CMS to Offer Nursing Home Quality of Care Incentive
March 31, 2009 by Jerri Lynn Ward, J.D.
Filed under Nursing Homes, Quality Assurance
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced last week that it will offer cash incentives to improve quality of care at nursing homes. CMS will ask Arizona, Mississippi, New York, and Wisconsin to participate. (Source)
Quality of care areas include nurse staffing and the scope and severity of deficiency citations the home has received [...]
Texas Register Updates: Texas Medical Board Emergency Rule, Etc.
March 30, 2009 by Jerri Lynn Ward, J.D.
Filed under ICF-MRs, Medicare, Physicans, Texas Medical Board
The following information was obtained from the March 27 issue of the Texas Register:
Public Notices
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced its intent to submit an amendment to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, which will modify the reimbursement methodology for clinical laboratory services [...]
Information and Provider Letters: NF Quality Review, TAS Authorization, Etc.
March 30, 2009 by Jerri Lynn Ward, J.D.
Filed under ICF-MRs, Medicaid, Nurses, Nursing Homes
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) issued six information and two provider letters:
Nursing Facility (NF) Quality Review Process for 2009
In a letter to NF providers, DADS informed them that it’s conducting annual Nursing Qualify Facility Quality Review evaluations of resident care in nursing facilities, the same process conducted for the past seven [...]
More Legislative Bills
March 26, 2009 by Jerri Lynn Ward, J.D.
Filed under ICF-MRs, Medicaid, Nursing Homes, Texas Medical Board, Texas: 81st Legislative Session
The following recently introduced bills may affect providers:
HB 1897 – Relating to transportation services provided to aged or disabled clients of certain programs and facilities.
HB 1905 – Relating to studying the costs and benefits of a pilot program for services for adults with autism.
HB 2558 – Relating to registration for evacuation and disaster preparedness for [...]
Reminder: Check Bill Status
March 25, 2009 by Jerri Lynn Ward, J.D.
Filed under Texas: 81st Legislative Session
In the past few weeks, we’ve posted links to bills introduced in the Texas House and Senate that may affect long term care providers. Bill status may change from week to week, so we encourage you to check at least once a week. The following posts contain links to some of these bills:
New Legislative Bills
Legislative [...]
Long Term Care News Links
March 24, 2009 by Jerri Lynn Ward, J.D.
Filed under Medicare
Last week, Senate Finance Health Subcommittee Chair Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) proposed giving the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) jurisdiction over Medicare reimbursement decisions. At present, MedPAC advises Congress on Medicare issues.
Rockefeller said, “You take a MedPAC and give them the money and the time to … go all around the country and they can dissect [...]
Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Per Diem, Reimbursement Methodologies
March 24, 2009 by Jerri Lynn Ward, J.D.
Filed under ICF-MRs, Medicaid, Texas Medical Board
The following information was obtained from the March 6, 13, and 20 issues of the Texas Register:
Public Meetings and Notices
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will hold a public meeting on March 30, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. to receive public comment on the proposed interim per diem Medicaid reimbursement rate for large, state-operated [...]
Information Letters: ICM Waiver Rules, TV Converter Box Updates, etc.
March 16, 2009 by Jerri Lynn Ward, J.D.
Filed under End of Life Issues, Hospice, Medicaid, Nursing Homes
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) released four information letters:
Integrated Care Management (ICM) 1915(c) Waiver Rules, Adaptive Aids, Minor Home Modification and Medical Supplies Processes (Replaces IL 2008-47)
DADS sent a letter to ICM Waiver providers informing them about operational processes for accessing adaptive aids, medical supplies and minor home modifications. The [...]
GAO: Fraud and Abuse Increased Medicare Home Health Services Spending
March 16, 2009 by Jerri Lynn Ward, J.D.
Filed under Home Health, Medicare
According to a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, Medicare fraud and abuse by home health care providers resulted in a 44 percent increase in spending over five years. (Kaiser Network)
The GAO reviewed home health care payments from 2002 to 2006 and found that the number of Medicare beneficiaries increased 17 percent and spending reached [...]
New Legislative Bills
March 16, 2009 by Jerri Lynn Ward, J.D.
Filed under HCS, ICF-MRs, Medicaid, Medicare, Nurses, Texas: 81st Legislative Session
The following bills were introduced this month and may affect providers:
HB 166 – Relating to providing home- and community-based support services under the Medicaid program to persons who are deaf-blind with multiple disabilities.
HB 510 – Relating to the registration of certain assisted living facilities; providing penalties.
HB 1186 – Relating to the transfer or discharge of [...]
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