§30.14, Certification of Terminal Illness and Record MaintenanceThe purpose of this letter is to inform Hospice providers of amendments made to Title 40 Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Chapter 30, §30.14, Certification of Terminal Illness and Record Maintenance, that became effective on April 29, 2015. The purpose of the amendments is to align the TAC rules with the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 42, §418.22 requirements. Please review these changes carefully.40 TAC §30.14(a)(2) Periods of … [Read more...] about Amendments to Title 40 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 30
Use of Nonspecific International Classification of Diseases Codes and Changes to the Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership Online Portal Concerning Principal Hospice Diagnoses
Information Letter 14-51, dated September 30, 2014, notified Medicaid Hospice providers that the nonspecific International Classification of Diseases (ICD) diagnosis codes for “debility” or “adult failure to thrive” were no longer acceptable as a principal diagnosis on Form 3071, Individual Election/Cancellation/Update, for Medicaid hospice election. The August 7, 2013, issue of the Federal Register published the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule titled: Medicare … [Read more...] about Use of Nonspecific International Classification of Diseases Codes and Changes to the Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership Online Portal Concerning Principal Hospice Diagnoses
HHSC Survey
As the state’s health and human services system prepares for legislatively-directed reorganization, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and other HHS agencies are looking for ways to improve their websites. You can help inform this process by taking a short online survey where you’ll answer questions about your experience with the HHSC website (www.hhsc.state.tx.us). The survey will be open through August 18. Visit us at Garlo Ward, PC … [Read more...] about HHSC Survey
Fiscal Year 2015 Cutoff Date for Year-end Closeout Processing
Fiscal Year 2015 Claims Processing Cutoff: Noon, Friday, August 21, 2015End of Fiscal Year Processing Schedule For claims received at TMHP by noon on: Comptroller expected to issue warrant on: August 21, 2015 August 27, 2015 August 28, 2015 September 4, 2015 Important: The date payments are issued to your account will vary by financial institution. Due to the Labor Day holiday on September 7, 2015, providers may not receive payments for warrants issued on September 4, 2015, until … [Read more...] about Fiscal Year 2015 Cutoff Date for Year-end Closeout Processing
Commissioner Traylor Issues Statement on Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast Video
AUSTIN – Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Chris Traylor issued a statement today on the video detailing practices at a Houston Planned Parenthood clinic."The footage of Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast officials discussing the sale of fetal tissue and organs raises significant questions and concerns about the health and safety practices of the clinic. At the direction of Governor Abbott, we are currently in the midst of a thorough investigation. We are working closely with the … [Read more...] about Commissioner Traylor Issues Statement on Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast Video
Interpretation of Medical Assistance Only Codes
DADS published an information letter to provide assistance to service coordinators, case managers, and program providers on how to identify an individual’s Medicaid type program (TP) and to identify if a certified Medicaid TP is categorized as Medical Assistance Only (MAO).Individuals certified for MAO Medicaid by the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) receiving Community First Choice (CFC) services through a 1915(c) Waiver Program must meet eligibility requirements stated in 42 Code … [Read more...] about Interpretation of Medical Assistance Only Codes
FOR HCS – Disease Transition and DADS Instructions
The purpose of this information letter (IL) is to provide information and guidance to Home and Community-based Services (HCS) and Texas Home Living (TxHmL) program providers and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authorities (LIDDAs) about the International Classification of Disease (ICD) transition from Version 9 (ICD-9) to Version 10 (ICD-10) and associated changes for submitting diagnostic codes on Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) Form 8578, Intellectual … [Read more...] about FOR HCS – Disease Transition and DADS Instructions
International Classification of Disease Transition, and Changes to the Department of Aging and Disability Services Form 8578 and Transition Submission Instructions
The purpose of this information letter (IL) is to provide information and guidance to Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability or Related Conditions (ICF/IID) providers and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authorities (LIDDAs) about the International Classification of Disease (ICD) transition from Version 9 (ICD-9) to Version 10 (ICD-10) and associated changes for submitting diagnosis codes on the Department of Aging and Disability Services … [Read more...] about International Classification of Disease Transition, and Changes to the Department of Aging and Disability Services Form 8578 and Transition Submission Instructions
Use of Electronic Signatures??
Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) accepts electronic or digital signatures on DADS forms submitted by a Consumer Directed Services (CDS) employer to a Financial Management Services Agency (FMSA), including the signature of a CDS employer and a service provider hired by a CDS employer. As a reminder, electronic or digital signatures are governed by Title 40, Texas Administrative Code, Part 1, Chapter 49, Subchapter C, §49.305(j)(2).This provision requires an FMSA to, if using … [Read more...] about Use of Electronic Signatures??
Scheduling Annual Certification Reviews for HCS and TxHmL Programs
Effective September 1, 2015, the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) Waiver Survey and Certification (WS&C) unit will schedule certification reviews of Home and Community-based Services (HCS) Program and Texas Home Living (TxHmL) Program contracts to occur during the same week. Therefore, if a program provider has a contract with DADS for both an HCS Program and a TxHmL program in the same waiver contract area, the annual certification reviews for these contracts will be … [Read more...] about Scheduling Annual Certification Reviews for HCS and TxHmL Programs