The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) is cooperating with the National Direct Services Workforce Center in looking for volunteers to take part in a focus group about direct service workers (DSWs). -- April 30 or May 1 -- Participants will receive either a $25 Visa cash card or a $10 Starbucks gift card. -- The deadline to volunteer is close of business April 28. More info @ http://www.dads.state.tx.us … [Read more...] about DADS Recruiting Volunteers for Focus Group in Austin
Implementation of Expanded Utilization Review Activities in the Home and Community-based Services Program
On March 1, 2014, the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) began conducting face-to- face level of need (LON) reviews for individuals in the Home and Community-based Services (HCS) Program as part of its expansion of utilization management and review activities. The face-to-face LON reviews are conducted by DADS Waivers/Community Services staff and include a face-to-face interview with individuals, legally authorized representatives, provider staff members, and other persons as … [Read more...] about Implementation of Expanded Utilization Review Activities in the Home and Community-based Services Program
HCS Providers: Additional Life Safety Documentation Kept in Four-person Homes
DADS Information Letter 14-19 (Revised): Additional Life Safety Documentation Kept in Four-person Homes Beginning April 1, 2014, HCS program providers must ensure that the required documentation related to life safety requirements is available in all four-person residences at all times. Including: · documentation of the most recent evacuation scores (e-scores) completed for the home; · if the home has a sprinkler system, documentation that there is a heat detection system in the attic … [Read more...] about HCS Providers: Additional Life Safety Documentation Kept in Four-person Homes
DADS Accepting Nominations for 2014 Vision Awards
Do you know a volunteer providing exemplary service to an older person or an individual with a disability? Please nominate that individual or group for the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) 2014 Vision Awards. Nominations are accepted until 5 p.m., May 2. … [Read more...] about DADS Accepting Nominations for 2014 Vision Awards
Consumer Directed Services Budget Workbook Revisions to Accommodate Rate Changes for the CBA Program
The purpose of the letter is to provide direction to Financial Management Services Agencies (FMSAs) on updating Consumer Directed Services (CDS) employers’ budgets to accommodate the new payment rate, effective March 1, 2014, for Community Based Alternatives (CBA) Personal Assistance Services (PAS). The Health and Human Services Commission approved rate can be found in Information Letter No. 14- 16. The rate change for CBA PAS requires a service authorization change. By May 30, 2014, the … [Read more...] about Consumer Directed Services Budget Workbook Revisions to Accommodate Rate Changes for the CBA Program
Additional Life Safety Documentation Kept in Four-person Homes
DADS has issued the following Information Letter(s): Information Letter 14-19: Additional Life Safety Documentation Kept in Four-person Homes The Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) annually conducts unannounced visits of each residence in which foster/companion care, residential support, or supervised living is provided to ensure that each residence complies with DADS Waiver Survey and Certification Residential Checklist, in accordance with DADS rule at Texas Administrative … [Read more...] about Additional Life Safety Documentation Kept in Four-person Homes
IL and News Alerts: 3/31 Webinar, Postponed NF Resident Move
DADS released one information letter. CBA and FMSA: HHSC approved new payment rates for the CBA waiver program, effective March 1, 2014. You can access these rates at the HHSC Rate Analysis site. (Letter) -- DADS notified all CLASS CMA and DSA that Form 3591, CLASS IPC/IDRC Cover Sheet, is available. Providers must use this form as a cover sheet when submitting an ID/RC assessment or PC packet to DADS, beginning April 1, 2014. -- DADS has postponed moving NF resident into STAR+PLUS … [Read more...] about IL and News Alerts: 3/31 Webinar, Postponed NF Resident Move
LTC News: Court Reverses Medicaid Ruling
"The Arkansas Supreme Court tossed out a $1.2 billion judgment against Johnson & Johnson on Thursday, reversing a lower court verdict that found the drug maker engaged in fraudulent tactics when marketing the antipsychotic drug Risperdal." - Associated Press "Lawmakers in both houses of Congress have unveiled a draft bill calling for post-acute care providers to furnish standard assessment data, with the goals of enabling better quality oversight and driving Medicare payment reform." - … [Read more...] about LTC News: Court Reverses Medicaid Ruling
TX Register Updates: Reimbursement Changes
The following information was obtained from the Texas Register. Public Notices HHSC intends to submit an amendment to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance under Title XIX of the Social Security Act to update the fee schedules in the current state plan for: Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies; Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Services; and Physicians and Other Practitioners. HHSC intends to submit an amendment to update the fee … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Reimbursement Changes
IL and News Alerts: Webinar
DADS released one information letter. DADS informed these providers that effective April 1, 2014, employment assistance is added as a service in the HCS program. (Letter) -- DADS will host an SELN Community Webinar on Tuesday, March 18, 2014. Time: 3 p.m. ET; 2 p.m. CT; 1 p.m. MT; 12 p.m. PT; 10 am HT You may register here. -- DADS updated its HCS and TxHmL provider pages, deleting the tabs "FAQs" and "Quarterly Stakeholder Meeting Webinars," and replacing them with one tab for "Webinars … [Read more...] about IL and News Alerts: Webinar
