How Pediatric Home Nursing May Make a Difference

Pediatric home nursing may help make a difference in the life of a child with a chronic medical condition. One of the most common situations that pediatric home health care nurses help with is caring for a premature infant who has recently come home from the hospital. Some of the things that a pediatric home health care nurse might do for your child include:

Occupational Therapy and Sensory Processing Issues

Most children experience a range of sensory stimulation throughout the day without even realizing it. The sound of a dog’s collar jingling or the blur of a passing train may even go completely unnoticed. Other children, however, may find this kind of stimulation stressful or unpleasant. Sensory integration therapy may be a useful approach in treating children who struggle with sensory issues.

Physical Therapy: What Parents Can Expect

Your child’s doctor might recommend therapy if he or she has suffered injuries or has a disability. There are certain types of therapy that may be suited for your child’s needs like occupational therapy, pediatric physical therapy, and speech therapy. Physical therapy (PT) is one of the most recommended therapy for children with musculoskeletal impairment. As a parent, here are some of the things you need to know to be prepared for your child’s first PT appointment

Pediatric Physical Therapy Helps Provide Relief

If your child with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) has been regularly seeing his physician for a dose of pain relief, consider complementing it with physical therapy. Medication may help reduce swelling temporarily but a good therapeutic exercise program may provide longer-lasting benefits by proactively improving the affected joint itself.

Recortes Propuestos a Tasas de Terapia Pediátrica Amenazan Los Servicios Para Niños con Necesidades Especiales-ACCIÓN URGENTE ES NECESARIA!

El Miércoles, 08 de Julio la Comisión de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Texas dio a conocer un nuevo paquete de tarifa para los servicios de terapia a cortar la financiación de los servicios de terapia pediátrica EXTREMADAMENTE en los dos ámbitos de atención domiciliaria y en las clínicas.  Si es finalizado, estas tarifas entrarán en vigor 1 de Septiembre.

 En respuesta a la ley de presupuesto Sesión Legislativa 84a aprobada en Junio, los reguladores de la Comisión de Salud y Servicios Humanos (HHSC) deben reducir las tasas a los servicios de terapia de Medicaid. Antes del 1 de Septiembre de 2015 debe trabajar hacia el recorte de 150 millones de dólares el gasto de Medicaid a través de la terapia de recortes de tasas. Un adicional de $ 25 millones en ahorros se lograrán a través de cambios en las políticas de Medicaid tales como la codificación o la facturación, los cambios y los criterios de necesidad médica.

 Habrá una audiencia pública el 20 de Julio para que la HHSC pueda recoger comentarios sobre las tarifas propuestas. Aquí hay un enlace a la convocatoria.

NECESITAMOS SU AYUDA! Todos los proveedores de terapia pediátrica, padres y miembros de familia de los niños con necesidades especiales que se verán afectadas por los recortes a los servicios de terapia deben asistir a la audiencia pública el 20 de Julio y dar su comentario. Esta será la primera vez que este piloto de contención del costo habrá tenido una audiencia pública, por lo que es urgente que el público, los medios y los legisladores sepan el impacto de este jinete y cómo estas reducciones de tarifas afectarán a los niños con necesidades especiales y sus familias en todo el estado. Por favor, contactar sus oficinas legislativas y invitar a su personal a asistir, así! Es importante que la audiencia recibe tanta atención como sea possible.

Proposed Pediatric Therapy Rate Cuts Threaten Services for Children with Special Needs-URGENT ACTION NEEDED!

On Wednesday, July 8th Texas Health and Human Services Commission released a new rate packet for therapy services SEVERELY cutting funding for pediatric therapy services in both home care and outpatient settings.  If finalized, these rates will take effect September 1st.
 
In response to the 84th Legislative Session budget bill passed in June, regulators at the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) must reduce rates to Medicaid therapy services.  By September 1, 2015 they must work toward trimming $150 million from Medicaid therapy spending via rate cuts.  An additional $25 million in savings will be achieved through Medicaid policy changes such as coding, or billing, changes and medical necessity criteria.
 
There will be a public hearing on July 20th so that HHSC may collect comments on the proposed rates.  HERE is a link to the meeting notice. 

We NEED your help!  All pediatric therapy providers, parents and family members of children with special needs who will be impacted by cuts to therapy services must attend the public hearing on July 20th and give comment.  This will be the first time this cost containment rider will have had a public hearing, so it is urgent that the public, media and legislators know the impact of this rider and how these rate reductions will impact children with special needs and their families across the state.  Please reach out to your legislative offices and invite their staff to attend as well!  It is important that the hearing gets as much attention as possible.

 

How Occupational Therapy May Help with CMV Issues

The Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is among the most common viruses, possibly infecting anyone from unborn children to healthy adults. While it rarely causes symptoms, once infection occurs, it stays in the body for life. Mostly, though, it’s not a cause for concern as it lies dormant in healthy people.