Addition of Employment Assistance and Expansion of the Consumer Directed Services Option to Supported Employment and Employment Assistance In accordance with §32.075 of the Texas Human Resources Code, the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) began offering EA through the Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS) Program effective February 1, 2014. Additionally, DADS added SE as a service that may be provided through the consumer directed services (CDS) … [Read more...] about Addition of Employment Assistance and Expansion of the Consumer Directed Services Option to Supported Employment and Employment Assistance
State Unveils New Healthy Texas Women Website
State Unveils New Healthy Texas Women Website AUSTIN – State Senator Jane Nelson, Representative Jim Keffer and Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek, M.D., today unveiled Healthy Texas Women, a new one-stop hub created to help women connect with family planning programs and other state services. "Texas supports many health care programs and services for women, and this new website brings all those services in one place," Janek said. "We're incredibly grateful for … [Read more...] about State Unveils New Healthy Texas Women Website
Information on Ebola Virus for Providers of Services to Individuals in the Department of Aging and Disability Services Programs
DADS information letter provides information on the Ebola virus that providers may use to help ensure the health and safety of staff members and individuals receiving services. The Department of Aging and Disability Services encourages its providers to take reasonable precautions to ensure their employees are not exposed to a symptomatic person by knowing how Ebola is transmitted and its symptoms. An individual will not contract Ebola if he has not had exposure to an individual with Ebola or … [Read more...] about Information on Ebola Virus for Providers of Services to Individuals in the Department of Aging and Disability Services Programs
Family Caregivers Recognized in November
Family Caregivers Recognized in November Providing care for a family member who is older or who has a disability can be a stressful and time-intensive responsibility. Because of the stress of their role, family caregivers develop chronic health problems at nearly twice the rate of non-caregivers, and up to 70 percent experience depression and anxiety. Caregivers need a break, often called respite. This short-term, temporary care lets them rest, recharge and come back refreshed. In … [Read more...] about Family Caregivers Recognized in November
Per Diem Rates Effective September 1, 2014, for the Nursing Facility Program, Hospice Program in Nursing Facilities and Swing Bed Program
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) approved new per diem payment rates for the Nursing Facility (NF) Program, the Hospice Program in NFs and the Swing Bed Program, effective September 1, 2014. See letter. Nursing Facility and Swing Bed Program Payment Rates The new NF and Swing Bed payment rates can be accessed through the HHSC Rate Analysis website at the following address: http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/rad/long-term-svcs/nursing-facility/index.shtml. Once you access this … [Read more...] about Per Diem Rates Effective September 1, 2014, for the Nursing Facility Program, Hospice Program in Nursing Facilities and Swing Bed Program
Adult Foster Care Second-story Evacuation
DADS prepared an information letter information letter for staff of a two-story Adult Foster Care (AFC) homes in relation to the safe evacuation of an individual. In accordance with Title 40, Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Chapter 48, Subchapter K, Minimum Standards for Adult Foster Care, Section 48.8906(a)(8), all adult foster care homes and providers must demonstrate the ability to evacuate all residents from the home within three minutes. If DADS staff determines there is a health or … [Read more...] about Adult Foster Care Second-story Evacuation
Home Delivered Meals Requirements Regarding Nutritional Risk Assessments
DADS Information Letter states that HDM providers are not required to conduct a home visit to complete the Nutritional Risk Assessment. While a home visit prior to service initiation is not required, HDM providers must provide the individual information on complaint procedures and rights and responsibilities prior to service initiation. Once the HDM provider receives the service authorization from the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS), the Nutritional Risk Assessment of the … [Read more...] about Home Delivered Meals Requirements Regarding Nutritional Risk Assessments
Employee Misconduct Registry Training and Reporting Requirement for Consumer Directed Services Employers and their Employees
Employee Misconduct Registry Training and Reporting Requirement for Consumer Directed Services Employers and their Employees The EMR is a public database maintained by the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) in accordance with Texas Health and Safety Code (THSC) Chapter 253. The purpose of the EMR is to ensure unlicensed personnel who commit reportable conduct against individuals receiving DADS services are not employed in a DADS program. The EMR applies to employees who … [Read more...] about Employee Misconduct Registry Training and Reporting Requirement for Consumer Directed Services Employers and their Employees
Nursing Facility Transition: Nursing Facility Changes to the Medicaid Claims Submission Process
Taxonomy Required on NF Claims (See http://www.dads.state.tx.us/providers/communications/2014/letters/IL2014-68.pdf) NFs will be required to enter the appropriate Healthcare Provider Taxonomy Code associated to the National Provider Identifier (NPI) of the billing entity on all Long Term Care (LTC) NF institutional claims submitted to TMHP using TexMedConnect or Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). Taxonomy codes further define the type, classification, and/or specialization of the health care … [Read more...] about Nursing Facility Transition: Nursing Facility Changes to the Medicaid Claims Submission Process
Definition of Respite
Section 4610 of the HCS and TxHmL Billing Guidelines will no longer include the requirement for respite to be used only for non-routine circumstances. A decision to revise the requirement was made after extensive consideration of the impact on individuals receiving services and their families/unpaid caregivers. Amendments to remove “non- routine circumstances” from the HCS waiver, HCS and TxHmL rules, and section 4610 of the HCS and TxHmL Billing Guidelines are included in upcoming projects. … [Read more...] about Definition of Respite