In a provider letter dated April 12, 2006, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) requests that Nursing Facility Providers (NF) begin giving the Medicaid Estate Recovery Plan Receipt Acknowledgement (Form 8001) to Social Security income-only NF residents. DADS implemented the Medicaid Estate Recovery Program (MERP) on March 1, 2005. From the letter: As part of this program, NFs are being asked to provide SSI only NF admissions with information regarding MERP. Under … [Read more...] about Medicaid Estate Recovery Program
New Per Diem Rates
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services has issued a new provider letter to nursing facility administrators and hospice directors about new per diem rates. You may download the letter here (PDF). The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has raised per diem rates for the Nursing Facility Program, the Hospice Program in Nursing Facilities, and the Swing Bed Program. The changes went into effect on January 1, 2006. The new rates can be found here. Swing Bed and other … [Read more...] about New Per Diem Rates
Nursing Homes Seek Economic Stability
Nursing homes are bearing the brunt of state budget cuts and after-effects of the hurricane season. For example, Louisiana faced $70.2 million in budget cuts, but the Senate decided to exclude a provision that called for a $36 billion reduction in Medicare and Medicaid funding. The House of Representatives may choose to include the provision. From United Press International: "What we're looking to do is get the economic stability to do a better job," said Bruce Yarwood, president and … [Read more...] about Nursing Homes Seek Economic Stability
Provider Letter: More Delays in Licensure
In January, I blogged about a provider letter issued by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) to Home and Community Support Services Agencies (HCSSA). At that time, DADS reported lengthy delays in processing applications for initial licensure and Medicare certification because of the number of applications received. In a new letter, DADS advises HCSSA's to expect more delays, especially in places like Region 6 (Houston Regional Office) and Region 3 (Arlington Regional … [Read more...] about Provider Letter: More Delays in Licensure
Japanese Build Robots To Care For Elderly
The Japanese love gadgets. First, it was the Japanese Boyfriend pillow, and the Japanese lap pillow, Now, they are inventing Robots to care for the elderly. Regarding the Robot in the top picture, A Japanese-led research team said it had made a seeing, hearing and smelling robot that can carry human beings and is aimed at helping care for the country's growing number of elderly. Government-backed research institute Riken said the 158-centimeter (five-foot) RI-MAN humanoid … [Read more...] about Japanese Build Robots To Care For Elderly
Hospital Quality Report; New Provider Letter
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a report titled, Hospital Quality Data (PDF). According to the report, hospitals that don't submit clinical data for patients lose 0.4 percent of Medicare payment updates. This information is necessary to calculate a hospital's quality measure. To ensure that publicly released data are reliable, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services needs more rigorous methods, the GAO concluded. In other news, the Texas Department of Aging and … [Read more...] about Hospital Quality Report; New Provider Letter
Proposed Increase in Payment Rates for Texas Medicaid Nursing Facilities and Associated Increases in Staffing and Spending Requirements for Facilities Participating in the Enhanced Direct Care Staff Rate
Texas HHSC has posted a letter regarding payment rates. It begins, On February 14, 2006, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) received a letter from House Speaker Tom Craddick and Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst authorizing the expenditure of $75 million in General Revenue and $115.7 million in Federal Funds at the Department of Aging and Disability Services for nursing facility services, including rate increases. The letter further stated that rate increases should be … [Read more...] about Proposed Increase in Payment Rates for Texas Medicaid Nursing Facilities and Associated Increases in Staffing and Spending Requirements for Facilities Participating in the Enhanced Direct Care Staff Rate
California’s Plan to Improve Nursing Homes in Jeopardy; New Provider Letter
More states would face cuts in nursing home funding in President Bush's proposed FY 2007 budget. Last week I blogged about the proposed budget's effect on Louisiana. An accounting firm called BDO Seidman and the American Health Care Association analyzed the FY 2007 budget proposal and found that Louisiana would face a $70.2 million cut in nursing home funding. According to the same analysis, California's nursing home funding would be cut by $125 million. From the press release: "The … [Read more...] about California’s Plan to Improve Nursing Homes in Jeopardy; New Provider Letter
Louisiana Faces $70.2 million Medicaid Cut
An accounting firm called BDO Seidman and the American Health Care Association analyzed the FY 2007 budget proposal and found that Louisiana would face a $70.2 million cut in Medicaid funding for nursing homes, which would represent the ninth highest reduction of all states analyzed. The cuts would add to the state's woes in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. From the press release: "At a time when nursing homes throughout the state are dealing with higher costs and government … [Read more...] about Louisiana Faces $70.2 million Medicaid Cut
New Mexico and Nurse Aide Training Waivers
I have been doing some research into the issue of Nurse Aide Training Waivers in New Mexico. Given that many facilities in New Mexico are located in small rural communities, losing Nurse Aide Training due to survey issues is a huge problem for some of those facilities. What can such a facility do when there is an urgent need for Nurse Aide Training during the time period the facility is disallowed from the program? The Federal Regulations allow waivers in some instances. Note that 42 USC … [Read more...] about New Mexico and Nurse Aide Training Waivers