The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) responded to questions about Home and Community Support Services Agencies (HCSSAs) not providing services to certain individuals because of concerns about meeting the person’s needs in the community. The letter is addressed to HCSSAs that contract with DADS to provide 1915(c) Medicaid Waiver Services through Community Based Alternatives, Consolidated Waiver Program, Deaf-Blind With Multiple Disabilities, and Community Living … [Read more...] about Provider Letter: Clarification for HCSSAs
Memo: Inappropriately Placed Residents and Aging in Place
In a memorandum dated June 18, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) informed providers about the aging in place waiver process. Type A and Type assisted living facilities may retain inappropriately placed residents by submitting DADS Form 1124, providing a written statement from the resident or responsible party that resident would like to remain in the facility, and a written assessment from the doctor. The memo also contains information about the evacuation waiver … [Read more...] about Memo: Inappropriately Placed Residents and Aging in Place
Generic Drug Reimbursement Cuts Delayed for Six Months
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced a decision to delay implementation of a proposed rule to reduce Medicaid reimbursements to pharmacies for generic prescription drugs for six months. (Kaiser Network) According to Kaiser, the rule also would require drug companies to “offer Medicaid the lowest price offered to any purchaser -- which includes any "rebates, discounts or other price concessions" offered to PBMs or mail-order pharmacies.†Like many such government … [Read more...] about Generic Drug Reimbursement Cuts Delayed for Six Months
Texas Register Updates: Reimbursement Rates; Repeal
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has adopted an amendment to §355.8063, which revises the Medicaid reimbursement methodology for freestanding psychiatric inpatient hospitals. According to HHSC, it didn’t receive comments about the proposed rule during the comment period. Additionally, HHSC adopted the repeal of §§357.481 - 357.490, Formal Appeals. The agency anticipates that the repealed rules will be replaced by a new Subchapter I, §§357.481 - 357.498, Hearings … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Reimbursement Rates; Repeal
Texas Register Updates: Repeals Eliminating Obsolete Rules
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has announced the repeal of §§79.101 - 79.105, 79.201 - 79.210, and 79.301 - 79.305, in Chapter 79, Legal Services, which eliminated obsolete rules governing the now-abolished Texas Department of Human Services and the Board of Human Services. HHSC also announced the repeal of §§100.5, 100.7, 100.24, 100.35, and 100.301 - 100.308, in Chapter 100, Miscellaneous. This repeal was adopted to delete obsolete rules governing the … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Repeals Eliminating Obsolete Rules
Provider Letters: Evercare; Medicare Certification Surveys
This week, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) released three provider letters. The first letter to community services providers, dated June 11, concerns Evercare’s notice sent to potential long term services and supports providers concerning liability insurance requirements. Evercare faxed information about its contracting and credentialing requirements concerning liability insurance. These requirements reflect DADS’s requirements; in that regard, providers … [Read more...] about Provider Letters: Evercare; Medicare Certification Surveys
DADS Alert: Personal Care Services
The Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) is asking providers to spread the word about changes in the delivery of personal care services (PCS). Effective September 1, 2007, Medicaid clients under 21 who need assistance with daily living or other activities because of physical, cognitive, or behavioral limitations related to their disability may be eligible for PCS through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Medicaid clients over 21 will still receive personal … [Read more...] about DADS Alert: Personal Care Services
Deinstitutionalizing Nursing Home Care
In 1987, Congress signed into law the Nursing Home Reform Law, which established nursing home oversight rules to improve facilities. Mary Ousley, past chair of the American Health Care Association, testified before Congress in May about the long term care profession’s experience since the Nursing Home Reform Law went into effect and the need for facilities, providers, regulators, and consumers to work together to improve nursing home care. Last year, lawmakers introduced a bill called the … [Read more...] about Deinstitutionalizing Nursing Home Care
Medicaid Spending Would Increase Under Immigration Bill
According to the Congressional Budget Office, Medicaid spending would increase by $10 billion from 2008 to 2012 and by $23 billion from 2008 to 2017, under the current immigration bill. (Kaiser Network) The bill would open the door to allowing millions of illegal aliens to become U.S. citizens. Lawmakers would need to raise taxes to compensate for Medicaid benefits paid out to these new citizens. The so-called immigration reform bill was a compromise between national Republicans and … [Read more...] about Medicaid Spending Would Increase Under Immigration Bill
Provider Letters: Complex Needs Waiver Programs, Medicare Certification
In a letter to Home and Community Support Services Agencies, Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) Staff, and All Other Stakeholders dated June 1, DADS announced that it is hosting half-day training sessions on “Meeting Complex Needs in Waiver Programs Registration Information.†The sessions will answer questions about licensing rules and contract requirements for accepting complex needs patients in the following 1915(c) Medicaid waiver programs: Consolidated Waiver Program, … [Read more...] about Provider Letters: Complex Needs Waiver Programs, Medicare Certification
