On July 22, 30 and 31, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) released six information letters:
- Verification of Nurse Licensure with the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) for Community Services Providers/Health Plan Organizations
DADS informed Community Based Alternatives, Home and Community Support Services Agencies, Consolidated Waiver Programs, Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, State of Texas Access Reform Plus, and Integrated Care Management that effective September 1, 2008, the Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership (TMHP) will start verifying registered nurse licenses with the BON and implementing verification of nurse compact licenses with the state nursing board that issued the compact license. Download the letter for details.
- Verification of Nurse Licensure with the BON for Nursing Facility (NF) and Hospice Providers
DADS informed NF and Hospice Providers that effective September 1, 2008, the TMHP will start verifying registered nurse licenses with the BON and implementing verification of nurse compact licenses with the state nursing board that issued the compact license. Download the letter for details.
- Texas Index for Level of Effort (TILE) to Resource Utilization Group (RUG) Billing Information for Community Services Providers
DADS informed Community Based Alternatives, Home and Community Support Services Agencies, Consolidated Waiver Programs, Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, State of Texas Access Reform Plus, and Integrated Care Management Providers about billing for the September 1, 2008, transition from the TILE to RUG. See the TILES to RUGS web page for more information, and download the letter here.
- TILE to RUG Billing Information for NF and Hospice Providers
DADS informed NFs and Hospice Providers about billing for the September 1, 2008, transition from the TILE to RUG. See the TILES to RUGS web page for more information, and download the letter here.
- Minimum Wage Increase
DADS informed Consumer Directed Services Agencies that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) approved rate changes effective, August 1, 2008. You can see the new rates in the letter’s six-page attachment or at the HHSC Rate Analysis web page.
- Policy Clarification Regarding Reimbursement for Waiver Services for Home and Community-based Services (HCS) Providers and Texas Home Living (TxHmL) Providers
In a letter to HCS and TxHmL Providers, DADS clarified reimbursement for waiver services policy. Program providers must accept reimbursement from DADS for services provided under the respective waiver as payment in full for that service. Download the letter for details.