IL and News Alerts: 6/21, 7/23 Meetings

AFC, AL/RC, CBA HCSSA, DAHS, FMS, HDM, MDCP, Out-of-Home Respite ADC and AL/RC, PHC, and TAS: DADS notified contracted providers of changes to contract and fiscal compliance monitoring protocol in relation to negative billing. (Letter) – (Published on the DADS site today, 6/18) DADS will hold the quarterly HCSSA stakeholder meeting this Friday, June 21, 2013, [...]

Long Term Care in Home Health

It’s no surprise that the home health care industry is growing, as seniors choose to “age in place” at home instead of in nursing homes. Home health care is a long term health care option with huge growth potential, as the Baby Boom generation enters retirement. Demand for home health care will increase, but right [...]

TX Register Updates: 10/23 Hearing, Advisory Committees

The following information was obtained from the October 5 issue of the Texas Register. Public Hearing and Notice HHSC will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, October 23, 2012, at 9 a.m. to receive public comment on proposed rates for hospice routine home, continuous home, inpatient respite, and general inpatient care. The hearing will take place [...]

ILs and S&CC Memos: Respite, ICD-10-CM

DADS issued two information letters, and several Federal Survey and Certification letters of interest to nursing facilities. MDCP: DADS clarified that respite can occur in places other than the individual’s residence. An excerpt: Respite provided in these settings should not be confused with out-of-home respite which is provided in the following licensed and/or contracted settings: [...]

Skilled NF Pay-for-Performance, Home Care Growth

In 2009, we blogged about CMS’s cash incentive program to improve quality of care in nursing homes. CMS asked Arizona, Mississippi, New York, and Wisconsin to participate. Facilities with the highest scores as well as the greatest performance would receive performance payment. McKnight’s reports that after four years, results are mixed (apparently Mississippi chose not [...]

ILs: FY13 Begins 9/1/12

ALFs, CAS, CBA, DAHS, FC, ICF/ID, PACE, TAS, and others: DADS reminded these providers that the state FY13 begins on September 1, 2012. Any claims for services performed during FY10 received by the TMHP after noon Wednesday, August 8, 2012, will be processed as Miscellaneous, and cannot be paid through the standard payment process. (Letter) Community/State (Service [...]

ILs/PL: Annual Mandatory ALF Training

DADS released two information letters and one provider letter: Medicaid Hospice: DADS asked these providers to submit the form attached to the letter, which shows the methodology CMS uses to determine the provider’s Medicare overall cap for FFY 2010 and 2011. The deadline for submitting this information was May 15, 2012. (Letter) ALFs: DADS provided [...]

DADS News Alerts: Cultural Change Initiative, NF meeting

–  As part of the cultural change initiative, DADS will host four symposia in 2012. Registration information will be available a month before each event: Lubbock – Wednesday, August 22, Holiday Inn Lubbock – Hotel and Towers Dallas – Friday, August 24, Westin Park Central San Antonio – Tuesday, November 13, Sheraton Gunter Hotel Houston [...]

TX Medicaid Spending, CA Medicaid Cuts

CBS reports that Medicaid spending in Texas is growing faster than tax revenue, which doesn’t bode well for providers expecting to receive reimbursement. An excerpt: Monday’s testimony confirmed Gov. Rick Perry’s warning that Medicaid costs represent a major challenge to the state budget, and he called for lawmakers to get the program under control. But [...]

Private Home Health Care Profitable

The Baby Boom generation will be a business boom, indeed. According to USA Today, home health is a very profitable franchise for several reasons. The children of aging parents who need care work, so fewer are available to provide full-time home care for parents and other relatives. If the franchise is so profitable now, imagine [...]

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