The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has released its Request for Proposals (RFP) for Consulting Services to Assist in the Procurement of the Texas Medicaid/Children with Special Healthcare Needs Claims and Medicaid Primary Care Case Management Administrator Contract and the Pharmacy Claims and Rebate Administration Contract. HHSC is looking for a consultant with expertise in that area. Interested parties can find more information about the RFP here. The contact person … [Read more...] about Texas Register Update: Consulting Procurement Notice
Provider Letters: Search for Parent or Guardian and Nursing Facility Quality Review
In a letter dated February 20, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) informed Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation and nursing facilities that no later than the 30th day from the date a facility determines it can't find a child’s parent or guardian, it must notify DADS. The time begins accruing the day a facility attempts to contact a parent or guardian. For more information, download the letter here. On February 21, DADS informed … [Read more...] about Provider Letters: Search for Parent or Guardian and Nursing Facility Quality Review
Texas Register: Medicaid Coverage for Customized Power Wheelchairs
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission announced in the February 16 Texas Register its intent to submit an amendment that would add customized power wheelchairs for Medicaid-eligible recipients living in nursing facilities to Medicaid coverage under the state plan. The estimated cost for the coverage is about $2.5 million for fiscal year 2007. For more information, see the relevant section in the Texas Register. … [Read more...] about Texas Register: Medicaid Coverage for Customized Power Wheelchairs
DOL Announces Grants for Long Term Care Industry
The Department of Labor (DOL) announced that it will spend more than $43 million dealing with shortages in the health care industry, including long term care. (Source) On several occasions, I’ve blogged about the shortage of nurses and geriatric physicians. As baby boomers retire and age, many will need long term care, which will put pressure on an industry already faced with worker shortages. Ironically, baby boomer retirement is linked to shortages among long term caregivers. DOL and … [Read more...] about DOL Announces Grants for Long Term Care Industry
Long Term Care Associations Sound Off On Budget Cuts
Fiscal Year 2008 Medicare funding for skilled nursing facilities will be cut by more than $10 billion over five years, and long term care associations are seeing red. Medicare and Medicaid cover close to 80 percent of nursing home patients. According to the American Health Care Association (AHCA), which represents long term care providers, Medicaid underpays patients by almost $13 per patient a day, but Medicare compensates for some of the shortfall. AHCA president and CEO Bill Yarwood … [Read more...] about Long Term Care Associations Sound Off On Budget Cuts
Provider Letters: Survey Notice and Criminal History Review
In a letter dated February 13, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) alerted Intermediate Care Facility for Persons with Mental Retardation (ICF-MR) Providers about its annual Long-Term Services and Supports Experience Survey 2007 Project. A random sample of recipients who receive long-term services through ICF-MRs will be interviewed by the NACES Plus Foundation, Inc., for the purpose of assessing and improving quality of care. For more information, download the letter … [Read more...] about Provider Letters: Survey Notice and Criminal History Review
CMS Medicare Reimbursements to Texas Specialty Hospital Questioned
Lawmakers in Congress are questioning reimbursements to certain physician-owned specialty hospitals, which they claim cut corners on basic care to save money. (Source) Senator Charles Grassley, highest ranking Republican member of the Senate Finance Committee, told the Houston Chronicle, "The fundamental problem with physician-owned specialty hospitals is that decision-making is more likely driven by financial interests rather than what is best for patients." Their concern stems from an … [Read more...] about CMS Medicare Reimbursements to Texas Specialty Hospital Questioned
Texas Register: Consumer Directed Services
On behalf of the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS), the Texas Health and Human Services Commission adopted amendments that would allow an individual receiving services through the Home and Community-based Services Program to participate in the consumer directed services option (CDS), which is "a service delivery option in which an individual or legally authorized representative (LAR) employs and retains service providers and directs the delivery of program … [Read more...] about Texas Register: Consumer Directed Services
Provider Letter: Electronic Letters Only
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services announced that effective March 15, 2007, it will no longer mail hard copies of general information letters regarding Home and Community-based Services (HCS) and Texas Home Living programs (TxHmL) to program providers and mental retardation authorities (MRA). You may download HCS letters here and TxHmL letters here. For more information how to subscribe to receive e-mail updates, download the letter here. … [Read more...] about Provider Letter: Electronic Letters Only
Is Medicaid Proof-of-Citizenship Law Backfiring?
According to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), the new Medicaid proof-of-citizenship law is having unintended consequences. Last year, Congress passed a law requiring Medicaid beneficiaries and applicants to prove U.S. citizenship before receiving care. The law was intended to curb fraud in the Medicaid program and prevent illegal aliens, who are not legally authorized to be in the country, from receiving care through the program. But according to the … [Read more...] about Is Medicaid Proof-of-Citizenship Law Backfiring?