The following information was obtained from the May 17 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notice The Texas Board of Nursing proposed to amend 22 TAC §§213.27, 213.28, 213.29, 213.30, and 213.33, concerning Practice and Procedure: Disciplinary Guidelines for Criminal Conduct (PDF) Proposed Rules HHSC proposed to amend §355.8401, Case Management Reimbursement Methodology, which would update and clarify the methodology used to determine the Medicaid reimbursement rates for providers of … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Board of Nursing, PASRR Changes
TX Register Updates: Comment Extension, Use of Restraint
The following information was obtained from the May 10 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notices – Comment Extension Period HHSC proposed to amend §354.1281, Psychologists' Services, which would add provisionally licensed psychologists as another type of provider who can perform psychological counseling and services under the direct supervision of a licensed psychologist. HHSC also proposed to amend §355.8081, relating to allowing HHSC to reimburse for the Medicaid services provided … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Comment Extension, Use of Restraint
Bill Status Reminder, Provider Events
We'd like to remind long term care providers to check the status of bills introduced during the 83rd legislative session. We list recently introduced bills on the blog, and the status of some of these bills have changed. See our category of posts with links to bills, and click on the ones relevant to you for status updates. Some long term care providers might be interested in the Texas Association for Home Care & Hospice's calendar of events. Leading Age Texas also has a calendar of … [Read more...] about Bill Status Reminder, Provider Events
IL and News Alerts: 6/21 Meeting, Workshop Change
HCS and community-based ICF/IID: DADS reminded program providers about the requirements for evaluating the use of restraints. (Letter) -- DADS will hold a HCSSA stakeholders meeting on Friday, June 21, 2013, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the John H. Winters Building in Austin. Please e-mail suggested topics for the agenda to Therese.Palombi@dads.state.tx.us by C.O.B. Friday, May 31, 2013. -- DADS posted an improved version of the "Change of Therapy Determination Flowchart" in the MDS document … [Read more...] about IL and News Alerts: 6/21 Meeting, Workshop Change
Medicaid Premiums and Disbursement
The Texas Tribune reports that state lawmakers gave HHSC approval to raise Medicaid premiums. An excerpt of an earlier story: To contain growing Medicaid costs, Texas expanded Medicaid managed care statewide in March. HHSC estimates the premium rate increases would reduce the cost savings achieved by managed care over the previous fee-for-service model from 13.2 percent to 9.7 percent. In response to the premium hike proposal, Dr. Michael Speer, president of the Texas Medical Association, … [Read more...] about Medicaid Premiums and Disbursement
IL/News Alerts: 6/26 Staff Meeting, July-Aug Workshops
ADC, AL/RC, CBA HCSSA, CMPA, FMS, ERS, DAHS, HDM, MDCP, Out-of-Home Respite - NF, PHC, Special Services to Persons with Disabilities, and Transition Assistance Services: DADS notified contracted providers of changes to the contract and fiscal compliance monitoring protocol in relation to follow-up monitoring. (Letter) -- DADS has updated EVV reason codes (RC) to add RC 25: Respite Hours. -- HHSC proposed amendments to §§9.203, 9.207, 9.208, 9.221, 9.251, 9.252, 9.256, … [Read more...] about IL/News Alerts: 6/26 Staff Meeting, July-Aug Workshops
TX Register Updates: UPL, Medical Board Changes
The following information was obtained from the May 3 issue of the Texas Register. Proposed Rules HHSC proposed to amend §355.105, General Reporting and Documentation Requirements, Methods, and Procedures, which would clarify limitations on reporting related-party compensation on Medicaid cost reports; incorporate changes to reflect person-first respectful language; and clarify the references in subsection (a). See the Texas Register for more information. Adopted Rules HHSC adopted … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: UPL, Medical Board Changes
Medicaid Expansion News, LTC News
"Twenty states and the District of Columbia have agreed to expand their Medicaid programs, to cover everyone under 133 percent of the federal poverty line. That leaves 30 states that haven't... Some of these states have especially large uninsured populations. Texas, for example, has an estimated 1.8 million people who would be expected to enroll in Medicaid under the expansion. - Washington Post "Affordable Care Act requirements related to health insurance are leading some long-term care … [Read more...] about Medicaid Expansion News, LTC News
ILs and PL: Ashtrays, ERS Services
DADS released two information letters and one provider letter. ADC, ALF, Freestanding Hospice Inpatient, ICF/IID, and NF: DADS reminds providers that if smoking is permitted in a facility, the facility must provide an ashtray of noncombustible material and safe design Tower and chimney-type ashtrays don't meet the requirement. (Letter) DBMD: DADS informed these providers of new service backup plan requirements, effective May 1, 2013. (Letter) Emergency Response Services: DADS … [Read more...] about ILs and PL: Ashtrays, ERS Services
TX Register Updates: 5/15 Hearing, Administrative Penalties
The following information was obtained from the April 26 issue of the Texas Register. Public Hearing and Notice HHSC will hold a public hearing on proposed Medicaid payment rates for anesthesiologist assistants on Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at 1:30 p.m. in the HHSC Brown Heatly Building on 4900 North Lamar, Austin. HHSC intends to submit to CMS a request to renew the HCS waiver program. See the Texas Register for more information. Proposed Rules HHSC proposed to amend §354.1003, Time … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: 5/15 Hearing, Administrative Penalties
