Because of nightmarish stories like this one, long term care providers are doing more to prepare for disasters, natural and man-made. An organization called Mather LifeWays Institute created a program called PREPARE to train long term care providers in preparing for disasters and public health emergencies. (Senior Journal) To learn more about PREPARE, see the press release. More than 60 percent of Hurricane Katrina victims were elderly, according to the Louisiana Department of Health. A … [Read more...] about Long Term Care Providers Prepare for Disasters
Provider Letter: LTC Online Portal Transition
On June 2, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services issued a letter to various providers to inform them about upgrades to the LTC Online Portal system. (Letter No. 06-37). In a letter dated June 27, DADS provides additional information about the LTC Online Portal. Download the letter for information on viewing forms, portal registration, transitioning from old to new forms, etc., on the new web-based online system. … [Read more...] about Provider Letter: LTC Online Portal Transition
Provider Letter: LTC Online Portal
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) advises Consolidated Waiver Program, Waiver, Home and Community Support Services, Community Based Alternative, Hospice, Nursing Facilities, and Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly Providers that effective August 21, 2006, the DOS-based CARE Form System software is being upgraded to a web-based system. Download the letter here. With the more user-friendly system, providers will be able to submit forms and corrections, and … [Read more...] about Provider Letter: LTC Online Portal
Provider Letters: Handling and Movement Practices, Minimum Data Set Assessments
In a letter dated May 22, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) advises licensed nursing facilities of new rules on safe resident handling and movement practices, effective June 1. You may download the letter and three-page attachment here. In a separate letter dated May 31, DADS reminds nursing facilities that they must submit ongoing Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments to a state database for private-pay residents whose information has not been entered into the Centers … [Read more...] about Provider Letters: Handling and Movement Practices, Minimum Data Set Assessments
Provider Letters: Patient Restraint and Seclusion
In a letter dated May 22, 2006, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) advised nursing facilities about new rules in Title 40 of the Texas Administrative Code, effective June 1. The new rules relate to the definition of restraints, frequency of use, notification of restraint use and seclusion to patients' legal representatives, etc. You may download the letter and the 25-page attachment (relevant TAC) here. DADS issued a similar letter to intermediate care facilities … [Read more...] about Provider Letters: Patient Restraint and Seclusion
Senate Rejects Medical Care Access Protection Act
The American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living issued a statement about the U.S. Senate's rejection of the Medical Care Access Protection Act, a bill that would have implemented health care liability reforms. Long term care providers have had to reduce patients' access to certain services because of the high costs of medical liability insurance caused by expensive litigation. The Medical Care Access Protection Act (PDF) was designed to reform the system by … [Read more...] about Senate Rejects Medical Care Access Protection Act
Provider Letter: Joint Training Survey Announcement
In a letter dated May 12, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) asked providers to participate in an online survey for joint training courses. Based on the survey, DADS will assess the needs of nursing, assisted living, adult day care, and intermediate care facilities when developing joint training courses for long term care providers. According to the letter, there is no fee to take the confidential survey, which will be accessible for the next 60 days, starting today. … [Read more...] about Provider Letter: Joint Training Survey Announcement
Provider Letter: Preadmission Screening and Resident Review
In a provider letter dated May 5, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services reminds federally-funded nursing facility providers that rules at 40 TAC ยง19.2500 require that they screen potential new admissions to determine if there are indicators of mental retardation. Whether the admittees pay through Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, or private pay, screening is still required. If someone is admitted without a completed screening, the facility may not receive payment if DADS … [Read more...] about Provider Letter: Preadmission Screening and Resident Review
Mandatory Background Checks for LTC Employees in Michigan
In a move designed to improve standards in long term care facilities, Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm signed a measure earlier this year that requires nursing homes and other assisted living facilities to conduct criminal background checks on prospective employees, the Michigan Long Term Care Partnership Workforce Background Check. (WILX News) At the web site, Michigan Long Term Care Partnership, you'll find the text of the bill, legal guides, and information on the background check … [Read more...] about Mandatory Background Checks for LTC Employees in Michigan
Provider Letter: ACDs for Residents of Nursing Facilities
In a letter dated April 28, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) announced a change regarding funding for Assistive Communication Devices (ACDs). Effective April 1, nursing facilities will be allowed to request reimbursement for ACDs for Medicaid-eligible residents under the following conditions: Obtain from a speech-language therapist licensed in Texas an evaluation of the resident; Obtain from the resident's primary care physician an attestation of medical … [Read more...] about Provider Letter: ACDs for Residents of Nursing Facilities