Garlo Ward, P.C.

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Texas Register Updates: NFs, ICF/MR, Home Health

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The following was obtained from the June 4 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearings and Notices HHSC will hold public hearings on June 28, 2010, in the Lone Star Conference Room: 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.: Freestanding Psychiatric Facilities 10:30 a.m. to noon: Renal Dialysis Facilities 10:30 a.m. to noon: Clinical Laboratory Services 1:30 p.m.: Hospital Outpatient Services and Ambulatory Surgical Centers/Hospital-Based Ambulatory Surgical Centers See the Texas Register for … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: NFs, ICF/MR, Home Health

Medicaid Cuts for Texas Providers

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The Texas Tribune, a non-profit public media organization, published a story about nursing facilities in Texas facing Medicaid rate cuts. The article mentions a story we blogged about last month. To deal with a potential budget shortfall, Governor Rick Perry, Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst, and House Speaker Joe Straus asked HHSC to reduce Medicaid spending by five percent. HHSC Commissioner Tom Suehs offered a list of reductions worth $304 million. The Texas Tribune notes that last … [Read more...] about Medicaid Cuts for Texas Providers

MedPAC Recommends Adjusted Medicare Payment Rates

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MedPAC, which advises Congress on Medicare, released a set of recommendations. (Source - PDF) An excerpt: "To restore budget neutrality, the Congress should require the Secretary to fully offset increases in inpatient payments due to hospitals' documentation and coding improvements. To accomplish this, the Secretary must reduce payment rates in the inpatient prospective payment system by the same percentage (not to exceed 2 percentage points) each year in 2011, 2012, and 2013. The lower rates … [Read more...] about MedPAC Recommends Adjusted Medicare Payment Rates

CMS: Health Care Spending Rate Slowest Since 1960

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CMS issued an annual report on national health care spending that showed nominal spending in the U.S. grew 4.4 percent last year, to $2.3 trillion, the slowest rate of growth since CMS started tracking health care spending in 1960. The health care spending rate in 2007 was 6.0. However, health care spending grew faster than nominal economic growth. Jonathan Blum, director of CMS's Center for Medicare Management, said the report "contains some welcome news and yet another warning sign. Health … [Read more...] about CMS: Health Care Spending Rate Slowest Since 1960

Provider and Information Letters: HCS, TxHmL, CDSAs

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DADS released one provider and three information letters: HCSSAs: All Medicare-approved home health agencies or those seeking approval under Medicare must comply with Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS)-C requirements. Download the patient classification table here and the letter here. HCS, TxHmL, and CDSAs: HHSC approved new payment rates for these programs, effective September 1, available at the HHSC Rate Analysis web page and TxHmL web page. Download the letter for … [Read more...] about Provider and Information Letters: HCS, TxHmL, CDSAs

TxHmL & HCS — Elimination of the Monthly Admin & Operations Fee

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As you probably know by now, the admin/op fee of approx. $935 per consumer is set to be eliminated and tied directly to individual service rates. This rule will be republished in this Friday's Texas Register and implemented October (not September) 1, 2009. Today, July 24, 2010, professional rates (RNs, LVNs, OTs, PTs, etc) will be discussed at a public hearing. 3 stages of implementation 1. 9/1/09: Professional service rate changes begin 2. 10/1/09: Remaining rate changes begin … [Read more...] about TxHmL & HCS — Elimination of the Monthly Admin & Operations Fee

Moving Case Mgmt from the Provider to MRA

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SB 1 Sect. 48 moved HCS case management to Mental Retardation Authorities (MRA). Currently, DADS does not plan on phasing in this shift, instead, DADS intends to ochestrate a mass move in June of 2010. DADS will hold a training for MRAs and providers in the spring before the change. The MRA will conduct enrollment and keep up with the PDP (person directed plan). The requirement for an interdiscplinary team has been removed and now a service team consisting of the individual, LAR, and … [Read more...] about Moving Case Mgmt from the Provider to MRA

Legislative Summary: Bills Affecting HCS & TxHmL Programs

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SB 643--Protection and care of individuals with mental retardation • Renames state schools--State supported living centers • Requires annual inspections of HCS group homes • Requires independent mortality reviews • Establishes a single investigative database (DFPS & reg. issues) SB 1--General Appropriations Bill • Funds provider rate increase • Funds attendant wage increase • Funds additional HCS slots (approx 50,000) • Moves HCS case management to Mental … [Read more...] about Legislative Summary: Bills Affecting HCS & TxHmL Programs

Upcoming CDS Town Hall Meetings

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DADS is hosting Town Hall Meetings throughout the state this summer to provide an opportunity for DADS consumers and family members, service providers and the public to learn more about the Consumer Directed Services (CDS) service delivery option available in many Texas programs. Currently, only 2% of HCS programs (OHFH) and 4% of TxHmL Programs utilize consumer directed services (CDS). Providers and public welcome. Schedule 7/27: Longview, Texas 7/29: Fort Worth, Texas 8/12: Austin, … [Read more...] about Upcoming CDS Town Hall Meetings