According to reports, nursing home cuts will freeze skilled nursing facilities' share of the “market basket” at a 2.4% increase in October. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) had previously projected a 2.7% hike, though the final rate won't be set until CMS announces its proposed rules for 2019. The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) President and CEO Mark Parkinson issued the following statement regarding the Senate budget proposal: “We are … [Read more...] about Government’s two-year spending plan includes $1.9 billion Nursing home cuts
New Hospice Care Law allows Physician Assistants to manage Hospice care for Medicare Patients
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2019, physician assistants can now supervise cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs under the Medicare program as well as provide and manage Hospice care for terminally ill Medicare patients. The extended medical privileges for physicians assistants could benefit Medicare beneficiaries who live in medically underserved and rural communities, where a PA might be the only available medical professional to provide some services, according to news reports. According to … [Read more...] about New Hospice Care Law allows Physician Assistants to manage Hospice care for Medicare Patients
Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) adopted new rules for Disabled Patients
Provider Letter 18-04 The new rule describes the requirement of a facility to allow a resident to use a wheelchair self-release seatbelt if the resident meets certain conditions. Addressed to providers including Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs), Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability or Related Conditions (ICFs/IID), and Nursing Facilities (NFs). The new rules implement §322.0515, Texas Health and Safety Code, as added by House Bill (HB) 284 of the 85th … [Read more...] about Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) adopted new rules for Disabled Patients
CMS proposed adding non-skilled in-home care as a supplemental benefit to Medicare Advantage plans in 2019.
CMS is adding flexibility to their expansion of benefits by redefining health-related supplemental benefits to include services that increase health and improve quality of life, including coverage of non-skilled in-home supports and more. Hospice care and palliative care are considered as well as supplemental benefits down the road. Benefits will only be available to some of the participants of Medicare Advantage plans. These benefits will not be extended to original Medicare. Supplemental … [Read more...] about CMS proposed adding non-skilled in-home care as a supplemental benefit to Medicare Advantage plans in 2019.
Nursing Facilities – Immediate Threat Violations
PL 18-03-NF - This guidance for Nursing providers was issued by HHSC to address licensure violations and when violations counts as one of the three violations forming the basis for the license revocation that is required by §19.2107 in 40 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 19. b) Except as provided by subsection (d) of this section, the executive commissioner revokes a license if DADS finds that: (1) the license holder has committed three violations in §19.601(b) or (c) of this chapter … [Read more...] about Nursing Facilities – Immediate Threat Violations
Doctors, Lawyers want Congress to halt ‘Right-To-Try’ Legislation for Terminally-Ill Patients
President Donald Trump called on Congress to pass right-to-try legislation. According to reports, the right-to-try’ legislation that aims to help terminally ill patients access experimental therapies and drugs that have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration outside of clinical trials, was passed through the Senate and is now undergoing disputes from doctors, ethicists, and lawyers. The medical providers and supporters who strongly oppose the bill argue that giving … [Read more...] about Doctors, Lawyers want Congress to halt ‘Right-To-Try’ Legislation for Terminally-Ill Patients
Proposed Women’s Health Care Law Requires Insurers to Cover Women’s Preventative Care
With the looming threats by the Republican-led White House to repeal the federal health care law (Obamacare), a new health care bill, Defending Access to Women’s Health Care Services Amendment Act, was introduced to prevent insurance companies from charging more specifically for women's health services like cancer screenings or contraceptive costs. According to news sources, Washington officials signed legislation requiring all insurance companies in the Washington, D.C. to cover a list of … [Read more...] about Proposed Women’s Health Care Law Requires Insurers to Cover Women’s Preventative Care
New Requirements for Rehabilitative Services and Nursing Facility Specialized Services
PL 18-01 (NF) -Last September 10, 2017, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) added new rules and amended and deleted rules in Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 40, Part 1, Chapter 19, Nursing Facility Requirements for Licensure and Medicaid Certification. The Provider letter describes new requirements related to rehabilitative services and nursing facility (NF) specialized services and the provider responsibilities that arise from the new rules. Among many new rules and for … [Read more...] about New Requirements for Rehabilitative Services and Nursing Facility Specialized Services
HHS OIG Releases Report Regarding Group Homes and Critical Incident Reporting
This January, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in conjunction with the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at HHS issued a report which detailed that "health and safety policies and procedures were not being followed. Failure to comply with these policies and procedures left group home beneficiaries at risk of serious harm. These are not isolated incidents but a systemic problem – 49 … [Read more...] about HHS OIG Releases Report Regarding Group Homes and Critical Incident Reporting
New Law gives Healthcare providers and Nurses Religious Protections
According to reports, a newly created division of the Department of Health and Human Service’s Office for Civil Rights will oversee and protect health care workers who decline to partake in certain medical procedures for patients due to moral or religious objections. HHS’ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule on "protecting life" and “conscience rights” that will further protect health-care providers who think they are being punished or discriminated … [Read more...] about New Law gives Healthcare providers and Nurses Religious Protections