In a letter dated May 12, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) asked providers to participate in an online survey for joint training courses. Based on the survey, DADS will assess the needs of nursing, assisted living, adult day care, and intermediate care facilities when developing joint training courses for long term care providers. According to the letter, there is no fee to take the confidential survey, which will be accessible for the next 60 days, starting today. … [Read more...] about Provider Letter: Joint Training Survey Announcement
CMS Proposes Competitive Bidding for Durable Equipment
In a move designed to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for beneficiaries and save the money for the Medicare program, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking to open up bidding for durable medical equipment. From the press release: "We intend to implement these DME competitive reforms to get savings for beneficiaries and taxpayers, while maintaining and improving quality," said CMS Administrator Mark B. McClellan, M.D., Ph.D. "This is another way in which Medicare is … [Read more...] about CMS Proposes Competitive Bidding for Durable Equipment
GAO Report: Medicare Reps Give Bad Information
According to a new report (PDF) by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), customer service representatives at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) often give inaccurate information to beneficiaries, and CMS documents are needlessly complicated, loaded with technical jargon. GAO investigators called CMS operators while posing as beneficiaries. According to the report's abstract, representatives gave correct responses 90 percent of the time when asked about eligibility. … [Read more...] about GAO Report: Medicare Reps Give Bad Information
Provider Letter: Preadmission Screening and Resident Review
In a provider letter dated May 5, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services reminds federally-funded nursing facility providers that rules at 40 TAC ยง19.2500 require that they screen potential new admissions to determine if there are indicators of mental retardation. Whether the admittees pay through Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, or private pay, screening is still required. If someone is admitted without a completed screening, the facility may not receive payment if DADS … [Read more...] about Provider Letter: Preadmission Screening and Resident Review
Medicare Bankrupt By 2018?
According to the trustees who monitor Medicare and Social Security, the trust fund that supports Medicare will be out of money by 2018. The main reason appears to be rising health care costs. (Washington Post) Medicare and Social Security are funded through payroll taxes, so expect those to increase in the near future to compensate for higher costs. The bottom line is that beneficiaries probably will have to pay more out-of-pocket expenses. Before this bad news was reported, a study on … [Read more...] about Medicare Bankrupt By 2018?
Mandatory Background Checks for LTC Employees in Michigan
In a move designed to improve standards in long term care facilities, Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm signed a measure earlier this year that requires nursing homes and other assisted living facilities to conduct criminal background checks on prospective employees, the Michigan Long Term Care Partnership Workforce Background Check. (WILX News) At the web site, Michigan Long Term Care Partnership, you'll find the text of the bill, legal guides, and information on the background check … [Read more...] about Mandatory Background Checks for LTC Employees in Michigan
Provider Letter: ACDs for Residents of Nursing Facilities
In a letter dated April 28, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) announced a change regarding funding for Assistive Communication Devices (ACDs). Effective April 1, nursing facilities will be allowed to request reimbursement for ACDs for Medicaid-eligible residents under the following conditions: Obtain from a speech-language therapist licensed in Texas an evaluation of the resident; Obtain from the resident's primary care physician an attestation of medical … [Read more...] about Provider Letter: ACDs for Residents of Nursing Facilities
CMS & DADS Instruct Facilities To Improve Documentation of CNA Training and Performance Reviews.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reported that it was unable to verify in all but one case (from in-service training "sign-in sheets" and a master training list) that a randomly selected sample of CNAs in Texas had received the mandated performance reviews and in-service training. The CMS report, issued this past February, was based on its onsite review of Texas' Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP). As a result, the Texas Department of Aging and … [Read more...] about CMS & DADS Instruct Facilities To Improve Documentation of CNA Training and Performance Reviews.
CMS Nixes Medicare Deadline Extension
Leslie Norwalk, deputy administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), said unequivocally that extending the Medicare prescription drug program deadline is "legally not permissible." The deadline for enrolling in the program is May 15. Under exceptional circumstances, however, CMS allows additional time without penalty. From a Kaiser Network report: Under a new policy announced this month, CMS will allow "ongoing" enrollment in the Medicare prescription drug … [Read more...] about CMS Nixes Medicare Deadline Extension
Amnesty, Illegal Immigration, and Medicaid
President George W. Bush's amnesty plan for illegal aliens is controversial for many reasons. Some believe it will "reward" criminal behavior, while others believe illegal aliens depress wages. Some lawmakers and their constituents believe granting legal status to aliens would be potentially burdensome to the Medicaid system. From Medical News Today: Under the 1996 welfare law, legal immigrants cannot apply for Medicaid or welfare benefits during their first five years in the U.S., but … [Read more...] about Amnesty, Illegal Immigration, and Medicaid