-- DADS will host four culture change symposia for NFs in 2012: Lubbock – Wednesday, August 22, Holiday Inn Lubbock - Hotel and Towers Dallas – Friday, August 24, Westin Park Central San Antonio – Tuesday, November 13, Sheraton Gunter Hotel Houston – Thursday, November 15, Houston Marriott Westchase -- DADS issued an alert to providers and other qualified entities interested in becoming DBMD residential services providers in Region 7, the Austin area. Contract information: Paul … [Read more...] about DADS News Alerts: Skilled Nursing Policy Changes
TX Register Updates: Correction & Reimbursement Change
The following information was obtained from the June 15 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notice Correction HHSC corrected a public notice published in the April 6, 2012, issue about submitting a request to renew the MDCP waiver: The notice incorrectly stated that the waiver provided in-home child care, including in the individual's or a family member's home, or a foster family's home. It should have stated: Services include respite, adaptive aids, minor home modifications, financial … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Correction & Reimbursement Change
ILs/PL: Annual Mandatory ALF Training
DADS released two information letters and one provider letter: Medicaid Hospice: DADS asked these providers to submit the form attached to the letter, which shows the methodology CMS uses to determine the provider's Medicare overall cap for FFY 2010 and 2011. The deadline for submitting this information was May 15, 2012. (Letter) ALFs: DADS provided information about annual mandatory training for ALFs. See the provider web page for more information. (Letter) AFC, ALF, CBA, CLASS, … [Read more...] about ILs/PL: Annual Mandatory ALF Training
Physicians Group Opposes Increased Rates for Subspecialists
A couple weeks ago, we blogged about a new CMS rule that will raise Medicaid payment rates for primary care physicians. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) released a statement supporting the new rule but wants only primary care physicians, and not subspecialists (general internal medicine, pediatric medicine, etc.), to benefit. An excerpt: In the proposed rule, CMS says it is interested in ensuring primary care physicians receive the benefit of the increased payment, a goal shared … [Read more...] about Physicians Group Opposes Increased Rates for Subspecialists
TX Register Updates: Proposed NorthSTAR Waiver Changes
The following information was obtained from the June 8 Texas Register: HHSC intends to submit transmittal number 12-024 to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, which would clarify the orthotic and prosthetic services available to Medicaid EPSDT eligible recipients under 21 by moving coverage information to the EPSDT Services section of the state plan. HHSC intends to submit an amendment that would modify the reimbursement methodology in the State Plan for non-state operated ICF/MR … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Proposed NorthSTAR Waiver Changes
Health Care Reform and the Supreme Court
Long term care providers await the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on whether President Barack Obama's health care reform law is unconstitutional. Texas is one of the states that filed suit against the federal government challenging the law. The key issue is the law's individual mandate, which would require individuals to purchase health care insurance or face fines. The Physicians Hospital of America, which represents doctors, are concerned about the law's restriction on expanding or building new … [Read more...] about Health Care Reform and the Supreme Court
IL/News Alerts: Behavioral Health Facility, Vaccinations
HSC, TxHml, and LA: An excerpt of what DADS expects from providers when an individual receiving waiver services is admitted to a state hospital or other behavioral health facility for psychiatric stabilization: A Home and Community-based Services (HCS) or Texas Home Living Program (TxHmL) program provider is responsible for placing an individual who is admitted to a state hospital or inpatient behavioral health facility on suspension from waiver services for the duration of the individual's … [Read more...] about IL/News Alerts: Behavioral Health Facility, Vaccinations
TX Register Updates: Correction, Hearing
The following information was obtained from the June 1 issue of the Texas Register: A correction: The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) proposed an amendment to 1 TAC §370.4, concerning definitions, in the May 4, 2012, issue of the Texas Register (37 TexReg 3283). On page 3286, new language in the definition of "dental home", renumbered from paragraph (29) to (30), was inadvertently shown without underlining, making the text appear to be existing language. The corrected … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Correction, Hearing
DADS News Alerts: Cultural Change Initiative, NF meeting
-- As part of the cultural change initiative, DADS will host four symposia in 2012. Registration information will be available a month before each event: Lubbock – Wednesday, August 22, Holiday Inn Lubbock - Hotel and Towers Dallas – Friday, August 24, Westin Park Central San Antonio – Tuesday, November 13, Sheraton Gunter Hotel Houston – Thursday, November 15, Houston Marriott Westchase -- DADS issued an alert to providers and other qualified entities to become a residential … [Read more...] about DADS News Alerts: Cultural Change Initiative, NF meeting
More Money for Primary Care Physicians?
Earlier this month, CMS reported on a new rule that purportedly would increase Medicaid payments to primary care physicians. Secretary [Kathleen] Sebelius also announced today that, in 2011, over 150,000 primary care providers nationwide received almost $560 million in higher Medicare payments because of the Affordable Care Act. This is another way the Affordable Care Act rewards doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other primary care providers who are central to our health … [Read more...] about More Money for Primary Care Physicians?
