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Employment Recruitment Coordinator Role and Activities

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The purpose of this information letter (IL) is to introduce HCBS providers, TxHmL providers, CLASS providers, STAR+PLUS program providers, MDCP providers, DBMD providers, SSLC and LIDDAs to the role of the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) Employment Recruitment Coordinator (ERC).The role of ERC is to work statewide in building awareness with employers of the value that employing persons with disabilities can add to a business. The ERC will also provide information … [Read more...] about Employment Recruitment Coordinator Role and Activities

Texas Leaders Receive Child Safety Awards

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The Texas Office for Prevention of Developmental Disabilities will host the Annual J.C. Montgomery Child Safety Awards at 10 a.m., Nov. 20 in the Lieutenant Governor's reception room at the Texas State Capitol. State Rep. and TOPDD Executive Committee Member Gilbert Pena of Pasadena, former state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte and TOPDD Executive Committee Chairman, Dr. Richard Garnett will present the awards. Visit us at Garlo Ward, PC. … [Read more...] about Texas Leaders Receive Child Safety Awards

Texas Medicaid and CHIP – STAR Kids

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 OverviewSTAR Kids will be the first Medicaid managed care program specifically serving youth and children who get disability-related Medicaid. Beginning Fall 2016, children and youth age 20 or younger who either receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Medicaid or are enrolled in the Medically Dependent Children Program (MDCP) will receive all of their services through a STAR Kids health plan.  Children and youth who receive services through other 1915(c) waiver programs will receive … [Read more...] about Texas Medicaid and CHIP – STAR Kids

$200 million at stake: Judge may dismiss whistleblower lawsuit against AseraCare hospice

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A federal judge says she may toss out a whistleblower lawsuit that claims hospice provider AseraCarefraudulently billed Medicare millions of dollars for patients unless the U.S. Department of Justice can provide more evidence than a mere difference of opinion between medical experts.Hospice patients must be certified by doctors to be within six months of dying, if their disease runs its normal course, in order to qualify for federal Medicare hospice benefits. The whistleblower lawsuit claims … [Read more...] about $200 million at stake: Judge may dismiss whistleblower lawsuit against AseraCare hospice

Medication Administration by an Unlicensed Person in all ICFs/IID with a Capacity of 13 or Fewer Beds

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An unlicensed person may provide administration of medication to an individual without the requirement that a registered nurse (RN) delegate or oversee each administration of the medication if the following conditions are met: Each individual who has medications administered by an unlicensed person is assessed by an RN to identify the individual's needs and abilities regarding the individual's medication. The administration of medication is performed in such a manner as to ensure the greatest … [Read more...] about Medication Administration by an Unlicensed Person in all ICFs/IID with a Capacity of 13 or Fewer Beds

The CDC has issued draft guidelines for prescribing opioids for chronic pain. 

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The CDC is requesting comments from stakeholders. The National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization has given its response, stating that it is “pleased that the guidelines exclude patients who are at the end of life, with language that states ‘outside end-of-life care.’” Nevertheless, the NHPCO has several concerns with the draft guidelines, including the short timeline of the commenting period, an apparent lack of documentation behind the guidelines, and potential risks to vulnerable … [Read more...] about The CDC has issued draft guidelines for prescribing opioids for chronic pain. 

Implementation of CFC for Individuals in a DADS ICF/IID Waiver Program and Receiving PCS

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The purpose of this information letter (IL) is to inform you about the impact of Community First Choice (CFC) benefits for individuals who are receiving Personal Care Services (PCS) through the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Comprehensive Care Program, a program administered by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), or through a managed care organization (MCO), and who are enrolled in one of the following 1915(c) Intermediate Care Facilities for … [Read more...] about Implementation of CFC for Individuals in a DADS ICF/IID Waiver Program and Receiving PCS

Use of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, Field 27 of the Intellectual Disability/Related Condition Assessment

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 The purpose of this information letter (IL) is to provide information and guidance on the use of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5), when submitting the International Classification of Diseases, Version 10 (ICD-10) diagnosis codes in Field 27 of the Intellectual Disability/Related Condition (ID/RC) Assessment (Form 8578).Effective October 1, 2015, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will require healthcare providers and governmental … [Read more...] about Use of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, Field 27 of the Intellectual Disability/Related Condition Assessment

Discontinuation of the Intellectual Disability/Related Condition Purpose Code E

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The purpose of this information letter (IL) is to inform Home and Community-based Services (HCS) providers, Texas Home Living (TxHmL) providers and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authorities (LIDDAs), effective November 1, 2015, the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) is discontinuing submission of Purpose Code E (PC E) Intellectual Disability/Related Condition (ID/RC) forms to cover a gap in ID/RC authorization time periods. No other ID/RC purpose code … [Read more...] about Discontinuation of the Intellectual Disability/Related Condition Purpose Code E