Proposed 2010-11 ICR/MR Rates – comment through 8/7/09

As a result HHSC’s delay in issuing the proposed rates, the public commet period has been extended through Friday, August 7, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. Take advantage of this opportunity to have your voice heard by emailing Pam McDonald with HHSC at pam.mcdonald@hhsc.state.tx.us by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2009. • The proposed rates [...]

TxHmL & HCS — Elimination of the Monthly Admin & Operations Fee

As you probably know by now, the admin/op fee of approx. $935 per consumer is set to be eliminated and tied directly to individual service rates. This rule will be republished in this Friday’s Texas Register and implemented October (not September) 1, 2009. Today, July 24, 2010, professional rates (RNs, LVNs, OTs, PTs, etc) will [...]

Moving Case Mgmt from the Provider to MRA

SB 1 Sect. 48 moved HCS case management to Mental Retardation Authorities (MRA). Currently, DADS does not plan on phasing in this shift, instead, DADS intends to ochestrate a mass move in June of 2010. DADS will hold a training for MRAs and providers in the spring before the change. The MRA will conduct enrollment [...]

Legislative Summary: Bills Affecting HCS & TxHmL Programs

SB 643–Protection and care of individuals with mental retardation • Renames state schools–State supported living centers • Requires annual inspections of HCS group homes • Requires independent mortality reviews • Establishes a single investigative database (DFPS & reg. issues) SB 1–General Appropriations Bill • Funds provider rate increase • Funds attendant wage increase • Funds [...]

Upcoming CDS Town Hall Meetings

DADS is hosting Town Hall Meetings throughout the state this summer to provide an opportunity for DADS consumers and family members, service providers and the public to learn more about the Consumer Directed Services (CDS) service delivery option available in many Texas programs. Currently, only 2% of HCS programs (OHFH) and 4% of TxHmL Programs [...]

Changes to HCS Critical Incident Reporting (CARE)

HCS providers report to DADS through the CARE system and the required reporting information has changed (SB 325). Providers must begin collecting data in compliance with the new requirements on August 1, 2009. Provider must now report the total number of medication errors, serious injuries, behavior plans authorizing restraint, emergency restraints used (including type of [...]

Changes to TxHmL Critical Incident Reporting (CARE)

TxHmL providers report to DADS through the CARE system and the required reporting information has changed (SB 325). Providers must begin collecting data in compliance with the new requirements on August 1, 2009. Providers must now report the total number of medication errors, serious injuries, behavior plans authorizing restraint, emergency restraints used (including type of [...]

What’s in a Rule?

Earlier this year, the Texas Supreme Court issued an opinion outlining the definition of a “rule.” El Paso Hospital Dist. v. HHSC, 247 S.W.2d 709 (Tex. 2008). The Court stated, “a presumption favors adopting rules… through the formal rule-making procedures.” This case supports the premise that agency action may be invalidated if it isn’t backed [...]

Executives of Health Care Finance Company Convicted of Fraud

Five executives of National Century Financial Enterprises, a finance company which bought accounts receivables of small hospitals and nursing homes, have been convicted by a federal jury of wire and securities fraud. The company went bankrupt in 2002 and the executives were accused of hiding losses from shareholders by moving money around in accounts and [...]

Provider Letter: FDA Recall Announcement

In a letter dated December 27, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS), informed all Regulatory Services Providers of a food product recall by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The product could pose “a significant health risk” to people receiving services regulated by the agency. From the letter: On Friday, December 21, [...]

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