Nursing facilities will be subject to new rules related to permanency planning, effective September 1, 2006. The amended sections of 40 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 19 (§19.802 and §19.805) reflect changes made by the legislature concerning the annual review of a child's comprehensive care plan and the involvement of a child's legally authorized representative. Attached to the letter are the amended 40 TAC sections. You may download the six-page document here. … [Read more...] about Provider Letter: New Rules for Permanency Planning
Hospice Care Reduces End-of-Life Hospitalization
According to a new study published by Health Services Research, nursing home residents receiving hospice care reduce their chances of hospitalization by half compared to those who don't receive hospice care. From SeniorJournal.com: People who choose hospice, which focuses on comfort instead of cure, tend to refuse aggressive end-of-life treatment anyway, Gozalo said. But even taking this into consideration, hospice still makes a significant difference in keeping people out of the hospital … [Read more...] about Hospice Care Reduces End-of-Life Hospitalization
Provider Letters: Alerts for Hospice and Nursing Facilities
Last week the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) issued provider letters for hospice and nursing facilities, and community services and therapy providers: August 9 - DADS reminded hospice and nursing facilities that the current DOS-based form system is being upgraded to a web-based system called LTC Online Portal, effective August 21. Providers that don't have access to the new system can mail hardcopies to Provider Claims Services. The PCS fax lines will be … [Read more...] about Provider Letters: Alerts for Hospice and Nursing Facilities
Provider Letters: Alerts for ICF-MR/RC Facilities
There were several new provider letters issued last week for Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation or a Related Condition (ICF-MR/RC). In an August 3 provider letter, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) described providers' options when an ICF-MR/RC survey team determines that a person living in one of these facilities no longer needs "active treatment services" (standard W 198). To read about these options, download the letter here. In … [Read more...] about Provider Letters: Alerts for ICF-MR/RC Facilities
Former HHS Chief Says Feds Should Be Responsible for Medicaid Long Term Care
The federal government and the states currently share responsibility for Medicaid long term care. Tommy Thompson, former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary, says that should change in light of the approaching retirement of the baby boomers. Medicaid is already burdening the states, and it will get worse in the next few years. Thompson believes the federal government should be responsible for long term care of the elderly, while the states focus on "acute care for those under 65." … [Read more...] about Former HHS Chief Says Feds Should Be Responsible for Medicaid Long Term Care
Bush Administration Scales Back Medicare Reimbursement Cuts
Over the last few months, medical device makers and lawmakers have pressured the Bush administration to rethink a proposed rule that would have cut Medicare reimbursements for implanted cardiac devices by up to 30 percent in an effort to close loopholes used by specialty hospitals. The lobbying efforts worked. Under the final rule issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), reimbursement cuts will be smaller and phased in over three years. Groups like AdvaMed, which … [Read more...] about Bush Administration Scales Back Medicare Reimbursement Cuts
New Policy Changes for Dual Eligibles; Physician Groups to Lobby Congress
The Long Term Care Partnership Program (which encourages people to buy private long term care insurance) will be extended from five states to 50, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). That is one example of CMS's new policy changes for Medicaid coverage of dual eligible beneficiaries. Apparently, some recipients who wouldn't ordinarily qualify for Medicaid (created for people with low incomes) hide assets in order to qualify for the federal insurance program. … [Read more...] about New Policy Changes for Dual Eligibles; Physician Groups to Lobby Congress
New Provider Letter: License Application and Fee Changes
In a provider letter dated August 1, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services and the Regulatory Services Division informed assisted living facilities, adult day care facilities, intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation or a related condition, and nursing facilities about new requirements for submitting license applications and fees. Currently, providers are instructed to mail applications to Regulatory Services and fees to Accounts Receivable. Effective … [Read more...] about New Provider Letter: License Application and Fee Changes
DADS Rule Requiring Augmentative Communication Device to be Purchased by Nursing Homes Proposed?
In the weekly newsletter for Texas Association for Residential Care Communities, Sid Rich is reporting that DADS "is proposing a new rule that would require a nursing home to purchase an Augmentative Communication Device (ACD) to enhance an individual's communication and interaction with facilities. According to Sid, his investigation shows these devices to cost as much as $10,000. I haven't found the proposed rule on the internet as well. If any of you have, please put a link in … [Read more...] about DADS Rule Requiring Augmentative Communication Device to be Purchased by Nursing Homes Proposed?
Provider Letters: Statement of Deficiencies or Violations/Amendment to 40 TAC Resident Assessment
1) The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) informed providers about an electronic procedure for submitting documents following a visit from a surveyor and the finding of a deficiency or violation. From the letter (dated July 31): Question: Does sending the Statement of Deficiencies form (CMS-2567) or Statement of Violations form (DADS-3724) with the Plan of Correction (PoC) by electronic mail (e-mail) satisfy the State Operations Manual (SOM) requirement and state … [Read more...] about Provider Letters: Statement of Deficiencies or Violations/Amendment to 40 TAC Resident Assessment