Contents tagged with medicaid
-
CAPITOL UPDATE: Lege strengthens physician workforce, improves women’s health care, and reduces administrative hassles for physicians
Capitol Update: Lege strengthens physician workforce, improves women’s health care, and reduces administrative hassles for physicians
posted 06.11.13
The 83rd Texas Legislature finished the … more
-
Medicaid expansion: A tale of two states
It’s no secret that Texas Gov. Rick Perry openly opposes federal health care reform. He has used every opportunity to reiterate that he will veto any effort by the legislature to participate in Medicaid expansion in Texas – an option granted to the states by last summer’s Supreme Court ruling. One source counts 14 states that have fully rejected accepting federal funds to extend health care coverage to low-income adults, while 20 states are fully participating in the expansion and 16 are undecided.
A state certain to participate in the expansion is Colorado, my new home state. The bill to expand Medicaid to 330,000 Coloradans passed both chambers of the General Assembly last week. Once the Senate approves amendments to the House version of the bill, it will head to the desk of Gov. John Hickenlooper, who has pledged to sign it into law.
In many respects (to the delight of this Texas native), the two states are very similar. Colorado has its urban capital, several other mid-size cities, and vast expanses of rural space. Residents also have a fierce loyalty to the state. And, until the past decade when control of the House, Senate, and the governor’s mansion has flip-flopped between the parties, Colorado has historically been conservative. The current split in the House is 37 Democrats, 28 Republicans. In the Senate, it’s 20 Democrats, 15 Republicans. And, of course, the governor is a Democrat.
more -
Advocating for family medicine under the pink dome
Advocating for family medicine under the pink dome
By Anastasia Benson, D.O.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I walked in to the TAFP office. Being a recipient of the TAFP Foundation’s James C. … more
-
What you don’t know can hurt you
//
//
By Bradley Reiner
You’ve probably been reading more than you should about groups of doctors sending back money. Accusations of incorrect billings, fraudulent behavior, and false … more
-
Texas Family Physician - Vol. 64 No. 2, Spring 2013
Go to the TFP archive
View the virtual issue
President’s letter
Perspective
CONTENTS
Damage control: Mending Texas’ women’s health care safety net The health care safety net for … more
-
Damage control: Mending Texas’ women’s health care safety net
//
//
By Kate Alfano
Severe budget cuts from the 82nd Texas Legislature left the women’s health care safety net in tatters, but supported by a strong fiscal and public health policy … more
-
CAPITOL UPDATE: Senate passes bill to increase residency slots
Capitol Update: Senate passes bill to increase residency slots
posted 04.24.13
The Senate passed legislation last week proposed by Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, that will strengthen the … more
-
TAFP member’s research basis for AAFP recommendation to CMS
AAFP recently submitted a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services urging them to create a new set of evaluation and management codes for primary care physicians. The recommendation, sent to CMS Acting Principal Deputy Administrator Jonathan Blum, was accompanied by supporting documents based on the research of TAFP member David Katerndahl, M.D., M.A.
The Academy suggested that CMS create the codes and include them in the 2014 Medicare physician fee schedule. AAFP Board Chair Glen Stream, M.D., said in the letter that a new payment model is necessary for the country to reach better health care for people and populations, as well as lower health care costs. “That system should recognize the complexity of ambulatory care provided by primary care physicians and reward the quality of services provided in their practices,” said Stream.
New E/M codes that differentiate primary care physicians from specialists or subspecialists would show the true value of both types of care, rather than devalue them as the current coding system does. Katerndahl’s research shows that the complexity of a primary care physician’s patient visit including E/M is much different than those with other specialists.
more -
HHSC seeks new advisory committee members
HHSC seeks new advisory committee members
posted 4.11.13
The Health and Human Services Commission is seeking new members for its Health Information Exchange Advisory Committee and will be … more
-
Senate Bill 143 unanimously approved
Capitol Update: Senate committee approves bill to increase access to primary care
posted 04.03.13
The Senate Committee on Higher Education approved Senate Bill 143 Wednesday, April 3, which would … more