TxHmL & HCS — Elimination of the Monthly Admin & Operations Fee
July 31, 2009 by Pam Peters, J.D.
Filed under Current Events, Funding Issues, HCS, Home Health, Medicaid, Other Posts
As you probably know by now, the admin/op fee of approx. $935 per consumer is set to be eliminated and tied directly to individual service rates. This rule will be republished in this Friday’s Texas Register and implemented October (not September) 1, 2009. Today, July 24, 2010, professional rates (RNs, LVNs, OTs, PTs, etc) will [...]
New Review Process for Waiver Programs
July 31, 2009 by Pam Peters, J.D.
Filed under HCS, Home Health, Licensure Issues, Other Posts, Quality Assurance
The reviewers will be using standardized checklists as part of the new review process. The good news is that these checklists are available for providers and may be printed and used as internal QA.
Moving Case Mgmt from the Provider to MRA
July 31, 2009 by Pam Peters, J.D.
Filed under Current Events, Employment, Employment Issues, HCS, Home Health, Other Posts
SB 1 Sect. 48 moved HCS case management to Mental Retardation Authorities (MRA). Currently, DADS does not plan on phasing in this shift, instead, DADS intends to ochestrate a mass move in June of 2010. DADS will hold a training for MRAs and providers in the spring before the change. The MRA will conduct enrollment [...]
Legislative Summary: Bills Affecting HCS & TxHmL Programs
July 31, 2009 by Pam Peters, J.D.
Filed under Current Events, HCS, Home Health, Other Posts, Texas: 81st Legislative Session
SB 643–Protection and care of individuals with mental retardation • Renames state schools–State supported living centers • Requires annual inspections of HCS group homes • Requires independent mortality reviews • Establishes a single investigative database (DFPS & reg. issues) SB 1–General Appropriations Bill • Funds provider rate increase • Funds attendant wage increase • Funds [...]
Upcoming CDS Town Hall Meetings
July 31, 2009 by Pam Peters, J.D.
Filed under Current Events, HCS, Home Health, Other Posts
DADS is hosting Town Hall Meetings throughout the state this summer to provide an opportunity for DADS consumers and family members, service providers and the public to learn more about the Consumer Directed Services (CDS) service delivery option available in many Texas programs. Currently, only 2% of HCS programs (OHFH) and 4% of TxHmL Programs [...]
Changes to HCS Critical Incident Reporting (CARE)
July 31, 2009 by Pam Peters, J.D.
Filed under Current Events, HCS, Other Posts
HCS providers report to DADS through the CARE system and the required reporting information has changed (SB 325). Providers must begin collecting data in compliance with the new requirements on August 1, 2009. Provider must now report the total number of medication errors, serious injuries, behavior plans authorizing restraint, emergency restraints used (including type of [...]
Changes to TxHmL Critical Incident Reporting (CARE)
July 31, 2009 by Pam Peters, J.D.
Filed under Current Events, Home Health, Other Posts
TxHmL providers report to DADS through the CARE system and the required reporting information has changed (SB 325). Providers must begin collecting data in compliance with the new requirements on August 1, 2009. Providers must now report the total number of medication errors, serious injuries, behavior plans authorizing restraint, emergency restraints used (including type of [...]
Whether you’re caring for the young or the old the State’s expectations don’t change
July 23, 2009 by Pam Peters, J.D.
Filed under Other Posts
Interestingly, the categories of top 10 deficiencies cited against Child Placing Agencies parallel the categories of top 10 deficiencies cited against Nursing Facilities Physical environment/Sanitation— Youth: “safe for children, kept clean, and in good repair†(Rank #2) Seniors: “nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean, and comfortable†“give out food in a safe [...]
Proposed Changes to §335.723—So long flat rates…hello “weighted methodologiesâ€
July 20, 2009 by Pam Peters, J.D.
Filed under Funding Issues, Other Posts
ATTENTION HCS & TxHmL Providers: CMS has directed HHSC to eliminate the current monthly Administration and Operations Fee (Adm & Op fee) and replace with a methodology that allocates these expenses across all HCS services. How will this directive impact you? It means that the current monthly “admin& op” fee used to reimburse providers for [...]
Mental Health Parity Act Effective Date Delayed Until January 2010
June 17, 2009 by Dana Stripling, J.D., Of Counsel
Filed under Benefits, Employment Issues, Other Posts
New requirements for employee health care plans originally scheduled to go into effect next month now have been delayed for at least a few more months. Congress has deferred the effective date of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPA) until January 2010. The MHPA does not require health insurance plans to provide [...]
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