Family Caregivers Recognized in November Providing care for a family member who is older or who has a disability can be a stressful and time-intensive responsibility. Because of the stress of their role, family caregivers develop chronic health problems at nearly twice the rate of non-caregivers, and up to 70 percent experience depression and anxiety. Caregivers need a break, often called respite. This short-term, temporary care lets them rest, recharge and come back refreshed. In … [Read more...] about Family Caregivers Recognized in November
Per Diem Rates Effective September 1, 2014, for the Nursing Facility Program, Hospice Program in Nursing Facilities and Swing Bed Program
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) approved new per diem payment rates for the Nursing Facility (NF) Program, the Hospice Program in NFs and the Swing Bed Program, effective September 1, 2014. See letter. Nursing Facility and Swing Bed Program Payment Rates The new NF and Swing Bed payment rates can be accessed through the HHSC Rate Analysis website at the following address: http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/rad/long-term-svcs/nursing-facility/index.shtml. Once you access this … [Read more...] about Per Diem Rates Effective September 1, 2014, for the Nursing Facility Program, Hospice Program in Nursing Facilities and Swing Bed Program
Adult Foster Care Second-story Evacuation
DADS prepared an information letter information letter for staff of a two-story Adult Foster Care (AFC) homes in relation to the safe evacuation of an individual. In accordance with Title 40, Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Chapter 48, Subchapter K, Minimum Standards for Adult Foster Care, Section 48.8906(a)(8), all adult foster care homes and providers must demonstrate the ability to evacuate all residents from the home within three minutes. If DADS staff determines there is a health or … [Read more...] about Adult Foster Care Second-story Evacuation
Home Delivered Meals Requirements Regarding Nutritional Risk Assessments
DADS Information Letter states that HDM providers are not required to conduct a home visit to complete the Nutritional Risk Assessment. While a home visit prior to service initiation is not required, HDM providers must provide the individual information on complaint procedures and rights and responsibilities prior to service initiation. Once the HDM provider receives the service authorization from the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS), the Nutritional Risk Assessment of the … [Read more...] about Home Delivered Meals Requirements Regarding Nutritional Risk Assessments
Employee Misconduct Registry Training and Reporting Requirement for Consumer Directed Services Employers and their Employees
Employee Misconduct Registry Training and Reporting Requirement for Consumer Directed Services Employers and their Employees The EMR is a public database maintained by the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) in accordance with Texas Health and Safety Code (THSC) Chapter 253. The purpose of the EMR is to ensure unlicensed personnel who commit reportable conduct against individuals receiving DADS services are not employed in a DADS program. The EMR applies to employees who … [Read more...] about Employee Misconduct Registry Training and Reporting Requirement for Consumer Directed Services Employers and their Employees
Nursing Facility Transition: Nursing Facility Changes to the Medicaid Claims Submission Process
Taxonomy Required on NF Claims (See http://www.dads.state.tx.us/providers/communications/2014/letters/IL2014-68.pdf) NFs will be required to enter the appropriate Healthcare Provider Taxonomy Code associated to the National Provider Identifier (NPI) of the billing entity on all Long Term Care (LTC) NF institutional claims submitted to TMHP using TexMedConnect or Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). Taxonomy codes further define the type, classification, and/or specialization of the health care … [Read more...] about Nursing Facility Transition: Nursing Facility Changes to the Medicaid Claims Submission Process
Definition of Respite
Section 4610 of the HCS and TxHmL Billing Guidelines will no longer include the requirement for respite to be used only for non-routine circumstances. A decision to revise the requirement was made after extensive consideration of the impact on individuals receiving services and their families/unpaid caregivers. Amendments to remove “non- routine circumstances” from the HCS waiver, HCS and TxHmL rules, and section 4610 of the HCS and TxHmL Billing Guidelines are included in upcoming projects. … [Read more...] about Definition of Respite
Impact of Department of Labor Companionship Exemption on Financial Management Services Agencies and Consumer Directed Services Employers
DADS issued an information letter is to inform Financial Management Services Agencies (FMSA) and Consumer Directed Services (CDS) option employers of the change in exemptions related to the wage and hour requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) released by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). This change will be effective January 1, 2015. The DOL announced on October 7, 2014 that it would delay enforcement actions against employers who fail to comply with the new rule until June 30, … [Read more...] about Impact of Department of Labor Companionship Exemption on Financial Management Services Agencies and Consumer Directed Services Employers
Contract and Fiscal Compliance Monitoring Tools for Community Living Assistance and Support Services Providers
Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) has completed the conversion, from Microsoft Word to Excel, of the contract and fiscal compliance monitoring tools for Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS) Case Management Agencies (CMAs) and Direct Service Agencies (DSA). Go to http://www.dads.state.tx.us/providers/communications/2014/letters/IL2014-65.pdf for more info. Benefits to using the Excel based contract and fiscal compliance monitoring tools include: · Use of … [Read more...] about Contract and Fiscal Compliance Monitoring Tools for Community Living Assistance and Support Services Providers
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and First Aid Certification Requirement in the Medically Dependent Children Program
CPR requirement rule (For more info go to http://www.dads.state.tx.us/providers/communications/2014/letters/IL2014-63.pdf): new Title 40 Texas Administrative Code, Part 1, Chapter 51 rule amendment effective September 1, 2014. The rule requires unlicensed service providers providing respite and flexible family supports to be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid. The Department of Aging and Disability Services will delay compliance monitoring for unlicensed service … [Read more...] about Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and First Aid Certification Requirement in the Medically Dependent Children Program
