A federal jury found a physician and two clinic owners and operators guilty yesterday for their roles in a $17 million Medicare fraud scheme. Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Ryan Patrick of the Southern District of Texas, Special Agent in Charge Perrye K. Turner of the FBI’s Houston Field Office, … [Read more...]
Medicaid Media
Members Sought for STAR Kids Managed Care Advisory Committee
If you’re interested in health and human services in Texas, you might be interested in being a member of the STAR Kids Managed Care Advisory Committee. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission executive commissioner will appoint a member to the committee to serve a term expiring Dec. 31, 2019. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m., Sept. 25. Application Letter (MS … [Read more...]
Beto O’Rourke calls for Texas to expand Medicaid
Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-Texas) on Monday called for the state of Texas to expand Medicaid. "Texas should expand Medicaid today," O'Rourke, who is challenging Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), for a U.S. Senate seat this November, tweeted, linking to an editorial from The Houston Chronicle about the program that helps people with limited resources receive medical care. READ MORE … [Read more...]
Survey: Consumers consider reducing healthcare costs their top priority
A new Texas Medical Center Health Policy Institute survey of about 5,000 Americans found consumers' top healthcare priority is lowering costs, followed by providing universal converage and increasing the affordability of insurance premiums and deductibles. Source: Survey: Consumers consider reducing healthcare costs their top priority / MedCity News … [Read more...]
Insurance, poverty data released from U.S. Census Bureau ranks Texas dead last
AUSTIN — A recent survey by the Episcopal Health Foundation revealed more than half of Texans think the state is doing far better than it actually is when it comes to health care and health insurance. The reality is Texas ranks dead last. There are more uninsured people in the Lone Star State than anywhere else in the country. Thursday, the U.S. Census Bureau released its … [Read more...]
Centers Pays $1.6M Over Alleged Managed Medicaid Fraud in New York
An affiliate of skilled nursing provider Centers Health Care paid a $1.65 million settlement to the New York State and federal governments over allegations that its managed Medicaid plan falsely billed for services. The Centers Plan for Healthy Living LLC submitted monthly state Medicaid claims of up to $4,300 per member for services that it did not provide, New York … [Read more...]
Federal government slashes grants to help Texans get health insurance
"Federal government slashes grants to help Texans get health insurance" was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. A program meant to help underserved populations enroll in and navigate the federal health insurance … [Read more...]
Texas doctor ‘horrified’ patient deaths linked to his role in $60M Medicare fraud scheme
An Arlington doctor pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to a conspiracy charge in what government officials say was a $60 million scheme to defraud Medicare. Dr. Charles R. Leach, 66, is one of 16 defendants in the criminal case involving Novus Health Services and Optim Health Services, collectively known as Novus. The Frisco-based company was one of the largest hospice … [Read more...]
State Medicaid Managed Care Advisory Committee
September 12, 2018 - 10:00am Health and Human Services Commission Brown-Heatly Building Public Hearing Room 4900 North Lamar Blvd. Austin, TX 78751 This meeting will be webcast. To access the webcast, go to https://hhs.texas.gov/about-hhs/communications-events/live-archived-meetings the day and time of the meeting. Source: State Medicaid Managed Care Advisory Committee … [Read more...]
Houston Psychiatrist Sentenced to More Than 12 Years in Prison for Role in $155 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme
A Houston psychiatrist was sentenced today to 150 months in prison for his role in a $155 million Medicare fraud scheme involving false and fraudulent claims for psychiatric services. Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick of the Southern District of Texas, Special Agent in Charge Perrye K. … [Read more...]
