-- The following recently enrolled bills affect certain long term care providers: HB 33: Relating to alternative methods of dispute resolution in certain disputes between the Department of Aging and Disability Services and an assisted living facility licensed by the department. HB 908: Relating to the assessment of an elderly or disabled person's psychological status for purposes of an emergency order authorizing protective services. HB 1358: Relating to procedures for certain audits … [Read more...] about Enrolled House and Senate Bills
IL and News Alert: 6/14 Meeting, HCS Service Delivery
DADS issued one information letter. ICF/IID: DADS provided guidance on the separation of oral and topical medication within an individual's medication box. An excerpt: 42 Code of Federal Regulations §483.460(l)(1) (W377) requires an ICF/IID to store drugs under proper conditions of sanitation. It is easy for topical ointments and creams to get on the outside of the tube or container when being dispensed. If an individual’s topical medications are stored in a box that also contains his … [Read more...] about IL and News Alert: 6/14 Meeting, HCS Service Delivery
CMS News and Texas Bills
-- CMS "could take a variety of steps to make audits less burdensome, healthcare providers stated in white papers submitted to members of the Senate Finance Committee. The committee released a report Thursday, summarizing stakeholders' input and recommendations for improving the audit process." – McKnight's -- CMS "has revised the provider certification manual for hospitals, giving more in-depth guidelines around discharge planning. The goal is for hospitals to reduce readmissions by … [Read more...] about CMS News and Texas Bills
IL/PL & News Alerts: Non-delegated Tasks, Admin Penalty
DADS released an information/provider letter. CAS, CBA, CLASS, CMPAS, DBMD, FC, HCSSA, MDCP, PHC, and SSPD: The letter provides direction for HCSSA on documenting non-delegated tasks delivered by unlicensed persons. (Letter) -- HHSC adopted new §98.105, Administrative Penalties, in Chapter 98, Adult Day Care and Day Activity and Health Services Requirements, which allows DADS to assess an administrative penalty against an adult day care facility that violates licensing … [Read more...] about IL/PL & News Alerts: Non-delegated Tasks, Admin Penalty
TX Register Updates: Board of Nursing, PASRR Changes
The following information was obtained from the May 17 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notice The Texas Board of Nursing proposed to amend 22 TAC §§213.27, 213.28, 213.29, 213.30, and 213.33, concerning Practice and Procedure: Disciplinary Guidelines for Criminal Conduct (PDF) Proposed Rules HHSC proposed to amend §355.8401, Case Management Reimbursement Methodology, which would update and clarify the methodology used to determine the Medicaid reimbursement rates for providers of … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Board of Nursing, PASRR Changes
TX Register Updates: Comment Extension, Use of Restraint
The following information was obtained from the May 10 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notices – Comment Extension Period HHSC proposed to amend §354.1281, Psychologists' Services, which would add provisionally licensed psychologists as another type of provider who can perform psychological counseling and services under the direct supervision of a licensed psychologist. HHSC also proposed to amend §355.8081, relating to allowing HHSC to reimburse for the Medicaid services provided … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Comment Extension, Use of Restraint
IL and News Alerts: 6/21 Meeting, Workshop Change
HCS and community-based ICF/IID: DADS reminded program providers about the requirements for evaluating the use of restraints. (Letter) -- DADS will hold a HCSSA stakeholders meeting on Friday, June 21, 2013, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the John H. Winters Building in Austin. Please e-mail suggested topics for the agenda to Therese.Palombi@dads.state.tx.us by C.O.B. Friday, May 31, 2013. -- DADS posted an improved version of the "Change of Therapy Determination Flowchart" in the MDS document … [Read more...] about IL and News Alerts: 6/21 Meeting, Workshop Change
Medicaid Premiums and Disbursement
The Texas Tribune reports that state lawmakers gave HHSC approval to raise Medicaid premiums. An excerpt of an earlier story: To contain growing Medicaid costs, Texas expanded Medicaid managed care statewide in March. HHSC estimates the premium rate increases would reduce the cost savings achieved by managed care over the previous fee-for-service model from 13.2 percent to 9.7 percent. In response to the premium hike proposal, Dr. Michael Speer, president of the Texas Medical Association, … [Read more...] about Medicaid Premiums and Disbursement
IL/News Alerts: 6/26 Staff Meeting, July-Aug Workshops
ADC, AL/RC, CBA HCSSA, CMPA, FMS, ERS, DAHS, HDM, MDCP, Out-of-Home Respite - NF, PHC, Special Services to Persons with Disabilities, and Transition Assistance Services: DADS notified contracted providers of changes to the contract and fiscal compliance monitoring protocol in relation to follow-up monitoring. (Letter) -- DADS has updated EVV reason codes (RC) to add RC 25: Respite Hours. -- HHSC proposed amendments to §§9.203, 9.207, 9.208, 9.221, 9.251, 9.252, 9.256, … [Read more...] about IL/News Alerts: 6/26 Staff Meeting, July-Aug Workshops
TX Register Updates: UPL, Medical Board Changes
The following information was obtained from the May 3 issue of the Texas Register. Proposed Rules HHSC proposed to amend §355.105, General Reporting and Documentation Requirements, Methods, and Procedures, which would clarify limitations on reporting related-party compensation on Medicaid cost reports; incorporate changes to reflect person-first respectful language; and clarify the references in subsection (a). See the Texas Register for more information. Adopted Rules HHSC adopted … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: UPL, Medical Board Changes
