According to reports Hurricane Harvey 25 dumped trillions of gallons of water which required evacuation of thousands of residents from over 95 nursing centers and assisted living communities in Texas. A public health emergencies has been declared in both Texas and Louisana and healthcare providers are temporarily waiving or modifying certain Medicare, Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) requirements to provide immediate relief to hurricane Harvey’s victims in flood devastated … [Read more...] about CMS, HHS Roll out Emergency Efforts Help Texas and Louisiana with Hurricane Harvey Recovery
CMS Launches New Hospice Care Website for Families, Physicians and their Patients.
In a new press release, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) officially announced the opening of their Hospice Compare website. The website which focuses on palliative and end of life care was designed to improve transparency, the consumer experience and empower patients. giving families, patients and the physicians who care for them a reliable resource and "snapshot" of the quality of care a hospice facility provides, as well as information related to health care decisions. The … [Read more...] about CMS Launches New Hospice Care Website for Families, Physicians and their Patients.
Ban on nursing home arbitration agreement officially lifted by CMS.
Ban on nursing home arbitration agreement officially lifted by CMS.Upheld by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services under the Trump Administration, according to reports, the ban on nursing home arbitration clauses has been lifted. CMS Issued the 'Proposed Revision Requirements for Long-Term Care Facilities’ Arbitration Agreements on its website. Obama-era regulation previously stopped nursing homes from forcing patients and their families to sign binding arbitration agreements, … [Read more...] about Ban on nursing home arbitration agreement officially lifted by CMS.
HHSC – Learning Collaborative Summit
HHSC has posted information on the August 27th - 28th Statewide Learning Collaborative Summit, including the livestream link and agenda, on the Dates and Deadlines page. Visit us at Garlo Ward, PC … [Read more...] about HHSC – Learning Collaborative Summit
Information on Ebola Virus for Providers of Services to Individuals in the Department of Aging and Disability Services Programs
DADS information letter provides information on the Ebola virus that providers may use to help ensure the health and safety of staff members and individuals receiving services. The Department of Aging and Disability Services encourages its providers to take reasonable precautions to ensure their employees are not exposed to a symptomatic person by knowing how Ebola is transmitted and its symptoms. An individual will not contract Ebola if he has not had exposure to an individual with Ebola or … [Read more...] about Information on Ebola Virus for Providers of Services to Individuals in the Department of Aging and Disability Services Programs
LTC News: Court Reverses Medicaid Ruling
"The Arkansas Supreme Court tossed out a $1.2 billion judgment against Johnson & Johnson on Thursday, reversing a lower court verdict that found the drug maker engaged in fraudulent tactics when marketing the antipsychotic drug Risperdal." - Associated Press "Lawmakers in both houses of Congress have unveiled a draft bill calling for post-acute care providers to furnish standard assessment data, with the goals of enabling better quality oversight and driving Medicare payment reform." - … [Read more...] about LTC News: Court Reverses Medicaid Ruling
TX Register Updates: Reimbursement Changes
The following information was obtained from the Texas Register. Public Notices HHSC intends to submit an amendment to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance under Title XIX of the Social Security Act to update the fee schedules in the current state plan for: Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies; Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Services; and Physicians and Other Practitioners. HHSC intends to submit an amendment to update the fee … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Reimbursement Changes
TX Register Updates: Medical Board
The following information was obtained from the March 14 issue of the Texas Register. Proposed Rules The Texas Medical Board proposed to amend §175.1, Application and Administrative Fees; and §175.2, Registration and Renewal Fees. The new rules would increase application and renewal fees. See the Texas Register for more information. Withdrawn Rules The Texas Medical Board proposed to withdraw the proposed amendment to §165.1, Medical Records, which appeared in the January 3, 2014, issue of … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Medical Board
TX Register Update: Medical Board Change
The following information was obtained from the March 7 issue of the Texas Register. The Texas Medical Board proposed to amend §187.35, Presentations of Proposal for Decision; §187.37, Final Decisions and Orders; and §187.38, Motions for Rehearing. An excerpt: The amendment to §187.35 provides that the administrative law judge (ALJ) must be given notice of the opportunity to provide to the Board a summation of the proposal for decision, that the ALJ is not required to attend the presentation … [Read more...] about TX Register Update: Medical Board Change
TX Register Updates: 2/14-15 Rate Hearings
The following information was obtained from the January 24 issue of the Texas Register. Public Hearings HHSC will hold a public hearing on Thursday, February 13, 2014, at 1 p.m. to receive public comment on proposed rate increases in the CBA-HCSS waiver and associated CDS programs operated by DADS. HHSC will also hold a public hearing on Wednesday, February 19, 2014, at 1:30 p.m., to receive comment on proposed Medicaid payment rates for the 2014 Annual Healthcare Common Procedure Coding … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: 2/14-15 Rate Hearings