The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) informed Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS), Case Management Agencies, and Direct Services Agencies that before CLASS enrollment can be finalized, an applicant’s enrollment in other community service programs, including Personal Care Services, must end. For more information, download the letter here. In a provider letter to Home and Community Support Services Agencies (HCSSA), DADS clarified the Informal … [Read more...] about Provider and Information Letters: CLASS Enrollment, IRoD Process
Provider Letters: Workload Prioritization of Initial Certification Surveys, OASIS-B1
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) issued a provider letter to Nursing Facilities and Hospitals Seeking Medicare Certification for a Skilled Nursing Care Unit to inform them about new policy documents issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding workload prioritization on initial certification surveys. Attached to the two-page letter is a two-page Q&A memo. Download the letter and attachment here for more information. CMS published … [Read more...] about Provider Letters: Workload Prioritization of Initial Certification Surveys, OASIS-B1
Information Letters: Payment System Downtime, CDS Training
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) notified all Long Term Services and Supports Providers about tentative plans for late-January Health and Human Services Commission system changes that will affect all claim payments. Because of a system upgrade, claims will not be paid between January 24 and February 6, 2008. For more information, download the letter here. DADS notified Home and Community-based Services (HCS), Texas Home Living (TxHmL) Service Providers, and Mental … [Read more...] about Information Letters: Payment System Downtime, CDS Training
Medicare Part D Open Enrollment
Texas Register Updates: ICF/MR and Board of Nursing Proposed Rules
Proposed Rules The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has proposed to amend §§352.1 - 352.9, concerning the quality assurance fee for the Intermediate Care Facilities Mental Retardation (ICF/MR) program. The amendments would establish the quality assurance fee for facilities in the ICF/MR program. See the relevant section of the November 2 Texas Register for more information. The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) has proposed to repeal §217.13 (Peer Assistance Programs), … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: ICF/MR and Board of Nursing Proposed Rules
Outpatient Hospital Care Reimbursements to Increase
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that Medicare outpatient hospital care reimbursements will increase by 3.8 percent in 2008. (Kaiser Network) According to CMS, this higher reimbursement rate was established because of the increased volume and complexity of outpatient hospital care services. Hospitals are required to report quality of care data, or they could see reimbursements reduced by 2 percent in 2009. In related news, CMS announced that it will reduce … [Read more...] about Outpatient Hospital Care Reimbursements to Increase
Information Letters: Promoting Independence Initiative, ICM Program, Etc.
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) issued five information letters last week. --- In a letter to Nursing Facility Administrators, which updates Provider Letter #04-18, DADS informed these providers about the Promoting Independence Initiative, developed in response to the Supreme Court ruling in Olmstead v. L.C, 110 S. Ct. 2176 (1999). For more information, download the letter here. --- In a letter to Region 3 Community Based Alternatives Providers in the Dallas … [Read more...] about Information Letters: Promoting Independence Initiative, ICM Program, Etc.
Texas Register Updates: Contract Employee Qualifications, Licensure Issues, Etc.
Proposed Rules On behalf of the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS), the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) proposed amendments to §10.311, concerning qualifications and training requirements for contractor employees; §10.315, concerning criminal background checks; and §10.321, concerning roles and responsibilities of case managers, in Chapter 10, Guardianship Services. The amendment would update contractor employee qualifications with regard to … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Contract Employee Qualifications, Licensure Issues, Etc.
SCHIP Compromise?
Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill are trying to reach a compromise on expanding the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). (Kaiser Network) Two weeks ago, President George W. Bush vetoed a bill that would have added $35 billion to SCHIP over a five-year period. Last week, the House of Representatives passed a modified SCHIP bill, but the vote was not veto-proof. If the two sides of the aisle can reach a compromise, the bill may have a chance of becoming law. However, … [Read more...] about SCHIP Compromise?
Provider and Information Letters: Closure Notices, Provider Input Needed
In a recent provider letter, the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) reminded Nursing Facilities that any facility that decided to voluntarily close must give residents at least 30 days written notice of this intent, pursuant to Texas Human Resources Code §102.003, 40 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §19.401(b)(21) and §19.502(e)(1), and 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §483.12(a)(5). For more information, download the letter here. In an information letter to … [Read more...] about Provider and Information Letters: Closure Notices, Provider Input Needed
