Texas Register Updates: Census Bureau Temp Worker Income

The following information was obtained from the September 26 issue of the Texas Register: The Texas Health and Human Services Commission announced its intent to submit Amendment 20 to the Texas State Plan for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) under Title XXI of the Social Security Act, effective October 1, 2008. The amendment [...]

TAHSA Hosts First Webinar Training

On Wednesday, October 1, TAHSA is hosting its first webinar training. In the comfort of your office or home, you can learn about coming trends in technology in long term care. You may register by going here.

Economic Stimulus Bills Blocked

Earlier this month, the Kaiser Network reported that House Democrats were considering a bill to add billions more in Medicaid reimbursements as part of a second economic stimulus package they’d hoped to pass before Congress adjourns this month. Kaiser reported late last week that House Democrats proposed a package of $61 billion (some sources report [...]

Texas Register Updates: TANF Changes, Etc.

The following information was obtained from the September 19 issue of the Texas Register: Proposed Rules The Texas Medical Board has proposed amendments to nine sections of the rules, including Medical Records, Authority of Physicians to Buy Drugs, Complaints, and Investigations. Follow this link and scroll down to read each entry. The Texas Health and [...]

Provider and Information Letters: Two Surveys, Hurricane Ike, Etc.

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) issued two provider and three information letters: Survey About Vehicles Used for Transportation of Individuals DADS requested that Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs) participate in a survey of providers regarding vehicles used to provide transportation of individuals enrolled in DADS programs. The deadline is October 1, 2008. [...]

Illegal Alien Health Care Spending Difficult to Track

Last year, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that Medicaid spending would increase by $10 billion from 2008 to 2012 and by $23 billion from 2008 to 2017, under a so-called comprehensive immigration reform bill that failed to pass Congress. Three years earlier, the Government Accountability Office reported that the cost of caring for illegal aliens [...]

Hospitals Entice Nurses With Improved Working Conditions

The Kaiser Network wrote about a Washington Post story on how hospitals are dealing with nursing shortages. While nurses can command top salaries because of shortages, some providers are luring them by streamlining paperwork, implementing technology, and giving nurses more authority. Hospitals have figured out that financial incentives and perks have unintended consequences. Some nurses [...]

Information Letters: ISPs Utilization Review, Etc.

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) issued three information letters: Utilization Review of Individual Service Plans (ISPs) DADS sent a letter to Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities Providers with an attachment that provides specific information regarding utilization review thresholds. These providers developed criteria to fully implement this review requirement, effective November 1, [...]

Democrats Seek to Increase Medicaid Reimbursements

Democrats in Congress may give states billions more in Medicaid reimbursements as part of a second economic stimulus package they hope to pass before Congress adjourns this month. (Kaiser Network) Proponents seek to make sure recipients aren’t “kicked out” of the Medicaid program and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and may require states to [...]

Information and Provider Letters: FIVES Application, Etc.

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) issued one provider letter and two information letters: Facility Inventory, Vacancy and Evacuation Status (FIVES) Application DADS reminded all provider types that DADS wants facilities to update their number of vacancies and evacuation information in the FIVES application every day during the five days before and [...]

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