The following information was obtained from the July 27 issue of the Texas Register. Public Hearings and Notice The Council on Children and Families will hold a public hearing on Thursday, August 9, 2012, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to hear testimony about its ongoing work. The hearing will be held in the Public Hearing Room of the Brown-Heatly Building, 4900 N. Lamar Boulevard in Austin. HHSC will hold a public hearing on August 15, 2012, at 1 p.m. to receive public comment on the proposed … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: August Hearings, Medical Board Changes
Texas Medicaid Bulletin
We wanted to alert long term care providers to the Texas Medicaid Bulletin, a publication with news Texas providers can use. The Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership (TMHP) publishes the bulletin bimonthly. The most recent 42-page issue (PDF) includes updates on procedure codes, TMHP contacts, information about provider manuals, and reimbursement rate changes. … [Read more...] about Texas Medicaid Bulletin
IL/News Alerts: 8/22 Webinar, Discharge Assessments
CBA, CLASS, DBMD, MDC, HCS, TxHmL, PHC, DAHS, NF, ICF/ID, and PACE providers: The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, requires CMS to hire Medicaid Integrity Contractors to review Medicaid providers to identify potentially inappropriate or unnecessary expenditures, and fraud, waste, and abuse. (Letter) -- DADS Center for Policy and Innovation and Access and Intake divisions are hosting a webinar for the CLASS program on Wednesday, August 22, 2012, from 10:30-12 p.m. To submit agenda topic … [Read more...] about IL/News Alerts: 8/22 Webinar, Discharge Assessments
TX Register Updates: 8/8 Hearing, NF Per Diem Rates
The following information was obtained from the July 20, 2012, issue of the Texas Register: HHSC will hold a public hearing on August 8, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. to receive comment on proposed interim per diem Medicaid reimbursement rates for DADS-operated, small and large, state-operated ICFs/IDs. The hearing will be held in the Lone Star Conference Room. HHSC adopted the following per day payment rates for the state-owned veterans NFs nursing facilities, effective March 1, 2012: Big Spring, … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: 8/8 Hearing, NF Per Diem Rates
IL/News Alerts: TMHP MN/LOC Denial Change
PACE: DADS alerted PACE providers to a procedural change for processing TMHP MN/LOC denials based on "Timer expired and form sent to Denial Inventory" or "Form was sent to Denial Inventory after 21 days expired." An excerpt: Since the reason for these MNLOC denials is lack of supporting documentation submitted by the provider, the Department of Aging and Disability Services has determined this Chapter 60 rule does not apply to these situations. Therefore, effective immediately, the MN/LOC … [Read more...] about IL/News Alerts: TMHP MN/LOC Denial Change
Texas Medicaid Chief on Supreme Court Decision
As we blogged last week, Government Rick Perry went on record to say Texas will not expand Medicaid to accommodate the Affordable Care Act. He also said the state won't set up insurance exchanges. Bill Millwee, the director of the Texas Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance programs, agreed that the new law will be financially difficult for the state, as uninsured individuals not enrolled in Medicaid are required enroll in some kind of coverage by 2014. Millwee, who is retiring in August, … [Read more...] about Texas Medicaid Chief on Supreme Court Decision
TX Register Updates: Continuing Ed for Tick-borne Disease Treatment
The following information was obtained from the July 13 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices The Texas Medical Board adopted new 22 TAC §§198.1 - 198.3 in the June 29, 2012, issue of the Texas Register (37 TexReg 4929). On page 4929, the name of the chapter, "Unlicensed Practice," is incorrect and reflects the old topic of Chapter 198 rules. The correct name of the new chapter is "Standards for Use of Investigational Agents." HHSC intends to submit transmittal number 12-028 to the … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Continuing Ed for Tick-borne Disease Treatment
Gov. Rick Perry: No Obamacare In Texas
Rick Perry: No Obamacare In Texas Governor Rick Perry, an opponent of the Affordable Care Act, said he will not expand Medicaid to implement the new law nor set up state insurance exchanges. An excerpt: "I will not be party to socializing healthcare and bankrupting my state in direct contradiction to our Constitution and our founding principles of limited government. "I stand proudly with the growing chorus of governors who reject the Obamacare power grab. Neither a "state" exchange nor … [Read more...] about Gov. Rick Perry: No Obamacare In Texas
PL/News Alerts: Alzheimer’s, July 11 Seminar
ALF: DADS clarified the requirements for using locking devices in Alzheimer's facilities or an Alzheimer's unit. An excerpt: The ALF licensing rule at 40 TAC §92.61(b)(4)(A) requires small Type A & B ALF and large Type A ALF buildings and structures to be in compliance with the 1988 edition of the Life Safety Code, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101, Chapter 21 for Residential Board and Care Occupancies. The following directives must be met for small Type A and B ALFs and … [Read more...] about PL/News Alerts: Alzheimer’s, July 11 Seminar
TX Register Updates: Medicaid Hearings, NF License Changes
The following information was obtained from in the July 6 issue of the Texas Register. Public Hearings On July 23, 2012, at 1:30 p.m., HHSC will hold a public hearing to receive comments on proposed amendments to the administrative rule at 1 TAC §355.8052, which governs the payment methodology for Medicaid inpatient hospital reimbursement. On August 15, 2012, at 1:30 p.m., HHSC will hold a public hearing to receive comment on proposed Medicaid payment rates for Computed Tomography and … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Medicaid Hearings, NF License Changes
