MCO Preferred Provider Memorandum In the latest memo update for all managed care organization starting in Fiscal year 2018, HSS is providing Guidance on Preferred Provider Arrangements and Network Access Requirements. The Medicaid and CHIP managed care contracts, including the Uniform Managed Care Contract (UMCC), will require that managed care organizations (MCOs) continue to transition provider payment methodologies from volume based payment approaches to quality-based alternative payment … [Read more...] about Updated Preferred Provider Arrangement for All Managed Care Organizations
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.
CMS to add 200 more facilities to the Music & Memory Program in Texas. Latest expansion to include 165 more nursing homes.
Music therapy is one of the methods that health facilities and providers are researching which may be beneficial to people with disabilities living in long-term intermediate care facilities. The Music & Memory initiative for Dementia patients began in 2015 as a way to improve and build upon the quality of life for those nursing home residents. The music and memory program's first two phases included a roll-out at 250 nursing homes in Texas. The program is executed by using Apple iPods or … [Read more...] about CMS to add 200 more facilities to the Music & Memory Program in Texas. Latest expansion to include 165 more nursing homes.
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.
CMS & CBO Report different numbers on possible effect of AHCA in the healthcare market
The Republican led U.S. House of Representatives approved the American Health Care Act of 2017 last may and now the Office of the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released its report on the Estimated Financial Effect of the “AHCA .” According to reports from the Health Affairs Organization:"The headline from the Actuary’s report that is likely to receive the most attention is that the CMS Actuary sees the AHCA as increasing the uninsured by 4 million for 2018/2019 … [Read more...] about CMS & CBO Report different numbers on possible effect of AHCA in the healthcare market
Adventist Health – To Pay $118MM
Adventist Health System has agreed to pay $118.7 million to settle a whistleblower lawsuit that alleges the Florida-based company paid kickbacks to doctors in exchange for referrals.The 2012 lawsuit alleges Adventist, which operates skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation facilities, hospitals and other healthcare facilities in 10 states, gave physicians bonuses and increased salaries, and allowed them to overbill, in exchange for referring their patients to Adventist facilities. The suit was … [Read more...] about Adventist Health – To Pay $118MM
SNF aide, 77, pleads guilty to rape, faces $15 million fine if abuses again
A former employee of a Minneapolis nursing home pleaded guilty this week to chargesthat he raped a resident who suffered from dementia. He also agreed to an unusual settlement that would require him to pay $15 million to the victim's estate if he is convicted again.George Sumo Kpingbah, 77, was working as an aide at Walker Methodist Health Center when he was found abusing an 83-year-old resident by a nurse on her rounds in December 2014. A Department of Health investigation found the facility … [Read more...] about SNF aide, 77, pleads guilty to rape, faces $15 million fine if abuses again
HHSC – Learning Collaborative Summit
HHSC has posted information on the August 27th - 28th Statewide Learning Collaborative Summit, including the livestream link and agenda, on the Dates and Deadlines page. Visit us at Garlo Ward, PC … [Read more...] about HHSC – Learning Collaborative Summit
HHSC Survey
As the state’s health and human services system prepares for legislatively-directed reorganization, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and other HHS agencies are looking for ways to improve their websites. You can help inform this process by taking a short online survey where you’ll answer questions about your experience with the HHSC website (www.hhsc.state.tx.us). The survey will be open through August 18. Visit us at Garlo Ward, PC … [Read more...] about HHSC Survey
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 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. … [Read more...] about Proposed 2010-11 ICR/MR Rates – comment through 8/7/09