DADS released two information letters and one provider letter. AL/RC, CAS, CBA, CDSA, DAHS, FC, HDM, MDCP, PHC, and TAS: DADS notified these providers and agencies about certain changes. An excerpt: Effective with reviews conducted on or after July 1, 2012, the review period for contract and fiscal compliance monitoring for the programs and services identified above will encompass all months since the beginning of the contract (if not monitored previously) or since the exit date of the … [Read more...] about ILs/PL: CDC TB Guidelines, Cost Avoidance
TX Register Updates: NorthSTAR Correction, Dual Eligibles
The following information was obtained from the June 22 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notice Correction A notice in the June 8, 2012, issue incorrectly stated that an amendment changed the NorthSTAR behavioral health program enrollment period from 30 days to 15 days. The correct period is from 45 days to 15 days. See the Texas Register for details. Withdrawn Rules HHSC withdraws the emergency new §355.8201 and §355.8202, which appeared in the January 20, 2012, issue, effective … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: NorthSTAR Correction, Dual Eligibles
Texas Providers: Grant Awards and Court Decisions
McKnight's reports that long term care providers will benefit from federal grants to improve care and lower costs. The University of North Texas Health Science Center received a grant of over $7 million for the Interventions to Reduce Acute Care Transfers assessment tool. Other Texas recipients include CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System in Texarkana, which will receive over $3 million. In other news, Texas and the entire country (and probably the world) await the U.S. Supreme Court's decision … [Read more...] about Texas Providers: Grant Awards and Court Decisions
DADS News Alerts: Skilled Nursing Policy Changes
-- DADS will host four culture change symposia for NFs in 2012: Lubbock – Wednesday, August 22, Holiday Inn Lubbock - Hotel and Towers Dallas – Friday, August 24, Westin Park Central San Antonio – Tuesday, November 13, Sheraton Gunter Hotel Houston – Thursday, November 15, Houston Marriott Westchase -- DADS issued an alert to providers and other qualified entities interested in becoming DBMD residential services providers in Region 7, the Austin area. Contract information: Paul … [Read more...] about DADS News Alerts: Skilled Nursing Policy Changes
TX Register Updates: Correction & Reimbursement Change
The following information was obtained from the June 15 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notice Correction HHSC corrected a public notice published in the April 6, 2012, issue about submitting a request to renew the MDCP waiver: The notice incorrectly stated that the waiver provided in-home child care, including in the individual's or a family member's home, or a foster family's home. It should have stated: Services include respite, adaptive aids, minor home modifications, financial … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Correction & Reimbursement Change
ILs/PL: Annual Mandatory ALF Training
DADS released two information letters and one provider letter: Medicaid Hospice: DADS asked these providers to submit the form attached to the letter, which shows the methodology CMS uses to determine the provider's Medicare overall cap for FFY 2010 and 2011. The deadline for submitting this information was May 15, 2012. (Letter) ALFs: DADS provided information about annual mandatory training for ALFs. See the provider web page for more information. (Letter) AFC, ALF, CBA, CLASS, … [Read more...] about ILs/PL: Annual Mandatory ALF Training
Physicians Group Opposes Increased Rates for Subspecialists
A couple weeks ago, we blogged about a new CMS rule that will raise Medicaid payment rates for primary care physicians. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) released a statement supporting the new rule but wants only primary care physicians, and not subspecialists (general internal medicine, pediatric medicine, etc.), to benefit. An excerpt: In the proposed rule, CMS says it is interested in ensuring primary care physicians receive the benefit of the increased payment, a goal shared … [Read more...] about Physicians Group Opposes Increased Rates for Subspecialists
TX Register Updates: Proposed NorthSTAR Waiver Changes
The following information was obtained from the June 8 Texas Register: HHSC intends to submit transmittal number 12-024 to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, which would clarify the orthotic and prosthetic services available to Medicaid EPSDT eligible recipients under 21 by moving coverage information to the EPSDT Services section of the state plan. HHSC intends to submit an amendment that would modify the reimbursement methodology in the State Plan for non-state operated ICF/MR … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Proposed NorthSTAR Waiver Changes
Health Care Reform and the Supreme Court
Long term care providers await the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on whether President Barack Obama's health care reform law is unconstitutional. Texas is one of the states that filed suit against the federal government challenging the law. The key issue is the law's individual mandate, which would require individuals to purchase health care insurance or face fines. The Physicians Hospital of America, which represents doctors, are concerned about the law's restriction on expanding or building new … [Read more...] about Health Care Reform and the Supreme Court
IL/News Alerts: Behavioral Health Facility, Vaccinations
HSC, TxHml, and LA: An excerpt of what DADS expects from providers when an individual receiving waiver services is admitted to a state hospital or other behavioral health facility for psychiatric stabilization: A Home and Community-based Services (HCS) or Texas Home Living Program (TxHmL) program provider is responsible for placing an individual who is admitted to a state hospital or inpatient behavioral health facility on suspension from waiver services for the duration of the individual's … [Read more...] about IL/News Alerts: Behavioral Health Facility, Vaccinations
