In 2016, the nursing home industry requested the change in the Medicare program's penalty protocols and now, according to reports, a new policy from the Trump administration will roll back fines against nursing homes cited for mistreatment or neglect. The New York Times research found that nearly 6,500 nursing homes in the U.S. have received at least one citation for a serious violation since 2013 and about two-thirds of those have been fined by Medicare.According to this New York Times excerpt … [Read more...] about Medicare program’s penalty protocols for Nursing homes change under Trump Administration
Enforcement of Obama-era nursing home standards and enforcement remedies halted by CMS
CMS halts enforcement of some standards required by nursing homes that would enhance safety procedures for patients. In this notice: Temporary Enforcement Delays for Certain Phase 2 F-Tags and Changes to Nursing Home Compare posted late last month, the CMS announced an 18-month moratorium on enforcement remedies in some nursing home regulation that was finalized last year.Memorandum Summary from CMS Inlcuded:Temporary moratorium on imposing certain enforcement remedies for specific Phase 2 … [Read more...] about Enforcement of Obama-era nursing home standards and enforcement remedies halted by CMS
Extensions of Eligibility and Individual Plan of Care Authorizations for Individuals in CLASS and DBMD Impacted by Hurricane Harvey
Information Letter No. 17-25 – The information letter informs residents that were affected by Hurricane Harvey that The Texas Health and Human Services Commission can implement extensions of eligibility and individual plan of care authorizations on a case-by-case basis. An extension can be requested by a CLASS case management agency, CLASS direct service agency or DBMD program provider.The extension is for individuals that had permanent residence in a county declared a federal disaster area … [Read more...] about Extensions of Eligibility and Individual Plan of Care Authorizations for Individuals in CLASS and DBMD Impacted by Hurricane Harvey
Abuse & poor quality care rate in Texas nursing homes is nearly four times the national average
Many nursing homes have hired Certified Nurse Aides with criminal histories legally. Using data from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, it has been discovered that the patient abuse rate in Texas nursing homes is nearly four times the national average. 25% of the state's 1,200 long-term care centers have been cited for serious standard deficiencies- According to reports by the AARPIn Texas, there are many nurse aides in nursing facilities that have criminal … [Read more...] about Abuse & poor quality care rate in Texas nursing homes is nearly four times the national average
Failure to Deliver PASRR Services – Level I Screening and Level II Evaluation Assessments
Provider Letter No. 17-15 - DAD'S latest provider letter addressing Nursing Facilities reports on clarification that the role of the nursing facility (NF) is to coordinate completion of the Level I screening and Level II evaluation assessments with appropriate entities. The letter reports:Nursing Facilities must comply with both state and federal requirements related to Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR). This includes coordinating with appropriate entities to ensure completion … [Read more...] about Failure to Deliver PASRR Services – Level I Screening and Level II Evaluation Assessments
Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Projects are Subject to Unannounced Visits to Ensure Project Implementation
Provider Letter No. 17-17 - DADS addresses Civil Money Penalty projects(CMP) regarding the documentation regarding the status of their project and the monitoring of the performance of the contract deliverables as indicated in Attachment C to the contract, Special Conditions for CMP Funded Contracts, section 4.01, Measurement. If your facility has applied and been approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to receive CMP funds, your facility is subject to unannounced … [Read more...] about Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Projects are Subject to Unannounced Visits to Ensure Project Implementation
HIPAA Notification From HHSC: Texas Vendor Loses Clients’ Personal Information. Breach may affect 1,842
The Health and Human Services Commission issue a notification about the accidental loss of protected personal information that include names, bank and health information, social security, addresses and other pertinent personal details. The breach may affect 1,842 people in the Texas. The box of forms containing client information was found beside an unsecured dumpster in Houston at the E. 40th St. complex, an Houston area eligibility office.The agency is examining this breach and an … [Read more...] about HIPAA Notification From HHSC: Texas Vendor Loses Clients’ Personal Information. Breach may affect 1,842
CMS & CBO Report different numbers on possible effect of AHCA in the healthcare market
The Republican led U.S. House of Representatives approved the American Health Care Act of 2017 last may and now the Office of the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released its report on the Estimated Financial Effect of the “AHCA .” According to reports from the Health Affairs Organization:"The headline from the Actuary’s report that is likely to receive the most attention is that the CMS Actuary sees the AHCA as increasing the uninsured by 4 million for 2018/2019 … [Read more...] about CMS & CBO Report different numbers on possible effect of AHCA in the healthcare market
Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation, Misappropriation of Resident Property, and Other Incidents that Must Be Reported to DADS
Provider Letter No. 17-18 - (Replaces PL 14-13). The examples in this letter are not all inclusive. Many other possible scenarios are reportable. The law requires an owner or employee of a NF who has cause to believe that the physical or mental health or welfare of a resident has been or may be adversely affected by abuse, neglect or exploitation. Attachements included instruct guidance to NFs on resident-to-resident incidents, including sexual activity, and on how to determine whether NFs must … [Read more...] about Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation, Misappropriation of Resident Property, and Other Incidents that Must Be Reported to DADS
New Letter to clarify guidance on reporting Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation and investigating incidents reportable to DADS
Provider Letter No. 17-03 - April 24 - DADS released a new provider letter to clarify guidance on reporting ANE to DFPS by an ICF/IID exempt from licensure (referred to in this Provider Letter as a “facility). Guidelines for Reporting Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation (ANE) to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and Reporting Incidents to the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS). A flow chart showing the reporting requirements and a checklist to use … [Read more...] about New Letter to clarify guidance on reporting Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation and investigating incidents reportable to DADS