Media

To help keep doctors’ offices, nursing homes and hospitals open during the coronavirus outbreak, Texas officials are recommending the state increase payments to health providers to the tune of $334 million. State health officials want approval from Gov. Greg Abbott … Read More

Governor Greg Abbott is expected to unveil his plan to reopen the economy on Friday. There is a small but vocal group that wants everything to reopen quickly, but public health experts say that could be disastrous. Dozens of people … Read More

SAN ANTONIO (WOAI/KABB) – If you’re over the age of 10 and are in a public space within Bexar County, you are now required to wear a face mask. Mayor Ron Nirenberg and County Judge Nelson Wolff announced an addendum … Read More

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Logan Laboratories, Inc. (Logan Labs), a reference laboratory in Tampa, Florida, Tampa Pain Relief Centers, Inc. (Tampa Pain), a pain clinic also based in Tampa, Florida, and two of their … Read More

According to the FTC, there have been 18,235 reports of fraudulent activity or fraud attempts related to the coronavirus since Jan. 1. In total, people have lost $13.44 million to fraud. The FTC says the top categories of these scams … Read More

Baltimore, Maryland – Ebenezer Quainoo, M.D., an internist in Baltimore, Maryland, who operates a medical practice known as Baltimore Health Care, P.C., has agreed to pay the United States $436,000 to settle allegations that he submitted false claims to the … Read More

TYLER, Texas (KETK) – The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are warning medicare members of potential scams centered around COVID-19. On its Facebook page, Medicare.gov is warning members about phone calls, texts or emails promising “free COVID-19 items.” … Read More

March 24, 2020 Dear TDA Members, It is with a heavy heart that we write to you today. Due to the serious and pervasive COVID-19 health crisis and the numerous associated government and public health emergency directives, it is impossible … Read More

As the COVID-19/Coronavirus situation evolves, so will our coverage of how it affects Texas dentists. All official updates from TDA will be posted on this page as soon as they are available. Frequently Asked Questions Human Resources and Unemployment Resources … Read More

More than 160 of the state’s 1,222 nursing homes, or about 13%, have at least one case of the new coronavirus, state officials said Thursday. And 38 nursing home residents and staff members have died of COVID-19 statewide. The disclosure, … Read More

BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–DentaQuest, the nation’s leading purpose-driven oral health organization, today announced the launch of a dental consultation hotline for residents of Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic. The service is available at no cost to callers and open to those who … Read More

SAN ANTONIO – H-E-B has been there for all of its customers and is now making sure it’s there for first responders as well. The grocery store announced Thursday it will be delivering chef-inspired meals to hospital workers who are … Read More

Over the past several weeks, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has taken several shots at Sen. Chuck Schumer, his fellow New York Democrat, about the coronavirus “stimulus” bills passed by Congress. Cuomo has repeatedly attacked Schumer for not looking out for their … Read More

April 6, 2020 The TSBDE understands that during this unprecedented time dealing with the rapidly changing situation there is much uncertainty with trying to remain compliant with licensure requirements. Therefore, in an effort to assist licensees with meeting license renewal … Read More

Washington — Dentists can apply for both Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Paycheck Protection Program 7(a) loans, the Small Business Administration told the American Dental Association on April 6. “We are happy to report that our ADA Washington Office received … Read More

This page provides information to Texans receiving HHS services. HHS has provided guidance to child care facilities, long-term care facilities, and other entities that our agency regulates. You can find that guidance here. This is a rapidly evolving situation and … Read More

Greetings, Our organization’s top priority is to protect the public and the health and well-being of HHS program beneficiaries – and this duty has never been more important as we all confront the COVID-19 pandemic. While many Americans are nobly … Read More

The American Dental Association has released interim guidance for dentists on how to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission before, during and after treating dental emergencies. The ADA Interim Guidance for Minimizing Risk of COVID-19 Transmission covers dentist and dental … Read More

Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Legislature have rejected Medicaid expansion even though Texas has the highest rate of uninsured residents in the nation. With the spread of COVID-19 and the threat … Read More

March 30, 2020 Our agency knows that health care organizations and the dedicated professionals providing care to patients are facing extraordinary challenges in managing the coronavirus pandemic. We are inspired by the facilities and their staffs-the doctors, nurses, technicians, therapists, … Read More

