Information Letter No. 17-19DADS has published the latest information letter regarding Temporary Extension of Medicaid for Certain Intellectual Developmental Disability Waiver Program Recipients Who Lose Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid. With a denial of SSI, Medicaid is automatically ended. This letter is for informational purposes regarding a process change affecting certain individuals receiving waiver services and does not affect the providers’ or local intellectual developmental … [Read more...] about Temporary Extension of Medicaid for Certain Intellectual Developmental Disability Waiver Program Recipients
Failure to Deliver PASRR Services – Level I Screening and Level II Evaluation Assessments
Provider Letter No. 17-15 - DAD'S latest provider letter addressing Nursing Facilities reports on clarification that the role of the nursing facility (NF) is to coordinate completion of the Level I screening and Level II evaluation assessments with appropriate entities. The letter reports:Nursing Facilities must comply with both state and federal requirements related to Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR). This includes coordinating with appropriate entities to ensure completion … [Read more...] about Failure to Deliver PASRR Services – Level I Screening and Level II Evaluation Assessments
CMS Launches New Hospice Care Website for Families, Physicians and their Patients.
In a new press release, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) officially announced the opening of their Hospice Compare website. The website which focuses on palliative and end of life care was designed to improve transparency, the consumer experience and empower patients. giving families, patients and the physicians who care for them a reliable resource and "snapshot" of the quality of care a hospice facility provides, as well as information related to health care decisions. The … [Read more...] about CMS Launches New Hospice Care Website for Families, Physicians and their Patients.
When Dying is Profitable. Practice of Hospice patients being discharged before death linked to higher profits for facilities
In the past years, there has been a major increase in for-profit hospices and according to a study published last month in the journal Health Affairs titled: “A Positive Association Between Hospice Profit Margin And The Rate At Which Patients Are Discharged Before Death.” The study was researched from a sample of 1,439 freestanding hospices, as well as for-profit, chain-owned and nonprofit facilities, and their live discharge rates. The report found that live discharge rate rose from 2000 t0 … [Read more...] about When Dying is Profitable. Practice of Hospice patients being discharged before death linked to higher profits for facilities
Alert: All Providers Are Required To Redo Employee Misconduct Registry (EMR) Searches
Provider Letter No. 17-23 - DADS is directing providers to immediately redo all EMR searches conducted during this two-month period ( From June 9, 2017, through July 27, 2017) to verify the employability of any individuals they have hired. If a search result now shows that an individual is listed in the EMR, then the individual is not eligible to continue employment in a DADS-regulated facility or agency or any facility or agency governed by Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 253. Every … [Read more...] about Alert: All Providers Are Required To Redo Employee Misconduct Registry (EMR) Searches
Hospice Care To Increase For U.S. Veterans via Initiatives to Improve Care at the End of Life.
Recently, a Texas home hospice care patient went viral online after hundreds of inspired and sympathetic people called and sent well-wishes to terminally ill army veteran, Lee. As the story is reported in the news; the influx of support came after his wife told a friend that the Lee had asked to hold his phone and when she asked why he said, 'in case someone calls but after a couple hours and no calls he told his wife, 'I guess no one wants to talk to me.' In recent reports, A 2009 initiative … [Read more...] about Hospice Care To Increase For U.S. Veterans via Initiatives to Improve Care at the End of Life.
Latest Pre-admission Screening and Resident Review – Quality Service Reviews
Provider Letter No. 17-22 - Quality service reviews (QSRs) of the implementation of policies, procedures, and improvements relating to the Pre-admission Screening and Resident Review Process (PASRR) will be conducted and the process will continue with Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) staff. HHS QSR staff will continue to conduct QSRs of nursing facilities, community-based Medicaid service providers, and Local IDD Authorities (LIDDAs) that provide service coordination and other services … [Read more...] about Latest Pre-admission Screening and Resident Review – Quality Service Reviews
Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Projects are Subject to Unannounced Visits to Ensure Project Implementation
Provider Letter No. 17-17 - DADS addresses Civil Money Penalty projects(CMP) regarding the documentation regarding the status of their project and the monitoring of the performance of the contract deliverables as indicated in Attachment C to the contract, Special Conditions for CMP Funded Contracts, section 4.01, Measurement. If your facility has applied and been approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to receive CMP funds, your facility is subject to unannounced … [Read more...] about Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Projects are Subject to Unannounced Visits to Ensure Project Implementation
HIPAA Notification From HHSC: Texas Vendor Loses Clients’ Personal Information. Breach may affect 1,842
The Health and Human Services Commission issue a notification about the accidental loss of protected personal information that include names, bank and health information, social security, addresses and other pertinent personal details. The breach may affect 1,842 people in the Texas. The box of forms containing client information was found beside an unsecured dumpster in Houston at the E. 40th St. complex, an Houston area eligibility office.The agency is examining this breach and an … [Read more...] about HIPAA Notification From HHSC: Texas Vendor Loses Clients’ Personal Information. Breach may affect 1,842
Atlantic Hurricane Season Preparedness Required by DADS: Health Services and Care Facilities should review their emergency preparedness and response plans.
With the latest weather conditions and Hurricane Season in effect from June to Novemeber, DADS has issued a new release addressing applicable program rules to ensure that: "All Adult Day Care Facilities (ADCs), Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs), Home and Community Support Service Agencies (HCSSAs), Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability or Related Conditions (ICFs/IID), and Nursing Facilities (NFs) should be prepared to protect residents/clients during … [Read more...] about Atlantic Hurricane Season Preparedness Required by DADS: Health Services and Care Facilities should review their emergency preparedness and response plans.