Last week the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) issued provider letters for hospice and nursing facilities, and community services and therapy providers: August 9 - DADS reminded hospice and nursing facilities that the current DOS-based form system is being upgraded to a web-based system called LTC Online Portal, effective August 21. Providers that don't have access to the new system can mail hardcopies to Provider Claims Services. The PCS fax lines will be … [Read more...] about Provider Letters: Alerts for Hospice and Nursing Facilities
New Policy Changes for Dual Eligibles; Physician Groups to Lobby Congress
The Long Term Care Partnership Program (which encourages people to buy private long term care insurance) will be extended from five states to 50, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). That is one example of CMS's new policy changes for Medicaid coverage of dual eligible beneficiaries. Apparently, some recipients who wouldn't ordinarily qualify for Medicaid (created for people with low incomes) hide assets in order to qualify for the federal insurance program. … [Read more...] about New Policy Changes for Dual Eligibles; Physician Groups to Lobby Congress
New Provider Letter: License Application and Fee Changes
In a provider letter dated August 1, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services and the Regulatory Services Division informed assisted living facilities, adult day care facilities, intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation or a related condition, and nursing facilities about new requirements for submitting license applications and fees. Currently, providers are instructed to mail applications to Regulatory Services and fees to Accounts Receivable. Effective … [Read more...] about New Provider Letter: License Application and Fee Changes
DADS Rule Requiring Augmentative Communication Device to be Purchased by Nursing Homes Proposed?
In the weekly newsletter for Texas Association for Residential Care Communities, Sid Rich is reporting that DADS "is proposing a new rule that would require a nursing home to purchase an Augmentative Communication Device (ACD) to enhance an individual's communication and interaction with facilities. According to Sid, his investigation shows these devices to cost as much as $10,000. I haven't found the proposed rule on the internet as well. If any of you have, please put a link in … [Read more...] about DADS Rule Requiring Augmentative Communication Device to be Purchased by Nursing Homes Proposed?
Provider Letters: Statement of Deficiencies or Violations/Amendment to 40 TAC Resident Assessment
1) The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) informed providers about an electronic procedure for submitting documents following a visit from a surveyor and the finding of a deficiency or violation. From the letter (dated July 31): Question: Does sending the Statement of Deficiencies form (CMS-2567) or Statement of Violations form (DADS-3724) with the Plan of Correction (PoC) by electronic mail (e-mail) satisfy the State Operations Manual (SOM) requirement and state … [Read more...] about Provider Letters: Statement of Deficiencies or Violations/Amendment to 40 TAC Resident Assessment
Provider Letter: New Fiscal Year — Reminder
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services reminds providers that in fiscal year 2007, any claims remaining from fiscal year 2004 become miscellaneous and won't be paid through the standard Claims Management System payment process. If the service dates on a claim are earlier than two previous fiscal years and the current year, it is dubbed "miscellaneous." For more information, download the letter here. … [Read more...] about Provider Letter: New Fiscal Year — Reminder
Provider Letter: More Licensure and Medicare Certification Delays
In a letter that replaces PL #06-08, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) alerted Home and Community Support Services Agencies (HCSSA) to expect more delays for initial licensure and Medicare certification. Region 6 (Houston Regional Office) and Region 3 (Arlington Regional Office) could see delays of up to a year. In the updated letter, DADS added or changed information about the process. For example, providers must request initial licensure at least six months … [Read more...] about Provider Letter: More Licensure and Medicare Certification Delays
Medicare Part D Costly and Burdensome for Nursing Home Providers
Pharmaceutical representatives testified before Congress earlier this month about the administrative burden placed on long term care providers, particularly nursing homes, by Medicare Part D, the new prescription drug program. They also said providers are losing money because of the program. The new drug program was created to give seniors more choices, but it seems to be offering conflicting and confusing choices. For example, Long Term Care Pharmacy Alliance executive director Paul Baldwin … [Read more...] about Medicare Part D Costly and Burdensome for Nursing Home Providers
Provider Letter: Remittance and Status Reports
In a provider letter dated June 30, 2006, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services reminded community service providers, ICF-MR provider agencies, nursing facilities, and therapy providers of the "importance and usefulness" of Remittance and Status reports (R&S). Providers should review the reports to make sure billing is correct and recoupments are valid. Providers should also alert the state office staff about incorrect billing and invalid recoupments within the 12-month filing … [Read more...] about Provider Letter: Remittance and Status Reports
High Employee Turnover Rates Affect LTC
According to an article in The Enid News and Eagle, the national turnover rate for elderly health care jobs is as high as 150 percent. There are several reasons for the country's shortage of elderly health care workers - especially nurses - and aging is high on the list. With an aging baby boom generation beginning to retire, including nurses in the cohort, shortages will likely become more pronounced. According to the National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses, the average age of the … [Read more...] about High Employee Turnover Rates Affect LTC