The 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule introduces several major changes to CMS’s policies and reimbursements. Texas health systems now face a new conversion factor and the removal of code G0511 for Chronic Care Management (CCM) programs. But providers will also have the opportunity to engage with a new care management service, called Advanced Primary Care Management (APCM), which…
This article is sponsored by VativoRx, a leader in rebate management solutions, helping health care organizations capture significant rebate revenues to improve financial health and sustainability. In the ever-evolving landscape of Texas health care, hospitals face a myriad of challenges and opportunities. From severe staffing shortages to rising operational costs, the industry must navigate complex issues to maintain quality care…
This article is sponsored by Keypath Education. While shortages dominate headlines, the challenges within the nursing workforce extend far beyond the numbers. Increased demand for health care services, coupled with strained resources and an aging population, is leading to nurse burnout and creating a cycle of depletion within the workforce. As experienced nurses leave the profession, the loss of their…
This article is sponsored by AblePay. When the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and U.S. Department of Treasury (Treasury) launched an inquiry into high-cost specialty financial products, such as medical credit cards and installment loans, it caused medical providers to re-think the affordability issue facing patients. Those products are sometimes pushed on…
This content is sponsored by Denniston Data. In effort to increase healthcare transparency and empower consumers to make informed decisions, the Transparency in Coverage (TiC) rule was finalized in 2020 by the Depts of Health & Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury, requiring health plans to disclose negotiated prices for medical services, releasing Machine Readable Files (MRFs) for payments by…
Frontline nurses are equally skilled in compassionate bedside manner as they are in driving policy change. In fact, it’s their background in clinical expertise that makes many Texas health care leaders effective in the role. Grit, perseverance and a lifetime commitment to serving others are just some of the characteristics that make ambitious nurses the perfect candidate to lead teams, hospitals and organizations.
Health care compliance — adhering to rules, standards, policies, laws, and regulations related to medical practices — is about keeping operations running smoothly. It also promotes safe, high-quality care, and in a high-risk industry where decision-making is sometimes measured in minutes or seconds, proper compliance is essential. Community health centers must adhere to the regulations set forth by the Health…
This article is sponsored by the THA Retirement Plan. Turning 65 in 2024 is big — roughly 4.1million big. According to a report from the educational non-profit Alliance for Lifetime Income, a record 11,200 Americans a day are set to hit the birthday milestone this year, up from the daily average of 10,000 the decade before. The surge, projected to…
Beginning in 2024, every March 4 in Texas will be observed as “COVID-19 Heroes and Memorial Day” under a new state law developed by Rep. R.D. “Bobby” Guerra, D-McAllen, which establishes a uniform statewide date to honor and recognize the contributions and sacrifices of Texans who played crucial roles during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes health care professionals, first responders,…
The threat of a data breach in a health care facility is daunting. Privacy is the foundation of hospitals’ information systems, and compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)– along with the facility’s reputation–will be jeopardized if just one patient’s information falls into the wrong hands. Health care facilities are particular targets for two reasons: It is…
