DADS released two information letters.
PACE:
DADS issued the letter to reinforce the need for PACE organizations to coordinate the enrollment date with HHSC Medicaid for the Elderly and People with Disabilities DADS staff, if applicable, for individuals before they’re enrolled. (Letter)
TxHmL and Financial Management Services Agencies:
DADS notified providers that HHSC approved new rates for the TxHmL program. (Letters)
Selected news stories from McKnight’s:
— “Medicare prescription drug plan sponsors (PDPs) would be barred from using certain payment structures to long-term care pharmacies under a bill introduced in the U.S. Senate.” (link)
— “In its proposed 2014 Medicare physician fee schedule rule, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services floated the idea of tripling the number of measures that must be reported via the Physician Quality Reporting System’s data registry option. Doing so would “unfairly target” doctors in post-acute and long-term care settings, according to AMDA-Dedicated to Long Term Care Medicine (formerly the American Medical Directors Association).” (link)
— “Hospitals are commonly seen as the most important players in accountable care organizations and other emerging healthcare delivery models, but large physician groups are actually the driving force behind the move to coordinated care, said Dale Zaletel, a senior operations consultant and post-acute development strategist.” (link)
— “Nursing homes improve critical care areas, such as fall and rehospitalization rates, when they collaborate with the government in a performance-based incentive program, according to new research.” (link)