March 9
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced on behalf of the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) that it has adopted the repeal of §§7.301 – 7.311 and §§7.313 – 7.316 in Chapter 7. The repeal is intended to facilitate the consolidation of rules dealing with volunteer programs and donations to DADS by striking obsolete rules. For more information, see the relevant section in the March 9 Texas Register.
Additionally, HHSC will submit an amendment to the STAR+PLUS 1915(b) waiver, which will “phase in the capitation payments for inpatient behavioral health services made to Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) contracted with HHSC under the STAR+PLUS waiver program.” HHSC’s notice of intent to submit an amendment that appeared in the February 27 issue of the Texas Register misidentified the geographic areas to be affected. The correct areas and contact information for obtaining a copy of the proposed amendment can be found here.
March 16
HHSC adopted an amendment in compliance with the state legislature, intended to ensure that all Medicaid recipients in nursing homes are given information about end-of-life care. For more information, see the relevant section in the March 16 Texas Register.
In order to comply with the state legislature, HHSC submitted an amendment that will require DADS to “accept an accreditation survey of an assisted living facility…conducted by an accreditation commission instead of an initial or annual licensing survey of the facility conducted by DADS staff, under specified circumstances.” For more, see the relevant section of the March 16 Texas Register.
HHSC announced the adoption of an interim per diem reimbursement rate for small, state-operated Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation (ICF/MR), including facilities operated by DADS, effective September 1, 2006: $188.30.
Additionally, HHSC will hold a public hearing to receive public comment on proposed Medicaid payment rates on April 10, 2007, at 1 p.m. in the Lone Star Conference Room of the Health and Human Services Commission, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric Blvd, Austin, Texas. See more details about the reimbursement rate and public hearing here.
Also see DADS Rules in Progress.
