-- "CMS recently updated the manual to make it clearer that Medicare may reimburse for skilled nursing services meant to maintain, not improve, a beneficiary's condition. The agency was required to make these updates per the settlement in the Jimmo v. Sebelius case." – McKnight's -- "Too many Medicare providers are receiving improper payments, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services should clamp down by doing a better job overseeing its contractors' error rate reduction plans, … [Read more...] about LTC News: Home Health, SNF
TX Register: 2/19 Hearing, Medical Board Changes
The following information was obtained from the January 17 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notices and Hearing A public hearing on proposed Medicaid payment rates for the following will take place on Wednesday, February 19, 2014, at 1:30 p.m. in the Public Hearing Room, Brown-Heatly Building, located at 4900 North Lamar, Austin: 3rd Quarter 2013 Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System updates 2014 Annual Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System updates Early and Periodic … [Read more...] about TX Register: 2/19 Hearing, Medical Board Changes
IL/News Alerts: 1/23 Call, Conference Reminder
DADS released one information letter: CCAD, RC, CBA, AL, and PC3 services providers: HHSC approved rate changes for the CCAD RC program, CBA AL services and CBA PC3 services. (Letter) -- CMS will hold a conference call for software developers and vendors related to the upcoming October 2014 updates to MDS 3.0. on Thursday, January 23, 2014. From the news alert page: A portion of this call will include a question and answer session specific to the October 2014 release. If you wish your … [Read more...] about IL/News Alerts: 1/23 Call, Conference Reminder
LTC News: Dual Eligibles, HSC Services Changes
-- "Dramatic Medicare cuts to skilled nursing facilities played a significant part in keeping healthcare spending low in 2012, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Monday." – McKnight's -- "In light of reports that Medicare Part D prescribing practices are endangering seniors — many of them in long-term care facilities — the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued a proposed rule that would give the agency more power to oversee and control the … [Read more...] about LTC News: Dual Eligibles, HSC Services Changes
TX Register Updates: TxHmL, Bed Allocation Waivers
The following information was obtained from the January 10 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notices HHSC intends to submit Transmittal Numbers 13-047 and 13-057 to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, to include current information on agency names and organizational structure. HHSC will also submit to CMS a request to amend the TxHmL waiver program to update the performance measures for consistency across waivers and the process for HHSC's administrative oversight of DADS, and … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: TxHmL, Bed Allocation Waivers
DADS News Alerts: January Webinars
-- DADS announced supported employment training webinars from the University of Montana. To join the Montana Transition Listserv, go to the Transition and Employment Projects page and enter your email address. January 14th, 2-3:30 (CST) Systematic Instruction and Job Coaching--Part One February 17th, 5:30-6:30 (CST) Group discussion of how using the strategies taught in the workshop is playing out in participant's work. Register for this on the Montana Professional Development … [Read more...] about DADS News Alerts: January Webinars
LTC News: Emergency Preparedness
-- "Long-term care facilities would have to meet more comprehensive emergency preparedness guidelines, under a newly proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services." – McKnight's -- "Data privacy and security are not new issues to senior living operators, and many have made serious headway in protection of protected health information (PHI) with the onset of technology advances. But recent changes to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 … [Read more...] about LTC News: Emergency Preparedness
TX Register Updates: Reimbursement, Medical Board Changes
The following information was obtained from the January 3 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notice HHSC intends to submit Transmittal Number 13-017 to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, which would define the methodology for reimbursement adjustments for potentially preventable complications. See the Texas Register for more information. Proposed Rules HHSC proposed to amend §355.502, Reimbursement Methodology for Common Services in HCS Waivers, and §355.505, Reimbursement … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Reimbursement, Medical Board Changes
DADS News Alerts: January Meetings, Webinars, and Reminders
-- DADS will hold two free joint training sessions on Tuesday, January 7, and Wednesday, January 8, at various times. See Joint Provider Training site for more information. -- HHSC is hosting a series of information sessions about several Medicaid managed care initiatives scheduled for September 1, 2014. On Wednesday, January 8, 2014, a Medicaid Managed Care Initiatives Information Session will be held in Austin. For additional details, check the meeting notices on the HHSC site. -- … [Read more...] about DADS News Alerts: January Meetings, Webinars, and Reminders
DADS News Alerts: Base Wages
-- To Residential Care and Title XX, Services for Community Care for the Aged and Disabled providers: On September 1, 2013, TAC, Title 40, Part 1, Chapter 49, Subchapter G, §§49.71 – 49.73 required that persons working as personal attendants, whether as employees or contractors of a provider, or as employees or contractors of subcontractors, be paid at or above a specified hourly base wage. Beginning September 1, 2013, the required minimum base wage was $7.50 per hour. Beginning September … [Read more...] about DADS News Alerts: Base Wages
