Information Letters: HSC, TxHml, PACE Providers

DADS released three information letters: Home and Community-based Services (HCS) and Texas Home Living (TxHmL) Providers DADS reminded and encouraged HCS and TxHmL providers to use the Client Abuse and Neglect Reporting System to conduct screenings of potential and current employees and contracted personnel. Download the letter for more information. Community Service Providers DADS reminded [...]

Police Pepper Spray, Taze and then Allegedly Laugh at Deaf, Special Needs Man

Then they claim it’s justified. How disgusting. Providers taking care of special needs adults should be communicating with and educating local peace officers: MOBILE, Ala. — Officers who used pepper spray and a Taser to remove a man from a store bathroom found out only later he was deaf and mentally disabled and didn’t understand [...]

Texas Register Updates: Amended Notice, Contract Award, Etc.

The following was obtained from the July 24 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices and Hearings The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) intends to submit an amendment to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, which amends the original notice published in the July 3, 2009, issue of the Texas Register (34 [...]

Texas Register Updates: ICF/MR Medicaid Rates, ACD Devices

The following information was obtained from the July 17 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearings and Notices The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will hold a public hearing to receive comment on proposed Medicaid rates for the Nursing Facility program on August 3, 2009, at 9 a.m. At 1:30 p.m. the same [...]

Whether you’re caring for the young or the old the State’s expectations don’t change

Interestingly, the categories of top 10 deficiencies cited against Child Placing Agencies parallel the categories of top 10 deficiencies cited against Nursing Facilities Physical environment/Sanitation— Youth: “safe for children, kept clean, and in good repair” (Rank #2) Seniors: “nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean, and comfortable” “give out food in a safe [...]

New Interpretive Guidance on Quality of Life and Environment

On June 12, 2009, Appendix PP, pertaining to nursing facilities, was revised with regard to F-tags 172, 175, 241, 242, 246, 247, 252, 255, 256, 371, 461 and 463. Here is a copy of the CMS Transmittal detailing the changes: Transmittal 48 James M. Berklan, editor of McKnight’s Long-Term Care News says the following about [...]

Proposed Changes to §335.723—So long flat rates…hello “weighted methodologies”

ATTENTION HCS & TxHmL Providers: CMS has directed HHSC to eliminate the current monthly Administration and Operations Fee (Adm & Op fee) and replace with a methodology that allocates these expenses across all HCS services. How will this directive impact you? It means that the current monthly “admin& op” fee used to reimburse providers for [...]

Never Talk to the Police

I’ve been wanting to post this video for a while. With the ramping up of fraud investigations and investigations of abuse and neglect, there is a chance that some of you might be subjected to an investigation by law enforcement. Additionally, there are investigators in the AG’s office whose background is law enforcement. This is [...]

Information Letters: Hearing Cancellation, Physician’s Signature

The Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) issued two information letters: Public Hearing Regarding Proposed Rates for the Home and Community-based Services, Texas Home Living, and Consolidated Waiver waiver programs — Revised DADS informed all HCS, TxHmL, and CWP waiver programs about the cancellation of a public hearing initially scheduled for July 24, 2009, [...]

Texas Register Updates: Licensure Applications and Registrations Changes, Etc.

The following information was obtained from the July 10 Texas Register: Public Hearing The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will hold a public hearing on July 24, 2009, at 1 p.m. to receive public comment on proposed rates for Professional Services in Home and Community-Based Services waivers. The hearing will take place in [...]

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