TX Register Updates: CDS Option Hearing, Corrected Notices
The following information was obtained from the September 30 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearing and Notices HHSC intends to renew the consultant contract for Information Technology Negotiation Support Services to continue services to provide information, advice, and assistance in various proposals IT negotiations. HHSC will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, October 18, 2011, at 9 a.m. to receive public comment on proposed CDS option payment rates for employment assistance and supported employment services in the DBMD waiver program, and supported employment in the CLASS waiver program. The hearing will be held in the Lone Star Conference Room. For more information, see ...
ILs and PLs: Meds/Unlicensed Person, EVV
DADS released three provider and five information letters: Licensed ICFs: Effective immediately, an unlicensed person may adminster medication to a client without the requirement that an RN delegate or oversee each administration if various conditions are met, including if the meds are administered for a stable or predictable condition. (Letter) ALFs: SB 7, 82nd Legislature, First Called Session, 2011, amended Section 247.002 of the code and revised the definition of an ALF to authorize an ALF to use its staff to provide skilled nursing services for limited purposes.(Letter) Licensed ICFs/MR: Regarding the DADS and Texas Board of Nursing pilot program to evaluate LVNs who provide on-call ...
TX Register Updates: Oct. Hearings, Nursing & Physician Changes
The following information was obtained from the October 7 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearings and Notice HHSC will hold a public hearing on October 27, 2011, at 9 a.m. to receive public comment on proposed rates for Hospice routine home, continuous home, inpatient respite, and general inpatient care, to be held in the Lone Star Conference Room. HHSC intends to submit transmittal number 11-055 to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, which would establish the Recovery Audit Contractor Program. For more information about the hearing and the amendment, see the Texas Register. DADS will hold a public hearing on October 18, ...
DADS News Alerts: Electronic Forms, Region 6 AL Orientation
Since September 28, DADS has issued 10+ news alerts. The most recent alerts appear on the first page. From the second page: -- DADS will implement a pilot project allowing AFC, AL/RC, CAS, CBA, CDSAs, DAHS, ERS, FC, HDM, MDCP, PHC, and TAS providers and CDSAs to transmit and receive forms and documentation electronically, effective December 2011. Please email DADS at PDO@dads.state.tx.us for more information. Houston office - 1332 E. 40th location Harris County CDSAs Waco office -- 801 Austin Ave. McLennan County CDSAs Midland office -- 901 W. Wall Community Service Providers: Midland, Ector, and Martin Counties CBA Providers only: Andrews, Borden, Gaines, Glasscock, Martin, Midland and Upton Counties MDCP Providers ...
Texas Doctors Changing with the Times
The rising costs of health care and lower reimbursement rates are forcing some physicians to change the way they work. From the Texas Tribune: These new models present a culture shift for the state's physicians, who haven't been as quick to shed a kind of "lone ranger" status as some doctors elsewhere in the nation. But it has provided an intriguing benefit for patients, drawn to the convenience and comfort of a system financially motivated to keep them as well as possible. “Doctors in Texas traditionally haven’t wanted to share resources, to share financial risk, to share clinical information,” said Tom Banning, ...
Recent Reforms to the Texas Medical Board Disciplinary Process
Effective September 1, 2011, House Bill 680 moderately reforms the disciplinary process of the Texas Medical Board (“TMB”). The key points of the reform are listed below. Anonymous complaints: The TMB will no longer accept anonymous complaints. “Anonymous” is defined as a complaint that “lacks sufficient information to identify the source or the name of the person who filed the complaint.” That is, the TMB has to be able to identify the complainant. However, the TMB does not have to inform the physician of the name of the person making the complaint, with one exception. If the complainant is an insurance ...
Requirements for Informal Review Requests will be Enforced Beginning September 1, 2011
DADS has issued Provider Letter 11-11 outlining changes for requirements to informal review requests for cost reports, effective September 1, 2011. Beginning September 1, if a provider submits an informal review request that does not meet the requirements of 1 TAC §355.110(c)(1)(B) the request will not be accepted. Under 1 TAC §355.110(c)(1)(B), a provider must submit the following with its request for informal review: A concise statement of the specific actions or determinations disputed; A recommended resolution; and Any supporting documentation relevant to the dispute. Provider Letter 11-11 further states that if a provider is disputing a cost report adjustment, the provider must include ...
Licensed Health Providers
TX Register Update: Specialty DrugsThe following information was obtained from the January 27 issue of the Texas Register. HHSC...
ILs: Nursing Changes
DADS released three information letters. HCS and TxHmL: These providers must be in...
TX Register Updates: Feb. 15 Hearing, Emergency Rules
The following information was obtained from the January 20 issue of the Texas Register. Public...
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Employment
Background Checks for Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facility EmployeesMany nursing homes and assisted living facilities may be unsure whether they are...
IRS Defers Requirement on Reporting Health Plan Coverage Costs
On October 12, 2010, the IRS released a draft Form W-2 for employers for 2011. Employers...
IRS Releases Draft Form Regarding Small Business Health Care Tax Credit
On September 7, 2010, the Internal Revenue Service released a draft version of the...
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Business
Four Habits of High-Value Health Care OrganizationsThe New England Journal of Medicine recently published an article regarding four habits of effective hospitals. Although the article is geared towards, hospitals, the principles below are applicable to any health care organization. Specification and planning - Base choices, transitions, subgroups, and patient pathway on specific, meaningful criteria. Infrastructure... [Read more of this review]
Fall 2011 OIG Semiannual Report to Congress
The Office of the Inspector General (“OIG”) recently issued its semiannual report for the period ending September 30, 2011. The report provides an overview of the enforcement actions over the past year. Of particular interest is the report’s section of hospice care. Hospice care for nursing facility residents has grown nearly 70% since... [Read more of this review]
Three Felonies A Day Redux
Some time ago, I wrote about Harvey Silverglate’s book Three Felonies A Day: How the Feds Target the Innocent. The book’s premise is that there is virtually no adult in this country who has not violated a federal criminal law because of the incredible number of laws and the vagueness and breadth of them. Moreover, almost every Federal... [Read more of this review]
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