Information and Provider Letters: Change in Look-Back Periods, Etc.

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) issued one provider and three information letters: Community Services Medical Necessity (MN) and Level of Care Assessment (LOC) — Resource Utilization Group Value “BC1″ DADS notified Home and Community Support Services Agencies for Community-Based Alternatives, Consolidated Waiver Program, Integrated Care Management, and Program for the All [...]

Medicaid Pays for Unapproved Drugs; Errors in Eligibility System

From 2004 to 2007, Medicaid paid almost $198 million for over 100 unapproved prescription drugs. (Source) Although the drugs have been on the market for decades, they haven’t been assessed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety or effectiveness. About two percent of drugs sold in the United States have not been approved [...]

Texas Register Updates: Payment Rate Hearings, BON Amendments

The following information was obtained from the November 14 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will hold a public hearing on December 3, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. to receive public comment on proposed payment rates for the assisted living/residential care services under the Community Based Alternatives [...]

Information and Provider Letters: Data Training Classes, Etc.

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) released an information and a provider letter: Data Entry Training Class for Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) and Texas Home Living (TxHmL) providers DADS informed HSC and TxHmL program providers about a monthly Data Entry Training Class for 2009. The two-day class focuses on the Client [...]

California May Freeze SCHIP Enrollment

The state of California is considering temporarily stopping enrollment in the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to avoid a $17.2 million deficit that will be caused by a glut of “new clients.” The state in general faces an $11.2 billion deficit. (Source) Over 900,000 children in California receive health care through the program. The [...]

Garlo Ward Presents! Technology and Long Term Care

We have a new feature for the blog. We will be doing interviews with various people in the long term care profession about issues such as technology and associated products, legislative developments and regulatory and other legal issues on a regular basis. Today, I present our first podcast on a technology which has been newly [...]

Provider and Information Letters: Workflow, Surveys, Etc.

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) released eight information letters: New Provider Workflow Process for Nursing Facilities (NF) and Hospices In a letter to NFs and hospice providers, DADS informed them about the “Provider Action Required” status displayed for a form in the LTC Online Portal. The form history will include a [...]

Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Rate and Amendment Hearings

The following information was obtained from the November 7 issue of the Texas Register: The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will hold a public hearing on November 25, 2008, at 1:30 p.m., to receive public comment on proposed Medicaid payment rates for electric patient lifts related to Home Health Mobility Aids medical policy [...]

Democratic Majority Will Seek to Expand SCHIP

Earlier this year, the Bush administration sought to prevent the expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The president twice vetoed versions of the bill that would have expanded the program amid concerns that parents who could afford private insurance would seek coverage under SCHIP, depriving low-income children of coverage. Unable to override [...]

Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Payment Rates, Texas Medical Board Rules

The following information was obtained from the October 31 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearings The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will hold a public hearing on November 17, 2008, at 1:30 p.m., to receive public comment on proposed Medicaid payment rates for maternity service clinics, in the Lone Star Conference Room [...]

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