From the February 25 issue of the Texas Register: Proposed Rules The Texas Medical Board proposes to amend §164.2, Definitions; §164.4, Board Certification; and §164.6, Required Disclosures on Websites, which would add definitions, establish the process for applicants to have certifying boards approved by the Medical Board for advertising purposes, and provide that this section applies only to licensees who bill for services provided via the web. The board proposes new §166.7, Report of … [Read more...] about TX Register Update: Medical and Nursing Board Changes
House and Senate Bills: Week of 2/21
The following bills (which may affect long term care providers) were recently introduced in the 82nd Legislative Session: HB 1566: Relating to the authority of counties to appoint, contract for, or employ physicians, dentists, or other health care providers for county jails. HB 1567: Relating to the authority of certain counties to appoint, contract for, or employ physicians, dentists, or other health care providers for county jails HB 1653: Relating to the inclusion of optometrists, … [Read more...] about House and Senate Bills: Week of 2/21
House and Senate Bills: More Week of 2/14
The following bills (which may affect long term care providers) were recently introduced in the 82nd Legislative Session: HB 1468: Relating to the child health plan program. HB 1512: Relating to an electronic record of eligibility for Medicaid benefits. SB 7: Relating to strategies for and improvements in quality of health care provided through and care management in the child health plan and medical assistance programs designed to achieve healthy outcomes and efficiency. SB 8: … [Read more...] about House and Senate Bills: More Week of 2/14
TX Register Update: Targeted Case Management
From the February 18 issue of the Texas Register: HHSC intends to submit to CMS an amendment to the Texas State Plan to update the service description for targeted case management for individuals with chronic mental illness using the CMS recommended template, effective September 1, 2011. For more information, contact Perry Young by mail at Mail Code 2018, 909 W. 45th Street, P.O. Box 149347, Austin, TX 78714-9347; by telephone at (512) 206-5575; by facsimile at (512) 206-4775; or by e-mail at … [Read more...] about TX Register Update: Targeted Case Management
House and Senate Bills Filed Week of 2/14
The following bills (which may affect long term care providers) were recently introduced in the 82nd Legislative Session: HB 1320: Relating to the period of continuous eligibility for the child health plan program. HB 1332: Relating to the investigation, prosecution, and punishment of criminal Medicaid fraud and certain other offenses related to Medicaid fraud; providing penalties. HB 1333: Relating to expedited credentialing of certain physicians by managed care plans. HB 1380: … [Read more...] about House and Senate Bills Filed Week of 2/14
Texas Strives for Balance in Medicaid Cuts
Last month, Texas lawmakers released a proposed budget that would reduce Medicaid reimbursement rates by 10 percent. Rates are being reduced to the point that Texas have threatened to withdraw from the program altogether. The Dallas Morning News reports that budget writers are grappling with potential unintended consequences while figuring out which services to cut. For instance, cutting kidney dialysis treatment may cause an increase in hospital patients with severe renal disease. An … [Read more...] about Texas Strives for Balance in Medicaid Cuts
TX Register Updates: Hearing, Board of Nursing Changes
The following information was obtained from the February 11 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearing and Notice HHSC will hold a public hearing on February 15, 2011, at 1:30 p.m., to receive comments on proposed Medicaid payment rates for Substance Use Disorder - Medication Assisted Therapy for Methadone. The hearing will take place in the Lone Star Conference Room of HHSC, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric Boulevard, Austin, Texas. HHSC intends to submit an … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Hearing, Board of Nursing Changes
House Bills, Long Term Care News
The following bills (which may affect long term care providers) were recently introduced in the 82nd Legislative Session: HB 1264: Relating to establishing a separate provider type for prosthetic and orthotic providers under the medical assistance program. HB 1295: Relating to a pilot project to increase enrollee access to primary care services and simplify enrollment procedures under the child health plan program. Be sure to check previous posts with legislative bills updates. We'd … [Read more...] about House Bills, Long Term Care News
House and Senate Bills
The following bills (which may affect long term care providers) were recently introduced in the 82nd Legislative Session: HB 1034: Relating to unlawful acts against and criminal offenses involving the Medicaid program. SB 494: Relating to the authority of certain local governmental entities to borrow money for a public hospital. SB 521: Relating to the operation of certain managed care plans with respect to health care providers. SB 544: Relating to unlawful acts against and criminal … [Read more...] about House and Senate Bills
DADS News Alerts: Rescheduled Meeting, MDS 3.0
1. DADS invites all Region 4/5 Nursing, Assisted Living, and Adult Day Care Facilities to attend a provider meeting with DADS, Regulatory Services Division, Regulatory Services Division, and the area agencies on Aging of Southeast Texas, Deep East Texas, and Houston-Galveston area 1st Annual Education Project. One meeting will take place in Tyler and one in Lufkin, on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Angelina College. You may register here. 2. Attention CBA, CMPAS, DAHS, and … [Read more...] about DADS News Alerts: Rescheduled Meeting, MDS 3.0
