From the April 22 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notice HHSC intends to submit to CMS a request for a new Medicaid waiver for the Texas Dental Program. Medicaid recipients age 21 and over, all Medicaid recipients living in Medicaid-paid facilities, and STAR Health Program recipients won't be eligible to participate in the statewide managed care dental program, but will continue to receive dental services through existing service delivery models. See the Texas Register for more … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Texas Dental, Criminal History Change
IL Letter and News Alerts
CBA, CLASS, CWP, CDA, DAHS, DBMD, MDCP, Medicaid Hospice, and PHCP: -- DADS clarified policies related to complaints that allege providers have violated rules that prohibit solicitation. (Letter) Report an allegation to HHSC online or at 800-436-6184. -- DADS invites all NFs in regions 2, 9, and 10 to a provider meetings on June 14, 2011, from 9-12 p.m. and 1:30-4:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at Southern Hills Church of Christ, 3666 Buffalo Gap Rd., Abilene, TX 79605. Registration … [Read more...] about IL Letter and News Alerts
Texas Hospitals in Budget Cut Crosshairs
Texas has a problem. As lawmakers try to stretch an ever-shrinking budget, providers face reimbursement cuts and other setbacks. In addition to the 10 percent Medicaid reimbursement cut, hospitals face additional setbacks. If the budget riders passed by the Senate Finance Committee last week become law, for instance, hospitals would be reimbursed for Medicaid patients according to the average rate in the state, as opposed to their current unique rate system. Additionally, federal matching … [Read more...] about Texas Hospitals in Budget Cut Crosshairs
TX Register Updates: Pharmacy and Nursing Changes
From the April 15 issue of the Texas Register: Proposed Rules HHSC proposes new §354.1042, concerning home health supplies provided by a pharmacy, and new §354.1877, concerning quantity limitations; and the repeal of Subchapter W concerning pharmacy limitations, which consists of §354.3047, concerning quantity limitations, and §354.3092, concerning review and evaluation. The changes would allow pharmacies enrolled in the VDP to provide a limited set of basic home health supplies commonly … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Pharmacy and Nursing Changes
Nursing Facilities Most Vulnerable in Budget Battle
As Medicaid reimbursement rates for all providers may be reduced by 10 percent in the current budget battle, nursing facilities would be hit harder than other providers. According to the Texas Tribune, the shortfall is caused by a lower level of tax funding, an increased number of beneficiaries set to enter the system, and fewer federal matching funds. Texas has over 1,000 nursing facilities, and at least half could close because of reduced Medicaid payment rates. An excerpt: The care provided … [Read more...] about Nursing Facilities Most Vulnerable in Budget Battle
DADS News Alerts: HCSSA Meeting, Disaster Preparedness
Citizens and providers may turn in unused, unwanted, or expired prescription drugs at "Operation Got Drugs II," to be held on Saturday, April 30, 2011, from 10-2 p.m. Follow this link to search for a list of collection sites. DADS intends to revise or create provider manuals for several programs, including Assisted Living, CBA, CLASS, CDS, DBMD, HCS, and TxHmL. Direct questions about the project to Mary Valente at mary.valente@dads.state.tx.us. HHSC proposed to amend §19.805, … [Read more...] about DADS News Alerts: HCSSA Meeting, Disaster Preparedness
Action on House and Senate Bills
On the Garlo Ward blog, we alert providers to recently introduced House and Senate bills. As you know, the legislative process tends to be slow; it may take months for the legislature to refer, debate, and vote on a bill. That's why it's important for providers to check on relevant bills periodically for status updates. This link will bring up posts that point to bills as introduced. Some of these bills have gone through committee. Be sure to check each post for bills that affect you. Click … [Read more...] about Action on House and Senate Bills
Texas Register Update: Pilot Program Repeal
From the April 8 issue of the Texas Register: HHSC adopted the repeal of Chapter 17, §§17.101, 17.103, and 17.105, Pilot Program for Monitoring Certain Unlicensed Long-Term Care Facilities. The changes remove rules regarding the Pilot Program for Monitoring Certain Unlicensed Long-Term Care Facilities from the DADS rule base. See the Texas Register for details. … [Read more...] about Texas Register Update: Pilot Program Repeal
Information Letters: 2010 Cost Report, Duplicate Payments
DADS released three information letters: HCS, TxHmL, and ICF/MR providers: DADS reminded these providers that they're required to submit financial and statistical information through a 2010 Cost Report for each contract held DADS. HCS and TxHmL services are required to submit a single cost report per component code for the two programs combined; and ICF/MR services are required to submit a single cost report per component code for all facility classes combined. (Letter) DAHS … [Read more...] about Information Letters: 2010 Cost Report, Duplicate Payments
TX Register Updates: Hearing, Area Agencies on Aging Changes
The following information was obtained from the April 1 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearing HHSC will hold a public hearing on April 20, 2011, at 2 p.m., to receive comment on proposed Medicaid payment rates for the Blind Children's Vocational Discovery and Development Program. The public hearing will be held in the Permian Basin Conference Room of HHSC, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78758-4021. See the Texas Register for … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Hearing, Area Agencies on Aging Changes
