43 US states have a higher proportion of primary care physicians to residents than Texas and 35 out 80 Texas counties have no doctors at all. According to news reports, there are not enough doctors in Texas, especially in certain rural stretches of South Texas. The shortage will require training — and retaining — more physicians in Texas but one main problem is that the state needs to add more residency slots for post-graduate medical training to remain competitive — a problem that has plagued … [Read more...] about Physician shortage in Texas spells major issues for aging population
Physician’s duties increasingly reduced by nurses, long-term care providers for chronically ill
According to news reports a shifting role of physicians is expected to accelerate in the coming decades. Healthcare providers work as a team with health specialist usually overseeing various aspects of a patients care including symptoms and medical history, orders for tests and services, prescriptions, etc. At the end of the pre-screening by healthcare providers, a physician is left with the final assessment and the plan—the medical decisions and diagnosis. some doctors are said to be opting … [Read more...] about Physician’s duties increasingly reduced by nurses, long-term care providers for chronically ill
Telemedicine Rules Released To Affect 28 million patients in Texas
Healthcare providers in the State of Texas will have to review the new Telemedicine Rules released this month by the Texas Medical Board. The new rules are reported to eliminate a few obstacles doctors faced in utilizing telemedicine to treat patients and mark the final barriers in a years-long battle to loosen restrictive telehealth rules in the Texas. According to reports, the proposed rules eliminate the provisions that a "patient site telepresenter" must be available for patients being … [Read more...] about Telemedicine Rules Released To Affect 28 million patients in Texas
LTC News: Court Reverses Medicaid Ruling
"The Arkansas Supreme Court tossed out a $1.2 billion judgment against Johnson & Johnson on Thursday, reversing a lower court verdict that found the drug maker engaged in fraudulent tactics when marketing the antipsychotic drug Risperdal." - Associated Press "Lawmakers in both houses of Congress have unveiled a draft bill calling for post-acute care providers to furnish standard assessment data, with the goals of enabling better quality oversight and driving Medicare payment reform." - … [Read more...] about LTC News: Court Reverses Medicaid Ruling
TX Register Updates: Reimbursement Changes
The following information was obtained from the Texas Register. Public Notices HHSC intends to submit an amendment to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance under Title XIX of the Social Security Act to update the fee schedules in the current state plan for: Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies; Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Services; and Physicians and Other Practitioners. HHSC intends to submit an amendment to update the fee … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Reimbursement Changes
TX Register Updates: Medical Board
The following information was obtained from the March 14 issue of the Texas Register. Proposed Rules The Texas Medical Board proposed to amend §175.1, Application and Administrative Fees; and §175.2, Registration and Renewal Fees. The new rules would increase application and renewal fees. See the Texas Register for more information. Withdrawn Rules The Texas Medical Board proposed to withdraw the proposed amendment to §165.1, Medical Records, which appeared in the January 3, 2014, issue of … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Medical Board
TX Register Update: Medical Board Change
The following information was obtained from the March 7 issue of the Texas Register. The Texas Medical Board proposed to amend §187.35, Presentations of Proposal for Decision; §187.37, Final Decisions and Orders; and §187.38, Motions for Rehearing. An excerpt: The amendment to §187.35 provides that the administrative law judge (ALJ) must be given notice of the opportunity to provide to the Board a summation of the proposal for decision, that the ALJ is not required to attend the presentation … [Read more...] about TX Register Update: Medical Board Change
TX Register Updates: 2/14-15 Rate Hearings
The following information was obtained from the January 24 issue of the Texas Register. Public Hearings HHSC will hold a public hearing on Thursday, February 13, 2014, at 1 p.m. to receive public comment on proposed rate increases in the CBA-HCSS waiver and associated CDS programs operated by DADS. HHSC will also hold a public hearing on Wednesday, February 19, 2014, at 1:30 p.m., to receive comment on proposed Medicaid payment rates for the 2014 Annual Healthcare Common Procedure Coding … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: 2/14-15 Rate Hearings
TX Register: 2/19 Hearing, Medical Board Changes
The following information was obtained from the January 17 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notices and Hearing A public hearing on proposed Medicaid payment rates for the following will take place on Wednesday, February 19, 2014, at 1:30 p.m. in the Public Hearing Room, Brown-Heatly Building, located at 4900 North Lamar, Austin: 3rd Quarter 2013 Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System updates 2014 Annual Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System updates Early and Periodic … [Read more...] about TX Register: 2/19 Hearing, Medical Board Changes
LTC News: Dual Eligibles, HSC Services Changes
-- "Dramatic Medicare cuts to skilled nursing facilities played a significant part in keeping healthcare spending low in 2012, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Monday." – McKnight's -- "In light of reports that Medicare Part D prescribing practices are endangering seniors — many of them in long-term care facilities — the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued a proposed rule that would give the agency more power to oversee and control the … [Read more...] about LTC News: Dual Eligibles, HSC Services Changes
