Title XIX and Title XX Home Delivered Meals (HDM): DADS made three changes to the HDM Contract Compliance and Fiscal Monitoring Tool. An excerpt: Meal Delivery within the Required Timeframes An HDM provider or subcontractor performing meal delivery must monitor each meal delivery route annually to verify meals are delivered within the required timeframes. Documentation of monitoring must include the route name/number, the date of the monitoring, and the times of the first and last meal … [Read more...] about IL/ News Alerts: HDM Changes, 12/8 Survey Deadline
TX Register Updates: Call for Comments, Repealed Rule
The following information was obtained from the December 2 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notice HHSC has put out a call for public comments on its estimate and methodology for determining the TANF Program caseload reduction credit for FY 2012 beginning December 2 and ending December 16. See the Texas Register for details. Proposed Repeal HHSC proposed to repeal §354.1865, Number-of-prescriptions Limit, because the information is obsolete. For details, see the Texas Register. … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Call for Comments, Repealed Rule
DADS News Alerts: Revised CLASS Manual
DADS posted a number of news alerts since November 16. A selection: -- DADS posted new and revised information to the CLASS Provider Manual in HTML format. -- CMS is transitioning from the CMSNet connectivity method used to submit OASIS data from AT&T to Verizon. An excerpt: Texas is scheduled to convert from AT&T to Verizon the week beginning January 3, 2012. This transition will affect your h@ login ID and will make it easier to connect. This will not affect your login ID for … [Read more...] about DADS News Alerts: Revised CLASS Manual
TX Register Updates: Nursing, Medical Board Changes
The following information was obtained from the November 25 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices HHSC intends to submit to CMS a request to amend the Non-Emergency Medical Transportation waiver program, which would add Colorado, Erath, Palo Pinto, and Somerville counties to the waiver to realign the counties in the full-risk broker model areas that impact the waiver. Jasper, Newton, Polk, San Jacinto, and Tyler counties will be removed. Adopted reimbursement rates for large, … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Nursing, Medical Board Changes
TX Providers Criticize Proposed Reduced Medicaid Rates
Reduced reimbursement rates are a common occurrence for most providers. As lawmakers seek to make up budget shortfalls, they tend to target the rates at which providers are paid. One of the unintended consequences is people of lower income levels are impacted the most, as physicians reduce Medicaid patients or stop taking them altogether. An excerpt from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Therapists stand to lose millions of dollars as Medicaid reimbursement rates for their services are … [Read more...] about TX Providers Criticize Proposed Reduced Medicaid Rates
DADS News Alerts: Readmissions, FVRs
-- DADS, the Texas Hospital Association, the Dallas Fort Worth Hospital Council, and other organizations are establishing the Readmissions Learning and Action Network to achieve a 20 percent reduction in avoidable 30-day hospital readmissions over the next two years. See the news alert page for details. -- NF and Swing Bed MDS 3.0 final validation reports in CASPER remain available to providers in the VR folder for 60 days. Instructions for accessing FVRs older than 60 days: click on … [Read more...] about DADS News Alerts: Readmissions, FVRs
TX Register Updates: Hearing, Board of Nursing Changes
The following information was obtained from the November 18 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices HHSC will hold a public hearing on December 7, 2011, at 9 a.m. to receive public comment on proposed NF payment rates for State Veterans Homes, to be held in the Rate Analysis Conference Room of the Health and Human Services Commission, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric Boulevard, Austin. See the Texas Register for details. The Texas Board of Nursing proposes new 22 … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Hearing, Board of Nursing Changes
Supreme Court to Review Health Care Reform Law
In March 2010, President Barack Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which, among other things, would expand Medicaid to cover at least 30 million more Americans. The controversial law has been challenged numerous times. Some courts have ruled the law constitutional; others have ruled it unconstitutional. Perhaps the most controversial provision is the individual mandate, which requires uninsured individuals to purchase insurance or face fines. Earlier this … [Read more...] about Supreme Court to Review Health Care Reform Law
IL and News Alerts: Hospice, MDS Conference
Medicaid Hospice: HHSC approved rate changes for the Medicaid Hospice program FY2012. You'll find the new rates at the HHSC Rate Analysis site. (Letter) A sample of recently released DADS news alerts: -- DADS revised Appendix XIV in the CBA provider manual, which updates ISP cost limits. -- DADS hosted a webinar on Oct. 25, 2011, to discuss the Dining Experience. The webinar audience submitted questions, and the answers are provided here. -- The 2012 MDS National Conference … [Read more...] about IL and News Alerts: Hospice, MDS Conference
TX Register Updates: YES Waiver Program
The following information was obtained from the November 11 issue of the Texas Register: HHSC intends to submit to CMS a request to amend the Youth Empowerment Services waiver program to update a type of provider that arranges out-of-home respite services. HHSC intends to submit an amendment that would align state plan service information with Medicaid policy relating to the qualifications of providers of personal assistance within the CDS option in the state plan. Finally, HHSC intends … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: YES Waiver Program
