The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) issued a letter dated May 25 to home and community-based services (HCS) and Texas Home Living providers (TxHmL) clarifying issues about National Provider Identifiers (NPI) that apply only to them. By June 1, 2007, DADS must have NPI numbers for all HCS and TxHmL providers, which means these providers must apply for and obtain NPI numbers. Beginning July 1, claims that contain no NPI numbers will not be processed. Additionally, … [Read more...] about Provider Letter: Clarifications on National Provider Identifiers
Bush Proposes Medicare Reimbursement Cuts to Fund Proposals
The Bush administration seeks to cut Medicare reimbursements to hospitals, home health agencies, and skilled nursing facilities in an effort to save as much as $100 billion to fund health care proposals. (Kaiser Network) Last week, the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, chaired by Democrat Pete Stark, held a hearing to consider a proposal from the Bush administration “to freeze Medicare reimbursements for home health agencies and skilled nursing facilities." A health care … [Read more...] about Bush Proposes Medicare Reimbursement Cuts to Fund Proposals
U.S. SUPREME COURT HEARS ARGUMENT ON HOME HEALTH WORKER EXEMPTION UNDER WAGE AND HOUR LAWS.
Long Island Care at Home vs. Coke, a federal case concerning home health worker compensation, got its second hearing before the U.S. Supreme Court on April 16, 2007. Before the justices: the validity of a longstanding Department of Labor regulation regarding “companionship services†provided by third parties (read: home health agencies) “to the care of the elderly or infirm.†Coke’s attorneys argued that Congress understood the terms "domestic service employment," as used in the … [Read more...] about U.S. SUPREME COURT HEARS ARGUMENT ON HOME HEALTH WORKER EXEMPTION UNDER WAGE AND HOUR LAWS.
DADS Mandates Employer Implemented Policies Addressing Fraud and False Claims Laws, Including Whistleblower Protections
DADS issued Information Letter 07-50 on May 10, 2007, requiring all Home and Community-Based (HCS) and Texas Home Living (TxHmL) Providers educate employees, contractors, and agents about federal and state fraud and false claims laws, and the whistleblower protections available under those laws. The mandate comes from the employee educational requirements under Section 6032 of the Federal Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005. Specifically, effective January 1, 2007, all providers who receive or … [Read more...] about DADS Mandates Employer Implemented Policies Addressing Fraud and False Claims Laws, Including Whistleblower Protections
Provider Letters: Minimizing Claim Rejections, Life Safety Code, Etc.
May 1 The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) sent an informational letter to long term care providers about what they can do to minimize claim rejections. Attached to the two-page letter is a two-page chart titled, “Common Reasons Claims Deny.†Download the letter and chart here. May 7 All home and community-based services waiver program providers will be required to comply with the 2006 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101 Life Safety Code, … [Read more...] about Provider Letters: Minimizing Claim Rejections, Life Safety Code, Etc.
Provider Letters: National Provider Identifier and Criminal History Checks
April 27 The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) informed nursing facilities, community services, ICF/MR, and therapy providers about the National Provider Identifier (NPI) reporting process. An NPI is a 10-digit number used to identify health care providers. To prevent delays in billing, all providers that contract with DADS are required to report an NPI or Atypical Provider Identifier to DADS before June 1, 2007. For more information, download the letter here. May … [Read more...] about Provider Letters: National Provider Identifier and Criminal History Checks
Provider Letters: STAR+PLUS, Monthly Service Fees Updates, Etc.
In a March 29 letter to Primary Home Care and Day Activity and Health Services providers, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) wanted to make sure these providers were aware that they can bill DADS for PHC or DAHS services provided to consumers in counties covered by the STAR+PLUS program in rare cases. Consumers living in STAR+PLUS program coverage areas began receiving services from a Health Maintenance Organization on March 1. For more information, including what … [Read more...] about Provider Letters: STAR+PLUS, Monthly Service Fees Updates, Etc.
Provider Letters: Medicare Certification Surveys, Personal Needs Allowance, Etc.
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) has released four new letters addressed to the following providers: Home Health Agencies (HHAs): DADS notified HHAs seeking Medicare certification that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has asked DADS to stop scheduling Medicare certification surveys of HHAs. For more information, download the seven-page letter here. Medicaid-certified HHAs: DADS reminded Medicaid-certified HHAs that effective May 23, 2007, they must … [Read more...] about Provider Letters: Medicare Certification Surveys, Personal Needs Allowance, Etc.
DOL Announces Grants for Long Term Care Industry
The Department of Labor (DOL) announced that it will spend more than $43 million dealing with shortages in the health care industry, including long term care. (Source) On several occasions, I’ve blogged about the shortage of nurses and geriatric physicians. As baby boomers retire and age, many will need long term care, which will put pressure on an industry already faced with worker shortages. Ironically, baby boomer retirement is linked to shortages among long term caregivers. DOL and … [Read more...] about DOL Announces Grants for Long Term Care Industry
Provider Letters: Survey Notice and Criminal History Review
In a letter dated February 13, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) alerted Intermediate Care Facility for Persons with Mental Retardation (ICF-MR) Providers about its annual Long-Term Services and Supports Experience Survey 2007 Project. A random sample of recipients who receive long-term services through ICF-MRs will be interviewed by the NACES Plus Foundation, Inc., for the purpose of assessing and improving quality of care. For more information, download the letter … [Read more...] about Provider Letters: Survey Notice and Criminal History Review
