Information Letter No. 18-02 -Nursing Facility providers often make two common mistakes that usually result in denial of authorization requests or Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) NF specialized services or assessments. To avoid this error, DADS has published this letter to help avoid these errors. The two most common reasons HHSC denies authorization requests for PASRR specialized services and assessments are: 1. NF staff … [Read more...] about Nursing Providers: Avoiding Common Errors that Result in Nursing Facility Specialized Services Denial
Cost Report Training Information For Service Providers
Information Letter No. 18-01 - Cost report training is required every other year for the odd-year cost report in order for the preparer to be qualified to complete both that odd-year cost report and the following even-year cost report. Upon successful completion of either an Initial or Refresher Cost Report Training webinar, preparers who have previously completed cost report training for that same program will be awarded credit for completing the webinar and will be able to submit a 2017 cost … [Read more...] about Cost Report Training Information For Service Providers
Medicare program’s penalty protocols for Nursing homes change under Trump Administration
In 2016, the nursing home industry requested the change in the Medicare program's penalty protocols and now, according to reports, a new policy from the Trump administration will roll back fines against nursing homes cited for mistreatment or neglect. The New York Times research found that nearly 6,500 nursing homes in the U.S. have received at least one citation for a serious violation since 2013 and about two-thirds of those have been fined by Medicare.According to this New York Times excerpt … [Read more...] about Medicare program’s penalty protocols for Nursing homes change under Trump Administration
Enforcement of Obama-era nursing home standards and enforcement remedies halted by CMS
CMS halts enforcement of some standards required by nursing homes that would enhance safety procedures for patients. In this notice: Temporary Enforcement Delays for Certain Phase 2 F-Tags and Changes to Nursing Home Compare posted late last month, the CMS announced an 18-month moratorium on enforcement remedies in some nursing home regulation that was finalized last year.Memorandum Summary from CMS Inlcuded:Temporary moratorium on imposing certain enforcement remedies for specific Phase 2 … [Read more...] about Enforcement of Obama-era nursing home standards and enforcement remedies halted by CMS
The New Senate Tax Bill and its effect on Medicare costs
The Senate Tax Bill (HR 1 )recently passed will expand the break for high medical costs. According to reports, the bill preserve the deduction for medical expenses and lower the threshold for claiming it to 7.5% of adjusted gross income, from the current 10% but this would be temporary. By 2019 the threshold would return to 10% effectively only lasting 1 year. People aged 65 and older who previously had a medical expense deduction of 7.5% will now see it rise to 10% with the Affordable Care … [Read more...] about The New Senate Tax Bill and its effect on Medicare costs
ALF’s- Resolution of an Immediate Threat of Harm During an On-site Inspection
Provider Letter 17-36 ? If there's an Immediate Threat of Harm to the health and safety of residents at an Assisted Living Facilities during an On-site Inspection HHSC is authorized by HSC §247.042 to suspend the facility’s license or immediately close the facility. The inspector will conclude the review if, after reviewing documentation and reviewing sufficient evidence, the inspector determines that the residents are no longer at risk of serious injury, impairment or death. According to the … [Read more...] about ALF’s- Resolution of an Immediate Threat of Harm During an On-site Inspection
Abuse & poor quality care rate in Texas nursing homes is nearly four times the national average
Many nursing homes have hired Certified Nurse Aides with criminal histories legally. Using data from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, it has been discovered that the patient abuse rate in Texas nursing homes is nearly four times the national average. 25% of the state's 1,200 long-term care centers have been cited for serious standard deficiencies- According to reports by the AARPIn Texas, there are many nurse aides in nursing facilities that have criminal … [Read more...] about Abuse & poor quality care rate in Texas nursing homes is nearly four times the national average
Texas lawmakers approve major nursing home quality reforms
According to reports, the 2017 Texas regular legislative session made vast changes affecting older Texans. Lawmakers approved several top priorities for AARP Texas including bills that, among other things, will protect seniors’ financial future, improve access to health care, and help unpaid family caregivers and their families.Also included was major nursing home quality reforms that seek to hold operators of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities more accountable when they have been … [Read more...] about Texas lawmakers approve major nursing home quality reforms
Report: Forecasting the growth prospect of the global long-term care market
There are more than 1,200 long-term care centers in Texas and according to the Administration on Aging, over 70 percent of people turning age 65 can expect to use some form of Long term care in their lives. Long-term care in the US has been based on but not limited to nursing homes, and facility-based long-term care that includes services such as continuing care retirement communities, assisted living, and board-and-care home. Long term care is not medical care but serves the purpose of … [Read more...] about Report: Forecasting the growth prospect of the global long-term care market
Physician’s duties increasingly reduced by nurses, long-term care providers for chronically ill
According to news reports a shifting role of physicians is expected to accelerate in the coming decades. Healthcare providers work as a team with health specialist usually overseeing various aspects of a patients care including symptoms and medical history, orders for tests and services, prescriptions, etc. At the end of the pre-screening by healthcare providers, a physician is left with the final assessment and the plan—the medical decisions and diagnosis. some doctors are said to be opting … [Read more...] about Physician’s duties increasingly reduced by nurses, long-term care providers for chronically ill
