Nursing homes in Texas and around the country are dealing with an increased percentage of patients with higher acuity than previously. When patients have complex medical needs and require more care, it can place a strain on the nursing staff within the facility. This...
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Addressing workplace violence in healthcare settings
Thousands of people are involved in the healthcare industry in Texas. Unfortunately, workers who have direct contact with patients are experiencing higher incidences of workplace violence. A recent memorandum from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services...
When hospice care is right for a patient
If you have a loved one in Texas who needs end-of-life care, hospice care is a good option to consider. Hospice provides a specific kind of care that makes passing easier and more comfortable for the patient, and it brings peace of mind to the loved ones of the person...
Readying hospices for UPIC auditing
A Unified Program Integrity Contractor (UPIC) audit is an annual check of a hospice's compliance with UPIC guidelines. Texas hospices preparing for an audit should have a plan to identify and correct deficiencies. To prepare, hospices should review the UPIC...
Medicare cuts and billing denials affect hospice budgets
Hospice providers have struggled under the 2014 Budget Control Act. The act reduced Medicare payments to hospice providers and others when the facilities failed to include specific data. The 2% cuts force health care services to work harder to receive complete...
Palliative care programs are on the rise
By leveraging the partnerships with providers that they already have, hospices in Texas are now building up new programs that incorporate palliative care. But there are still some obstacles to overcome to make palliative care programs work for everybody. Challenges...
Upcoming SCOTUS ruling could impact Medicaid
Medicare and Medicaid are the two primary government health programs that benefit many Texans at some time in their life. Medicare typically provides for elderly individuals until they need nursing home residency, but falls short when funding is needed for nursing...
Comfort and care in hospice
When you think of hospice care in Texas, you might think of cancer patients or care that's provided at the end of life. While these are common in the facility, hospice often delivers more services for the patient and family members. Managing pain One of the goals of...
Understanding use of a Medicaid trust to qualify for benefits
Many Texas residents will face a need for Medicaid eligibility at some point in their life when they need specific medical services that their insurance does not cover. Chief among these needs is residency in a skilled nursing facility. Medicaid is an asset-based...
Medical billing laws in the courts
A judge in Texas struck down part of a law designed to protect Americans from surprise medical bills, and the Biden administration plans to appeal that ruling. The court case has major potential implications for how billing works for medical care. Surprise bills One...