Access to Palliative Care in the U.S. is available but often times very widespread but gradually improving in the Healthcare system. Palliative care provide certain treatments that may help to relieve patients from the side effects, symptoms and stress of serious chronic diseases, often to remedy the pain, nausea, dizziness, anxiety and depression cause from illness, as opposed to the disease itself. End of Life care has been at the forefront of conversation due to the advances in public … [Read more...] about In the U.S. Many Terminally Ill Patients are not Receiving Palliative Care
Preparing for the Upcoming Fiscal Year 2017 Fee-for-Service Claims Billing Closeout
Information Letter No. 17-13 - This letter is addressed to all service providers, facilities, and agencies. August 31, 2017 is the end of fiscal year closeout and it is important for all providers to promptly submit claims to be paid by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) for any unbilled services. HHS will publish additional details regarding cutoff dates for fiscal year 2017. This information letter addresses the following:12-month filing rule - Providers should ensure not … [Read more...] about Preparing for the Upcoming Fiscal Year 2017 Fee-for-Service Claims Billing Closeout
New Process Requires Online Completion of Requests for Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) Specialized Services
Information Letter No. 17-12 - DADS is notifying nursing facility providers of the new process for requesting Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) nursing facility specialized services. Paper forms are no longer acceptable. Providers have to now log onto the TMHP LTC Online Portal and complete a Nursing Facility Specialized Services (NFSS) form to request the following PASRR nursing facility specialized services. and the information letter details that the Health and Human … [Read more...] about New Process Requires Online Completion of Requests for Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) Specialized Services
Palliative Care Education and Information Program launched by HHSC to educate Texans on Hospice & Supportive Care
HHS published information regarding a newly launched Palliative Care Education and Information Program. The online program is a resource that educates Texans about end of life care and support by offering assistance and tools for patients, families and providers. According to Jimmy Blanton, director of HHSC’s Health Quality Institute in the Quality and Program Improvement section, the program, a result of a House Bill 1874, was implemented to "address some of the misconceptions around palliative … [Read more...] about Palliative Care Education and Information Program launched by HHSC to educate Texans on Hospice & Supportive Care
Deadline: Provider Reports Should be Reviewed By June 30. CMS Inaugural Release of Hospice Compare Scheduled for this Summer 2017.
The Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP) was mandated by the Affordable Care Act and requires the Secretary to publicly report quality measures that relate to hospice care provided by hospice programs on the Hospice Compare website. The HQRP includes data submitted by hospices through the Hospice Item Set (HIS), and the Hospice CAHPS. CMS will release its first ever Hospice Compare data report this summer. According to CMS Any corrections can be made to your HIS data for 36 months beyond the … [Read more...] about Deadline: Provider Reports Should be Reviewed By June 30. CMS Inaugural Release of Hospice Compare Scheduled for this Summer 2017.
DADS will begin reviewing and retiring, revising and/or reissuing provider letters issued eight years ago or more
Provider Letter No. 17-08 – Process for Retiring Provider LettersThe goals of this retire or revise initiative are to streamline DADS regulatory policies, reduce provider and stakeholder confusion, and manage the volume of letters with which DADS-regulated facilities, agencies, and licensees are expected to be familiar. DADS will begin issuing a series of program specific PLs that announce the list of letters that are being retired.Please be advised that notice that a letter is being retired … [Read more...] about DADS will begin reviewing and retiring, revising and/or reissuing provider letters issued eight years ago or more
Draft guidelines for prescribing opioids for chronic pain
The CDC is requesting comments from stakeholders regarding the new draft guidelines. Here are some opinions---The National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization has given its response, stating that it is “pleased that the guidelines exclude patients who are at the end of life, with language that states ‘outside end-of-life care.’”NHPCO stated several concerns it has with the draft guidelines, including the short timeline of the commenting period, an apparent lack of documentation behind the … [Read more...] about Draft guidelines for prescribing opioids for chronic pain
Medicaid Payment Rates
Medicaid Payment RatesAs you know, the CMS Medicaid hospice payment rates memo was released on September 1, 2015. Therequirements reflect the Medicare final rule which was published on August 6, 2015. The rule changesimplement several items:? Payment methodology for routine home care (RHC) – beginning January 1, 2016 the RHC rateswill be implemented; a higher base payment for the first 60 days of care and a reduced rate forthe days thereafter.? Service Intensity Add-on – this is payment for … [Read more...] about Medicaid Payment Rates
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
Use of Nonspecific International Classification of Diseases Codes and Changes to the Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership Online Portal Concerning Principal Hospice Diagnoses
Information Letter 14-51, dated September 30, 2014, notified Medicaid Hospice providers that the nonspecific International Classification of Diseases (ICD) diagnosis codes for “debility” or “adult failure to thrive” were no longer acceptable as a principal diagnosis on Form 3071, Individual Election/Cancellation/Update, for Medicaid hospice election. The August 7, 2013, issue of the Federal Register published the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule titled: Medicare … [Read more...] about Use of Nonspecific International Classification of Diseases Codes and Changes to the Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership Online Portal Concerning Principal Hospice Diagnoses