By Jerri Lynn Ward, J.D., Garlo Ward P.C. www.garloward.com Posted September 29, 2004 This is for HCS and ICFMR programs. It is now, more than ever, important to understand the Level of Need (LON) process. Perhaps due to tightening budgets and increased scrutiny, more LON requests and renewals are being rejected. The information that you put in your packet for consideration is becoming increasingly important. Preparing Your Packets for Consideration and Reconsideration: As you all … [Read more...] about Understanding the Anatomy of a Level of Need Appeal
A Little Sidestep: Rate Cuts to Provoke Restructuring of Reimbursement Program
By Paula Schmitz, Ph.D., J.D., M.B.A., C.F.A. Of Counsel, Garlo Ward, P.C. www.garloward.com Posted July 17, 2003 "I'll continue to stand tall, You can trust me, For I promise, I shall keep a watchful eye upon ya'll, Ooo I love to dance a little sidestep, Now they see me, now they don't, I've come and gone, AND Oooo I love to sweep around the wide step, Cut a little swathe and lead the people on." - "The Sidestep," The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Lyrics used for educational … [Read more...] about A Little Sidestep: Rate Cuts to Provoke Restructuring of Reimbursement Program
A Little Sidestep: Have You Been Paid by Tricare Lately?
By Paula Schmitz, Ph.D., J.D., M.B.A., C.F.A., Of Counsel, Garlo Ward, P.C. www.garloward.com Posted September 5, 2003 Ooo I love to dance a little sidestep, Now they see me, now they don't, I've come and gone, AND Oooo I love to sweep around the wide step, Cut a little swathe and lead the people on." - "The Sidestep," sung by the Governor in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Have you been paid by Tricare lately? If your answer is "no" you are not alone. Whether … [Read more...] about A Little Sidestep: Have You Been Paid by Tricare Lately?
Deficiencies of the Weird
By Jerri Lynn Ward, J.D., Garlo Ward P.C. www.garloward.com Posted March 5, 2004 TDHS Surveyor Becomes Image Consultant (Contributed by Rose Ireland from TAHSA) A facility in West Texas was cited after a surveyor became concerned because a resident's hair had not been blow-dried and was towel dried and drying naturally. The resident's hair was permed-and as most people know, modern permanent's are not supposed to be blow dried for the first forty-eight hours and even after that are … [Read more...] about Deficiencies of the Weird
Sue Bob’s Diary: Adventures in HIPAA Land; Let’s Do A Tap Dance on a Trial Lawyer’s Head – Showdown at the Serendipity
By Jerri Lynn Ward, J.D. The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. Edmund Burke- (1729-1797), Irish philosopher, statesman. I was visiting all of my grandparents at the Serendipity Village Rest Home early this fine Saturday morning. The Serendipity is the local nursing home in our little Texas Hill Country town. We were out in the front yard enjoying the morning before the afternoon summer heat came to chase us back into the air conditioning. … [Read more...] about Sue Bob’s Diary: Adventures in HIPAA Land; Let’s Do A Tap Dance on a Trial Lawyer’s Head – Showdown at the Serendipity
Sue Bob’s Diary: Adventures in HIPAA Land: HIPAA Hokey Pokey
By Jerri Lynn Ward, J.D., Garlo Ward P.C. (including valuable Hokey Pokey contribution from Nelson Page with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission) Posted March 1, 2004 It was a beautiful day in February as I walked into Dr. Eberhardt's office for my annual checkup. "Howdy Suzanne Roberta," rasped Rowena the receptionist. I was a bit afraid that Rowena, who is prone to talking too much and too loudly, was going to comment in front of the crowded waiting room about the ten … [Read more...] about Sue Bob’s Diary: Adventures in HIPAA Land: HIPAA Hokey Pokey
Time Is Money: Employers Must Comply With DOL’s New FLSA Rules by Aug. 23
By Dana K. Stripling, JD, Of Counsel, Garlo Ward P.C. www.garloward.com Posted April 29, 2004 Employers have roughly four months to achieve compliance with the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) new Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) exemption regulations, the department announced today. In a Federal Register notice officially unveiling the rules, DOL established Aug. 23, 2004, as the date the new rules will take effect. On that date, to be eligible for an exemption from the federal minimum … [Read more...] about Time Is Money: Employers Must Comply With DOL’s New FLSA Rules by Aug. 23
Show Me the Money! DOL Issues New FLSA “White-Collar” Exemption Rules
By Dana K. Stripling, JD, Of Counsel, Garlo Ward P.C. www.garloward.com Posted April 25, 2004 On April 20, 2004, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued long-awaited final revisions to its "white-collar" employee exemption regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Under the changes, employees earning less than $23,660 a year are guaranteed time-and-a-half overtime pay after working 40 hours in a week. Highly compensated white-collar employees earning $100,000 or more per … [Read more...] about Show Me the Money! DOL Issues New FLSA “White-Collar” Exemption Rules
Disciplining To Win: The How-To’s of Discipline Done Right
By Dana Stripling, JD, Garlo Ward, P.C. www.garloward.com Posted July 7, 2004 If they could choose one supervisory function to avoid, many managers and supervisors alike would choose disciplining employees. In today's litigious society, employees don't think twice about seeking solace in court for perceived inequities. Most employment lawsuits are filed by employees who believe they were disciplined unfairly, and their attorneys seek out a cause of action to explain the perceived … [Read more...] about Disciplining To Win: The How-To’s of Discipline Done Right
COBRA Notice Rules Finalized
By Dana Stripling, JD, Garlo Ward, P.C. www.garloward.com Posted July 7, 2004 They have been imminent for months. Just last week, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued final notice regulations for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). Some noteworthy changes: In the model Election Notice, the requirement that employers list the names of qualified beneficiaries has been eliminated. Instead, qualified beneficiaries can be referred to either by status (e.g., … [Read more...] about COBRA Notice Rules Finalized
