The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) released three information letters and one provider letter: Resident Choice of Health Professionals DADS reminded Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs) and Home and Community Support Services Agencies of a resident's right to choose and contract with his or her own health care professionals. According to DADS, ALFs must specify in the facility resident admission agreement any requirements the facility imposes on non-facility … [Read more...] about Information and Provider Letters: Critical Incident Reporting
Texas Register Updates: New Contract Award, Etc.
The following information was obtained from the July 3 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced a contract award valued at $259,690 to Navigant Consulting, Inc., to provide consulting and application development services to HHSC to design and develop a risk-based contract performance management/monitoring tool for the Texas Medicaid/Children with Special Health Care Needs Claims Processing, Primary Care Case Management, and … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: New Contract Award, Etc.
Extending Medicare Drug Coverage May Lower Other Costs
A recent study showed that extending Medicare Part D coverage to Medicare enrollees who previously had limited or no drug coverage may result in lowering other medical costs. (Source) According to the study, prescription drug spending for newly enrolled beneficiaries without previous coverage rose by $41 a month, $27 a month for those who'd had a $150 quarterly cap, and $13 a month for who'd had a $350 cap. The study also found that spending for other forms of medical care for the … [Read more...] about Extending Medicare Drug Coverage May Lower Other Costs
Information Letters/Announcement: HCS and TxHmL Stakeholder Meeting, Etc.
The Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) announced that the next quarterly stakeholder meeting for the Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) and Texas Home Living (TxHmL) waiver programs will be held on July 23, 2009, in the Public Hearing Room at DADS state office, Winters Building, 701 West 51st Street, Austin, Texas. Providers may register here. Contact Mary Valente at mary.valente@dads.state.tx.us for more information. DADS released two information letters: Amended … [Read more...] about Information Letters/Announcement: HCS and TxHmL Stakeholder Meeting, Etc.
Texas Register Updates: State-owned Veterans Nursing Facility Payment Rates, Etc.
The following information was obtained from the June 26 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices and Hearings The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) adopted the following per day payment rates for the state-owned veterans nursing facilities for fiscal year (FY) 2009, effective September 1, 2008: Big Spring, $133.00; Bonham, $133.00; Floresville, $133.00; Temple, $133.00; McAllen, $133.00; El Paso, $133.00 and Amarillo, $133.00. Effective March 1, 2009 the rates adopted … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: State-owned Veterans Nursing Facility Payment Rates, Etc.
Rulings Favor California Providers
California is attempted to solve a budget deficit by cutting programs, and in-home care workers would have received a $2 hourly wage cut beginning July 1. A federal judge blocked the wage cut. In-home care workers in California will maintain their present wage level. (Source) The salary cut would have saved the state $98 million in 2009 and 2010. In other provider news, the Supreme Court ruled that California's Medicaid providers may challenge the state's proposed cuts to provider fees, … [Read more...] about Rulings Favor California Providers
Child Health Program Bills Introduced
The Texas House and Senate introduced bills related to the child health plan program: Senate Bill 6 and House Bill 11. Among other things, the bills would change family income eligibility levels. Earlier this month, we reported that the Texas Senate had approved a bill to increase enrollment in the State Children's Health Insurance Program, raising the income eligibility limits from $44,000 to $66,000 for a family of four. An additional 80,000 uninsured children would be covered. … [Read more...] about Child Health Program Bills Introduced
Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Rates, Texas Medical Board Changes
The following information was obtained from the June 19 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearings and Notices The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will hold a public hearing on July 15, 2009, at 1:30 p.m., to receive comment on proposed Medicaid payment rates for Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Personal Care Services for Type of Service (TOS) 1, Ambulance Services, and Certified Nurse Midwife services in a birthing center for types of service … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Rates, Texas Medical Board Changes
Obtacles to Keeping the Medically Fragile at Home
The State claims that it does not force those who age out of the children's health care plan into institutional care. It looks to me that the State certainly does do that and in a recent case, it appears that a young man died because of it. AUSTIN – Toby Simmons' disabilities were so severe that he couldn't breathe or swallow without help. For the first two decades of his life, he received around-the-clock nursing care in his foster mother's home. But when he turned 21 and aged out … [Read more...] about Obtacles to Keeping the Medically Fragile at Home
Medical Homes in Texas
The Houston Chronicle published a feature story about medical homes, which provide "personal and coordinated care" for seniors. Personal doctors coordinate the care seniors receive and manage it from a central location, and patients have more access to doctors and medical records. Medical home coordinator Dr. Trevor Rabie said, "Many patients feel that if they go to a specialist or sub-specialist for each aspect of their medical care, that they're actually improving their medical care. But … [Read more...] about Medical Homes in Texas
