As a heads up for dentists across the state, it appears there is a long shot possibility that something still might come home to roost for those that billed Texas Medicaid for orthodontic treatments to children from 2004 to 2012. Xerox wants to include dentists in lawsuit The Texas Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments from Xerox, the state's disgraced former … [Read more...]
UPDATED: Medicaid Dental Rates to be “Slashed”
UPDATE: September 1, HHS announced this morning that it has put on hold the proposed rate changes per legislative sources. Original story: August 1, 2017 TDMR has received a copy of an email from the Texas Academy of Pediatric Dentistry asking members to contact Texas Health and Human Services over a proposed decrease in Medicaid dental rates. They warn in the email that … [Read more...]
“Abuse by Xerox” Echoed at Legislative Hearing on Medicaid Reimbursement Rates
On August 9, the House Committee on Human Services held a public hearing. Part of the agenda was to hear testimony relating to the proposed dental Medicaid reimbursement rate cuts for many necessary codes that have been called "devastating" by the Texas Dental Association. Testifying on the subject were Dr. Paul Kennedy, Dr. Adam Lalonde and Dr. Chad Evans. The three basically … [Read more...]
TDA Issues Call to Action on “Devastating” Medicaid Dental Cuts
From the Texas Dental Association: ATTENTION TDA MEMBER MEDICAID DENTISTS: CALL TO ACTION Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) is moving forward with a devastating proposal that will significantly cut certain Medicaid dental reimbursement rates. The proposed cuts include dental codes that are essential … [Read more...]
TDA Representatives to Meet with HHS on Medicaid Dental Cutbacks
From the Texas Dental Association: As a part of ongoing efforts to prevent potentially devastating “rebalancing” of Medicaid dental fees, the Texas Dental Association (TDA) will meet with Health and Human Services officials in the coming weeks to discuss each of the codes individually and make recommendations about appropriate fee adjustments for each code. The … [Read more...]
Texas Dental Association Strongly Opposes Medicaid Dental Rate Adjustments
TDMR has received a statement from the Texas Dental Association about its position on the proposed upcoming cuts to dental reimbursement rates for Medicaid providers. Statement from TDA President Dr. Joey Cazares The Texas Dental Association (TDA) already voiced strong opposition to the proposed Medicaid dental fee adjustments and the TDA’s Committee on Access, Medicaid … [Read more...]
The Truth Finally Comes Out…
The Statesman published a landmark article this morning by reporter Eric Dexheimer regarding the great Texas orthodontic debacle. Story finally pieced together Thanks to the state's fraud suit against Xerox, its former Medicaid claims administrator summarily terminated back in early 2014, new information has come out and the sordid story has finally been pieced together … [Read more...]
Some Problems with New Dental Anesthesia Requirements Surface
A dentist recently contacted TDMR with a problem that his practice, a group practice, has come across with the new requirements for placing Medicaid children under general anesthesia. Difficulty with multiple dentists doing treatment He wrote: The new general anesthesia requirements are nearly impossible for a group practice with multiple dentists doing exams and … [Read more...]
HHSC Inspector General Office Finds Former Inspector General Doug Wilson’s Wife in Conflict of Interest
In a blast from the past, former Health and Human Services Inspector General Doug Wilson and his wife are in the news again. Resigned on Friday Frianita Wilson resigned last Friday from Child Protective Services after her husband's former agency concluded that she had been involved in a conflict of interest over contracts she managed with a non-profit that had hired her … [Read more...]
Texas Has Spent Over 50,000 Lawyer Hours So Far on Xerox Case
Back in October 2015, TDMR filed an open records request with the Office of the Attorney General seeking to find out how much legal manpower had been used to pursue questionable Medicaid cases against Texas dentists involved in the multi-million dollar Xerox orthodontic prior authorization debacle that had consumed Texas for several years. At that time, newly minted Inspector … [Read more...]
