The following was obtained from the August 26 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notice HHSC issued an amended public notice of intent to seek a waiver from CMS to expand the STAR+PLUS program. An excerpt: The waiver request, in its final form, is now available to the public, as described below. HHSC is publishing this amended notice to alert interested parties that the comment period will remain open to take comments on the waiver request until 5:00 p.m., August 31, 2011. The waivers … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Amended Notice, Abolished SKIP
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ILs & PLs: HHA Survey Process, PAS Reminder
DADS released two provider and two information letters: HSCCAs that provide HHA and L&C Applicants: CMS revised the existing HHA survey process. Among the changes: more emphasis on data collection from staff interviews, clinical records, and home visits. (Letter) ADCs, ALFs, HSCCAs, ICFs/MR, and NFs: Effective September 1, 2011, new convictions for the offenses added by House Bill 2609 prohibit employment in facilities and agencies subject to Health and Safety Code Chapter 250. … [Read more...] about ILs & PLs: HHA Survey Process, PAS Reminder
TX Register Updates: Hearing, CHIP Changes
The following information was obtained from the July 1 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices and Hearing HHSC will hold a public hearing on July 28, 2011, at 1:30 p.m., to receive comment on proposed amendments to the administrative rule at Title 1 Texas Administrative Code ยง355.80521 that governs the payment methodology for Medicaid inpatient hospital reimbursement. The hearing will be held in the Lone Star Conference Room, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Hearing, CHIP Changes
Feds to Investigate Primary Care Physician Shortage – UPDATED
Update: Politico reports that the Obama administration has scrapped its "mystery shoppers" plan to investigate the primary care physician shortage. *** The New York Times published a story about the Obama administration's plan to determine the extent of the primary care physician shortage. The government will send people posing as patients to make appointments and find out how easy or difficult it would be to see a doctor. As the health care reform law takes effect in a few years, the … [Read more...] about Feds to Investigate Primary Care Physician Shortage – UPDATED
‘Dramatic’ Payment Cuts for Hospitals
Last week we blogged about Texas hospitals facing more Medicaid reimbursement cuts. A major source of concern is a proposed change in how hospitals are paid. Hospitals have their own unique payment rate system. Under a proposed change, hospitals would be reimbursed for Medicaid patients under a statewide average rate. According to the Texas Tribune, the proposed rate change would save millions over two years. Amanda Engle of the Texas Hospital Association (THA) commented on the proposed … [Read more...] about ‘Dramatic’ Payment Cuts for Hospitals
Nursing Facilities Most Vulnerable in Budget Battle
As Medicaid reimbursement rates for all providers may be reduced by 10 percent in the current budget battle, nursing facilities would be hit harder than other providers. According to the Texas Tribune, the shortfall is caused by a lower level of tax funding, an increased number of beneficiaries set to enter the system, and fewer federal matching funds. Texas has over 1,000 nursing facilities, and at least half could close because of reduced Medicaid payment rates. An excerpt: The care provided … [Read more...] about Nursing Facilities Most Vulnerable in Budget Battle
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
Texas May Withdraw from Medicaid
Will Texas withdraw from the Medicaid program? If you believe the news reports, it's a possibility. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is preparing a report on how ending the program would effect the state, due to be released between now and January. (Source) According to the Dallas Morning News, around three million currently uninsured Texans would be eligible for Medicaid under the health care reform law. Republicans said they will try to weaken the law to render it basically … [Read more...] about Texas May Withdraw from Medicaid
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
GOP Proposes Health Care Law Repeal in ‘Pledge to America’
In the lead-up to the November midterm elections, House Republicans have issued a "Pledge to America," which proposes changes in spending, foreign policy, national security, and other areas. Republicans also propose to repeal the health care reform law. An excerpt from the 21-page PDF document: Our Plan to Repeal the Job Killing Health Care Law and Put in Place Real Reform Repeal the Costly Health Care Takeover of 2010: Because the new health care law kills jobs, raises taxes, … [Read more...] about GOP Proposes Health Care Law Repeal in ‘Pledge to America’
