HHSC published the proposed changes mandated by House Bill (H.B.) 2025 to the ICF/IID rules which calls for changes to rules governing administrative penalties, license terms and related policies in various programs including the ICF/IID program, DAHS, ALFs, NFs and Pediatric Extended Care Facilities. HB 2025 is the act relating to the regulation of certain long-term care facilities, including facilities that provide care to persons with Alzheimer ’s disease or related disorders; authorizing an … [Read more...] about PPAT Notice-Proposed Changes to the ICF/IID Administrative Penalties Rules
Guidelines Regarding Plans of Correction Associated with a PASRR Violation
Provider Letter 18-09 (NF) - This letter addressed Long-Term Care Regulations by HHSC. Nursing facilities (NFs) must comply with both state and federal requirements related to Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR). This includes coordinating Level I screening and Level II evaluation assessments, participating in interdisciplinary team meetings (IDTs), and providing necessary specialized services for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID), developmental disabilities (DD) or … [Read more...] about Guidelines Regarding Plans of Correction Associated with a PASRR Violation
Nursing Providers – Designation of Disability Rights Texas as Protection and Advocacy System in Texas
Provider Letter - PL 18-08 (NF) - Nursing providers have been issued a new provider letter regarding Disability Rights Texas (DRTx). Prior to March 2011, Disability Rights Texas was known as Advocacy, Inc. As a part of recent rules amendments, HHSC Long-term Care Regulatory has elected to use a generic description of the protection and advocacy system rather than the name of the entity. The letter details that when Nursing Facility (NF) rules refer to the designated protection and advocacy … [Read more...] about Nursing Providers – Designation of Disability Rights Texas as Protection and Advocacy System in Texas
New Version of Pre-Claim Review for Home Health Proposed by CMS
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing that under the new program, home health agencies (HHAs) could choose to undergo either pre-claim or post-payment reviews, or to forgo reviews but take a 25% payment reduction on all claims submitted for home health services. In the CMS memo issued Tuesday, CMS proposes to roll out the reviews in Illinois, Ohio, North Carolina, Florida and Texas, with the option to expand to other states under the jurisdiction of Medicare … [Read more...] about New Version of Pre-Claim Review for Home Health Proposed by CMS
Accessibility Standards in Assisted Living Facilities
Long-Term Care Regulatory Provider Letter - PL 18-05 Policy Update Re; Life Safety Code for Assisted Living Facility Senate Bill 1049, 85th Legislature, 2017 added §247.0264 to Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 247. This code affirms the role of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) in the interpretation and enforcement of accessibility standards in assisted living facilities. Effective since September 1, 2017, a Health and Human Services (HHSC) inspector may not cite … [Read more...] about Accessibility Standards in Assisted Living Facilities
Accessibility Standards in Assisted Living Facilities
Provider Letter PL 18-05 (ALF) This letter describes procedures related to enforcement of accessibility standards during initial Life Safety Code (LSC) inspections for Assisted Living Facilities. 2.0 Policy Details Senate Bill 1049, 85th Legislature, 2017 added §247.0264 to Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 247, that affirms the role of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) in the interpretation and enforcement of accessibility standards in assisted living … [Read more...] about Accessibility Standards in Assisted Living Facilities
Amended Nursing Peer Review Committee (NPRC) Requirements and a State Agency’s Duty to Report
PL 18-06 - Long-Term Care Regulatory Provider Letter (PL) The Texas Health and Human Services Commission released the provider letter to nursing providers (ALF, DAHS, HCSSA, ICF/IID, and Nursing Facilities) the letter details that House Bill (HB) 3296, 85th Legislature, Regular Session, 2017, amended Texas Occupations Code §303.0015, regarding the establishment of a NPRC. Additionally, this letter clarifies the process a surveyor from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) … [Read more...] about Amended Nursing Peer Review Committee (NPRC) Requirements and a State Agency’s Duty to Report
American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living Announce Quality Improvement Goals for Nursing Providers
The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) issued quality improvement goals for skilled nursing providers in long term and post-acute care. The goals, aligned with the priorities of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and federal mandates, were identified to improve care delivery during the next three years. According to reports: The goals outlined by the AHCA and NCAL include: --Safely reduce long- and short-stay hospitalizations by … [Read more...] about American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living Announce Quality Improvement Goals for Nursing Providers
Invitation Only. New changes to the FMSA enrollment training process
Information Letter No. 18-05: Effective the date of this letter, registration for the FMSA enrollment training will be available by invitation only. The purpose of this letter is to notify current and prospective financial management services agencies (FMSAs) of changes to the FMSA enrollment training process. INVITATIONS TO REGISTER Invitations for registration will be extended only to FMSA contract applicants who have initiated the contract application process with HHSC or an MCO in order … [Read more...] about Invitation Only. New changes to the FMSA enrollment training process
Proposed rule addresses healthcare providers’ right regarding patients care for religious or moral reasons
A Proposed Rule by the Health and Human Services Department is purported to give healthcare providers sweeping discretion to refuse patients care for religious or moral reasons. The rule, Protecting Statutory Conscience Rights in Health Care; Delegations of Authority, explains that since the U.S. has a long history of providing conscience-based protections for individuals and entities with objections to certain activities based on religious belief and moral convictions, they propose to revise … [Read more...] about Proposed rule addresses healthcare providers’ right regarding patients care for religious or moral reasons