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 are based upon models developed by Deloitte Touche in 1997 and updated using data from the 2007 ICF/MR cost reports inflated to the 2010-11 biennium.

• The proposed payment rate adjustments are based on the rebasing of the ICF/MR models using data from the FY 2007 ICF/MR cost reports; updating of wage and price inflation factors to project expenses to the rate period; and HHSC reimbursement rules that allow HHSC to adjust reimbursement amounts when it deems such are warranted.

* Direct care wages in the model increase from $8.30 to $8.85/hr
* Direct care trainer wages in the model increase from $8.48to $8.97/hr
* Direct care worker supervisor wages in the model increase from $11.12 to $13.24/hr
* Direct care trainer supervisor wages in the model increase from $11.12 to $12.52/hr
* QMRP wages in the model increase from $16.51 to $18.00/hr
* Nurse wages in the model increase from $18.70 to $20.46/hr

Today, July 24, 2010, professional rates (RNs, LVNs, OTs, PTs, etc) will be discussed at a public hearing.

3 stages of implementation

1. 9/1/09: Professional service rate changes begin
2. 10/1/09: Remaining rate changes begin (allocation of the ad/op fee)
3. Summer 2010: The case management monthly fee will be eliminated with the part of the $221 fee going to the MRAs and the rest remaining in the program rates.

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 and keep up with the PDP (person directed plan). The requirement for an interdiscplinary team has been removed and now a service team consisting of the individual, LAR, and service coordinator (provider rep optional) will work together. The IPC will continue to be implemented by the provider. The requirements and role of the service coordinators still need to be defined with specifity. Accordingly, look for the draft rule proposal to be published in the Texas Register.

• 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 additional HCS slots (approx 50,000)
• Moves HCS case management to Mental Retardation Authorities (MRAs)

Providers and public welcome.
Schedule
7/27: Longview, Texas
7/29: Fort Worth, Texas
8/12: Austin, Texas
8/15: San Antonio, Texas
8/17: Edinburg, Texas
8/19: Lubbock, Texas
8/22: Houston, Texas
8/26: El Paso, Texas

Registration is not required and attendance is free.

Complete listing of upcoming Town Hall Meetings

If you’ve been cited for violation, take the time to verify if your actually breaking a “rule.”

Here is the defense attorneys’ position:

Attorneys for the five defendants said prosecutors took the company’s activities out of context by showing jurors only a tiny slice of National Century’s operations.

That’s what federal prosecutors do in some of the cases which criminalize bad business decisions. They also threaten defendants into testifying against their cohorts:

The government’s star witness, former executive vice president Sherry Gibson, testified last month that the company kept two sets of books, one for public consumption filled with false information, the other that showed the firm’s actual shortfalls. Gibson is one of four former National Century executives who previously pleaded guilty to fraud charges and have cooperated with the government.

So it’s really rich when the Feds turn around and prosecute someone on the other side for witness tampering:

Missing from the trial has been National Century’s former president and chief executive, Lance Poulsen, a chief target of the government’s allegations.

Before his own trial on the fraud charges in August, Poulsen is scheduled for a trial Monday before Marbley on charges of witness tampering.

He’s accused of offering to pay a witness for testimony. Well, what is the Federal government doing when it threatens witnesses with long jail sentences and then offers less time for their testimony? Do you think they always get the truth out of witnesses with that tactic?

The product could pose “a significant health risk” to people receiving services regulated by the agency. From the letter:

On Friday, December 21, 2007, the New Era Canning Company issued a voluntary recall of 171 cases (six cans per case) of Fancy Blue Lake Cut Green Beans because of potential health risks presented by the product. The green beans are packaged in 6 lbs. 5 oz. cans under the GFS brand (GFS reorder #118737, UPC 93901 11873) with lot code 19H7FL printed on the end of the can. Providers and consumers must not use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled. According to the recall notice, the product may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that can cause life-threatening illness or death from botulism.

Download the letter for more information.