In a letter to dated May 31, DADS notifies Medicaid Hospice providers that the Provider Services - Community Services Contracts unit will now be responsible for enrolling Medicaid Hospice providers and administering Hospice contracts, effective June 1. The Provider Services - Institutional Services Contracts unit previously handled such enrollments and administration. For details, download the letter here. … [Read more...] about Provider Letter: Medicaid Hospice Contracts
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 Committee Asks CMS to Investigate QIOs
Concerned about executives' salaries and perks, the Senate Committee on Finance has asked the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to investigate Medicare Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs) for effectiveness and improprieties. (Medical News Today) The call for an investigation was likely prompted by the American Health Quality Association's request for more funding and broadened responsibilities. According to the Kaiser Network, CMS currently pays $300 million per year to … [Read more...] about Senate Committee Asks CMS to Investigate QIOs
Update: Medicare to Allow Spinal Disk Coverage
You may recall previous posts about Medicare's potential coverage of the artificial spinal disk Charite. As late as February, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) wanted to deny coverage for the surgery. CMS allowed a 30-day comment period, and at the time, the chances of coverage didn't look promising. According to Johnson & Johnson, the company that manufactures the disk, Medicare will allow its local medical directors to approve coverage for beneficiaries under 60. From the New York … [Read more...] about Update: Medicare to Allow Spinal Disk Coverage
Provider Letter: Freestanding Inpatient Hospice Evac Requirements
In a letter dated May 19, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services reminds freestanding inpatient hospices about patient safety during disasters. All Home and Community Support Services Agencies are bound by law to have a written policy for "publicly known natural disaster preparedness for clients receiving services." Inpatient hospices must also have an evacuation plan and periodically rehearse this plan with staff. Freestanding inpatient hospices are also required to have … [Read more...] about Provider Letter: Freestanding Inpatient Hospice Evac Requirements
Politicians Push to Eliminate Medicare Drug Penalty
The deadline to sign up for Medicare's prescription drug program has come and gone, but a bipartisan group of politicians is pushing to eliminate the late fee for beneficiaries who missed the deadline. The next open enrollment period begins in November. (Kaiser Network) Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt wants Congress to wait until final enrollment numbers are determined before passing the legislation. I agree. The proposed legislation would cost taxpayers $18 … [Read more...] about Politicians Push to Eliminate Medicare Drug Penalty
Medicaid Personal Responsibility Contracts
At least one state wants Medicaid beneficiaries to take responsibility for their own care strongly enough to put incentives in place. West Virginia proposed and the feds approved a plan for "personal responsibility contracts." (Medical News Today) To receive credits for health care services, beneficiaries must choose a primary care provider - a "medical home" - and take measures to stay healthy and improve health by taking medications, attending doctors appointments and exercising. … [Read more...] about Medicaid Personal Responsibility Contracts
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