HHSC intends to submit Transmittal Number 10-068, Amendment Number 961, to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, which would update the service description to clarify the scope of service and provider qualifications for specialized rehabilitative services provided by Early Childhood Intervention providers. For more information, see the Texas Register. The Texas Board of Nursing approved revisions to the Differentiated Entry Level Competencies of Graduates of Texas Nursing Programs, … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Medicaid, Nurses, and Physicians
Information Letters and Alerts: HCS, Medicaid Hospice
HCS providers and MR authorities: Section 9.166(b)(3)(A) of HCS Rule directs revision of the HCS Individual Plan of Care (IPC) to be developed by the service planning team (SPT) and the program provider. Effective the date of this letter, DADS will consider the following process to be in compliance with this direction: If the IPC revision is to increase or decrease the hours, units, or dollars for an existing HCS service on a current, authorized HCS IPC and does not require a new … [Read more...] about Information Letters and Alerts: HCS, Medicaid Hospice
82nd Legislative Session: New House and Senate Bills
The following bills (which may affect long term care providers) were recently introduced in the 82nd Legislative Session: HB 297: Relating to certain federal health care legislation; imposing penalties. HB 309: Relating to the establishment of the supportive living facility pilot program. SB 204: Relating to insurance coverage for certain devices used in the treatment of diabetes. SB 190: Relating to the licensing and regulation of physicians, physician assistants, acupuncturists, and … [Read more...] about 82nd Legislative Session: New House and Senate Bills
Information and Provider Letters: HCSSA, CLASS, CBA, ICM, Etc.
DADS issued the following information and provider letters: HCS, CLASS, CBA, HCSSA, ICM, DBMD, CWP, TxHmL, PHC, CAS, and DAHS: DADS will expand utilization management and review activities for its Medicaid community entitlement and waiver programs, effective January 1, 2011. (Letter) HCSSA: DADS issued this letter to notify these providers that using rubber stamps for registered nurse signatures is not accepted. Each entry to the client record must be signed and dated by the … [Read more...] about Information and Provider Letters: HCSSA, CLASS, CBA, ICM, Etc.
TX Register Updates: Texas CHIP, STAR Program Changes
The following information was obtained from the November 5 issue of the Texas Register Public Notices HHSC intends to submit an amendment to the Texas CHIP to assure that dental coverage includes dental benefits from each of the required categories of care. HHSC proposes to eliminate the current dental tiers, remove the coverage limits based on preventive dental services and therapeutic dental services, and provide all CHIP members coverage up to $564 per 12-month enrollment … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Texas CHIP, STAR Program Changes
TX Register Updates: RFP, TX Medical Board Changes
The following information was obtained from the October 8 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notice HHSC released its Request for Proposals for consultant services to assist the state in assuring the effective performance of the Medicaid Claims/Primary Care Case Management, Pharmacy Claims and Rebate Administration vendor through independent verification and validation services (RFP #529-11-0010). See the Texas Register for more information. Adopted Rules The Texas Medical Board … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: RFP, TX Medical Board Changes
Texas Register: TX State Plan Amendments, Nursing
The following information was obtained from the October 1 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices HHSC intends to submit Transmittal Number 10-052, Amendment Number 945 to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, which would update the service description of targeted case management provided to infants and toddlers with developmental delays to ensure compliance with the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 42, §440.169 and §441.18. HHSC intends to submit to CMS a waiver amendment … [Read more...] about Texas Register: TX State Plan Amendments, Nursing
Provider and Information Letters: ICF/MR, HCSSA, NFs, Assisted Living
DADS released seven new provider letters and one information letter. DADS informed the following providers that in addition to an initial Nurse Aide Registry and the Employee Misconduct Registry search, they must search both registries every year for unlicensed employees and volunteers whose duties include face-to-face contact with clients, effective September 1, and document and keep a record of the searches: Adult Day Care Assisted Living … [Read more...] about Provider and Information Letters: ICF/MR, HCSSA, NFs, Assisted Living
NPR’s Primary Care Physician Series
Last week, we pointed you to the first part of NPR's article series on primary care physicians in the post Solo Primary Care Physicians. NPR has published the second and third articles: Future Of Primary Care? Some Say 'Medical Home' Midlevel Providers Fill Primary Care Doctors' Shoes … [Read more...] about NPR’s Primary Care Physician Series
Texas Register Updates: ICFs/MR and Nursing
The following information was obtained from the August 20 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices HHSC proposes new Medicaid per diem reimbursement rates for the Truman W. Smith Children's Care Center ($219.69 ) and DADS-operated/state-operated ICFs/MR (small $603.64; large Medicaid-only: $537.41; large dual-eligible Medicaid/Medicare: $516.23). See the Texas Register for more information. HHSC intends to submit Transmittal Number 10-050, Amendment Number 943, to the Texas State … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: ICFs/MR and Nursing
