March 9 The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced on behalf of the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) that it has adopted the repeal of §§7.301 - 7.311 and §§7.313 - 7.316 in Chapter 7. The repeal is intended to facilitate the consolidation of rules dealing with volunteer programs and donations to DADS by striking obsolete rules. For more information, see the relevant section in the March 9 Texas Register. Additionally, HHSC will submit an … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates for March 9 and 16
Provider Letters: Search for Parent or Guardian and Nursing Facility Quality Review
In a letter dated February 20, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) informed Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation and nursing facilities that no later than the 30th day from the date a facility determines it can't find a child’s parent or guardian, it must notify DADS. The time begins accruing the day a facility attempts to contact a parent or guardian. For more information, download the letter here. On February 21, DADS informed … [Read more...] about Provider Letters: Search for Parent or Guardian and Nursing Facility Quality Review
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
Texas Register: Adopted and Proposed Reimbursement Rates
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced newly adopted interim per diem reimbursement rates for large, state-operated Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation (ICF/MR), including state schools operated by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services: $345.87 for Medicaid-only clients and $338.59 for dual eligibles. The public hearing was held on November 6, 2006. Mark your calendars for upcoming public hearings for proposed provider … [Read more...] about Texas Register: Adopted and Proposed Reimbursement Rates
Four New Provider Letters
Submission of the Hospice Election Form 3071 and Physician Certification of Terminal Illness Form 3074 The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) informed Medicaid hospice providers that it has updated its list of regional contacts for hospice election and certification forms to Community Services, Texas Medicaid and Healthcare Partnership, and Health and Human Services Commission Medicaid Eligibility staff. For more information, download the letter and attached list of … [Read more...] about Four New Provider Letters
Provider Letters: Electronic Notifications and Travel Reimbursement Rates
In a letter dated December 18, the Texas Department for Aging and Disability Services (DADS) notified all assisted living, adult day care, home and community support service agencies, immediate care, and nursing facilities about a change in program notifications. DADS has been providing program notifications online effective October 1, 2006. Notifications will no longer be sent postal mail. DADS advises providers to visit the Regulatory Services policy web site and/or sign up to receive … [Read more...] about Provider Letters: Electronic Notifications and Travel Reimbursement Rates
Provider Letters: Alerts for NFs, ALs, and ICF-MR/RCs
For Nursing and Assisted Living Facilities, and Intermediate Care Facilities Serving Persons with Mental Retardation or a Related Condition The Texas Department for Aging and Disability Services (DADS) released a letter, dated November 24, alerting providers to guidelines for amelioration of administrative penalties. The letter explains what amelioration is (allowing "a facility, instead of paying fines for violations, to invest monies back into the facility"), legal authority, what DADS … [Read more...] about Provider Letters: Alerts for NFs, ALs, and ICF-MR/RCs
Hearing on Proposed Provider Reimbursement Rates
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced in the October 20 Texas Register that there will be a public hearing for comments on proposed interim Medicaid reimbursement rates that will apply to large, state-operated Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation. Included are state schools operated by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services. The hearing will be held on Monday, November 6, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. in the Lone Star Conference Room … [Read more...] about Hearing on Proposed Provider Reimbursement Rates
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 Letters: Incident Reporting and Provider/Survey Conference
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) issued a provider letter to Licensed Nursing Facilities, Medicare/Medicaid-certified Nursing Facilities, and Skilled Nursing Facilities about guidelines for reporting incidents. Superseding guidelines dated July 14, 2000, the revised guidelines require any facility staffer who believes a resident has been abused, neglected, or exploited by another staffer to report it, pursuant to Health and Safety Code §242.122 and 40 Texas … [Read more...] about Provider Letters: Incident Reporting and Provider/Survey Conference