-- "States are not doing a good job of monitoring how Medicaid managed care enterprises handle providers serving high-risk populations, according to a new government report." – McKnight's -- "Prospective Medicare changes regarding physician payments might unfairly penalize doctors working in long-term care settings, according to a prominent medical directors association...For example, the government has set incentives for physicians to meet 'meaningful us' thresholds for electronic health … [Read more...] about LTC News: Physicians Concerned
News Alert/SNF News: 11/18 Webinar Rebroadcast
-- DADS will rebroadcast the quarterly webinar on HCS Quality Assurance Rule Revisions from September 9, 2013, on Monday, November 18, 2013, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. You may register and receive details about the webinar here. -- "More uniform reimbursements for skilled nursing facilities and inpatient rehabilitation facilities could be implemented soon, policy analysts recently told the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission." – McKnight's -- "More than 6,000 skilled nursing facilities … [Read more...] about News Alert/SNF News: 11/18 Webinar Rebroadcast
LTC News: Drs. Medicare Payment
-- "The Democratic and Republican leaders of two key congressional committees have agreed on a framework to scrap the problematic Medicare payment formula for physicians and replace it with one that would link physician reimbursement to the quality of care provided, a step that could put an end to the annual "doc fix" debate." - Kaiser -- "A bill in the House of Representatives aims to create a 'trusted provider' status in the Medicare program, which would potentially streamline the … [Read more...] about LTC News: Drs. Medicare Payment
TX Register Updates: Corrections, Dual Eligibles
The following information was obtained from the November 1 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notices A correction to a public notice that appeared in the September 13, 2013, issue regarding the intent to submit a request for an amendment to the MDCP Medicaid waiver: The waiver transfer process, allowing individuals to transfer between waivers when medically necessary for services to continue to ensure health and safety, was previously described in the public notice published in the … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Corrections, Dual Eligibles
LTC News: Doctors, Pharmacists, and Nurses
-- "The Texas Medical Association, Texas Hospital Association and Texas Academy of Family Physicians said many physicians and hospitals have also been unable to determine which health plans offered in the marketplace include them in their provider networks. 'Physicians, they just want to know who's walking through their door and what kind of coverage they’re going to have,' said Lee Spangler, vice president of medical economics at the Texas Medical Association. 'They’d like that uncertainty to … [Read more...] about LTC News: Doctors, Pharmacists, and Nurses
TX Register Updates: Level II Service, ACA Reqs.
The following information was obtained from the October 25 issue of the Texas Register. Proposed Rules The Texas Medical Board proposed to amend §192.1, Definitions, which would add language providing that the administration of certain local anesthesia, peripheral nerve blocks, or both in a total dosage amount that exceeds 50 percent of the recommended maximum safe dosage per outpatient visit is a Level II service. See the Texas Register for details. Withdrawn Rules The Texas Medical … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Level II Service, ACA Reqs.
TX Register Updates: Correction, Base Wage
The following information was obtained from the October 11 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notice Correction HHSC published a notice in the September 20 issue about the agency's intent to submit a request to amend the THTQIP. An excerpt: In the prior public notice published in the September 20, 2013 issue of the Texas Register, HHSC discussed the agency's intent to request the addition of cognitive rehabilitation therapy as an available service in the STAR+PLUS home and community … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Correction, Base Wage
LTC News: No Medicaid Payments
-- Medicare Part D, 2014 -- "In a blow to Medicaid-certified long-term care providers in the nation's capital, officials announced the District of Columbia would not make Medicaid payments during the federal government shutdown." – McKnight's -- "In the two years since an 11.1% reimbursement cut for skilled nursing facilities hit, providers have regrouped and have achieved modest successes, the president of the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living told … [Read more...] about LTC News: No Medicaid Payments
DADS News Alert: New Hospice E-mail, Gov’t Shutdown
-- HHSC adopted rules, effective October 1, 2013, in 40 TAC, Chapter 42, Chapter 44, Chapter 45, Chapter 47, Chapter 48, and Chapter 51. -- DADS' created a new e-mail address for Hospice providers for Texas Medicaid Hospice policy questions: hospice@dads.state.tx.us.The new e-mail address replaces Pam Lovell's name and direct phone number in this letter (PDF). -- DADS statement on government shutdown: The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) wants to reassure … [Read more...] about DADS News Alert: New Hospice E-mail, Gov’t Shutdown
LTC News: ACA Discussion, Gov’t Shutdown
-- "Although CMS posted the new manual Tuesday, just one week before it goes into effect, the agency previously had issued guidance to long-term care providers on notable changes regarding therapy and nutritional status." - McKnight's -- "The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has decided to ease guidelines concerning auditors' requests for additional documentation. CMS is giving providers a small break by saying auditors should accept additional documentation submissions in a … [Read more...] about LTC News: ACA Discussion, Gov’t Shutdown
