NF: DADS reminded NFs of requirements to provide immediate access to a resident by a representative of Disability Rights Texas (formerly known as Advocacy, Incorporated), the state's designated protection and advocacy agency. (Letter) -- The Texas Promoting Independence Advisory Committee, Subcommittee on Employment for People with Disabilities meeting will be held on Thursday, January 17, 2013, from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at The Arc of Texas Conference Room, 8001 Centre Park Drive #100, Austin. … [Read more...] about IL and News Alert: 1/17/13 Meeting, Disability Rights Texas
TX Register Updates: Affordable Care Act, Nursing Changes
The following information was obtained from the December 21 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notices HHSC intends to submit to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance an amendment that would update the fee schedules in the current state plan by including fees for new services and by modifying fees for existing services. HHSC intends to submit to CMS a request to amend the Texas Healthcare Transformation Quality Improvement Program waiver program. An excerpt: The 82nd Texas … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Affordable Care Act, Nursing Changes
Medicare and Medicaid Court Decisions
Medicare recipients with chronic conditions can no longer be turned down for home health services provided by skilled nurses and therapists, according to a recent settlement between the federal government and consumer advocates. Home care and other long term care providers benefit as well. An excerpt: To receive this coverage, patients must meet specific requirements. First, a doctor must prescribe care from a nurse or therapist. Patients in skilled-nursing facilities also must demonstrate a … [Read more...] about Medicare and Medicaid Court Decisions
IL and News Alerts: EVV Updates, NCHS Request
CBA, CLASS, MDCP, PHC, CAS, FC, and CDSA: The news alert information applies only to Regions 5 and 6 placed under the requirement to use the EVV system, effective November 15, 2012. From November 15, 2012 through January 14, 2013, DADS will accept paper timesheets as a back-up. (Letter) -- Posted 12/12/12: DADS continues to receive extensive stakeholder concern regarding the proposed rules to allow services to be provided by a licensed home and community support services agency (or … [Read more...] about IL and News Alerts: EVV Updates, NCHS Request
TX Register Update: CNM/LM, Medical Board Changes
The following information was obtained from the December 14 issue of the Texas Register: Adopted Rules HHSC adopted amendments to §354.1252, Certified Nurse-midwives, and new §354.1253, Licensed Midwives. Among other things, the changes clarify that the section applies only to CNMs and updates terms and agency names. See the Texas Register for more information. The Texas Medical Board adopted amendments to several sections of the code. Licensure – Among other things, "amends the … [Read more...] about TX Register Update: CNM/LM, Medical Board Changes
DADS News Alerts: 12/18 Survey Deadline, 1/7/13 Meeting
-- To follow up on a request to provide examples of when Individual Responsibility Agreements (IRA) are used in the CLASS Medicaid waiver, DADS asks CLASS DSAs to complete a summary of when the agency has used an IRA agreement and, if possible, the total active agreements the agency has in place. E-mail to DADS at class@dads.state.tx.us by Tuesday, December 18, 2012. -- DADS invited providers to attend the next HCSSA stakeholder meeting on Monday, January 7, 2013, 1-5 p.m. in the Public … [Read more...] about DADS News Alerts: 12/18 Survey Deadline, 1/7/13 Meeting
Gov. Rick Perry Interview on Obamacare
Avik Roy, a writer for Forbes, recently interviewed Governor Rick Perry about Obamacare. An excerpt: ROY: One thing that you did, and you looked into with the Texas legislature a few years back, was withdrawing from Medicaid all together. And you decided not to, because the amount of federal money that was being plowed into the state, getting rid of that and then trying to make up with that by raising taxes at the state level was just too great. GOV. PERRY: Right. ROY: Do you worry that … [Read more...] about Gov. Rick Perry Interview on Obamacare
TX Register Update: 12/18 Rate Hearing
The following information was obtained from the December 7 issue of the Texas Register. HHSC will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, December 18, 2012, at 1:30 p.m., to receive comment on proposed Medicaid payment rates for updates to Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System updates for Psychiatric Services. The hearing will be held in the Lone Star Conference Room. See the Texas Register for more information. … [Read more...] about TX Register Update: 12/18 Rate Hearing
Texas Dems and Medicaid Expansion
Democrats in Texas are hopeful that the state will expand Medicaid to cover millions, although Governor Rick Perry said Texas won't broaden the federal program. Rather than striking down Obamacare, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the law constitutional but gave states the option of expanding Medicaid to carry it out. From the Texas Tribune: Despite Gov. Rick Perry's firm opposition to a key tenet of federal health reform — expanding the state’s Medicaid program for those with low incomes — Texas … [Read more...] about Texas Dems and Medicaid Expansion
ILs/PL: Protecting Sensitive Personal Information
AFC, AL/RC, CBA, CLASS, DBMD, HCS, Hospice, PHC, TxHmL, and others: DADS reminded these providers and agencies of their responsibilities and requirements relating to protecting sensitive personal information received from DADS and notifying DADS of a breach of sensitive personal information. (Letter) CBA HCSSA, CLASS, DSA, NFs, and others: DADS notified these providers about the training schedule for the 2012 cost report (Letter): Online training will be available to qualified … [Read more...] about ILs/PL: Protecting Sensitive Personal Information
