Reimbursement Rates The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has proposed to amend §355.114, Consumer Directed Services Payment Option, in its Reimbursement Rates. The reimbursement methodology for Consumer Directed Services (CDS) allocates a flat fee of the total payment rate for each CDS hour of service without regard for total payment. The amendment would change the rate to one that reflected the CDS Agency’s actual level of effort providing support services. See the … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Reimbursement Rates, Hearings, Etc.
Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Value-Added Services
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has proposed to amend §353.2, Definitions, to update the definition of value-added services. An excerpt: The current rule states that value-added services must be health care services. To align the rule with S.B. 10 and planned contract changes for value-added services, the proposed amendment states that value-added services may be health care services or positive incentives that promote healthy lifestyles and improve health outcomes. … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Value-Added Services
Texas Register Updates: Public Hearing Notices
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced three public hearings in the June 29 Texas Register. July 17 – HHSC will hold a public hearing to receive comments on proposed rate increases for providers of 24-Hour Residential Child Care (RCC) services. The meeting will be held on July 17 at 1:30 p.m. in the Lone Star Conference Room of the HHSC, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric Boulevard, Austin, Texas. For information on how to receive briefing packages … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Public Hearing Notices
HIPAA–Stonewalling Families is NOT the Law
HIPAA continues as the gift that just keeps giving--to lawyers at any rate. Apparently, it is being misconstrued around the country to be an obstacle to families seeking to ascertain the condition of their loved ones. From an interesting editorial in the Idaho Mountain Express: American medicine and its practitioners are among the finest anywhere in the world. However, getting to that treatment through the maze of government and insurance paperwork and waiting for an appointment is … [Read more...] about HIPAA–Stonewalling Families is NOT the Law
Texas Register Updates: Family Violence, ICF/MR Program Changes
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has proposed to repeal and replace Subchapter A, §379.1, regarding definitions for programs serving adult victims of family violence and their children. HHSC updated and clarified the rules regarding the Family Violence Program and added a new definition relating to Dating Violence. See the relevant section of the June 22 Texas Register for more information. On behalf of the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS), HHSC has … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Family Violence, ICF/MR Program Changes
Information Letters: Fiscal Year 2007 Year-End Closeout; CMA Billing Issues
The new fiscal year begins on September 1, 2007. Because of accounting system upgrades at the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS), the cutoff for claim payments will be earlier than usual this year. Providers should bill for all delivered services by August 15 to ensure payment of as many claims as possible before September 2007. Providers may download information letters for the following: ICF/MR Providers Group 6 ICF/MR Providers Group 5 HCS and TxHML Community … [Read more...] about Information Letters: Fiscal Year 2007 Year-End Closeout; CMA Billing Issues
Information Letters: Rate Increases, MRA News, Etc.
In a letter dated June 26, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS), informed Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation, Home and Community-based Services, Texas Home Living and Community Living and Assistance Support Services about payment rate increases. Increases range from 2.72 percent to 4.77 percent. For more information, download the letter here. In a June 27 letter to Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) contractors, DADS informed … [Read more...] about Information Letters: Rate Increases, MRA News, Etc.
Information Letters: LTC Claim Form, DFPS Investigations
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) reminded Community Services Providers and Nursing Facilities to use only the January 2007 version of the Long Term Care Form 1290. The form was updated to include the National Provider Identifier. For more information, download the June 26 letter here. Additionally, DADS informed Home and Community-based Services and Texas Home Living Providers about a change in the investigation of abuse, neglect, and exploitation when the … [Read more...] about Information Letters: LTC Claim Form, DFPS Investigations
Waiting for a License…And Waiting….And Waiting…
The Austin American Statesman is reporting that thousands of Texans are waiting for licenses and license renewals from the Department of State Health Services. The agency suffered a flood from a broken pipe in one of its offices. Two weeks after a burst pipe caused flooding that shut down a state health department building in Austin, thousands of people and businesses across Texas are waiting for licenses and permits. It's affecting professionals from mold assessors to massage therapists … [Read more...] about Waiting for a License…And Waiting….And Waiting…
Information Letters: New Rate Ceiling for MDCP Camp Providers, Individual Service Plan, etc.
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) released a series of information letters last week: Adopted New Rate for MDCP Camp Providers --- The newly adopted rate ceiling for Medically Dependent Children Program Camp Providers is $7.14/hour. For more information, download the letter here. CLASS Individual Service Plan and Billing Processes: Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS) --- DADS responded to provider questions about the Individual Service Plan … [Read more...] about Information Letters: New Rate Ceiling for MDCP Camp Providers, Individual Service Plan, etc.
