And these are the people who judge your parenting skills. … [Read more...] about Child “Welfare” Takes Wrong Children from School
Information Letters and Alerts: HCS, Medicaid Hospice
HCS providers and MR authorities: Section 9.166(b)(3)(A) of HCS Rule directs revision of the HCS Individual Plan of Care (IPC) to be developed by the service planning team (SPT) and the program provider. Effective the date of this letter, DADS will consider the following process to be in compliance with this direction: If the IPC revision is to increase or decrease the hours, units, or dollars for an existing HCS service on a current, authorized HCS IPC and does not require a new … [Read more...] about Information Letters and Alerts: HCS, Medicaid Hospice
Doctors Urge Medicare Cut Delay
Years ago, policymakers created a payment formula for Medicare designed to make small adjustments every year to cut costs. As deadlines for pay cuts loomed, Congress passed short-term fixes to delay the cuts. Now physicians are facing a 23 percent cut in Medicare reimbursement rates starting December 1, and groups like the American Medical Association are urging Congress to delay the cut. The Associated Press features a cancer surgeon who tells her story. Neither Democrats nor newly … [Read more...] about Doctors Urge Medicare Cut Delay
82nd Legislative Session: New House and Senate Bills
The following bills (which may affect long term care providers) were recently introduced in the 82nd Legislative Session: HB 297: Relating to certain federal health care legislation; imposing penalties. HB 309: Relating to the establishment of the supportive living facility pilot program. SB 204: Relating to insurance coverage for certain devices used in the treatment of diabetes. SB 190: Relating to the licensing and regulation of physicians, physician assistants, acupuncturists, and … [Read more...] about 82nd Legislative Session: New House and Senate Bills
TX Register Updates: Correction, TANF Hearing
The following information was obtained from the November 12 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices HHSC published an intent to submit an amendment that would modify reimbursement for Medicaid State Plan for Case Management for Infants and Toddlers with Development Delays program by ending the Time and Financial Information system used to collect time and financial information. The notice listed the incorrect effective date: October 22, 2010. The correct effective date is October 23, … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Correction, TANF Hearing
Information and Provider Letters: HCSSA, CLASS, CBA, ICM, Etc.
DADS issued the following information and provider letters: HCS, CLASS, CBA, HCSSA, ICM, DBMD, CWP, TxHmL, PHC, CAS, and DAHS: DADS will expand utilization management and review activities for its Medicaid community entitlement and waiver programs, effective January 1, 2011. (Letter) HCSSA: DADS issued this letter to notify these providers that using rubber stamps for registered nurse signatures is not accepted. Each entry to the client record must be signed and dated by the … [Read more...] about Information and Provider Letters: HCSSA, CLASS, CBA, ICM, Etc.
82nd Legislative Session: New Senate Bills
The following bills (which may affect long term care providers) were recently introduced in the 82nd Legislative Session: SB 30: Relating to a pilot project to establish a comprehensive single point of entry for long-term services and supports provided to the aged and physically disabled individuals. SB 33: Relating to the period of continuous eligibility for the medical assistance program. SB 43: Relating to the civil liability of an employer or former employer of a mental health … [Read more...] about 82nd Legislative Session: New Senate Bills
82nd Legislative Session: New House Bills
The following bills (which may affect long term care providers) were recently introduced in the 82nd Legislative Session: HB 28: Relating to reimbursement for health care services provided at certain times to persons enrolled in the Medicaid managed care program. HB 32: Relating to the prohibition of required health insurance coverage. HB 39: Relating to a court's authority to order a proposed patient to receive extended outpatient mental health services. HB 57: Relating to the … [Read more...] about 82nd Legislative Session: New House Bills
TX Register Updates: Texas CHIP, STAR Program Changes
The following information was obtained from the November 5 issue of the Texas Register Public Notices HHSC intends to submit an amendment to the Texas CHIP to assure that dental coverage includes dental benefits from each of the required categories of care. HHSC proposes to eliminate the current dental tiers, remove the coverage limits based on preventive dental services and therapeutic dental services, and provide all CHIP members coverage up to $564 per 12-month enrollment … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Texas CHIP, STAR Program Changes
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
