Information and Provider Letters: Criminal History Reports, Etc.

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) released two information and four provider letters: Surveyor Review of Department of Public Safety (DPS) Criminal History Reports Retrieved from the DPS Secure Website In a letter to Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) and Texas Home Living Providers, DADS provided guidance related to the review of [...]

Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Payment Rates, Etc.

The following information was obtained from the October 24 Texas Register: Public Hearings The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will hold public hearings on November 17, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. to receive public comment on the proposed Medicaid payment rates for several procedures and services, including Hysteroscopy with Endometrial Ablation surgery, Texas Health [...]

Providers and Insurers Battle Over Payments

The Los Angeles Times concludes a three-part series on the health insurance system with an article that highlights the friction between providers and insurance companies. Collecting what’s owed can get expensive, as any business owner can attest. But when insurance companies delay and/or deny payments, it can effect patient care. The Times found that consolidation [...]

Information Letters: CARE Screen 683, BON Rules

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) released two information letters: Review and Update ICF/MR Provider Characteristics Using Client Assignment and Registration (CARE) Screen 683 In a letter to ICF/MR providers, DADS provided information and instructions regarding the role and responsibilities of ICF/MR Providers to maintain current and accurate ICF/MR Provider Characteristics in [...]

Information Letters: TV Conversions, Consumer Rights Booklets, Etc.

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) released three information letters: Service Initiation Begin Date Change for Day Activity and Health Services (DAHS) in the Integrated Care Management Program (ICM) DADS notified DAHS in the ICM service areas about procedures for determining service initiation time frames for eligible ICM members. An excerpt: Current [...]

Medicaid to Grow from $339 Billion to $674 Billion

According to a report released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) last week, state and federal Medicaid spending will total $339 billion in 2008 and reach $674 billion by 2017. (Kaiser Network) Why will Medicaid costs rise at a rate of 7.9 percent annually? Factors like the increased number of insured people [...]

Medicare Part D’s Home-Infusion Therapy Coverage Gap

The Wall Street Journal reports that a gap in Medicare coverage makes the hospital-to-home care swap more difficult. Under “home-infusion therapy,” patients can receive cost-effective care in their own homes and forgo lengthy hospital stays. But Medicare doesn’t fully cover home-infusion therapy. For instance, the list of intravenous drugs has grown, and patients can get [...]

Information Letters: Hurricane Ike Services, Etc.

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) issued three information letters: Hurricane Ike Services: Family Care (FC) and Home Delivered Meals (HDM) Services Available to Limited Number of Individuals Temporarily Residing in Shelters, Hotels, or Home Settings DADS informed FC and HDM providers that it has allotted funds to provide FC and HDM [...]

Texas Register Updates: Board of Nursing Changes, New Medicaid Rates

The following information was obtained from the October 10 issue of the Texas Register: Adopted Rules The Texas Board of Nursing has adopted amendments under the following sections: General Provisions, Vocational Nursing Education, Professional Nursing Education, Licensure, Peer Assistance And Practice, and Fees. Among the amendments’ purposes: To outline the Board’s current policies that delegate [...]

Information Letters: Revision, Repeal, Follow-Up

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) issued four information letters: Revisions to the Texas Medicaid Hospice Program Standards Handbook The Texas Medicaid Hospice Program Standards Handbook has been revised to reflect Texas Index for Level of Effort to Resource Utilization Group changes. For more information, download the letter. Repeal of the DADS [...]

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