The following information was obtained from the August 12 issue of the Texas Register: HHSC awarded contract 529-06-0425-00046 RFQ 39 to Health Management Associates, which will produce documents and reports. Total contact value is $41,000. HHSC will hold a public hearing on August 18, 2011, at 1 p.m. to receive comment on payment rate adjustments for the CBA waiver program. HHSC will hold a public hearing on Thursday, September 1, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. to receive public comment on the … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Contract, TxHmL Changes
Association of American Physicians and Surgeons Challenges PECOS
In August 2010, the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons ("AAPS") filed an amended complaint asking the court to vacate HHS regulations requiring non-Medicare providers to enroll with Medicare, to appear in the Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System ("PECOS"), or to obtain a National Provider Identifier ("NPI"). A copy of AAPS' full amended complaint is available here. AAPS argues that the ability of non-Medicare enrolled physicians to order or refer for services provided … [Read more...] about Association of American Physicians and Surgeons Challenges PECOS
GOP Proposes Health Care Law Repeal in ‘Pledge to America’
In the lead-up to the November midterm elections, House Republicans have issued a "Pledge to America," which proposes changes in spending, foreign policy, national security, and other areas. Republicans also propose to repeal the health care reform law. An excerpt from the 21-page PDF document: Our Plan to Repeal the Job Killing Health Care Law and Put in Place Real Reform Repeal the Costly Health Care Takeover of 2010: Because the new health care law kills jobs, raises taxes, … [Read more...] about GOP Proposes Health Care Law Repeal in ‘Pledge to America’
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?
Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Payment Rates
The following information was obtained from the October 23 issue of the Texas Register: HHSC will hold a public hearing on November 3, 2009, at 1:30 p.m., in the Lone Star Conference Room of HHSC, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric Boulevard, Austin, Texas, to discuss Medicaid payment rates for: Sleep Studies HHSC will hold a public hearing on November 17, 2009, at 1:30 p.m., in the Lone Star Conference Room of HHSC, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Payment Rates
Texas Register Updates: Higher FY Expenditures
The following information was obtained from the September 25 Texas Register: HHSC will submit amendments to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, which would modify reimbursement methodologies for Physicians and Certain Other Practitioners, and Durable Medical Equipment. The changes may result in an additional aggregate expenditure of $17,784,701 for FY 2010. HHSC will submit an amendment that would provide for higher levels of managed care savings in the PACE program, and may … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Higher FY Expenditures
Proposed 2010-11 ICR/MR Rates – comment through 8/7/09
As a result HHSC's delay in issuing the proposed rates, the public commet period has been extended through Friday, August 7, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. Take advantage of this opportunity to have your voice heard by emailing Pam McDonald with HHSC at pam.mcdonald@hhsc.state.tx.us by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2009. • The proposed rates are based upon models developed by Deloitte Touche in 1997 and updated using data from the 2007 ICF/MR cost reports inflated to the 2010-11 biennium. … [Read more...] about Proposed 2010-11 ICR/MR Rates – comment through 8/7/09
Annual Residential Visits
With more funding comes more visits...SB 643 requires ananual visits of all 3 and 4 person homes and foster/companion care (FCC) settings. A few Steps to Prepare: * Verify accuracy of address and contact information in CARE * Notify FCC pproviders and resdiential staff to expect visits * Maintain emergency plans, proof of emergency drills and copies of current fire inspections on-site Proposed procedural rules: * inaccurate location information in care may result in … [Read more...] about Annual Residential Visits
TxHmL & HCS — Elimination of the Monthly Admin & Operations Fee
As you probably know by now, the admin/op fee of approx. $935 per consumer is set to be eliminated and tied directly to individual service rates. This rule will be republished in this Friday's Texas Register and implemented October (not September) 1, 2009. Today, July 24, 2010, professional rates (RNs, LVNs, OTs, PTs, etc) will be discussed at a public hearing. 3 stages of implementation 1. 9/1/09: Professional service rate changes begin 2. 10/1/09: Remaining rate changes begin … [Read more...] about TxHmL & HCS — Elimination of the Monthly Admin & Operations Fee
New Review Process for Waiver Programs
The reviewers will be using standardized checklists as part of the new review process. The good news is that these checklists are available for providers and may be printed and used as internal QA. … [Read more...] about New Review Process for Waiver Programs