Forward Science typically manufactures medical and pharmaceutical products focused on oral health care in its facility in Stafford, Texas. In response to the shortage of hand sanitizer in hospitals, the Forward Science team pivoted and began creating batches of hand … Read More

AUSTIN, Texas — At a time many places are closing due to coronavirus, there’s at least one organization looking to stay open by providing food and low-cost dental services to the public. Because of the virus, Manos de Cristo in … Read More

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Florida) made unallowable capitation payments on behalf of beneficiaries who were assigned multiple Medicaid identification (ID) numbers. Of the 100 beneficiary matches in our sample, Florida correctly made capitation payments on behalf of 1. … Read More

The country is facing an unprecedented health and economic emergency due to COVID-19. Late Wednesday, March 25, the U.S. Senate passed the third legislative package – known as the CARES Act – that has been developed to respond to the … Read More

EXECUTIVE ORDER- The Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services has declared a Public Health Disaster. All schools, bars, dining areas of restaurants, gyms and fitness centers are ordered to close in Texas to prevent community spread of … Read More

Julien Gomez speaks without reservation about how much they value their therapist. “My mental health services have saved my life,” said Gomez, 27, who uses gender-neutral pronouns. “With everything that’s going on right now, I definitely want to keep seeing … Read More

Though the U.S. health care system is projected to be overwhelmed by an influx of patients infected with the novel coronavirus, the pressure on hospitals will vary dramatically across the country. That’s according to new data released by the Harvard … Read More

On March 10, a federal jury convicted a Houston pharmacist, dubbed the “Compound King,” in a $21 million healthcare fraud and kickback scheme, according to the Department of Justice. After a six-day trial, the jury convicted compounding pharmacist George Phillip … Read More

The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts has filed a civil health care fraud complaint against SpineFrontier, Inc. and Impartial Medical Expert, LLC alleging the companies paid over $8 million in kickbacks through sham consulting fees. The … Read More

WASHINGTON — Despite mounting pleas from California and other states, the Trump administration isn’t allowing states to use Medicaid more freely to respond to the coronavirus crisis by expanding medical services. In previous emergencies, including the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Hurricane … Read More

Attorneys for Knox County Hospital in Texas say that the state’s recent $10 million fine levied against Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) demonstrates the need for a much broader review of the insurer. The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) announced … Read More

Today, Rep. Laura Hall, D-Huntsville, introduced a bill, HB448, to extend Medicaid coverage for new and expectant mothers for up to a year postpartum, while Rep. Mary Moore, D-Birmingham, introduced a bill, HB447, to fully expand Medicaid coverage. Rep. Neil … Read More

HOUSTON – Millennium Physicians Association PLLC has paid the United States $1,248,964 to resolve claims that they improperly billed the Medicare program for sleep studies, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. “Providers must adhere to the Medicare rules and regulations … Read More

After undergoing public scrutiny across social media, a dentist and dental hygienist at Waynesboro Family Dentistry have been relieved of their duties at the practice. According to Dr. Zack Bentley, owner of the local practice, both the dentist and hygienist … Read More

Local law enforcement arrested a man in Jacksonville, FL, on March 4 for allegedly practicing dentistry without a license — for the second time. Jose Santos Vicenty was arrested on charges of performing dentistry without a license in his home, … Read More

TYLER, Texas – A 54-year-old Houston Registered Nurse has pleaded guilty to federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown today. Beryl-Anne Tufon Lobe pleaded guilty to conspiracy to pay for patient referrals in … Read More

My thinking about how artificial intelligence (AI) technologies will improve dentistry—even fundamentally revolutionize it—has broadened considerably over the past several years. As Lou Shuman, DMD, CAGS, explained in his February 2019 Dental Economics op-ed article, “How artificial intelligence is shaping … Read More

A Glendale man was sentenced to three-plus years in prison for stealing the identities of at least 11 dentists and filing fraudulent claims to banks that offer lines of credit to dentists, according to a statement from the U.S. Department … Read More

EL PASO, Texas – The Woody L. Hunt School of Dental Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso has received the final accreditation necessary to open the dental school next year. Here is a statement from Texas … Read More