HB 87: Relating to the expansion of eligibility for Medicaid in certain counties under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. SCR 2: Authorizing a proposed interim agreement between the parties of a lawsuit regarding individuals with intellectual disabilities and related conditions residing in or at risk of being admitted to nursing facilities. -- Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology has unveiled a new webpage with information and … [Read more...] about Bills, New Federal Site for Long Term Care Providers
TX Register Updates: 7/10 and 7/17 Hearings
The following information was obtained from the June 21 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notices, Corrections, and Hearings HHSC issued four corrections concerning the Texas Healthcare Transformation Quality Improvement Program waiver program. See the Texas Register for details, and scroll down for each entry. HHSC will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, July 17, 2013, at 8:30 a.m., to receive comment on proposed Medicaid payment rates for Ambulance Services, Substance Use Disorder … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: 7/10 and 7/17 Hearings
Introduced Bill, Resolution, and Provider News
HB 61: Relating to the applicability of adverse licensing, listing, or registration decisions by certain health and human services agencies. SJR 6: Proposing a constitutional amendment requiring the state to expand eligibility for the Medicaid program to certain persons. -- "Despite a shortage of U.S. primary care doctors, less than 25 percent of new doctors go into this field, and fewer still work in rural areas, researchers say...Lead study author Dr. Candice Chen, an assistant research … [Read more...] about Introduced Bill, Resolution, and Provider News
IL and News Alerts: 6/21, 7/23 Meetings
AFC, AL/RC, CBA HCSSA, DAHS, FMS, HDM, MDCP, Out-of-Home Respite ADC and AL/RC, PHC, and TAS: DADS notified contracted providers of changes to contract and fiscal compliance monitoring protocol in relation to negative billing. (Letter) -- (Published on the DADS site today, 6/18) DADS will hold the quarterly HCSSA stakeholder meeting this Friday, June 21, 2013, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Public Hearing Room in the Winters Building, 701 W. 51st Street, Austin. Agenda (PDF) -- DADS will … [Read more...] about IL and News Alerts: 6/21, 7/23 Meetings
TX Register Updates: Notice Correction, THTQIP Waiver
The following information was obtained from the June 14 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notices and Correction HHSC corrected a notice published in the May 31, 2013, issue in reference to the intent to submit a request to amend the CLASS Medicaid waiver. An excerpt: In addition to the changes previously described in the public notice published in the May 31, 2013, issue of the Texas Register, employment assistance is also being added to the waiver as a service. Changes in the waiver … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Notice Correction, THTQIP Waiver
From McKnight’s: CMS Crackdown, NF Management Agreements
-- "A compliance expert cautioned long-term care providers about CMS' new Fraud Prevention System in a recent McKnight's Super Tuesday webcast. While technology can catch bad actors, it's also a crucial way to maintain compliance, advised Alliance Training Center Executive Director Leah Klusch, RN, BSN, FACHCA. She advocated for programs that electronically compare Minimum Data Set and billing data so administrators can catch problems early." – McKnight's -- "[Nursing home management] … [Read more...] about From McKnight’s: CMS Crackdown, NF Management Agreements
TX Register Updates: THTQIP, Hospital Waiver Payments
The following information was obtained from the June 7 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notice HHSC intends to submit to CMS a request to amend the Texas Healthcare Transformation Quality Improvement Program waiver program. An excerpt: Effective September 1, 2013, the expenditures for STAR+PLUS enrollees for elimination of the 30-day spell of illness limitation will no longer be authorized. Under this policy, after 30 days of inpatient care has been provided, additional inpatient care … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: THTQIP, Hospital Waiver Payments
IL and News Alerts: RN Assessment, Workshop Registration
DADS released one information letter. TxHmL and Local Authority Service Coordinators: DADS informed TxHmL program providers of the requirement to complete a RN nursing assessment for all individuals in their program before a nurse or an unlicensed service provider can perform nursing tasks. (Letter) -- DADS contracted with the NACES Plus Foundation Inc. to collect data for the 2013 Nursing Facility Quality Review. For more information, see the 2012 Nursing Facility Quality … [Read more...] about IL and News Alerts: RN Assessment, Workshop Registration
IL/PLs: CMS Survey & Clarification
DADS released one PL and one IL/PL. All ICF/IID: DADS clarified the CMS Survey & Clarification Letter 13-11-ICF/IID, No Longer Certified Under Time-Limited Agreements, issued on February 8, 2013. An excerpt: CMS eliminated the requirement for TLAs on May 16, 2012. Since the ACC was tied to the TLA, the ACC has also been eliminated. DADS will survey an ICF/IID on an average of every 12 months and at least every 15 months. The provider agreement will not have a termination date and will … [Read more...] about IL/PLs: CMS Survey & Clarification
TX Register Update: CLASS Medicaid Waiver
The following information was obtained from the May 31 issue of the Texas Register. HHSC intends to submit to CMS a request to amend the CLASS Medicaid waiver to add the CDA services option for supported employment and a revision to the service definition of supported employment to clarify assistance available and specify integrated, competitive employment. See the Texas Register for more information. … [Read more...] about TX Register Update: CLASS Medicaid Waiver
