The shortage of primary care physicians and primary care in general has been widely reported. According to the Texas Tribune, for example, the federal government has declared Harris County a primary care physician shortage zone. The health care reform law will result in millions more Texans on the Medicaid rolls. Who will treat them? CMS announced a program to alleviate some of the pressure. The initiative will provide funds to hospitals to increase training for advanced practice registered … [Read more...] about Primary Care, Medicaid News
ILs/PL: Rule Reminders for HCS and TxHmL
DADS released three information letters and one provider letter: NFs: DADS notified NFs that the compliance date for the Automated External Defibrillator Requirement has been extended to September 1, 2014. (Letter) HCS and TxHmL: DADS rules require these providers to include in an individual's implementation plan a list outcomes and to document the progress or lack of progress toward the outcomes. Completing sample logs in the billing guidelines might not fulfill this requirement. … [Read more...] about ILs/PL: Rule Reminders for HCS and TxHmL
TX Register Updates: May 15 Medicaid Payment Hearing
The following information was obtained from the March 30 issue of the Texas Register: HHSC will hold a public hearing on May 15, 2012, at 1:30 p.m., to receive comment on proposed Medicaid payment rates for third quarter 2011 Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System; Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies - "E Codes"; Doctor of Dentistry Services in an Ambulatory Surgical Center/Hospital Ambulatory Surgical Center, Evoked Response Tests and Neuromuscular Procedures, … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: May 15 Medicaid Payment Hearing
Protecting Your Business Against Solicitation is More Important Now Than Ever
The Department of Aging and Disability Services (“DADS”) recently initiated the repeal of administrative code sections prohibiting solicitation of another provider’s community services contracts. Prior to January 2012, 40 Texas Administration Code §49.19, entitled “Advertising and Solicitation of Clients,” prohibited certain activities related to a provider's soliciting prospective clients from other providers. The repeal became effective January 25, 2012. DADS previously noted in Information … [Read more...] about Protecting Your Business Against Solicitation is More Important Now Than Ever
New Cultural Change Initiative
DADS invites providers to register for the webinar, "The Bathing Experience: A DADS Culture Change Initiative," scheduled for April 4, 2012, from 2-3 p.m. You may register at Go to Meeting. For more information, contact DADS at DADSCultureChange@dads.state.tx.us. … [Read more...] about New Cultural Change Initiative
Health Care and the Supreme Court
Texas Tribune reporter Thanh Tan is writing a series of articles on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act case currently before the U.S. Supreme Court. Texas is one of the states that filed suit against the federal government challenging the law, particularly the individual mandate, as unconstitutional. The Texas Tribune published a story (which includes a video) on how the law affects physicians. An excerpt: While a ruling on the constitutionality of the new health care reforms … [Read more...] about Health Care and the Supreme Court
ILs/PL: LTC Claim Errors, Criminal History Checks
DADS released two information letters and one provider letter: AFC, ALF, CBA, CLASS, DAHS, HDM, Hospice, ICF/ID, NF, PACE, and other providers: Last year, LTC CMS processed over 15 million claims, which included 423,185 rejected claims and 456,967 denied claims. DADS provided guidelines to deal with the most common errors that delay LTC provider claim processing and payment An excerpt: Rejected Claims A rejected claim fails initial system edits, and is returned to the provider for … [Read more...] about ILs/PL: LTC Claim Errors, Criminal History Checks
TX Register Updates: Reimbursement Rates
The following information was obtained from the March 23 issue of the Texas Register: HHSC adopted amendments to §355.105, General Reporting and Documentation Requirements, Methods, and Procedures; §355.112, Attendant Compensation Rate Enhancement; §355.308, concerning Direct Care Staff Rate Component; §355.503, Reimbursement Methodology for the Community-Based Alternatives Waiver Program and the Integrated Care Management-Home and Community Support Services and Assisted Living/Residential … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Reimbursement Rates
DADS News Alerts: MDS 3.0 Updates, DADS 1915(c) Training
-- A Medical Necessity and Level of Care Item by Item Guide is scheduled for release on April 1, 2012. This is the link (PDF) to the November 2011 Item by Item Guide: . Effective April 1, 2012 it will link to the April revision. -- An MDS 3.0 RAI Manual (v1.08) Errata document labeled "MDS 3.0 RAI Manual (v1.08) Errata_March_12_2012" has been posted in the Downloads section of the MDS 3.0 Training page. -- Providers using MDS 3.0 for nursing homes and swing beds: "[M]ay ignore warning … [Read more...] about DADS News Alerts: MDS 3.0 Updates, DADS 1915(c) Training
ILs: Waiver Program Forms Review, EVV
DADS released two information letters: CLASS CMA, and DSA: DADS is conducting a review of all forms used across DADS waiver programs as part of an initiative to standardize and streamline. Updated versions of the forms included in the Phase IV review are available. An excerpt: Form 3599, Attendant Orientation/Supervisory Visit, and Instructions Revisions to this form include re-organization of the signature section, and updating the plan of care tasks. In addition the following … [Read more...] about ILs: Waiver Program Forms Review, EVV
