Information Letter No. 17-16 - Effective August 1, 2017, The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has listed its new and approved payment rate changes (decrease in payment rates) for the following providers as identified in the below list. HHSC has exempted the rates for the Consumer Directed Services (CDS) option from these rate reductions. All providers should share with any CDS employers to whom they provide any HCS or TxHmL services that the CDS option is specifically exempted … [Read more...] about Approved Rate Reductions in the HCS and TxHmL Waiver Programs (Effective August 1, 2017)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission Notice: Removal of Service Codes for Habilitation and Residential Habilitation
The latest Information Letter No. 17-15 - As of July 10th, some services codes associated with habilitation have been removed by Texas Health and Human Services Commission. CLASS DSA, DBMD program provider, or FMSA are no longer able to submit a service claim that includes any of these service codes described below: ? service codes 10, 10A, and 10V associated with CLASS habilitation; and? service codes 17 and 17V associated with DBMD residential habilitation.A CLASS DSA or DBMD program provider … [Read more...] about Texas Health and Human Services Commission Notice: Removal of Service Codes for Habilitation and Residential Habilitation
Preparing for the Upcoming Fiscal Year 2017 Fee-for-Service Claims Billing Closeout
Information Letter No. 17-13 - This letter is addressed to all service providers, facilities, and agencies. August 31, 2017 is the end of fiscal year closeout and it is important for all providers to promptly submit claims to be paid by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) for any unbilled services. HHS will publish additional details regarding cutoff dates for fiscal year 2017. This information letter addresses the following:12-month filing rule - Providers should ensure not … [Read more...] about Preparing for the Upcoming Fiscal Year 2017 Fee-for-Service Claims Billing Closeout
New Process Requires Online Completion of Requests for Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) Specialized Services
Information Letter No. 17-12 - DADS is notifying nursing facility providers of the new process for requesting Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) nursing facility specialized services. Paper forms are no longer acceptable. Providers have to now log onto the TMHP LTC Online Portal and complete a Nursing Facility Specialized Services (NFSS) form to request the following PASRR nursing facility specialized services. and the information letter details that the Health and Human … [Read more...] about New Process Requires Online Completion of Requests for Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) Specialized Services
Palliative Care Education and Information Program launched by HHSC to educate Texans on Hospice & Supportive Care
HHS published information regarding a newly launched Palliative Care Education and Information Program. The online program is a resource that educates Texans about end of life care and support by offering assistance and tools for patients, families and providers. According to Jimmy Blanton, director of HHSC’s Health Quality Institute in the Quality and Program Improvement section, the program, a result of a House Bill 1874, was implemented to "address some of the misconceptions around palliative … [Read more...] about Palliative Care Education and Information Program launched by HHSC to educate Texans on Hospice & Supportive Care
CMS to add 200 more facilities to the Music & Memory Program in Texas. Latest expansion to include 165 more nursing homes.
Music therapy is one of the methods that health facilities and providers are researching which may be beneficial to people with disabilities living in long-term intermediate care facilities. The Music & Memory initiative for Dementia patients began in 2015 as a way to improve and build upon the quality of life for those nursing home residents. The music and memory program's first two phases included a roll-out at 250 nursing homes in Texas. The program is executed by using Apple iPods or … [Read more...] about CMS to add 200 more facilities to the Music & Memory Program in Texas. Latest expansion to include 165 more nursing homes.
New Billing Codes for Pre-admission Screening and Resident Review (PASSR) DME and Therapy Assessments.
Information Letter No. 17-11 — The purpose of this letter is to notify Nursing Facility Providers (NFs) of the new billing codes for durable medical equipment (DME) and therapy assessments reimbursed through the PASRR program. All PASRR specialized services approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) on or after June 1, 2017, must be billed using the billing codes below. … [Read more...] about New Billing Codes for Pre-admission Screening and Resident Review (PASSR) DME and Therapy Assessments.
HHSC – Sunset and the Transition of the State Agencies under HHSC; Vision of HHS Transformation
Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Acting on direction from the Texas Legislature, the health and human services agencies have startedactivities that lay the groundwork for transformation of the health and human services system. Thefollowing information was taken from the HHSC Connection. Contrary to what some might believe, the 84th Texas Legislature did not approve beginning-to-endinstructions for how the health and human services agencies should reorganize. Yes, … [Read more...] about HHSC – Sunset and the Transition of the State Agencies under HHSC; Vision of HHS Transformation
Medicaid Re-enrollment Website Launched
All provider types must re-enroll by March 24, 2016DADS Medicaid providers that render services either through Medicaid managed care organizations or traditional fee-for-service Medicaid are required to revalidate their information every 3-5 years. In Texas, the deadline for the next re-enrollment is March 24, 2016.To help providers better understand this process, DADS has created a Texas Medicaid LTSS Provider Re-enrollment website at http://www.dads.state.tx.us/providers/mpre/. The site … [Read more...] about Medicaid Re-enrollment Website Launched
HHSC Seeks Input on Workgroups, Councils Structure
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is asking for comments on existing advisory committees. In response to approved Sunset legislation, HHSC conducted a comprehensive analysis of 132 existing advisory committees. This analysis, along with stakeholder input, will be used to determine the future advisory committee structure. Comments should be emailed to HHSAdvisoryCommittees@hhsc.state.tx.us by close of business Sept. 25.Some of the committees related to DADS include:Aging … [Read more...] about HHSC Seeks Input on Workgroups, Councils Structure
