The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) will present a nursing facility joint training conference titled "Understanding Nursing Facility Enforcement Processes." The conference will be held at the J.J. Pickle Center in Austin, Texas, on April 3 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and at the Arlington Convention Center in Arlington, Texas, on April 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about the conference, download the five-page brochure here. Permanency Planning training … [Read more...] about DADS Training Conference and Sessions
Texas Register Updates for March 9 and 16
March 9 The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced on behalf of the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) that it has adopted the repeal of §§7.301 - 7.311 and §§7.313 - 7.316 in Chapter 7. The repeal is intended to facilitate the consolidation of rules dealing with volunteer programs and donations to DADS by striking obsolete rules. For more information, see the relevant section in the March 9 Texas Register. Additionally, HHSC will submit an … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates for March 9 and 16
DADS Letters and Memorandum: Drug Destruction Records, Etc.
In a letter dated March, 6, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) reminded nursing facilities of the state requirement that medications of deceased residents, expired medications, and discontinued medications must be disposed as instructed by government laws and rules. For more information, download the letter here. DADS also issued a federal survey and certification letter (CMS) and a state memo. Download the federal survey letter, Clarification of Provider Number … [Read more...] about DADS Letters and Memorandum: Drug Destruction Records, Etc.
Federal and State Survey Letters
There have been several survey and certification letters posted on the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services web site since January. Please click on the titles to download letters in PDF format. Federal Multiple Providers -- Medical Gas Storage and Usage Considerations (1/12/07) Publication of the Hospital CoPs: Requirements for H and P; Authentication of Verbal Orders; etc. (1/26/07) Electronic Signature Guidance in Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs) … [Read more...] about Federal and State Survey Letters
Provider Letters: Search for Parent or Guardian and Nursing Facility Quality Review
In a letter dated February 20, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) informed Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation and nursing facilities that no later than the 30th day from the date a facility determines it can't find a child’s parent or guardian, it must notify DADS. The time begins accruing the day a facility attempts to contact a parent or guardian. For more information, download the letter here. On February 21, DADS informed … [Read more...] about Provider Letters: Search for Parent or Guardian and Nursing Facility Quality Review
Texas Register: Medicaid Coverage for Customized Power Wheelchairs
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission announced in the February 16 Texas Register its intent to submit an amendment that would add customized power wheelchairs for Medicaid-eligible recipients living in nursing facilities to Medicaid coverage under the state plan. The estimated cost for the coverage is about $2.5 million for fiscal year 2007. For more information, see the relevant section in the Texas Register. … [Read more...] about Texas Register: Medicaid Coverage for Customized Power Wheelchairs
DOL Announces Grants for Long Term Care Industry
The Department of Labor (DOL) announced that it will spend more than $43 million dealing with shortages in the health care industry, including long term care. (Source) On several occasions, I’ve blogged about the shortage of nurses and geriatric physicians. As baby boomers retire and age, many will need long term care, which will put pressure on an industry already faced with worker shortages. Ironically, baby boomer retirement is linked to shortages among long term caregivers. DOL and … [Read more...] about DOL Announces Grants for Long Term Care Industry
Provider Letters: Survey Notice and Criminal History Review
In a letter dated February 13, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) alerted Intermediate Care Facility for Persons with Mental Retardation (ICF-MR) Providers about its annual Long-Term Services and Supports Experience Survey 2007 Project. A random sample of recipients who receive long-term services through ICF-MRs will be interviewed by the NACES Plus Foundation, Inc., for the purpose of assessing and improving quality of care. For more information, download the letter … [Read more...] about Provider Letters: Survey Notice and Criminal History Review
Provider Letter: Joint Training Survey Announcement
In a new provider letter, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) has asked assisted living facilities to complete a survey about their needs and preferences for future joint training courses. DADS offers courses to assisted living providers “related to common deficiencies and violations†and other topics of interest. To participate in the survey, follow this link. You may view the course offerings here and download the provider letter here. … [Read more...] about Provider Letter: Joint Training Survey Announcement
MedPAC Seeks Medicare Reimbursement Increase
Although President George Bush reversed a proposed cut to physicians’ Medicare reimbursements late last year, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) will lobby Congress to increase reimbursements by about 1.7 percent in 2008. (Source) Reimbursement will be decreased by 10 percent under the present payment system, according to MedPAC, and it will urge Congress to act now. MedPAC will also recommend that Congress freeze 2008 reimbursement increases for long term care facilities … [Read more...] about MedPAC Seeks Medicare Reimbursement Increase
