DADS released two provider and three information letters. Licensed Type C ALs: DADS will conduct a two-year review of licensed Type C assisted living facilities that no longer serve adult foster care (AFC) clients, effective September 14, 2011, which replaces the assessment completed by the AFC contract specialist when the services were provided to those clients. Use Form 1123, Review of Assisted Living Facility Type C. (Letter) HCSSAs: Attached to this letter is a five-page document … [Read more...] about ILs and PL: AFC Clients, Mortality Review
ILs: Hospice Rates, Criminal Checks
DADS released three information letters. Medicaid Hospice: HHCS approved new payment rates for Medicaid hospice room and board for recipients living in a NF or ICF/MR, effective September 1, 2011. You can access the new rates at the HHCS Rate Analysis web page. (Letter) CBA AL/RC, CBA HCSSA, CLASS CMA and DSA, DAHS, DBMD, HCS, ICF/MR, NF, PHC, AL/RC, and TxHmL: HHSC adopted amendments to its Cost Determination Process rules governing the Informal Reviews and Formal Appeals at 1 TAC … [Read more...] about ILs: Hospice Rates, Criminal Checks
News Alerts: Nursing Services, MDS Updates
DADS news alerts: 1. HHSC proposed to amend §§19.1001, 19.1002, 19.1510, and 19.1601 concerning nursing services, additional nursing services staffing requirements, emergency medication kits, and infection control, in Chapter 19, Nursing Facility Requirements for Licensure and Medicaid Certification. The changes to §19.1001 and §19.1002 would make the rule consistent with the federal requirements for posting nurse staff information. The amendments to §19.1601 would reorganize, clarify, and … [Read more...] about News Alerts: Nursing Services, MDS Updates
News Alerts: Employee Misconduct, June 8 Meeting
Residents must sign the form in the 3.0 RAI Manual when admitted to an NF or SNF. DADS drafted rules about employee training in DADS State Supported Living Centers, which would consolidate the rules into a single subchapter, delete outdated agency names and references, improve the readability of the language, and increase congruence between rules, policies, regulatory requirements, and the Settlement Agreement. DADS recently announced enhancements to the Employee Misconduct Registry. … [Read more...] about News Alerts: Employee Misconduct, June 8 Meeting
TX Register Updates: Pharmacy and Nursing Changes
From the April 15 issue of the Texas Register: Proposed Rules HHSC proposes new §354.1042, concerning home health supplies provided by a pharmacy, and new §354.1877, concerning quantity limitations; and the repeal of Subchapter W concerning pharmacy limitations, which consists of §354.3047, concerning quantity limitations, and §354.3092, concerning review and evaluation. The changes would allow pharmacies enrolled in the VDP to provide a limited set of basic home health supplies commonly … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Pharmacy and Nursing Changes
DADS News Alerts: HCSSA Meeting, Disaster Preparedness
Citizens and providers may turn in unused, unwanted, or expired prescription drugs at "Operation Got Drugs II," to be held on Saturday, April 30, 2011, from 10-2 p.m. Follow this link to search for a list of collection sites. DADS intends to revise or create provider manuals for several programs, including Assisted Living, CBA, CLASS, CDS, DBMD, HCS, and TxHmL. Direct questions about the project to Mary Valente at mary.valente@dads.state.tx.us. HHSC proposed to amend §19.805, … [Read more...] about DADS News Alerts: HCSSA Meeting, Disaster Preparedness
Information/Provider Letters: Relocation Contractors, STAR+PLUS Expansion
All NF Administrators: DADS reminded these providers about changes to MDS 3.0, Section Q: Referral to the Community - Responsibilities and Local Contact Agencies. An excerpt from the three-page letter: One of the major changes to the MDS 3.0 is Section Q, the “relocation/referral” section. The original Section Q was minimal and dependent on others to respond to the question. The MDS 3.0 Section Q is more robust and actively engages the NF resident to determine his or her goals in pursuing … [Read more...] about Information/Provider Letters: Relocation Contractors, STAR+PLUS Expansion
House and Senate Bills: Week of 2/28 and 3/7
The following bills (which may affect long term care providers) were recently introduced in the 82nd Legislative Session: HB 1947: Relating to the personal needs allowance for certain Medicaid recipients who are residents of long-term care facilities. HB 2041: Relating to alternative methods of dispute resolution in certain disputes between the Department of Aging and Disability Services and an assisted living facility licensed by the department. HB 2079: Relating to the administration … [Read more...] about House and Senate Bills: Week of 2/28 and 3/7
Background Checks for Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facility Employees
Many nursing homes and assisted living facilities may be unsure whether they are required to conduct background checks for independent contractors with direct client contact (such as dieticians and medical directors). The question arises because there appears to be a conflict between the Texas Health and Safety Code and a DADS handbook. Under Texas Health and Safety Code Section 250.002, nursing homes and assisted living facilities are required to conduct criminal background checks ONLY on … [Read more...] about Background Checks for Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facility Employees
Information/Provider Letters: Rate Changes, Cost Reporting
DADS released one provider and nine information letters. Adult Day Care and Assisted Living: DADS will require all ADC and AL facilities to submit Form 3725, Licensure Change of Ownership Affidavit, as part of the change of ownership notification process, effective January 1, 2011. (Letter) CBA, CLASS, MDCP, PHC, CAS, FC, and CDSA: DADS informed these providers that the electronic visit verification system is expected to be fully operational in Region 9 by March 1, 2011. … [Read more...] about Information/Provider Letters: Rate Changes, Cost Reporting