• Online renewal becoming popular option for CHIP families
• Texas joins national effort to make Medicaid more consistent, accessible
• Practice, preparation eases transition as TIERS rollout continues
• Federal review of CHIP, Medicaid claims continues in 2009
• Money available for medical home transformation
• New license plate promotes “Insure Texas Kids”
• Medicaid to change billing process for pharmacies
• Briefs

Online renewal becoming popular option for CHIP families

When Stephen Thompson and his wife, Tracie Hall, got word it was time to renew their son Kenneth’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) benefits this year, they found they had a new option: apply online.

[CHIP]

Texas joins national effort to make Medicaid more consistent, accessible

It wasn’t too many years ago that banks worked together to standardize the transfer of electronic funds. Because of that collaboration, Americans are now able to use their ATM cards to do business at just about any terminal nationwide — even those operated by other banks.

So why shouldn’t standardized processes and technology give Medicaid clients equal flexibility in applying for, monitoring and accessing their benefits wherever they go? And why shouldn’t providers be able to enroll in the program with similar ease?

[Medicaid information technology]

Practice, preparation ease transition as TIERS rollout continues

With repetition, even the most thrilling activities start to feel routine. That’s a bit sad in the case of birthdays and anniversaries. But as far as HHSC is concerned, monotony is golden when you’re converting offices from one eligibility system ( SAVERR) to a new eligibility system (TIERS).

[TIERS]

Federal review of CHIP, Medicaid claims continues in 2009

One year ago, the federal government began the Payment Error Rate Measurement reviews in Texas with the goal of measuring the accuracy of payment for health care services delivered through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

[Payment error rate]

Money available for medical home transformation

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is looking to help Texas medical practices evolve into medical homes to better serve their patients, specifically those who are children and youth with special health care needs.

[Medical home transformation]

New license plate promotes 'Insure Texas Kids'

Texas drivers who are passionate about making sure children have access to health care can now take that message on the road.

[Insure Texas Kids]

Medicaid to change billing process for pharmacies

Texas Medicaid soon will require pharmacies to check to see if other insurance coverage is available to pay for prescriptions before billing Medicaid.

[Medicaid billing]

Briefs

• Extensions coming to Ike victims covered by Children’s Medicaid
• Update: Health care reform
• Managed care contracts for rural counties open for bidding
• Univision helps promote CHIP/Children’s Medicaid
• Update: Women’s Health Program
• New report spotlights CRCG successes, challenges
• Frew Advisory Committee to meet
• Meetings, public hearings, workshops and events