-- DADS, the Texas Hospital Association, the Dallas Fort Worth Hospital Council, and other organizations are establishing the Readmissions Learning and Action Network to achieve a 20 percent reduction in avoidable 30-day hospital readmissions over the next two years. See the news alert page for details. -- NF and Swing Bed MDS 3.0 final validation reports in CASPER remain available to providers in the VR folder for 60 days. Instructions for accessing FVRs older than 60 days: click on … [Read more...] about DADS News Alerts: Readmissions, FVRs
TX Register Updates: Hearing, Board of Nursing Changes
The following information was obtained from the November 18 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices HHSC will hold a public hearing on December 7, 2011, at 9 a.m. to receive public comment on proposed NF payment rates for State Veterans Homes, to be held in the Rate Analysis Conference Room of the Health and Human Services Commission, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric Boulevard, Austin. See the Texas Register for details. The Texas Board of Nursing proposes new 22 … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Hearing, Board of Nursing Changes
Supreme Court to Review Health Care Reform Law
In March 2010, President Barack Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which, among other things, would expand Medicaid to cover at least 30 million more Americans. The controversial law has been challenged numerous times. Some courts have ruled the law constitutional; others have ruled it unconstitutional. Perhaps the most controversial provision is the individual mandate, which requires uninsured individuals to purchase insurance or face fines. Earlier this … [Read more...] about Supreme Court to Review Health Care Reform Law
IL and News Alerts: Hospice, MDS Conference
Medicaid Hospice: HHSC approved rate changes for the Medicaid Hospice program FY2012. You'll find the new rates at the HHSC Rate Analysis site. (Letter) A sample of recently released DADS news alerts: -- DADS revised Appendix XIV in the CBA provider manual, which updates ISP cost limits. -- DADS hosted a webinar on Oct. 25, 2011, to discuss the Dining Experience. The webinar audience submitted questions, and the answers are provided here. -- The 2012 MDS National Conference … [Read more...] about IL and News Alerts: Hospice, MDS Conference
TX Register Updates: YES Waiver Program
The following information was obtained from the November 11 issue of the Texas Register: HHSC intends to submit to CMS a request to amend the Youth Empowerment Services waiver program to update a type of provider that arranges out-of-home respite services. HHSC intends to submit an amendment that would align state plan service information with Medicaid policy relating to the qualifications of providers of personal assistance within the CDS option in the state plan. Finally, HHSC intends … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: YES Waiver Program
ILs: Cost Containment Initiative
DADS released two information letters on November 2: CLASS CMA, CLASS DSA, and CDSA: An excerpt: In Information Letter No. 11-79, dated September 8, 2011, the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) notified providers of cost containment measures effective December 1, 2011, for the Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS) Program. The letter addressed new service limits for selected program services and the process for requesting an exception to a service limit. … [Read more...] about ILs: Cost Containment Initiative
Provider News Around the Web
Most of you probably know about Provider magazine, affiliated with the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living. Provider is a monthly publication for long term care professionals. Medicare cuts lead to nursing home layoffs. "According to a new survey from Avalere Health, nursing homes plan to lay off about 20,000 workers because of the Medicare cuts. Nursing homes also said they plan to cancel a total of 400 expansion projects that could have created … [Read more...] about Provider News Around the Web
TX Register Updates: CBA Changes, Staff Training
The following information was obtained from the November 4 issue of Texas Register: Public Hearings and Notices HHSC will hold a public hearing on December 1, 2011, at 9 a.m., to receive public comment on proposed payment rates for the AL/RC services under the CBA program, CBA Personal Care III services, and the Residential Care program, in the Lone Star Conference Room. HHSC will hold a public hearing on November 21, 2011, at 9 a.m. receive comments on rates for Medicaid Biennial … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: CBA Changes, Staff Training
ILs: Mortality Reviews, Cost Containment Initiative
DADS released six information letters: CAS, CBA, FC, and PHC providers: Regarding personal attendant services, the attendant may not directly transport the individual receiving the services. He may arrange for transportation, accompany the individual when using public transportation, or meet the individual at the location. (Letter) ICF/MR (excluding state-supported living centers): DADS will conduct mortality reviews for deaths that occurred on September 1, 2011 and later for … [Read more...] about ILs: Mortality Reviews, Cost Containment Initiative
Medicare: Physicians, Home Health Cuts
Unless Congress decides otherwise by January 1, physicians will face a 27.4 percent cut in Medicare reimbursement fees. From the AP: No one expects lawmakers to allow the axe to fall, but 48 million beneficiaries and their doctors are looking on nervously. Temporary reprieves have created a recurring problem that gets harder and harder to fix. A 1990s budget law called for automatic cuts to doctors if Medicare costs kept rising. Congress has issued so many waivers that a permanent fix would … [Read more...] about Medicare: Physicians, Home Health Cuts
