Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) implemented rules that address changes in the authority of the DFPS Adult Protective Services (APS) Provider division, as amended by SB 1880 and SB 760, 84th Legislative Session (2015). The changes give the APS Provider division the authority to investigate an allegation of abuse, neglect, or exploitation (ANE) of an adult or child who receives a service from a provider who contracts with HHSC to provide Medicaid waiver or Medicaid state plan services and … [Read more...] about PPAT Notice For Draft Rule Amendments Regarding Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation
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
The New Senate Tax Bill and its effect on Medicare costs
The Senate Tax Bill (HR 1 )recently passed will expand the break for high medical costs. According to reports, the bill preserve the deduction for medical expenses and lower the threshold for claiming it to 7.5% of adjusted gross income, from the current 10% but this would be temporary. By 2019 the threshold would return to 10% effectively only lasting 1 year. People aged 65 and older who previously had a medical expense deduction of 7.5% will now see it rise to 10% with the Affordable Care … [Read more...] about The New Senate Tax Bill and its effect on Medicare costs
Physician shortage in Texas spells major issues for aging population
43 US states have a higher proportion of primary care physicians to residents than Texas and 35 out 80 Texas counties have no doctors at all. According to news reports, there are not enough doctors in Texas, especially in certain rural stretches of South Texas. The shortage will require training — and retaining — more physicians in Texas but one main problem is that the state needs to add more residency slots for post-graduate medical training to remain competitive — a problem that has plagued … [Read more...] about Physician shortage in Texas spells major issues for aging population
CMS Finalizes Policies that Reduce Provider Burden, Lower Prescription Prices
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule this month for the 2018 Physician Fee Schedule and final rule with comment period for the Quality Payment Program (QPP). According to a news release by CMS, Seema Verma, Administrator of CMS explained that:“These rules move the agency in a new direction and begin to ease that burden by strengthening the patient-doctor relationship, empowering patients to realize the value of their care over volume of tests, and … [Read more...] about CMS Finalizes Policies that Reduce Provider Burden, Lower Prescription Prices
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
Texas lawmakers approve major nursing home quality reforms
According to reports, the 2017 Texas regular legislative session made vast changes affecting older Texans. Lawmakers approved several top priorities for AARP Texas including bills that, among other things, will protect seniors’ financial future, improve access to health care, and help unpaid family caregivers and their families.Also included was major nursing home quality reforms that seek to hold operators of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities more accountable when they have been … [Read more...] about Texas lawmakers approve major nursing home quality reforms
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Emergency Preparedness Requirements
Provider Letter No. 17-32 - DADS latest provider letters addressed to the Medicare and Medicaid Certified Nursing Facilities (NFs), Medicare-Certified Home Health and Hospice Agencies, and Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability or Related Conditions (ICFs/IID) all must comply with new federal emergency preparedness Requirements for Participation, including training and testing program requirements, by November 15, 2017. The NF's are a required to … [Read more...] about The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Emergency Preparedness Requirements
CMS cancels planned Home Health Groupings Payment Model, announces new rule
CMS announced in a rule that it would not move forward with the Home Health Groupings Model. These regulations are effective on January 1, 2018. According to CMS, this final rule updates the home health prospective payment system (HH PPS) payment rates, including the national, standardized 60-day episode payment rates, the national per-visit rates, and the non-routine medical supply (NRS) conversion factor, effective for home health episodes of care ending on or after January 1, 2018. The … [Read more...] about CMS cancels planned Home Health Groupings Payment Model, announces new rule
Amended ICF rules for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability or Related Conditions
HHSC has adopted amendments regarding a change of ownership in 40 TAC Chapter 90, Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with an Intellectual Disabitlity or Related Conditions, that went into effect on October 11, 2017. The adopted rules:Revise requirements related to a change of ownership of a license holder for an intermediate care facility for individuals with an intellectual disability or related conditions (ICF/IID);require a license holder that does not undergo a change of ownership … [Read more...] about Amended ICF rules for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability or Related Conditions