The reelection of President Barack Obama means the health care reform law will be implemented. Although the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states would have the option to expand Medicaid, the administration likely expects most states to comply. Texas is one of several states whose governors say they will not expand Medicaid or set up a state insurance exchange. Perhaps this is part of the reason the administration has twice extended the deadline for states to set up insurance exchanges. An … [Read more...] about Obama Admin Extends State Insurance Exchange Deadline
Search Results for: house
Partial Medicaid Expansion?
The Wall Street Journal published a story on how some states might partially expand Medicaid under the new health care reform law, rather than implementing a complete overhaul. Will Texas join these states? Governor Rick Perry said Texas won't expand the Medicaid program or set up state insurance exchanges. Indiana, New Mexico and Wisconsin are among the states asking the federal government to let them omit from the Medicaid expansion residents whose incomes put them just above the poverty … [Read more...] about Partial Medicaid Expansion?
Long Term Care Providers and the Election
To say that long term care providers will be impacted by the presidential election two months away is an understatement. The political parties have different philosophies and approaches to Medicaid and Medicare, and whoever ends up in the White House will seek to push through his priorities. The New York Times reports on the health care law and the election. An excerpt: To fulfill the law's goal of near-universal coverage, the president envisions adding as many as 17 million people to the … [Read more...] about Long Term Care Providers and the Election
TX Register Updates: Dual Eligibles, TANF, and SNAP
The following information was obtained from the April 20 issue of the Texas Register. Proposed Rules HHSC proposes to amend §354.1143, Coordination of Medicaid with Medicare Parts A, B, and C, which would authorize HHSC to make higher cost-sharing payments for dual eligibles for certain services if HHSC determines it's necessary to ensure adequate access or that it would be more cost-effective. For details, see the Texas Register. HHSC also proposed to amend §355.8065, Disproportionate … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Dual Eligibles, TANF, and SNAP
Medicaid Managed Care: Prescription Drugs
The Texas Tribune reports that prescription drugs will be a part of Medicaid managed care as it expands across the state. Pharmacists, who probably will see reimbursement cuts, object. An excerpt: “I am totally scared to death,” Louis Rumsey, a pharmacist who owns Elam Road Pharmacy in South Dallas, told a joint committee of Texas House and Senate members on Wednesday. Rumsey, who is making plans to sell the pharmacy over the managed care changes, said 85 percent of the patients he serves are … [Read more...] about Medicaid Managed Care: Prescription Drugs
TX Register Updates: Expanded Medicaid Managed Care
The following was obtained from the February 24 issue of the Texas Register: Adopted Rules HHSC adopted new §351.507, adverse licensing, listing, or registration decisions by HHS agencies, which authorizes each HHS agency to consider adverse decisions made by other HHS agencies when considering an application or renewal filed with that agency by another agency's licensee. See the Texas Register for details. HHSC adopted amendments to §§353.1 - 353.5, Medicaid managed care general … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Expanded Medicaid Managed Care
Physicians Avoid Medicare Payment Cuts
Last Friday, Congress voted to prevent a 27 percent cut in Medicare payments for physicians for 2012. The Kaiser Health Network's Jackie Judd interviewed colleague Mary Agnes Carey about the agreement. An excerpt: JACKIE JUDD: Good Day, this is Health on the Hill. I’m Jackie Judd. Breaking news from Capitol Hill where Senate and House negotiators have reached agreement on the "doc fix," so that physicians treating Medicare patients will not have payments slashed by 27 percent later this month. … [Read more...] about Physicians Avoid Medicare Payment Cuts
Obama’s 2013 Budget: Reduced Reimbursements
Once again providers will bear the brunt of budget cuts. The Obama administration's FY 2013 budget, released Monday, would cut spending on Medicare and Medicaid by close to $360 billion over the next 10 years, and most of the reduction is to providers and drug companies. Additionally, to compensate for ever-shrinking funds, the Obama administration proposed to raise Medicare premiums for retirees and higher-income seniors beginning in 2017. (Associated Press) The budget will become even … [Read more...] about Obama’s 2013 Budget: Reduced Reimbursements
TX Register Updates: TANF Changes
The following information was obtained from the February 3 issue of the Texas Register: HHSC proposed amendments to §355.101, Introduction, and §355.107, Notification of Exclusions and Adjustments. The changes would create a formal definition for the term "line item" and eliminate a reference to auditors. HHSC also proposed to amend §372.107, persons excluded from TANF certified group, and §372.1402, changes a SNAP household must report. The proposed rules would correct outdated rule … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: TANF Changes
Recent Reforms to the Texas Medical Board Disciplinary Process
Effective September 1, 2011, House Bill 680 moderately reforms the disciplinary process of the Texas Medical Board (“TMB”). The key points of the reform are listed below. Anonymous complaints: The TMB will no longer accept anonymous complaints. “Anonymous” is defined as a complaint that “lacks sufficient information to identify the source or the name of the person who filed the complaint.” That is, the TMB has to be able to identify the complainant. However, the TMB does not have to inform … [Read more...] about Recent Reforms to the Texas Medical Board Disciplinary Process
