From the March 11 issue of the Texas Register: HHSC intends to submit to CMS a request to amend the DBMD waiver program to ensure that no one will lose their DBMD eligibility as a result of rate reductions for ICFs/MR. See the Texas Register for more information. … [Read more...] about TX Register Update: DBMD Waiver
Medicaid: Rural Hospitals, Nursing Facilities
The following is a round-up of stories about Medicaid in Texas. The Associated Press reports the extend to which Medicaid cuts in Texas will impact rural hospitals. Dr. Mike Henderson of Childress Regional Medical Center said the hospital is the only one within 100 miles that delivers babies, but Medicaid cuts could close the obstetrical unit. The hospital's chief executive said 70 percent of the deliveries are Medicaid cases. The Texas Public Policy Foundation, a conservative group, … [Read more...] about Medicaid: Rural Hospitals, Nursing Facilities
Provider/Information Letter: Bed Bugs, CARE, STAR+PLUS
DADS released one provider and two information letters: ADC, AL, Free-Standing Hospice Facilities, ICFs/MR, and NFs: DADS alerted these providers to the CDC's and the EPA's joint statement about the prevention and management of bed bug infestations. See the letter for more information. HSC: DADS informed these providers how to open and close a residential location and add or change location assignments for individuals in the CARE System. (Letter) CBA, CDSA, CMPAS, DAHS, CWP, and … [Read more...] about Provider/Information Letter: Bed Bugs, CARE, STAR+PLUS
House and Senate Bills: Week of 2/28 and 3/7
The following bills (which may affect long term care providers) were recently introduced in the 82nd Legislative Session: HB 1947: Relating to the personal needs allowance for certain Medicaid recipients who are residents of long-term care facilities. HB 2041: Relating to alternative methods of dispute resolution in certain disputes between the Department of Aging and Disability Services and an assisted living facility licensed by the department. HB 2079: Relating to the administration … [Read more...] about House and Senate Bills: Week of 2/28 and 3/7
TX Register: Counties in STAR Waiver Program, Disease Management
The following information was obtained from the March 4 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices HHSC intends to submit to CMS a request to amend the STAR waiver program, which would expand the number of counties in six of the current Medicaid managed care service areas, combine the Harris and Harris Expansion service areas into one Harris Service Area, and form a new Jefferson Service Area. The counties added to the Bexar, El Paso, Lubbock, Nueces and Travis Service Areas are: … [Read more...] about TX Register: Counties in STAR Waiver Program, Disease Management
Electronic Medical Records
Are paper charts better? Read this letter from a doctor to AAPS: Why Paper Charts Are Better than EHRs. Though the U.S. government and insurers are determined to make us use electronic health records, paper is better in many ways: You will never recover the costs of the EHR, or even break even. EHRs can make you less efficient, and disturb all established staff work flows. EHRs make the physician the IT help desk for the whole staff. They detract from giving the patient your … [Read more...] about Electronic Medical Records
News Alerts: New Form, Conference Input
DADS posted several news alerts. A sample: DADS posted a new version of the Mental Retardation/Related Conditions Assessment, Form 8578, with a revision date of June 2010, to the forms library on the web site . However, some direct service agencies continue to use the old version of this form, with a revision date of October 2009. The DADS ICF/MR Provider and Surveyor Conference is scheduled for Oct. 20-21, 2011, at the Commons Learning Center in … [Read more...] about News Alerts: New Form, Conference Input
Bill May Open Medicare Data; Medicaid News
The Wall Street Journal reports that lawmakers seek to make public what physicians earn through Medicare, which would overturn a 32-year-old law that bars the public from the data. The rationale behind the move is to identify fraud and waste in the federal program. An excerpt: Currently, the government is effectively barred from releasing how much money any individual doctor earns from Medicare by the 1979 injunction. That injunction stemmed from a lawsuit filed by the Florida Medical … [Read more...] about Bill May Open Medicare Data; Medicaid News
Provider/Information Letters: E-Verify, EMR/NAR Checks
DADS released three provider and three information letters: Adult Day Care, Assisted Living, HCSSA, ICFs/MR, and NFs: DADS recommends that providers consider using E-Verify to determine an employee's eligibility to work in the U.S., as reported on the individual's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. (Letter) ICFs/MR: In the letter, DADS provides guidance for conducting for annual EMR and NAR checks in ICFs/MR, effective immediately. The guidelines supersede those set forth … [Read more...] about Provider/Information Letters: E-Verify, EMR/NAR Checks
House and Senate Bills: More Week of 2/21
The following bills (which may affect long term care providers) were recently introduced in the 82nd Legislative Session: HB 1700: Relating to the employment of physicians by certain hospitals. HB 1719: Relating to the regulation of health care interpreters. HB 1720: Relating to improving health care provider accountability and efficiency under the child health plan and Medicaid programs. SB 894: Relating to the employment of physicians by certain hospitals. SB 906: Relating to … [Read more...] about House and Senate Bills: More Week of 2/21
