As of September 1, 2007, a change has been effected in the Texas Health & Safety Code regarding transport of patients by stretcher: SECTION 14. (a) Subsection (a), Section 773.004, Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) This chapter does not apply to: (1) [a ground transfer vehicle and staff used to transport a patient who is under a physician's care between medical facilities or between a medical facility and a private … [Read more...] about Changes in Health & Safety Code Regarding Transport
Information Letter: NPI Contingency Period Ends March 1, 2008
In a three-page letter, the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) informed Nursing Facilities, Community Services, ICF/MR, and Therapy Providers that the National Provider Identifier (NPI) contingency period ends on March 1, 2008. NPI will replace legacy provider identifiers. Providers’ claims can’t be paid if they are submitted without NPI data. For more information, download the letter here. … [Read more...] about Information Letter: NPI Contingency Period Ends March 1, 2008
Texas Register Updates: Changes in Reimbursement Methodology, Etc.
The following information was obtained from the November 9 edition of the Texas Register: Open Meeting The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will hold a public hearing on November 28, 2007, at 9:00 a.m. to receive public comment on the proposed rate for Support Consultation Services. The hearing will be held in the Lone Star Conference Room of the Health and Human Services Commission, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric Blvd, Austin, Texas. See the relevant … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Changes in Reimbursement Methodology, Etc.
Provider Letters: Workload Prioritization of Initial Certification Surveys, OASIS-B1
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) issued a provider letter to Nursing Facilities and Hospitals Seeking Medicare Certification for a Skilled Nursing Care Unit to inform them about new policy documents issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding workload prioritization on initial certification surveys. Attached to the two-page letter is a two-page Q&A memo. Download the letter and attachment here for more information. CMS published … [Read more...] about Provider Letters: Workload Prioritization of Initial Certification Surveys, OASIS-B1
Information Letters: Payment System Downtime, CDS Training
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) notified all Long Term Services and Supports Providers about tentative plans for late-January Health and Human Services Commission system changes that will affect all claim payments. Because of a system upgrade, claims will not be paid between January 24 and February 6, 2008. For more information, download the letter here. DADS notified Home and Community-based Services (HCS), Texas Home Living (TxHmL) Service Providers, and Mental … [Read more...] about Information Letters: Payment System Downtime, CDS Training
Information Letters: Promoting Independence Initiative, ICM Program, Etc.
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) issued five information letters last week. --- In a letter to Nursing Facility Administrators, which updates Provider Letter #04-18, DADS informed these providers about the Promoting Independence Initiative, developed in response to the Supreme Court ruling in Olmstead v. L.C, 110 S. Ct. 2176 (1999). For more information, download the letter here. --- In a letter to Region 3 Community Based Alternatives Providers in the Dallas … [Read more...] about Information Letters: Promoting Independence Initiative, ICM Program, Etc.
Texas Register Updates: Contract Employee Qualifications, Licensure Issues, Etc.
Proposed Rules On behalf of the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS), the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) proposed amendments to §10.311, concerning qualifications and training requirements for contractor employees; §10.315, concerning criminal background checks; and §10.321, concerning roles and responsibilities of case managers, in Chapter 10, Guardianship Services. The amendment would update contractor employee qualifications with regard to … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Contract Employee Qualifications, Licensure Issues, Etc.
Provider and Information Letters: Closure Notices, Provider Input Needed
In a recent provider letter, the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) reminded Nursing Facilities that any facility that decided to voluntarily close must give residents at least 30 days written notice of this intent, pursuant to Texas Human Resources Code §102.003, 40 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §19.401(b)(21) and §19.502(e)(1), and 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §483.12(a)(5). For more information, download the letter here. In an information letter to … [Read more...] about Provider and Information Letters: Closure Notices, Provider Input Needed
Provider Letter: Incomplete Licensure Applications
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) issued a letter to Nursing Facilities, Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation or Related Conditions, Assisted Living Facilities, and Adult Day Care Facilities, about incomplete licensure applications. Specifically, DADS reminded these providers that a letter of explanation must accompany incomplete license applications, effective October 11. DADS will return incomplete applications that don’t include a … [Read more...] about Provider Letter: Incomplete Licensure Applications
Michigan Ends Home Exemption for Nursing Home Patients
Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm is set to sign a bill that will require the state to recoup the cost of Medicaid services from the estates of deceased recipients who lived in nursing homes or received in-home care, as required by federal law. (Source) Under the old law, the estates of such recipients were exempt from recoupment. Lawmakers threatened to cut off funding if the state didn’t comply with the law. According to The Detroit News, Community Health Department Director Janet … [Read more...] about Michigan Ends Home Exemption for Nursing Home Patients
