With passage of the HIRE Act (Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act) last month, some employers are wondering how to take advantage of the tax breaks provided by the Act. The Act offers both a payroll tax exemption and a tax credit. First, employers who hire certain unemployed workers after February 3, 2010, and before January 1, 2011, may be eligible for a payroll tax exemption of 6.2 percent. The IRS now has issued Form W-11, which employers must complete in conjunction with claiming … [Read more...] about IRS Issues HIRE Act Form for Employer Tax Break
Can Physicians Thrive Without Medicare and Insurance Plans?
Here is an interesting column about just that. It is written by Dr. George Watson, president of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons. I have previously interviewed the General Counsel for AAPS, Andy Schlafly, here. … [Read more...] about Can Physicians Thrive Without Medicare and Insurance Plans?
CMS News: Physician Payment Rates, Inpatient Care
Physicians will get a temporary reprieve from Medicare reimbursement payment cuts. Last week, President Barack Obama signed into law the Continuing Extension Act of 2010, which holds off a payment reduction through May 31, 2010. The law is retroactive to April 1, 2010. "The Administration has repeatedly stated that the formula that determines what physicians and others are paid under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule is broken and needs to be fixed. We will continue to work with Congress to … [Read more...] about CMS News: Physician Payment Rates, Inpatient Care
Information Letters for Nursing Facilities
DADS developed Form 1018 - Specialized Services Customized Manual Wheelchair Authorization Request and Form 1017 - Specialized Services Durable Medical Equipment Authorization Request and form instructions to be used for NF residents who qualify for Customized Manual Wheelchair and Durable Medical Equipment benefits through Specialized Services. (Letter) DADS will authorize reimbursement only for NF Emergency Dental Services and will not reimburse routine dental services. (Letter) … [Read more...] about Information Letters for Nursing Facilities
Texas Register Updates: Social Security Act Amendments
The following information was obtained from the April 16 issue of the Texas Register: HHSC intends to submit amendments to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, that would modify the reimbursement methodology in the Texas Medicaid State Plan as a result of the General Appropriations Act. HHSC intends to submit other amendments that would modify the reimbursement methodologies in the Texas Medicaid State Plan as a result of Medicaid fee … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Social Security Act Amendments
Employee Texting Case Goes to Supreme Court
On Monday April 19, the U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a case that has important implications for employers who provide cell phone texting and other electronic communications tools to their employees. This case serves as a reminder to all companies to take precautions with electronic communications and the corporate policies that surround them: 1) Be certain to have a corporate policy in place that clearly addresses use of e-mail, text messaging, voicemails, Internet chat, and other … [Read more...] about Employee Texting Case Goes to Supreme Court
Here’s A Little Medical Humor
Texas Register Updates: Strengthening Nonprofit Capacity, Renal Dialysis Reimbursement
The following information was obtained from the April 9 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearing The HHSC Task Force on Strengthening Nonprofit Capacity will hold a public hearing on April 19, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., in the Thompson Conference Center, Room 3.102, at 2405 Robert Dedman Drive, Austin, Texas. For more information, contact Joanne Pierce, Office of Community Collaboration, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, 9013 Tuscany Way, Suite 100, Austin, Texas 78754, … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Strengthening Nonprofit Capacity, Renal Dialysis Reimbursement
Provider and Information Letters: HCS, ICFs/MR, NFs
DADS released one provider and two information letters: Adult Day Care Facilities, Assisted Living Facilities, HCSSAs, ICFs/MR, and NFs: DADS reminded these providers that the DADS Regulatory Services division no longer distributes printed program notifications to service providers. There are two options available to you to receive Regulatory Services notifications: 1) regularly visit Resources for DADS service providers; and 2) sign up to receive free e-mail notifications on the DADS … [Read more...] about Provider and Information Letters: HCS, ICFs/MR, NFs
Wall Street Journal on the Doctor Shortage
Last week we mentioned that one of the new health care reform law's purposes is to attract more doctors to the primary care field. The Wall Street Journal covers the well-reported fact that the law will challenge hospitals and medical schools as millions more Americans are added to the Medicaid program. To draw more doctors to primary care, the law will raise the reimbursement rate, but maybe only temporarily. From the WSJ: The U.S. has 352,908 primary-care doctors now, and the college … [Read more...] about Wall Street Journal on the Doctor Shortage
