The following information was obtained from the January 24 issue of the Texas Register. Public Hearings HHSC will hold a public hearing on Thursday, February 13, 2014, at 1 p.m. to receive public comment on proposed rate increases in the CBA-HCSS waiver and associated CDS programs operated by DADS. HHSC will also hold a public hearing on Wednesday, February 19, 2014, at 1:30 p.m., to receive comment on proposed Medicaid payment rates for the 2014 Annual Healthcare Common Procedure Coding … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: 2/14-15 Rate Hearings
LTC News: Home Health, SNF
-- "CMS recently updated the manual to make it clearer that Medicare may reimburse for skilled nursing services meant to maintain, not improve, a beneficiary's condition. The agency was required to make these updates per the settlement in the Jimmo v. Sebelius case." – McKnight's -- "Too many Medicare providers are receiving improper payments, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services should clamp down by doing a better job overseeing its contractors' error rate reduction plans, … [Read more...] about LTC News: Home Health, SNF
LTC News: Emergency Preparedness
-- "Long-term care facilities would have to meet more comprehensive emergency preparedness guidelines, under a newly proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services." – McKnight's -- "Data privacy and security are not new issues to senior living operators, and many have made serious headway in protection of protected health information (PHI) with the onset of technology advances. But recent changes to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 … [Read more...] about LTC News: Emergency Preparedness
PL/IL: FAQs and Payment Rates
DADS released one provider letter and one information letter. ICF/IID (Replaces PL 12-23): DADS gathered FAQs from providers and other stakeholders to share the questions and answers with all surveyors and providers. The FAQs addressed in this letter (PDF)include statutory and regulatory references: • medication administration (page 19); • Registered Nurse delegation (page 22); and • reporting allegations of abuse, neglect or exploitation to the Texas Department of Family and … [Read more...] about PL/IL: FAQs and Payment Rates
TX Register Updates: Board of Nursing Changes
The following information was obtained from the December 6 issue of the Texas Register. The Texas Board of Nursing proposed to amend Chapter 216, §§216.1 - 216.3 and 216.5 - 216.11, which would modify the definition of the term "advanced practice registered nurse" for consistency with the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Consensus Model of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, correct outdated references and minor typographical errors in the rule text, and replace the term … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Board of Nursing Changes
TX Register Updates: Board of Nursing Compliance
The following information was obtained from the November 29 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notice HHSC intends to submit to CMS a request to amend the THTQIP to create a nursing facility transformation pool. See the Texas Register for details. Adopted Rules On DADS' behalf HHSC adopted amendments to §9.553, Definitions; §9.555, Definitions of TxHmL program service components; §9.567, Process for Enrollment; §9.578, Program Provider Certification Principles: Service Delivery; … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Board of Nursing Compliance
DADS News Alerts: Early Stakeholder Input
-- DADS has provided an opportunity for early stakeholder input on draft proposed rule revisions (PDF) to 40, TAC Chapter 41, the CDS Option, which include employer accountability for service delivery and nursing and delegation in the CDS option. The target effective date of the proposed rules is September 1, 2014. Stakeholders are encouraged to send written comments to cds@dads.state.tx.us. All written comments must be received by 5 p.m. December 11, 2013. -- jRAVEN 1.1.8.1 patch … [Read more...] about DADS News Alerts: Early Stakeholder Input
TX Register Updates: New RFP, Board of Nursing Changes
The following information was obtained from the November 22 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notices HHSC seeks to hire a consultant to help develop a RFP to procure a new Texas Medicaid Information Management System and Fiscal Agent services for the Medicaid program. See the Texas Register for contact information. HHSC also seeks public comments on its estimate and methodology for determining the TANF program caseload reduction credit for FY 2014. For details, see the Texas … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: New RFP, Board of Nursing Changes
TX Register Updates: 12/5 Hearing, Board of Nursing Changes
The following information was obtained from the November 15 issue of the Texas Register. Public Hearing and Notice HHSC will hold a hearing on Thursday, December 5, 2013, at 8:30 a.m. to receive public comment on proposed payment rates for the AL/RC services under the CBA program, CBA Personal Care III services, and RC program. The hearing will be held in the Public Hearing Room, Brown-Heatly Building, located at 4900 North Lamar, Austin. HHSC intends to submit to CMS a request to amend … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: 12/5 Hearing, Board of Nursing Changes
DADS News Alerts: 11/14, 12/5 Meetings
-- REMINDER: Upcoming Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Centers meetings. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, November 14, 2013. -- HHSC adopted amendments to Chapter 9, Intellectual Disability Services--Medicaid State Operating Agency Responsibilities, Subchapter E, ICF/IID Program—Contracting. -- HHSC proposed to repeal Chapter 16, §§16.1 - 16.4, the Pilot Program to Increase the Use of Advanced Directives in Nursing Facilities and Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with … [Read more...] about DADS News Alerts: 11/14, 12/5 Meetings