Employers may not be aware of the Nursing Mother Amendment, signed into law on March 23 as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. The Amendment modifies the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and requires covered employers to provide break time to nursing mothers for at least the first year of their babies’ lives. The Amendment is effective immediately. Employers may wish to develop new employee lactation policies or modify any existing ones to reflect the new … [Read more...] about New Requirement for Nursing Mothers’ Break Time
Increased Medicaid Rates and Primary Care Physicians
Under the new health care reform law, millions more Americans will receive insurance coverage under Medicaid. According to Kaiser Health News, the health care reform law will raise Medicaid payment rates to the same level as Medicare rates in an effort to alleviate the burden on primary care physicians. However, the increase may be temporary. An excerpt: "The higher Medicaid payments would take effect in 2013 and would be funded entirely by the federal government. But the bill doesn't … [Read more...] about Increased Medicaid Rates and Primary Care Physicians
Physician-Owned Hospitals Limited Under Health Care Reform
The Dallas Morning News once reported that Dallas-Forth Worth has more physician-owned hospitals than any other metro area. About 9.7 percent of the country's physician-owned hospitals are in the area, and Texas itself has the highest rate in the country. Opponents of physician-owned hospitals are concerned that doctors may base medical decisions on how much money they'll make and that such facilities create conflict of interest issues that could put patients in danger. For these and other … [Read more...] about Physician-Owned Hospitals Limited Under Health Care Reform
Texas Register Updates: Reimbursement Methodology MR Svc. Coordination
The following information was obtained from the April 2 issue of the Texas Register: HHSC proposes to repeal §355.746 and replace it with new §355.746, concerning Reimbursement Methodology for Mental Retardation (MR) Service Coordination. An excerpt: "The providers in this program are currently paid a statewide interim rate which is then later cost-settled to each provider's cost within certain parameters. Providers whose costs are less than 95 percent of the interim rate must repay the … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Reimbursement Methodology MR Svc. Coordination
The Death of Your Financial Privacy
It died with the passage of the $17.5 billion Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act (H.R. 2487). Provision requires that foreign banks not only withhold 30% of all outgoing capital flows (likely remitting the collection promptly back to the US Treasury) but also disclose the full details of non-exempt account-holders to the US and the IRS. And should this provision be deemed illegal by a given foreign nation's domestic laws (think Switzerland), well the foreign financial institution is … [Read more...] about The Death of Your Financial Privacy
Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Fees, Hearing Aid Services, Etc.
The following was obtained from the March 26 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearings and Notices HHSC will hold a public hearing on March 31, 2010 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 2900 Live Oak Street (Center for Community Cooperation, Oak Corner Meeting Facility), Dallas, Texas. See the relevant section of the Texas Register for details. HHSC intends to submit an amendment to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, which would modify the … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Fees, Hearing Aid Services, Etc.
DADS News Alerts
The East Texas Geriatric Education Center and the East Texas Area Health Education Center are partnering to conduct an online survey to determine the continuing education and health education needs of health providers in East Texas. Providers may complete a brief survey on health education needs here. You may also access the GEC survey. Direct questions to Tony DiNuzzo, PH.D, at 409-772-5367 or adinuzzo@utmb.edu. DADS canceled the CBA Stakeholders meeting, previously scheduled for March … [Read more...] about DADS News Alerts
Information Letters: HCSSAs, HCS, CBA, Etc.
DADS released two information letters: CBA and HCSSAs, ICM, CWP, DBMD, PHC, and SRO providers: DADS informed these providers that a review showed some of them were billed incorrectly during periods of time when Medicaid Long Term Care consumers were in a hospital or institution. Providers are asked to contact their regional contract managers for more information. (Letter) HCS: DADS explained the procedures it will take in offering individuals the option to transfer from an HCS … [Read more...] about Information Letters: HCSSAs, HCS, CBA, Etc.
Should Your Company Develop a Social Media Policy?
With easy access to social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace, employees have more opportunities than ever to share comments and opinions about their workplaces or your company’s products or services. This can be a blessing or a curse. The informal nature of these Websites encourages a free-flow of comments, many of which may come during a particular moment of frustration, anger, or just carelessness by an employee. Many companies have learned the hard way that one slip-up by an … [Read more...] about Should Your Company Develop a Social Media Policy?
Arizona Eliminates SCHIP
Because of budget shortfalls, states are reducing coverage and cutting reimbursement rates for programs like Medicaid. But Arizona became the first state to drop the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) altogether. (Source) Arizona will also reduce Medicaid coverage for childless adults. The state simply doesn't have enough money to operate SCHIP or continue to cover so many adults without children. Arizona's budget shortfall for 2011 is $2.6 billion. "Arizona is navigating … [Read more...] about Arizona Eliminates SCHIP
