late start adds to their challenges in offering Congress … [Read more...] about LTC News: Home Health, Hospice
Introduced Bill, Resolution, and Provider News
HB 61: Relating to the applicability of adverse licensing, listing, or registration decisions by certain health and human services agencies. SJR 6: Proposing a constitutional amendment requiring the state to expand eligibility for the Medicaid program to certain persons. -- "Despite a shortage of U.S. primary care doctors, less than 25 percent of new doctors go into this field, and fewer still work in rural areas, researchers say...Lead study author Dr. Candice Chen, an assistant research … [Read more...] about Introduced Bill, Resolution, and Provider News
CMS News and Texas Bills
-- CMS "could take a variety of steps to make audits less burdensome, healthcare providers stated in white papers submitted to members of the Senate Finance Committee. The committee released a report Thursday, summarizing stakeholders' input and recommendations for improving the audit process." – McKnight's -- CMS "has revised the provider certification manual for hospitals, giving more in-depth guidelines around discharge planning. The goal is for hospitals to reduce readmissions by … [Read more...] about CMS News and Texas Bills
Bills and Provider Bundled Payments
The following recently introduced House and Senate bills could affect long term care providers: HB 913: Relating to licensing and regulation of certain facilities providing personal care to persons who are elderly or disabled. HB 914: Relating to reimbursement rates for certain therapy services provided to Medicaid recipients. HB 909: Relating to the personal needs allowance for certain Medicaid recipients who are residents of long-term care facilities. SB 337: Relating to … [Read more...] about Bills and Provider Bundled Payments
