The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) released four information letters: Minimum Data Sets (MDS) Admission Assessment In a letter to Nursing Facility (NF) providers, DADS clarified when an MDS admission assessment should be submitted as well as the appropriate reasons for the assessment if the form is dually coded for Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act and Medicare. Download the three-page letter for more information. Integrated Care Management (ICM) and … [Read more...] about Information Letters: MDS Admission Assessment, Etc.
Information Letters: Rescheduled Meeting, Individual Plan of Care
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) released two information letters: Public Hearing Regarding Proposed Rule Amendment to the Reimbursement Methodology for Home and Community-based Services (HCS) to Redistribute the HCS Monthly Administration and Operations HHSC informed HCS Providers that a public hearing, initially scheduled for April 22, 2009, has been rescheduled to May 27, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. in the … [Read more...] about Information Letters: Rescheduled Meeting, Individual Plan of Care
Texas Register Updates: Contract for Flew v. Hawkins Study, Etc.
The following information was obtained from the April 3 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced the award of contract 529-08-0187-00001 to the Altarum Institute to provide a court-ordered study in compliance with Frew v. Hawkins to determine whether there are barriers causing Class Members to receive no care or receive only emergency department or inpatient hospital care. The contract is valued at $562,698.50. HHSC … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Contract for Flew v. Hawkins Study, Etc.
New Legislative Bills
The following bills were introduced this month and may affect providers: HB 166 - Relating to providing home- and community-based support services under the Medicaid program to persons who are deaf-blind with multiple disabilities. HB 510 - Relating to the registration of certain assisted living facilities; providing penalties. HB 1186 - Relating to the transfer or discharge of certain residents in certain assisted living facilities. HB 1398 - Relating to a pilot project to establish … [Read more...] about New Legislative Bills
Legislative Bills Get Public Hearings, Sent to Committee
Last month, I published a post with a list of bills introduced in the 81st Legislative Session that impact providers. Some of these bills have been scheduled for public hearings and referred to committees. Click on the links to find out the present status of the bills: HB 5 - Relating to the elimination of smoking in all workplaces and public places; providing penalties. HB 67 - Relating to a medical assistance buy-in program for children with certain developmental disabilities. HB 87 … [Read more...] about Legislative Bills Get Public Hearings, Sent to Committee
Information and Provider Letters: Licensure, Abuse/Neglect Reporting, Etc.
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) has issued one provider and three information letters: DADS Time Frames for Submission of a Plan of Correction (PoC) for Licensure Violations and Assessing an Administrative Penalty When a Facility Fails to Submit a Timely PoC for Licensure Violations DADS informed Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation or a Related Condition (ICFs/MR) that it adopted a rule to allow DADS to assess an administrative … [Read more...] about Information and Provider Letters: Licensure, Abuse/Neglect Reporting, Etc.
Legislative Updates: Bills Introduced
The following is a list of bills introduced in the 81st Legislative Session that impact providers: HB 5 - Relating to the elimination of smoking in all workplaces and public places; providing penalties. HB 67 - Relating to a medical assistance buy-in program for children with certain developmental disabilities. HB 87 - Relating to increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district to $45,000, providing for a reduction of the … [Read more...] about Legislative Updates: Bills Introduced
Information and Provider Letters: Pre-licensure Training, Etc.
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) released one provider letter and two information letters: Pre-licensure Training Provided Through the DADS Internet Site DADS issued a letter to Assisted Living Facilities to inform them of the following: Texas Administrative Code Title 40, Part 1, Chapter 92, §92.14(a) now states that an applicant for an initial license must complete a pre-licensure training course, provided by DADS, before submitting an application. … [Read more...] about Information and Provider Letters: Pre-licensure Training, Etc.
Texas Register Updates: Repeal of Fair Hearing Rules, Texas Medical Board Rule Changes
The following information was obtained from the January 9 and January 16 issues of the Texas Register: Public Hearing The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will hold a public hearing on January 30, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. to receive public comment on the proposed interim per diem Medicaid reimbursement rate for small, state-operated Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation operated by DADS. The hearing will be held in the Piney Woods Conference Room of … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Repeal of Fair Hearing Rules, Texas Medical Board Rule Changes
Information Letters: Co-Payment Chart Changes, Hurricane Ike Costs, Etc.
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) released eight information letters: Effective December 1, 2008 -- Change in the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 40, Chapter 44, Consumer Managed Personal Attendant Services (CMPAS), Relating to the Co-payment Chart DADS notified CMPAS providers about a TAC change, effective December 1, 2008. The change removes the previously attached co-payment chart from 40 TAC, Chapter 44 and replaces it with a statement to locate … [Read more...] about Information Letters: Co-Payment Chart Changes, Hurricane Ike Costs, Etc.
