Texas Medical Board appearance?
Pending
When Unhappy Patients, Ad Problems or Competitor Accusations lead to a Texas Medical Board investigation, ISC hearing or SOAH trial, your choice of attorney could make the difference in your future.
“Some hospitals see three or four pa- tients a day and don’t staff the emer- gency room on a regular basis,” Mr. Mc- Beath said.
He says TORCH supports expanding mental health services, but says it is a “complicated problem with no easy solu- tion. Unfortunately, I don’t think legisla- tion related to this issue can be one-size- fits-all. Any change in law needs to take rural health infrastructure and resources into account.”
Lead Counsel Gaines W ’s est
experience and tenacity backed by his firm’s depth-of-staff and range of talent can put justice on your side.
Paralegal & Former Nurse Polly Bowers
Medical Litigation
www.westwebblaw.com
Gaines West Lead Counsel
260 Addie Roy Rd., Suite 110 • Austin, TX 78746
1515 Emerald Plaza • College Station, TX 77845 Austin – 512.501.3617
Principal Office – 979.694.7000
Legislature adds OIG positions to fight Medicaid fraud
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Office of Inspector General (OIG) will hire 127 new em- ployees over the next year, two-thirds of whom will be in enforcement as the divi- sion looks to speed up fraud investiga- tions. The Texas Legislature authorized the positions, which include investiga- tors, auditors, and support staff. HHSC says the hiring process is under way. Among them are Chief Medical Offi-
cer Ed LeBlanc, MD, and Chief Dental Officer Linda Altenhoff, DDS. Dr. Le- Blanc and Dr. Altenhoff will review med- ical records in Medicaid fraud cases the OIG investigates to determine the neces- sity of treatments in question. OIG had contracted with doctors and dentists to conduct those reviews. “Most of the people we contract with
are in private practice,” Inspector Gen- eral Doug Wilson said. “It takes them a while to get to our cases.” Dr. LeBlanc and Dr. Altenhoff also will be liaisons to the Texas Medical Association and the Texas Dental Asso- ciation to explain OIG’s role in stopping and preventing Medicaid fraud. “They will take on speaking engage- ments and provide training on the ex- pectations the groups should have,” Mr. Wilson said. “My experience in dealing with various associations is that they’re hearing what their membership is telling
32 TEXAS MEDICINE November 2013
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