The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced an increase in Medicare payments for beneficiaries using skilled nursing facility care for fiscal year 2008. (Source) The 3.3 percent increase translates into about $690 million for beneficiaries recovering from “serious health problems†who need skilled nursing and rehabilitation care. Acting CMS Administrator Herb Kuhn said, "These new payment rates reflect our commitment to improving the quality of care in the long-term … [Read more...] about CMS To Increase Medicare Payments for Skilled Nursing Care
Information Letters: Verification of Nurse Licensure, Calculation Error, and New Retro Rate Adjustment
In a letter dated July 19, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) informed Nursing Facilities, Community Based Alternatives, Home and Community Support Services Agencies, Hospice Providers, Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly Providers, and Consolidated Waiver Program Providers that beginning August 12, the Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership (TMHP) will verify nurse licensure with the Texas Board of Nursing (TBON) for both the Director of Nurses (DON) and … [Read more...] about Information Letters: Verification of Nurse Licensure, Calculation Error, and New Retro Rate Adjustment
Information Letters: Claims Processing Changes, Avoiding Misc. Claims
In a letter dated July 16, the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) informed Nursing Facilities about procedural changes in the Provider Claims Service Unit. It will now take 7-10 business days to process requests, whether the request has been submitted by telephone or e-mail. For more information, download the letter here. In a letter dated July 17, DADS reminded Nursing Facilities, Community Services Providers, Therapy Providers, and ICF/MR Service Groups 5 & 6 Providers to … [Read more...] about Information Letters: Claims Processing Changes, Avoiding Misc. Claims
Information Letters: PMAB Training, Promoting Independence Initiative, Etc.
In a letter dated July 6, the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) informed Home and Community-based Services Program Providers, Texas Home Living Program Providers, and Executive Directors of Mental Retardation Authorities that the Prevention and Management of Aggressive Behavior (PMAB) training curriculum owned by the state of Texas is not available to train employees of private providers. PMAB training is available for personnel working on state mental retardation facilities … [Read more...] about Information Letters: PMAB Training, Promoting Independence Initiative, Etc.
Information Letters: Fiscal Year 2007 Year-End Closeout; CMA Billing Issues
The new fiscal year begins on September 1, 2007. Because of accounting system upgrades at the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS), the cutoff for claim payments will be earlier than usual this year. Providers should bill for all delivered services by August 15 to ensure payment of as many claims as possible before September 2007. Providers may download information letters for the following: ICF/MR Providers Group 6 ICF/MR Providers Group 5 HCS and TxHML Community … [Read more...] about Information Letters: Fiscal Year 2007 Year-End Closeout; CMA Billing Issues
Information Letters: Rate Increases, MRA News, Etc.
In a letter dated June 26, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS), informed Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation, Home and Community-based Services, Texas Home Living and Community Living and Assistance Support Services about payment rate increases. Increases range from 2.72 percent to 4.77 percent. For more information, download the letter here. In a June 27 letter to Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) contractors, DADS informed … [Read more...] about Information Letters: Rate Increases, MRA News, Etc.
Information Letters: LTC Claim Form, DFPS Investigations
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) reminded Community Services Providers and Nursing Facilities to use only the January 2007 version of the Long Term Care Form 1290. The form was updated to include the National Provider Identifier. For more information, download the June 26 letter here. Additionally, DADS informed Home and Community-based Services and Texas Home Living Providers about a change in the investigation of abuse, neglect, and exploitation when the … [Read more...] about Information Letters: LTC Claim Form, DFPS Investigations
Memo: Inappropriately Placed Residents and Aging in Place
In a memorandum dated June 18, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) informed providers about the aging in place waiver process. Type A and Type assisted living facilities may retain inappropriately placed residents by submitting DADS Form 1124, providing a written statement from the resident or responsible party that resident would like to remain in the facility, and a written assessment from the doctor. The memo also contains information about the evacuation waiver … [Read more...] about Memo: Inappropriately Placed Residents and Aging in Place
Deinstitutionalizing Nursing Home Care
In 1987, Congress signed into law the Nursing Home Reform Law, which established nursing home oversight rules to improve facilities. Mary Ousley, past chair of the American Health Care Association, testified before Congress in May about the long term care profession’s experience since the Nursing Home Reform Law went into effect and the need for facilities, providers, regulators, and consumers to work together to improve nursing home care. Last year, lawmakers introduced a bill called the … [Read more...] about Deinstitutionalizing Nursing Home Care
Bush Proposes Medicare Reimbursement Cuts to Fund Proposals
The Bush administration seeks to cut Medicare reimbursements to hospitals, home health agencies, and skilled nursing facilities in an effort to save as much as $100 billion to fund health care proposals. (Kaiser Network) Last week, the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, chaired by Democrat Pete Stark, held a hearing to consider a proposal from the Bush administration “to freeze Medicare reimbursements for home health agencies and skilled nursing facilities." A health care … [Read more...] about Bush Proposes Medicare Reimbursement Cuts to Fund Proposals
