A Proposed Rule by the Health and Human Services Department is purported to give healthcare providers sweeping discretion to refuse patients care for religious or moral reasons. The rule, Protecting Statutory Conscience Rights in Health Care; Delegations of Authority, explains that since the U.S. has a long history of providing conscience-based protections for individuals and entities with objections to certain activities based on religious belief and moral convictions, they propose to revise … [Read more...] about Proposed rule addresses healthcare providers’ right regarding patients care for religious or moral reasons
Trump proposes new rule for affordable Healthcare: Limited duration health plan for 364 day
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and the Trump administration are proposing new regulations for short-term health insurance plans, focusing on value-based care as a priority. According to reports, Azar's speech focused on value-based care, an approach in which doctors and hospitals are reimbursed by private health insurance and the government for how well patients emerge after a medical procedure versus the amount of care provided. The proposed rule — which would allow people to … [Read more...] about Trump proposes new rule for affordable Healthcare: Limited duration health plan for 364 day
Proposed Women’s Health Care Law Requires Insurers to Cover Women’s Preventative Care
With the looming threats by the Republican-led White House to repeal the federal health care law (Obamacare), a new health care bill, Defending Access to Women’s Health Care Services Amendment Act, was introduced to prevent insurance companies from charging more specifically for women's health services like cancer screenings or contraceptive costs. According to news sources, Washington officials signed legislation requiring all insurance companies in the Washington, D.C. to cover a list of … [Read more...] about Proposed Women’s Health Care Law Requires Insurers to Cover Women’s Preventative Care
New Requirements for Rehabilitative Services and Nursing Facility Specialized Services
PL 18-01 (NF) -Last September 10, 2017, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) added new rules and amended and deleted rules in Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 40, Part 1, Chapter 19, Nursing Facility Requirements for Licensure and Medicaid Certification. The Provider letter describes new requirements related to rehabilitative services and nursing facility (NF) specialized services and the provider responsibilities that arise from the new rules. Among many new rules and for … [Read more...] about New Requirements for Rehabilitative Services and Nursing Facility Specialized Services
Proposed Amendments to streamline ICF/IID & HCS/TxHmL Provider Cost Report Rules
HHSC Report- Effective January 1st 2018, information contained in PPAT on cost report rule changes to be adopted by March 2018, address the implementation of a cost report reform initiative for HCS/TxHmL and ICF/IID providers as required by Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)On Jan. 1st, HHSC requires only even-year cost reports beginning with the providers’ 2018 fiscal year cost reports for HCS/TxHmL (§355.722(a) and ICF/IID(§355.105(c)(1) )providers. HHSC also proposes … [Read more...] about Proposed Amendments to streamline ICF/IID & HCS/TxHmL Provider Cost Report Rules
CMS Finalizes Policies that Reduce Provider Burden, Lower Prescription Prices
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule this month for the 2018 Physician Fee Schedule and final rule with comment period for the Quality Payment Program (QPP). According to a news release by CMS, Seema Verma, Administrator of CMS explained that:“These rules move the agency in a new direction and begin to ease that burden by strengthening the patient-doctor relationship, empowering patients to realize the value of their care over volume of tests, and … [Read more...] about CMS Finalizes Policies that Reduce Provider Burden, Lower Prescription Prices
New Rule Amendments in Texas Administrative Code (TAC) for NFA’s
Provider Letter No. 17-19 - The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) amended existing rules in 40 TAC Chapter 18, Nursing Facility Administrators (NFAs). These changes were initiated to:• clarify when a NFA may request an informal review;• update the time frame for requesting a formal hearing; and• amend the list of violations that lead to sanctions.There are amendments to 40 TAC §18.52, 40 TAC §18.53 & 40 TAC §18.54.You may access the amended rules for Chapter 18 … [Read more...] about New Rule Amendments in Texas Administrative Code (TAC) for NFA’s
