http://youtu.be/0My7cUQgW_w What are your rights during a RUG Review? It may be an overstatement to say that you have rights as the deck is so stacked against the provider and in favor of the OIG. But, there are a few things to which you are entitled as part of the process of which you should be aware. First, the OIG is required to give you a letter upon entrance into your facility. This is the signal that the review is beginning. The letter will explain the procedures of the … [Read more...] about YOUR RIGHTS DURING A RUG REVIEW
LTC News: Home Health, Hospice
-- "A proposed rule released Thursday would cause home health agencies to experience a 1.5 percent reduction in their Medicare payments for 2014, which the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services estimates could reduce payments to these facilities by $290 million next year." - News Medical -- "The Commission on Long-Term Care held its first meeting Thursday [June 28] on Capitol Hill with some members acknowledging that their late start adds to their challenges in offering Congress … [Read more...] about LTC News: Home Health, Hospice
TX Register Updates: 7/15-16 Hearings
The following information was obtained from the June 28 issue of the Texas Register. Public Hearings HHSC will hold a hearing on Monday, July 15, 2013, at 8:30 a.m. to receive public comment on proposed interim per diem Medicaid reimbursement rates for small and large, DADS-operated ICF/IID. HHSC will hold a hearing the same day at 10 a.m. receive public comment on proposed payment rate adjustments for the TxHmL waiver program. HHSC will hold a hearing on the same day at 1 p.m. to … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: 7/15-16 Hearings
Bills, New Federal Site for Long Term Care Providers
HB 87: Relating to the expansion of eligibility for Medicaid in certain counties under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. SCR 2: Authorizing a proposed interim agreement between the parties of a lawsuit regarding individuals with intellectual disabilities and related conditions residing in or at risk of being admitted to nursing facilities. -- Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology has unveiled a new webpage with information and … [Read more...] about Bills, New Federal Site for Long Term Care Providers
PLs and News Alerts: Screen 691, 7/11 Webinar
DADS released two provider letters. ICFs/IID: DADS re-issued the letter to inform providers that the requirement for data entry into Client Assignment and Registration System Screen 691 has been removed. (Letter) AL: DADS notified providers that it intends to adopt the 2000 edition of the NFPA 101, the LSC, effective October 15, 2013, for assisted living facilities. (Letter) -- HHSC proposed new sections and amendments in Title 40, TAC, Chapter 42, DBMD Program; Chapter 45, … [Read more...] about PLs and News Alerts: Screen 691, 7/11 Webinar
Three Ways to be Prepared for a RUG Review
Your facility will have a RUG review in the near future. Being prepared for a review can be half the battle. Knowing where all your old documentation is and knowing what, exactly, is in that documentation will make a RUG review much easier on the facility. There are three important steps the facility can take to not only mitigate errors found by reviewers, but create a far less stressful review. Organization of old records is the primary key of your preparation. Make sure a minimum … [Read more...] about Three Ways to be Prepared for a RUG Review
TX Register Updates: 7/10 and 7/17 Hearings
The following information was obtained from the June 21 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notices, Corrections, and Hearings HHSC issued four corrections concerning the Texas Healthcare Transformation Quality Improvement Program waiver program. See the Texas Register for details, and scroll down for each entry. HHSC will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, July 17, 2013, at 8:30 a.m., to receive comment on proposed Medicaid payment rates for Ambulance Services, Substance Use Disorder … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: 7/10 and 7/17 Hearings
Introduced Bill, Resolution, and Provider News
HB 61: Relating to the applicability of adverse licensing, listing, or registration decisions by certain health and human services agencies. SJR 6: Proposing a constitutional amendment requiring the state to expand eligibility for the Medicaid program to certain persons. -- "Despite a shortage of U.S. primary care doctors, less than 25 percent of new doctors go into this field, and fewer still work in rural areas, researchers say...Lead study author Dr. Candice Chen, an assistant research … [Read more...] about Introduced Bill, Resolution, and Provider News
IL and News Alerts: 6/21, 7/23 Meetings
AFC, AL/RC, CBA HCSSA, DAHS, FMS, HDM, MDCP, Out-of-Home Respite ADC and AL/RC, PHC, and TAS: DADS notified contracted providers of changes to contract and fiscal compliance monitoring protocol in relation to negative billing. (Letter) -- (Published on the DADS site today, 6/18) DADS will hold the quarterly HCSSA stakeholder meeting this Friday, June 21, 2013, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Public Hearing Room in the Winters Building, 701 W. 51st Street, Austin. Agenda (PDF) -- DADS will … [Read more...] about IL and News Alerts: 6/21, 7/23 Meetings
TX Register Updates: Notice Correction, THTQIP Waiver
The following information was obtained from the June 14 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notices and Correction HHSC corrected a notice published in the May 31, 2013, issue in reference to the intent to submit a request to amend the CLASS Medicaid waiver. An excerpt: In addition to the changes previously described in the public notice published in the May 31, 2013, issue of the Texas Register, employment assistance is also being added to the waiver as a service. Changes in the waiver … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Notice Correction, THTQIP Waiver
