The following information was obtained from the May 2 issue of the Texas Register: Open Meetings The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will hold a series public hearings on May 19, 20, and 23 concerning Medicaid reimbursement rates for various providers. For times and locations, please follow this link and scroll down for more information about each hearing. Proposed Rules HHSC has proposed to repeal §352.10, Quality Assurance Fee for the Home and Community-based … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Reimbursement Rates, Etc.
Information Letters: TILE to RUG Transitions, Living Options
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) released three new information letters: Helpful Nursing Facility Provider Information for the TILEs to RUGs Transition DADS informed Nursing Facility and Hospice Providers about the September 1, 2008, transition from the Texas Index for Level of Effort (TILE) to the federal Resource Utilization Group (RUG). DADS says it is essential for providers to monitor future updates on the Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership … [Read more...] about Information Letters: TILE to RUG Transitions, Living Options
Medicare Durable Equipment Hearing on the Hill
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill continue to debate and discuss Medicare issues. This week, the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee held a hearing to discuss the competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment. (Kaiser Network) Durable equipment includes prosthetics, orthotics, and other tools, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services is tasked with selecting suppliers based on bids. The program will expand to 70 additional Metropolitan Statistical Areas in 2009. An … [Read more...] about Medicare Durable Equipment Hearing on the Hill
Bush Agrees to Medicaid Rules Moratorium
The Bush administration has agreed to a moratorium on two of seven proposed Medicaid rules, which include limiting Medicaid reimbursements to hospitals and nursing homes run by state and local governments, so lawmakers can discuss and agree to changes. (Medical News Today) As you may recall, the administration proposed to limit physician reimbursement rates and stopped the expansion of Medicaid programs like the State Children's Health Insurance Program. According to U.S. Department of … [Read more...] about Bush Agrees to Medicaid Rules Moratorium
Texas Register Updates: Nursing Facilities and Nurses Aides
The following information was obtained from the April 25 issue of the Texas Register: Adopted Rules The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) adopted amendments to §§19.208, 19.214, and 19.2112, in Chapter 19, Nursing Facility Requirements for Licensure and Medicaid Certification, which will update terminology and state agency names and correct rule cross-references to reflect changes from health and human services agencies consolidations in 2004 and to make sections … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Nursing Facilities and Nurses Aides
Provider and Information Letters: Family Council Provisions, Joint Training Sessions
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) released a provider and information letter, and announced joint training sessions: Family Council Provisions in Senate Bill (SB) 131, 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007 (Replaces PL 08-03) DADS informed Nursing Facilities that the DADS Council has approved proposed rules for implementation of the provisions of SB 131 related to family councils on December 12, 2007. You may download the letter and a four-page questions … [Read more...] about Provider and Information Letters: Family Council Provisions, Joint Training Sessions
Provider and Information Letters: Reporting Incidents Guidelines, Etc.
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) has released two provider and two information letters: Guidelines for Reporting Incidents (replaces PL 1999-34) In a provider letter, DADS notified ICFs/MR about changes in the guidelines for reporting incidents to DADS, effective immediately. The revised guidelines supersede guidelines dated October 1, 1999, for licensed ICFs/MR. Download the five-page letter for more information. Expired Licenses (replaces PL … [Read more...] about Provider and Information Letters: Reporting Incidents Guidelines, Etc.
$20 Million Funding Reduction for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a new rule that would reduce funding for inpatient rehabilitation facilities in fiscal year 2009. According to CQ Health Beat (via Kaiser Network), the $20 million reduction, required by Congress, would prevent a cut to Medicare physicians payments. The same legislation reauthorizes the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). In other SCHIP news, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) contends that the Bush … [Read more...] about $20 Million Funding Reduction for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities
Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Hospital Reimbursement Rates, Etc.
The following information was obtained from the April 18 issue of the Texas Register: Proposed Rules The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has proposed to amend §355.8061, concerning payment for hospital services and §355.8069, concerning supplemental payments to certain rural public hospitals, in Title 1 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Part 15, Chapter 355, Subchapter J, Division 4, Medicaid Hospital Services. The amendment would make changes to the … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Hospital Reimbursement Rates, Etc.
Texas Register Updates: Veterans Nursing Facility Payment Rates, etc.
The following information was obtained from the April 11 issue of the Texas Register: Open Meetings and Notices The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has announced a hearing on proposed state-owned veterans nursing facility payment rates. The hearing is scheduled for May 6, 2008, at 9 a.m., in the Permian Basin Room of the HHSC, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric Boulevard, Austin, Texas. HHSC will conduct a public rate hearing to receive comment on … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Veterans Nursing Facility Payment Rates, etc.
