TX Register Updates: THTQIP, Hospital Waiver Payments

The following information was obtained from the June 7 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notice HHSC intends to submit to CMS a request to amend the Texas Healthcare Transformation Quality Improvement Program waiver program. An excerpt: Effective September 1, 2013, the expenditures for STAR+PLUS enrollees for elimination of the 30-day spell of illness limitation [...]

Enrolled House and Senate Bills

–  The following recently enrolled bills affect certain long term care providers: HB 33: 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 908: Relating to the assessment of an elderly or disabled person’s psychological status [...]

Medicaid Premiums and Disbursement

The Texas Tribune reports that state lawmakers gave HHSC approval to raise Medicaid premiums. An excerpt of an earlier story: To contain growing Medicaid costs, Texas expanded Medicaid managed care statewide in March. HHSC estimates the premium rate increases would reduce the cost savings achieved by managed care over the previous fee-for-service model from 13.2 [...]

LTC News: Convictions, Expansion, and Fraud

CMS recently released a report (PDF) on nursing homes, direct access employees, and criminal convictions. (McKnight’s) Providers self-disclosing potential Medicare and Medicaid fraud. (McKnight’s) Lawmaker proposes alternative to expanding Medicaid. (Texas Tribune) Hospitals and Medicaid expansion. (Pew) Providers push for whole-treatment payments. (USA Today)

TX Register Updates: 5/15 Hearing, Family Violence Program

The following information was obtained from the April 19 issue of the Texas Register. Public Hearings and Notices HHSC will hold a public hearing on proposed Medicaid payment rates for the following: physician-administered drug – Xolair, PASRR Level II Evaluation, Certified Respiratory Care Practitioners through the Comprehensive Care Program, Diabetic Equipment and Supplies, EPSDT – [...]

TX Register Updates: Medical and Nursing Board Changes

The following information was obtained from the April 12 issue of the Texas Register. Proposed Rules HHSC proposed to amend §354.1281, Psychologists’ Services Benefits and Limitations. The change would add provisionally licensed psychologists as another type of provider who can perform psychological counseling and services under the direct supervision of a licensed psychologist. HHSC also [...]

TX Register Updates: Waiver Renewals, Medical Board Changes

The following information was obtained from the March 15 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notices HHSC intends to submit to CMS a request to renew the HCS waiver program and an amendment to the CBA waiver program. See the Texas Register for details. Proposed Rules HHSC proposed to amend §355.8066, Hospital-Specific Limit Methodology, which [...]

House and Senate Bills: PPACA, Medicaid

The following recently introduced House and Senate bills could affect long term care providers: HCR 60: Urging the United States Congress to modify the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to allow cost-sharing payments and premium tax credits to be made available to the Texas political subdivision health care benefit pools on the same basis [...]

TX Register Updates: Texas Medical Board Changes

***Providers and others can search issues of the Texas Register going back to 1976.*** The following information was obtained from the September 21 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notices HHSC adopted new per diem reimbursement rates for FY 2013, effective September 1, 2012: Pediatric Care Facility Special Reimbursement: $226.66 Large State-Operated ICF/IID Services, Large State-Operated ICF/IID [...]

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: [...]

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