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, [...]

Baby Boomers and Home Health Care Providers

As the generation born between 1946 and 1964 enters retirement and, in some cases, require long term care, the demand for long term care services will increase. Some retired beneficiaries will choose to receive care at home instead of in a nursing facility for independence, privacy, etc. As a result, job prospects for home health [...]

Texas Strives for Balance in Medicaid Cuts

Last month, Texas lawmakers released a proposed budget that would reduce Medicaid reimbursement rates by 10 percent. Rates are being reduced to the point that Texas have threatened to withdraw from the program altogether. The Dallas Morning News reports that budget writers are grappling with potential unintended consequences while figuring out which services to cut. [...]

Information and Provider Letters: HCS, TxHmL, CDSAs, Etc.

DADS released 12 information and provider letters: DBMD: HHSC approved new payment rates for Employment Assistance and Supported Employment in the DBMD waiver program effective, February 1, 2011: Employment Assistance $33.44; Supported Employment $33.44. (Letter) NF Administrators, Social Workers, and Rehabilitation Therapy staff: DADS clarified the provision of specialized services to Medicaid-eligible nursing facility residents [...]

News Alerts: HSC Billing Guidelines, EVV Pilot System

DADS has issued three news alerts so far this month. 1.  Last month, DADS announced to external stakeholders that the HCS Billing Guides would be opened for review and suggestion. Because of difficulty in accessing the document for revision, the Billing and Payment department has produced a Microsoft Word version of the current June 1, [...]

Texas Providers to See Medicaid Fee Cut

The Dallas Morning News reports that doctors, dentists, hospitals, nursing facilities, and home health providers will see cuts in Medicaid reimbursement fees, effective February 1, 2011. After state leaders directed agencies to reduce spending by 2.5 percent, state Medicaid program managers announced that long term care providers would see a two percent reduction. Leaders seek [...]

ILs and News Alerts: Updated Forms, ICF/MRs Changes

CLASS, Case Management Agencies, and Direct Service Agencies: DADS notified these providers that updated versions of forms included n the Phase I review of CLASS forms are available. Updated forms are outlined in this three-page letter. An excerpt: Form 1351, Decline of Offer for CLASS Program Enrollment, and Instructions: This form is revised to update [...]

Information and Provider Letters: HCSSA, CLASS, CBA, ICM, Etc.

DADS issued the following information and provider letters: HCS, CLASS, CBA, HCSSA, ICM, DBMD, CWP, TxHmL, PHC, CAS, and DAHS: DADS will expand utilization management and review activities for its Medicaid community entitlement and waiver programs, effective January 1, 2011. (Letter) HCSSA: DADS issued this letter to notify these providers that using rubber stamps for [...]

Information Letter: PHC Program Supervisory Visits

DADS released an information letter to Primary Home Care program providers, which supercedes Information Letter 07-102, Supervisory Visit Requirements, and serves as clarification to the requirements for providers to conduct supervisory visits within the PHC program: An excerpt: Question 1: What are the requirements for a supervisory visit? Answer: As outlined in Title 40, Texas [...]

Texas Register Update and DADS News Alerts:

The following item appeared in the June 18 issue of the Texas Register: HHSC intends to submit to CMS a request for an amendment to the CBA waiver program, which would add more slots to the waiver program, document the use of Individual Responsibility Agreements, and update terminology throughout the waiver application. For copies and [...]

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