CBS reports that Medicaid spending in Texas is growing faster than tax revenue, which doesn't bode well for providers expecting to receive reimbursement. An excerpt: Monday's testimony confirmed Gov. Rick Perry's warning that Medicaid costs represent a major challenge to the state budget, and he called for lawmakers to get the program under control. But lawmakers are likely to have a hard time finding enough cuts in services and cost-savings to balance the budget when they meet again next year. … [Read more...] about TX Medicaid Spending, CA Medicaid Cuts
Private Home Health Care Profitable
The Baby Boom generation will be a business boom, indeed. According to USA Today, home health is a very profitable franchise for several reasons. The children of aging parents who need care work, so fewer are available to provide full-time home care for parents and other relatives. If the franchise is so profitable now, imagine how lucrative it will be in the next 10-20 years. Michelle Rowan, president of a market research firm that released a report about the booming business, attributes … [Read more...] about Private Home Health Care Profitable
TX Register Updates: Contract Awards, Medicare Billing Prohibition
The following information was obtained from the April 13 Texas Register: Public Notices HHSC announced several contract awards. See the Texas Register for a listing of the companies. HHSC intends to submit transmittal number 12-010, which would convert the reimbursement methodology for non-emergency medical transportation services from fee-for-service to full risk capitation in the following designated counties: Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Navarro, … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Contract Awards, Medicare Billing Prohibition
OIG Launches Compliance 101 Website
On March 5, 2005, the Office of the Inspector General ("OIG") launched its Compliance 101 website. The website contains links to guidance and educational training materials for health care providers, practitioners and suppliers. The site contains segment-specific compliance guidance for nursing facilities, ambulance suppliers, physician practices, etc. Although the materials are from 1998-2008, the compliance program guidance is still relevant and details the high-risk areas for each health … [Read more...] about OIG Launches Compliance 101 Website
DADS News Alerts: 4/2 Meeting, 4/24 Webinar
-- DADS requests that HCS, TxHml, and private ICF/ID providers; State Supported Living and Community Centers, and Local Authorities assist the agency in creating a better Adult Protective Services facility investigative report. Please take this survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6MBDTQQ -- DADS Regulatory Services Division regional staff will present a home health provider meeting for regions 1, 2, and 9 on April, 2, 2012, from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the in Lubbock at the Knipling Education … [Read more...] about DADS News Alerts: 4/2 Meeting, 4/24 Webinar
Medicare: Physicians, Home Health Cuts
Unless Congress decides otherwise by January 1, physicians will face a 27.4 percent cut in Medicare reimbursement fees. From the AP: No one expects lawmakers to allow the axe to fall, but 48 million beneficiaries and their doctors are looking on nervously. Temporary reprieves have created a recurring problem that gets harder and harder to fix. A 1990s budget law called for automatic cuts to doctors if Medicare costs kept rising. Congress has issued so many waivers that a permanent fix would … [Read more...] about Medicare: Physicians, Home Health Cuts
DADS Alerts: Long Term Care Changes in Texas
Every week, DADS issues important news alerts for providers. Here are four of the nine alerts posted since September 2: DADS added a new section to its web site: Culture Change in Texas Long-term Care. The MDS Privacy Act Statement is available in Spanish in the MDS 3.0 RAI Manual. "Effective for dates of service or dates of discharge (services) on or after October 1, 2013, Medicaid fee-for-service, Medicaid managed care, Primary Care Case Management (PCCM), family planning … [Read more...] about DADS Alerts: Long Term Care Changes in Texas
TX Register Updates: Amended Notice, Abolished SKIP
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
DADS News Alerts: Training Sessions, Manual Updates
Since our last update on DADS news alert, the agency has released many more. Beginning on page two, scroll down to see each alert, which includes links to survey web pages, then go forward to the first page for the most recent alerts. A sample of the latest updates: Providers still have time to submit the 2011 Home Health and Hospice Care Nurse Staffing Survey, extended to August 31, 2011. Providers will find materials for Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies at this web site. When … [Read more...] about DADS News Alerts: Training Sessions, Manual Updates
ILs & News Alerts: CBA Changes, Ticket to Work Event
DADS released two information letters and several news alerts: CDSA for CBA: DADS has proposed to create two categories of personal assistance services in the CBA Program. The letter also outlines operational procedures for CDSAs. An excerpt: PAS Category I is proposed to include tasks delegated by a registered nurse (RN) to an unlicensed attendant, health maintenance activities, and extension of therapy. PAS Category II is proposed to include tasks that do not require delegation by an … [Read more...] about ILs & News Alerts: CBA Changes, Ticket to Work Event
