-- "Federal efforts to strengthen inspections of the nation's nursing homes are gaining momentum after a government probe uncovered instances of substandard care." - Kaiser News -- "The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services sees the upcoming Quality Assurance & Performance Improvement guidelines, not harsher penalties, as the way to reduce adverse events in post-acute care, officials said on an Open Door Forum call Thursday [March 6]." - McKnight's -- "About 22% of Medicare … [Read more...] about LTC News: NF Inspections, Post-acute Care
IL and News Alerts: 5/22 Meetings
Local Authorities and HCS: DADS informed these providers that effective April 1, 2014, an individual in the HCS program may also receive cognitive rehabilitation therapy, employment assistance, supported employment, and nursing through the CDS option. (Letter) -- DADS will hold a Region 5 NF provider meeting on Thursday, May 22, 2014, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Angelina College 3500 S. 1st Street, Lufkin. You may register here. -- DADS will hold a Region 5 ALF and ADC provider on … [Read more...] about IL and News Alerts: 5/22 Meetings
TX Register Update: Medical Board Change
The following information was obtained from the March 7 issue of the Texas Register. The Texas Medical Board proposed to amend §187.35, Presentations of Proposal for Decision; §187.37, Final Decisions and Orders; and §187.38, Motions for Rehearing. An excerpt: The amendment to §187.35 provides that the administrative law judge (ALJ) must be given notice of the opportunity to provide to the Board a summation of the proposal for decision, that the ALJ is not required to attend the presentation … [Read more...] about TX Register Update: Medical Board Change
DADS News Alerts: Recovery Audit Program
-- On February 18, 2014, CMS posted important information on the transition process in preparation for the next round of Recovery Audit Program contracts and will continue to update the site with more information as it becomes available. -- CMS posted two updated reference documents to provide technical information relevant to the Nursing Home Compare web site for certified NFs and the Five Star Quality Rating System under the Downloads section. -- DADS will present the proposed draft of … [Read more...] about DADS News Alerts: Recovery Audit Program
ILs: Billing Codes, Hospice Discussions
DADS released four information letters. NF: DADS notified these providers of correct billing codes for a Customized Manual Wheelchair, effective March 1, 2014. (Letter) HCS and TxHmL: The Waiver Survey and Certification unit of DADS will allow HCS and TxHmL providers to request an informal review of the findings in a draft report of a review conducted in accordance with DADS rule at 40 TAC §9.185 and §9.577, effective March 1, 2014. (Letter) Medicaid Hospice: An excerpt: It has come … [Read more...] about ILs: Billing Codes, Hospice Discussions
TX Register Updates: CHIP, Nursing Changes
The following information was obtained from the February 28 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notices HHSC intends to submit to Transmittal Number CHIP 32 to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, which would indicate that HHSC will determine financial eligibility for the CHIP using new federal income rules that require states to base household income and composition on federal income tax rules that use modified adjusted gross income methodologies. HHSC also intends to submit to … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: CHIP, Nursing Changes
LTC News: Potential Medicare Reductions
-- "The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued a call for additional providers to take part in a bundled payment program that involves post-acute care." - McKnight's -- "Despite some high-profile reports, nursing home staffing levels have not been definitively linked to better care, according to a recently published analysis of research on the topic." - McKnight's -- "Long-term care stakeholders are praising the government's decision to temporarily pause the recovery audit … [Read more...] about LTC News: Potential Medicare Reductions
DADS News Alerts: 3/27 Meeting
-- DADS plans to revise §60.6 and §60.8, Definitions and Contracting Requirements, of 40 TAC, Chapter 60, Contracting to Provide PACE. An excerpt: As part of the project, DADS is revising definitions and making certain provisions in a new 40 TAC Chapter 49, Contracting for Community Services, which is scheduled to be proposed in April, apply to PACE providers...There is an informal comment period through Friday, Feb. 28th, and comments can be submitted to … [Read more...] about DADS News Alerts: 3/27 Meeting
TX Register Updates: Nursing Changes
The following information was obtained from the February 21 issue of the Texas Register. The Texas Board of Nursing adopted amendments to Chapter 225, §§225.1 - 225.6 and §§225.8 - 225.11 and new §§225.12 - 225.15, RN Delegation to Unlicensed Personnel and Tasks Not Requiring Delegation in Independent Living Environments for Clients with Stable and Predictable Conditions, and repealed existing §§225.12 - 225.14, RN Delegation to Unlicensed Personnel and Tasks Not Requiring Delegation in … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Nursing Changes
ILs: Level of Care, Medical Specialist
DADS released two information letters. ICF/ID, HCS, TxHmL, CLASS, DBMD, and Local Authorities: DADS reminded these providers of the importance of maintaining an individual's continuously current Level of Care authorization, Individual Plan of Care authorization, and Medicaid eligibility to avoid a negative impact to an individual’s services. (Letter) Local Authorities, HCS, and TxHmL: An excerpt: As a resource to HCS and TxHmL Program providers, DADS requires each LA to designate a … [Read more...] about ILs: Level of Care, Medical Specialist
