Information Letter and Alerts: ICF/MR, HCS, NFs

DADS release one information letter and several news alerts:

ICF/MR: DADS informed these providers about process changes for how allowable related-party hours for Medicaid cost reporting are determined; and new fully-funded model wage rates that apply to direct services providers, effective September 1. (Letter)

Recent news alerts:

DADS posted an invitation to a webinar about the employment of Texans with developmental disabilities. The target audience is any “staff involved with individual service plan development, day and employment services (including: administrators, day program staff, job coaches, employment direct support staff, and case managers).”

The webinar will be held on November 5, at 10 a.m. CT/11 a.m. ET for an hour. You may register at this web page.

DADS revised Form 3613, Provider Investigation Report. It’s now called Form 3613-A, and you may download it here.

Last month, CMS revised Appendix PP of the State Operations Manual (Publication 100-07), Transmittal 52, which corrects Transmittal 51, issued in July. The correction:

“Staphylococcus is a common cause of infections in hospitals and nursing homes, and increasingly in the community. Common sites of MRSA colonization include the rectum, perineum, skin and nares. Colonization may precede or endure beyond an acute infection. MRSA is transmitted person-to-person (most common), and on inanimate objects. and through the air.”

For more information, see the alert.

On Tuesday, DADS held a meeting where stakeholders discussed and commented on the repeal of CBA rules in Chapter 48, Subchapter J and the draft new rules governing the CBA program in Chapter 54, Community Based Alternatives 1915(c) Waiver Services.

DADS will present the proposed new CBA Chapter 54 rules to the Medical Care Advisory Committee on January 14, 2010, and the DADS Council on January 20, 2010. Find out how to order a copy of the draft proposed rules and where to send written comments here.

DADS updated the killed Nursing Facility CMI values used for RUG-III Version 5.20A Nursing Home classification for FY2010 to reflect new PPS Rural and Urban values, which impact Nursing Homes and Swing Beds for assessments with a target date on or after October 1, 2009.

Providers must update their facilities’ software. See the news alert for details.