The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services has issued a new provider letter to nursing facilities alerting them to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid's (CMS) recent review of the Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP). You may download the letter here. From the letter: Among its findings, CMS reporting difficulty in evaluation nursing facility documentation regarding annual performance reviews and in-service training of Certified Nurse Aides … [Read more...] about Provider Letter: Texas NATCEP Review
The Time to Plan for Long Term Care is Now
Long term care expert Catherine Hawes, Ph.D., a professor at the Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health, says: "We spend more time doing research about a car we want to buy than we do when selecting a nursing home or assisted living facility." (Medical News Today) Hawes is right, of course. We have a tendency to focus more on our immediate needs and less on some distant possibility in the future. Because we're living longer, however, at some point we may need to be … [Read more...] about The Time to Plan for Long Term Care is Now
New Jersey Democrats Ask For Medicare Drug Extension
As many of you may know, May 15 is the deadline for beneficiaries to enroll in Medicare's new prescription drug program. I've blogged about the controversial drug plan several times. According to some news stories, the plan is confusing to doctors, providers, and beneficiaries. According to others, beneficiaries aren't as confused about the plan as politicians claim. U.S. Senators Frank Lautenberg (pictured) and Robert Menendez of New Jersey are calling for an extension of the May 15 deadline … [Read more...] about New Jersey Democrats Ask For Medicare Drug Extension
Universal Health Care in Massachusetts
By now you've probably heard or read about Massachusetts's new health care law, which would require the uninsured to sign up for health coverage or risk being penalized on their state income taxes. Plans will be offered on a sliding scale, and those who can't afford plans will receive subsidies. Medical News Today has a round-up of opinions. As others have pointed out, about 10 percent of Massachusetts residents are uninsured, compared to 16 percent nationally. Unemployment in the state is … [Read more...] about Universal Health Care in Massachusetts
Should CMS Release Provider Quality Data?
The New York Times stated in a recent editorial that employers and Medicare beneficiaries should have access to information that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid keep on who the best doctors are at the most affordable rates, and reported that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) refuses to release the data. From the article (free registration required): The conflicting perspectives were described by Robert Pear in yesterday's Times. The Business Roundtable, which … [Read more...] about Should CMS Release Provider Quality Data?
Medicaid Estate Recovery Program
In a provider letter dated April 12, 2006, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) requests that Nursing Facility Providers (NF) begin giving the Medicaid Estate Recovery Plan Receipt Acknowledgement (Form 8001) to Social Security income-only NF residents. DADS implemented the Medicaid Estate Recovery Program (MERP) on March 1, 2005. From the letter: As part of this program, NFs are being asked to provide SSI only NF admissions with information regarding MERP. Under … [Read more...] about Medicaid Estate Recovery Program
New Per Diem Rates
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services has issued a new provider letter to nursing facility administrators and hospice directors about new per diem rates. You may download the letter here (PDF). The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has raised per diem rates for the Nursing Facility Program, the Hospice Program in Nursing Facilities, and the Swing Bed Program. The changes went into effect on January 1, 2006. The new rates can be found here. Swing Bed and other … [Read more...] about New Per Diem Rates
Assisted Living Facilities’ Ability To Restrict Residents Contracting for Health or Personal Care Services.
The Attorney General (AG) of Texas issued an important opinion on February 23rd addressed to the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) regarding "retirement centers" that require residents to use the centers' own home health agencies. First, the AG agreed with DADS' interpretation that an establishment, including one characterized as a retirement community, that furnishes food and shelter to four or more persons who are unrelated to the proprietor and that requires those … [Read more...] about Assisted Living Facilities’ Ability To Restrict Residents Contracting for Health or Personal Care Services.
The Meaning of “Sex”
I recently received a call from a client who was concerned about an employee who showed up at a consumer's house as Stephanie after eight months as Steven. Actually, those are not the names used, and the concern was not with the employee as much as the consumer's possible reactions and confusion. So, how to respond? Was this employee protected under the anti-discrimination laws from any type of counseling or even termination? The Answer: Depends on where Steven/Stephanie lives. The United … [Read more...] about The Meaning of “Sex”
Survey: Long Term Care Costs Rising
This isn't really news, but I thought I'd report it anyway. A company called Genworth Financial has released the findings of its "Cost of Care" report. According to the survey of over 9,000 providers, the costs for long term care are rising (as expected). From Medical News Today: The average annual cost for a private one-bedroom unit in an assisted living facility rose 7 percent from the 2005 survey, to $32,294, while the combined average hourly rate for a home health aide for in-home … [Read more...] about Survey: Long Term Care Costs Rising