Texas Register Updates: ICF/MR, Nurses, Medical Board

The following information was obtained from the September 4 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notice HHSC intents to submit an amendment to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, which would delete the provisions for fiscal accountability for the non-state-operated ICF/MR 2008 cost reporting period, effective September 4, 2009. See the relevant section of [...]

Annual Residential Visits

With more funding comes more visits…SB 643 requires ananual visits of all 3 and 4 person homes and foster/companion care (FCC) settings. A few Steps to Prepare: * Verify accuracy of address and contact information in CARE * Notify FCC pproviders and resdiential staff to expect visits * Maintain emergency plans, proof of emergency drills [...]

Legislative Summary: Bills Affecting HCS & TxHmL Programs

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 [...]

Texas Register Updates: Licensure Applications and Registrations Changes, Etc.

The following information was obtained from the July 10 Texas Register: Public Hearing The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will hold a public hearing on July 24, 2009, at 1 p.m. to receive public comment on proposed rates for Professional Services in Home and Community-Based Services waivers. The hearing will take place in [...]

Child Health Program Bills Introduced

The Texas House and Senate introduced bills related to the child health plan program: Senate Bill 6 and House Bill 11. Among other things, the bills would change family income eligibility levels. Earlier this month, we reported that the Texas Senate had approved a bill to increase enrollment in the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, [...]

Texas Senate Approves SCHIP Boost

The Houston Chronicle reports that the Texas Senate approved a bill to increase enrollment in the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) last week. The bill would raise the income eligibility limits from $44,000 to $66,000 for a family of four. An additional 80,000 uninsured children would be covered if the House approves the bill [...]

More Medicaid-Related Bills

The following Medicaid-related bills may affect providers: HB 1876 – Relating to creating the health care access fund to recruit health care providers in health professional shortage areas and to support federally-qualified health centers and to using for those purposes revenue from a tax imposed on certain tobacco products. HB 1878 – Relating to monitoring [...]

Medicaid-Related Legislative Bills

Below is a list of Medicaid-related bills introduced in the Texas Legislature last month: HB 582 – Relating to informing the parents and guardians of certain children about the availability of the child health plan and medical assistance programs. HB 748 – Relating to the provision of services to certain individuals with developmental disabilities by [...]

More Legislative Bills

The following recently introduced bills may affect providers: HB 1897 – Relating to transportation services provided to aged or disabled clients of certain programs and facilities. HB 1905 – Relating to studying the costs and benefits of a pilot program for services for adults with autism. HB 2558 – Relating to registration for evacuation and [...]

Reminder: Check Bill Status

In the past few weeks, we’ve posted links to bills introduced in the Texas House and Senate that may affect long term care providers. Bill status may change from week to week, so we encourage you to check at least once a week. The following posts contain links to some of these bills: New Legislative [...]

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