In a provider letter dated December 1, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) notified home health agencies seeking Medicare certification that DADS will no longer schedule initial Medicare certification surveys, per a directive by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. From the letter: Background Over the last five years, Texas has experienced unprecedented growth in the number of HHAs seeking certification. The five-state CMS Region 6 (Texas, New … [Read more...] about Provider Letter: Medicare Certification Alert for HCSSAs
New Rules for Licensing Standards
The Texas Department of Health and Human Services Commission has adopted several amendments that will affect licensing standards for Home and Community Support Services Agencies, published September 8, 2006. The rule changes "set for the criteria" used for determining whether a conviction will bar a person from obtaining licensure or participating in agency management. The amendments and new section also adds definitions, corrects, errors, and eliminates certain offenses that currently bar … [Read more...] about New Rules for Licensing Standards
Hearing on Provider Payment Rates
The Texas Department of Health and Human Services Commission will hold a hearing for public comment on proposed payment rates for the following operated by DADS: Residential Care program, assisted living/residential care services under the Community Based Alternatives program, and assisted living/residential care services under the Consolidated Waiver program. Rates will be effective January 1, 2007. The public hearing will be held on December 12, 2006, at 9:00 a.m. in the Lone Star … [Read more...] about Hearing on Provider Payment Rates
Provider Letters: Billing Requirements, Immunizations, and CMS Alert
In a letter dated November 2, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) informed nursing facilities and community services providers that third-party billers are required to enter into a contract with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission before claims can be submitted to the Texas Medicaid HealthCare Partnership, effective June 30, 2007. This is an effort to combat fraud. You may download the letter here. DADS informed home and community support services … [Read more...] about Provider Letters: Billing Requirements, Immunizations, and CMS Alert
Provider Letter: HCSSA Presurvey
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services issued a provider letter that replaces PL #05-25, effective June 1, 2006. The revised letter reflects changes in presurvey requirements, pursuant to 40 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 97 amendment. From the letter: The administrator, alternate administrator, supervising nurse (if applicable), and alternate supervising nurse (if applicable) of a HCSSA applying for licensure must attend a presurvey conference per 40 TAC Section … [Read more...] about Provider Letter: HCSSA Presurvey
Provider Letters: Desk Review and NPI Collection Process
In a letter to Home and Community Support Services Agencies, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) reminds these providers of the requirement to report allegations of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of clients to DADS and the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). These incidents previously were investigated by on-site visits. In September 2004, the process was changed to allow desk reviews instead of on-site visits. The provider letter answers frequently … [Read more...] about Provider Letters: Desk Review and NPI Collection Process
Provider Letter: Changes To Dental Evaluation Approval Process
In a provider letter dated September 27, 2006, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) informed Community Based Alternatives (CBA) Home and Community Support Services (HCSS) providers about changes to the approval process for dental evaluations. Under the new process, an HCSS provider's registered nurse is allowed to get multiple evaluations for CBA participants without obtaining prior approval from the DADS case manager. For more information, you may download the … [Read more...] about Provider Letter: Changes To Dental Evaluation Approval Process
Provider Letter: Repeal of 40 TAC Criminal History Check
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) informs all facilities covered by the Health and Safety Code (HSC) that 40 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 76, Criminal History Check of Employees in Facilities for Care of the Aged and Persons with Disabilities, will be repealed, effective June 1, 2006. The provision was repealed because DADS currently requires facilities to comply with Chapter 250 of the HSC. According to the rule, certain elderly and disabled care facilities … [Read more...] about Provider Letter: Repeal of 40 TAC Criminal History Check
Assisted Living Facilities’ Ability To Restrict Residents Contracting for Health or Personal Care Services.
The Attorney General (AG) of Texas issued an important opinion on February 23rd addressed to the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) regarding "retirement centers" that require residents to use the centers' own home health agencies. First, the AG agreed with DADS' interpretation that an establishment, including one characterized as a retirement community, that furnishes food and shelter to four or more persons who are unrelated to the proprietor and that requires those … [Read more...] about Assisted Living Facilities’ Ability To Restrict Residents Contracting for Health or Personal Care Services.
Case Managers: Exempt or Non-Exempt?
The cheap answer is: Case Managers' exemption under the Fair Labor Standards Act's (FLSA) overtime requirements must be determined on a case-by-case basis. The tougher analysis is that the Department of Labor (DOL) has apparently continued its earlier position that case managers are typically non-exempt and, thus, entitled to overtime. With all the celebration surrounding the DOL's regulations issued in 2004, providers remained frustrated with the DOL's complete failure to address the exempt … [Read more...] about Case Managers: Exempt or Non-Exempt?
