DADS release an information letter and several news alerts: ICFs/MR, SSLCs, and MRAs: DADS alerted these providers to a policy change. They now may refer an individual with a competitive employment goal to the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services for employment services. If he applies, the ICF/MR provider or MRA should follow the coordination processes outlined in IL 08-26. If not, then the ICF/MR provider or MRA should proceed with assisting the individual to pursue and … [Read more...] about Information Letters and Alerts: STAR+PLUS Meetings, Webinars
Texas Register Updates: Reimbursement Rates, Rewritten Rules, Etc.
The following was obtained from the September 3 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearing and Notices HHSC intends to submit amendments to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, which would modify the reimbursement methodologies in the Texas Medicaid State Plan as a result of Medicaid fee changes for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies, Family Planning Providers, and Physicians and Certain Other … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Reimbursement Rates, Rewritten Rules, Etc.
Provider and Information Letters: ICF/MR, HCSSA, NFs, Assisted Living
DADS released seven new provider letters and one information letter. DADS informed the following providers that in addition to an initial Nurse Aide Registry and the Employee Misconduct Registry search, they must search both registries every year for unlicensed employees and volunteers whose duties include face-to-face contact with clients, effective September 1, and document and keep a record of the searches: Adult Day Care Assisted Living … [Read more...] about Provider and Information Letters: ICF/MR, HCSSA, NFs, Assisted Living
NPR’s Primary Care Physician Series
Last week, we pointed you to the first part of NPR's article series on primary care physicians in the post Solo Primary Care Physicians. NPR has published the second and third articles: Future Of Primary Care? Some Say 'Medical Home' Midlevel Providers Fill Primary Care Doctors' Shoes … [Read more...] about NPR’s Primary Care Physician Series
Texas Register: Boarding Home Facilities, ICFs/MR, HSSCAs, Etc.
The following information was obtained from the August 27 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices HHSC withdrew its intent to submit Amendment 944, Transmittal Number TX 10-051, to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, which would have proposed to cover certain pharmacy supplies as part of the home health benefit provided by a licensed pharmacy provider. HHSC intends to submit amendments to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, which would require HHSC to rebase acute … [Read more...] about Texas Register: Boarding Home Facilities, ICFs/MR, HSSCAs, Etc.
Information Letters: NFs, ICFs/MR, CLASS, and DBMD
DADS released three new information letters: Per diem payment rates NFs and hospice directors, effective September 1, 2010, can be found here. Per diem payment rates for ICFs/MR, effective September 1, 2010, can be found here. CLASS and DBMD providers: DADS informed these providers that effective September 1, 2010, it will not allow providers to be paid for more than 24 hours of service in a 24-hour day. Claims submitted for more than 24-hour units in a … [Read more...] about Information Letters: NFs, ICFs/MR, CLASS, and DBMD
Solo Primary Care Physicians
The Houston Chronicle reported that in the last two years, about 350 Texas doctors have dropped the Medicare program. In 2008, 62 percent of those doctors were primary care physicians. Something similar is happening with Medicaid, the government health insurance program for low-income individuals and families. In the age of lower reimbursement rates, specializing may be a more attractive option for medical students than going into primary care. Would a solo practice trend encourage more … [Read more...] about Solo Primary Care Physicians
Information Letter: For Nursing Facilities
Two updates for NFs: The definition of "licensed health professional" has been moved to 40 TAC §19.101(56), from 40 TAC §19.101(57); The DADS Paid Feeding Assistant Training curriculum is available on the Regulatory Services Credentialing web page at the following url: http://www.dads.state.tx.us/providers/NF/credentialing/NATCEP/feedingassistant.pdf (98-page PDF) … [Read more...] about Information Letter: For Nursing Facilities
Texas Register Updates: ICFs/MR and Nursing
The following information was obtained from the August 20 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices HHSC proposes new Medicaid per diem reimbursement rates for the Truman W. Smith Children's Care Center ($219.69 ) and DADS-operated/state-operated ICFs/MR (small $603.64; large Medicaid-only: $537.41; large dual-eligible Medicaid/Medicare: $516.23). See the Texas Register for more information. HHSC intends to submit Transmittal Number 10-050, Amendment Number 943, to the Texas State … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: ICFs/MR and Nursing
Texas Register Updates: RFP, Nursing, Reimbursement Changes
The following information was obtained from the August 13 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices HHSC intends to submit to CMS a waiver amendment for the State of Texas Access Reform Program, a Managed Care waiver program under the authority of §1915(b) of the Social Security Act. The amendment would add new benefits for the proposed substance use disorder treatment services, including those provided in residential settings. HHSC is anticipating expanding the STAR+PLUS 1915(b) and … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: RFP, Nursing, Reimbursement Changes
