Representatives from 630 long term care providers across the state of New York met today to launch a campaign called PASS: Preserve Access to Senior Services. The campaign will give a voice to providers who oppose the state's Medicaid cuts and concerned about the impact cuts could have on long term providers. From the press release: "New York's nursing homes are fighting for survival, especially the not-for-profit, mission-driven and public organizations," said Carl S. Young , president … [Read more...] about NY Nursing Homes Launch Campaign to Preserve Medicaid
Bid to End Medicaid-funded Abortions Fails
In a controversial decision about a controversial practice, a judge in Kansas dismissed a lawsuit that would have forced the state to stop financing abortions for Medicaid beneficiaries. (Medical News Today) The case was unusual. The state attorney general in Kansas, Phill Kline, sued the governor and several other individuals in an effort to establish that life begins at conception so the unborn would be protected as individuals under the state constitution. The judge made no … [Read more...] about Bid to End Medicaid-funded Abortions Fails
HCSSA Pre-survey Conference Suspended
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services has advised Home and Community Support Services Agencies that the pre-survey conference is suspended for the months of March and April because Regulatory Services is revising the curriculum. The conference will resume in May. You can read the letter (PDF) by clicking this link. As you know, the pre-survey conference "provides a general overview of state licensure rules, including initial survey requirements (Title 40 Chapter 97) and … [Read more...] about HCSSA Pre-survey Conference Suspended
Kaiser Resources for Long Term Care Providers
KaiserEDU.org has posted information of interest to long term care providers: long term care financing and Medicaid 101. You may review the tutorials and Power Point slides at this link. The site also features a Q&A section for people with questions about Medicare. In light of Medicare's new prescription drug program, this web site should prove helpful. An excerpt Q: I've heard a lot about the "doughnut hole" in the new Medicare drug benefit. Can you help me understand what it is and how … [Read more...] about Kaiser Resources for Long Term Care Providers
State of the Union – Medicare/Medicaid
The State of the Union address is an overview of the current condition of the nation, not an in-depth analysis of economic, social, or cultural issues. However, I believe Medicare's controversial new prescription drug program is important enough to warrant a brief comment or two. Unfortunately, the president didn't mention it at all. The new drug program has received widespread criticism from beneficiaries, doctors, and providers who say the program is confusing and complicated. (See the … [Read more...] about State of the Union – Medicare/Medicaid
Important New Provider Letter Affecting Both Hospice Providers and Nursing Facilities
Important New Provider Letter Affecting Both Hospice Providers and Nursing Facilities DADS has replaced April 29, 2005, hospice and nursing facility Provider Letter 05-20 with Long Term Care (LTC) Provider Letter No. 06-07 in order to emphasize that Medicaid hospice providers will not be paid for services unless the hospice provider already has its contract and Medicaid number. The bottom line is that... If licensed and certified hospice providers provide hospice services to an … [Read more...] about Important New Provider Letter Affecting Both Hospice Providers and Nursing Facilities
Delayed and Expired Licenses
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) issued a provider letter (PDF) to Home and Community Support Services Agencies last February regarding delays in initial licensure and Medicare certification. Last week DADS issued an updated letter, reminding providers of a continued delay because of a "very large number" of applications. To shorten the delay, DADS encourages applicants to make requests at least eight months in advance, delay requests until they've provided … [Read more...] about Delayed and Expired Licenses
Hurricane Katrina Waivers, Computer Updates
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) has released a new provider letter with information on waivers for Hurricane Katrina evacuees. You may access it here (PDF). This past September, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved a waiver that allowed Hurricane Katrina evacuees in Texas to enroll in the waiver program through January 31, 2006. In response to providers' questions about beneficiaries whose eligibility is expiring, DADS stated that … [Read more...] about Hurricane Katrina Waivers, Computer Updates
The Value of Homecare, Relationships
A study featured in the Annals of Internal Medicine reports that elderly patients and their families are more satisfied with homecare, which also resulted in shorter hospital stays and lower costs. (Medical News Today) Although anyone could have guessed the results, it's good to have formal studies with hard numbers. Patients generally prefer recovering at home with people who love them, no matter how kind and caring health care professionals may be. In related news, some of the country's … [Read more...] about The Value of Homecare, Relationships
Telehealth
With budget cuts to Medicare, we can assume that home health care agencies are looking for ways to save money. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is pushing for more home health agencies to participate in "telehealth." Instead of visiting homes, home health agencies can collect information, offer diagnoses and medical advice via telephone. (Medical News Today) The goals of telehealth include: Reducing the rate of hospitalization Increasing the rate of influenza and … [Read more...] about Telehealth