DADS released four information letters: ALL LTC providers: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 expires on June 30, 2011, and providers are encouraged to bill as often as necessary to maximize the amount of funds Texas can claim (Letter): -- Claims processed through TMHP: received no later than noon Monday, June 27, 2011. -- Claims processed through CARE: submitted to be received later than noon Friday, June 24, 2011. Medicaid hospice: DADS informed these … [Read more...] about ILs: Claim Due Dates, Physician Rule Changes
TX Register Updates: Pharmacy and Nursing Changes
From the April 15 issue of the Texas Register: Proposed Rules HHSC proposes new §354.1042, concerning home health supplies provided by a pharmacy, and new §354.1877, concerning quantity limitations; and the repeal of Subchapter W concerning pharmacy limitations, which consists of §354.3047, concerning quantity limitations, and §354.3092, concerning review and evaluation. The changes would allow pharmacies enrolled in the VDP to provide a limited set of basic home health supplies commonly … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Pharmacy and Nursing Changes
TX Register Updates: Hearing, Area Agencies on Aging Changes
The following information was obtained from the April 1 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearing HHSC will hold a public hearing on April 20, 2011, at 2 p.m., to receive comment on proposed Medicaid payment rates for the Blind Children's Vocational Discovery and Development Program. The public hearing will be held in the Permian Basin Conference Room of HHSC, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78758-4021. See the Texas Register for … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Hearing, Area Agencies on Aging Changes
Baby Boomers and Home Health Care Providers
As the generation born between 1946 and 1964 enters retirement and, in some cases, require long term care, the demand for long term care services will increase. Some retired beneficiaries will choose to receive care at home instead of in a nursing facility for independence, privacy, etc. As a result, job prospects for home health care professionals and visiting nursing are good. An excerpt from an article in the Miami Herald: With the U.S. population growing grayer, job prospects for home … [Read more...] about Baby Boomers and Home Health Care Providers
TX Register Updates: Nursing Term Changes, Hurricane Preparedness
The following information was obtained from the March 18 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notice HHSC intends to submit amendments to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance to modify the reimbursement methodologies in the Texas Medicaid State Plan as a result of Medicaid fee changes for Physicians and Certain Other Practitioners and Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies. See the Texas Register for more information. Proposed Rule HHSC proposed to … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Nursing Term Changes, Hurricane Preparedness
House and Senate Bills: Week of 2/28 and 3/7
The following bills (which may affect long term care providers) were recently introduced in the 82nd Legislative Session: HB 1947: Relating to the personal needs allowance for certain Medicaid recipients who are residents of long-term care facilities. HB 2041: Relating to alternative methods of dispute resolution in certain disputes between the Department of Aging and Disability Services and an assisted living facility licensed by the department. HB 2079: Relating to the administration … [Read more...] about House and Senate Bills: Week of 2/28 and 3/7
TX Register Update: Medical and Nursing Board Changes
From the February 25 issue of the Texas Register: Proposed Rules The Texas Medical Board proposes to amend §164.2, Definitions; §164.4, Board Certification; and §164.6, Required Disclosures on Websites, which would add definitions, establish the process for applicants to have certifying boards approved by the Medical Board for advertising purposes, and provide that this section applies only to licensees who bill for services provided via the web. The board proposes new §166.7, Report of … [Read more...] about TX Register Update: Medical and Nursing Board Changes
House and Senate Bills: Week of 2/21
The following bills (which may affect long term care providers) were recently introduced in the 82nd Legislative Session: HB 1566: Relating to the authority of counties to appoint, contract for, or employ physicians, dentists, or other health care providers for county jails. HB 1567: Relating to the authority of certain counties to appoint, contract for, or employ physicians, dentists, or other health care providers for county jails HB 1653: Relating to the inclusion of optometrists, … [Read more...] about House and Senate Bills: Week of 2/21
TX Register Updates: Hearing, Board of Nursing Changes
The following information was obtained from the February 11 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearing and Notice HHSC will hold a public hearing on February 15, 2011, at 1:30 p.m., to receive comments on proposed Medicaid payment rates for Substance Use Disorder - Medication Assisted Therapy for Methadone. The hearing will take place in the Lone Star Conference Room of HHSC, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric Boulevard, Austin, Texas. HHSC intends to submit an … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Hearing, Board of Nursing Changes
TX Register Updates: Medical Board, Nursing Board Changes
The following information was obtained from the December 24 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearings and Notices HHSC proposes the following per diem reimbursement rates for the DADS-operated, non-state-operated ICF/MR program, effective February 1, 2011. HHSC also proposes the following per diem reimbursement rates for the DADS-operated NF program, effective February 1, 2011. See the Texas Register for details about each proposed rule. HHSC will hold a public hearing, "Medicaid … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Medical Board, Nursing Board Changes
