The following information was obtained from the January 17 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notices and Hearing A public hearing on proposed Medicaid payment rates for the following will take place on Wednesday, February 19, 2014, at 1:30 p.m. in the Public Hearing Room, Brown-Heatly Building, located at 4900 North Lamar, Austin: 3rd Quarter 2013 Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System updates 2014 Annual Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System updates Early and Periodic … [Read more...] about TX Register: 2/19 Hearing, Medical Board Changes
LTC News: Dual Eligibles, HSC Services Changes
-- "Dramatic Medicare cuts to skilled nursing facilities played a significant part in keeping healthcare spending low in 2012, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Monday." – McKnight's -- "In light of reports that Medicare Part D prescribing practices are endangering seniors — many of them in long-term care facilities — the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued a proposed rule that would give the agency more power to oversee and control the … [Read more...] about LTC News: Dual Eligibles, HSC Services Changes
TX Register Updates: TxHmL, Bed Allocation Waivers
The following information was obtained from the January 10 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notices HHSC intends to submit Transmittal Numbers 13-047 and 13-057 to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, to include current information on agency names and organizational structure. HHSC will also submit to CMS a request to amend the TxHmL waiver program to update the performance measures for consistency across waivers and the process for HHSC's administrative oversight of DADS, and … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: TxHmL, Bed Allocation Waivers
TX Register Updates: Reimbursement, Medical Board Changes
The following information was obtained from the January 3 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notice HHSC intends to submit Transmittal Number 13-017 to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, which would define the methodology for reimbursement adjustments for potentially preventable complications. See the Texas Register for more information. Proposed Rules HHSC proposed to amend §355.502, Reimbursement Methodology for Common Services in HCS Waivers, and §355.505, Reimbursement … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Reimbursement, Medical Board Changes
DADS News Alert: Five Star Preview Reports
-- From the news alert page: The Five Star Preview Reports were available beginning December 11th. To access these reports, select the Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reports (CASPER) Reporting link located at the top of your MDS State Welcome page. For Texas, this web page is at: https://158.73.90.242:81/home.html (Staff might get a warning message, but should be able to select "proceed"). Once in the CASPER Reporting system, click on the 'Folders' button and access the Five … [Read more...] about DADS News Alert: Five Star Preview Reports
TX Register Updates: Medical Board Changes
The following information was obtained from the December 20 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notices HHSC intends to submit an amendment to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance to update the fee schedules in the current state plan by adjusting or implementing fees for: 2014 Annual Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System Update; Ambulance Services; Case Management for Children and Pregnant Women; Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Services; Dental Services; Durable … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Medical Board Changes
Alerts and News: Court Decision, STAR+PLUS Mistake
-- HHSC adopted amendments to §9.553, Definitions; §9.555, Definitions of TxHmL program service components; §9.567, Process for Enrollment; §9.578, Program Provider Certification Principles: Service Delivery; and §9.583, TxHmL program principles for local authorities, in Subchapter N, TxHmL Program, Chapter 9, Intellectual Disability Services--Medicaid State Operating Agency Responsibilities. -- From the news alert page: Some DADS waiver clients were enrolled in STAR+PLUS or got STAR+PLUS … [Read more...] about Alerts and News: Court Decision, STAR+PLUS Mistake
LTC News: Physicians Concerned
-- "States are not doing a good job of monitoring how Medicaid managed care enterprises handle providers serving high-risk populations, according to a new government report." – McKnight's -- "Prospective Medicare changes regarding physician payments might unfairly penalize doctors working in long-term care settings, according to a prominent medical directors association...For example, the government has set incentives for physicians to meet 'meaningful us' thresholds for electronic health … [Read more...] about LTC News: Physicians Concerned
TX Register Updates: 12/5 Hearing, Board of Nursing Changes
The following information was obtained from the November 15 issue of the Texas Register. Public Hearing and Notice HHSC will hold a hearing on Thursday, December 5, 2013, at 8:30 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 RC program. The hearing will be held in the Public Hearing Room, Brown-Heatly Building, located at 4900 North Lamar, Austin. HHSC intends to submit to CMS a request to amend … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: 12/5 Hearing, Board of Nursing Changes
News Alert/SNF News: 11/18 Webinar Rebroadcast
-- DADS will rebroadcast the quarterly webinar on HCS Quality Assurance Rule Revisions from September 9, 2013, on Monday, November 18, 2013, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. You may register and receive details about the webinar here. -- "More uniform reimbursements for skilled nursing facilities and inpatient rehabilitation facilities could be implemented soon, policy analysts recently told the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission." – McKnight's -- "More than 6,000 skilled nursing facilities … [Read more...] about News Alert/SNF News: 11/18 Webinar Rebroadcast