Long-Term Care Regulatory Provider Letter - PL 18-05 Policy Update Re; Life Safety Code for Assisted Living Facility Senate Bill 1049, 85th Legislature, 2017 added §247.0264 to Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 247. This code affirms the role of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) in the interpretation and enforcement of accessibility standards in assisted living facilities. Effective since September 1, 2017, a Health and Human Services (HHSC) inspector may not cite … [Read more...] about Accessibility Standards in Assisted Living Facilities
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
CMS Finalizes Policies that Reduce Provider Burden, Lower Prescription Prices
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule this month for the 2018 Physician Fee Schedule and final rule with comment period for the Quality Payment Program (QPP). According to a news release by CMS, Seema Verma, Administrator of CMS explained that:“These rules move the agency in a new direction and begin to ease that burden by strengthening the patient-doctor relationship, empowering patients to realize the value of their care over volume of tests, and … [Read more...] about CMS Finalizes Policies that Reduce Provider Burden, Lower Prescription Prices
Facts and Figures Report Released on Hospice Care in America & Concerns for Patients
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) releases its report, Facts and Figures: Hospice Care in America questioning the nations hospice and palliative care providers and how they manage the short time frames of care for patients with serious and life-limiting illness nearing the end of life. The report addressed issues about how many terminally ill patients benefit from hospice care and services and for what period of time. According to the report based on 2015 results, just … [Read more...] about Facts and Figures Report Released on Hospice Care in America & Concerns for Patients
Alert: All Providers Are Required To Redo Employee Misconduct Registry (EMR) Searches
Provider Letter No. 17-23 - DADS is directing providers to immediately redo all EMR searches conducted during this two-month period ( From June 9, 2017, through July 27, 2017) to verify the employability of any individuals they have hired. If a search result now shows that an individual is listed in the EMR, then the individual is not eligible to continue employment in a DADS-regulated facility or agency or any facility or agency governed by Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 253. Every … [Read more...] about Alert: All Providers Are Required To Redo Employee Misconduct Registry (EMR) Searches
Texas Health and Human Services Commission Notice: Removal of Service Codes for Habilitation and Residential Habilitation
The latest Information Letter No. 17-15 - As of July 10th, some services codes associated with habilitation have been removed by Texas Health and Human Services Commission. CLASS DSA, DBMD program provider, or FMSA are no longer able to submit a service claim that includes any of these service codes described below: ? service codes 10, 10A, and 10V associated with CLASS habilitation; and? service codes 17 and 17V associated with DBMD residential habilitation.A CLASS DSA or DBMD program provider … [Read more...] about Texas Health and Human Services Commission Notice: Removal of Service Codes for Habilitation and Residential Habilitation
HIPAA Notification From HHSC: Texas Vendor Loses Clients’ Personal Information. Breach may affect 1,842
The Health and Human Services Commission issue a notification about the accidental loss of protected personal information that include names, bank and health information, social security, addresses and other pertinent personal details. The breach may affect 1,842 people in the Texas. The box of forms containing client information was found beside an unsecured dumpster in Houston at the E. 40th St. complex, an Houston area eligibility office.The agency is examining this breach and an … [Read more...] about HIPAA Notification From HHSC: Texas Vendor Loses Clients’ Personal Information. Breach may affect 1,842
Ban on nursing home arbitration agreement officially lifted by CMS.
Ban on nursing home arbitration agreement officially lifted by CMS.Upheld by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services under the Trump Administration, according to reports, the ban on nursing home arbitration clauses has been lifted. CMS Issued the 'Proposed Revision Requirements for Long-Term Care Facilities’ Arbitration Agreements on its website. Obama-era regulation previously stopped nursing homes from forcing patients and their families to sign binding arbitration agreements, … [Read more...] about Ban on nursing home arbitration agreement officially lifted by CMS.
Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation, Misappropriation of Resident Property, and Other Incidents that Must Be Reported to DADS
Provider Letter No. 17-18 - (Replaces PL 14-13). The examples in this letter are not all inclusive. Many other possible scenarios are reportable. The law requires an owner or employee of a NF who has cause to believe that the physical or mental health or welfare of a resident has been or may be adversely affected by abuse, neglect or exploitation. Attachements included instruct guidance to NFs on resident-to-resident incidents, including sexual activity, and on how to determine whether NFs must … [Read more...] about Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation, Misappropriation of Resident Property, and Other Incidents that Must Be Reported to DADS
Initial License and Alzheimer’s Certification of a Type B ALF for an Applicant in Good Standing
Provider Letter No. 17-14 -The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) added new rules and amended existing rules to Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 40, Part 1, Chapter 92, Licensing Standards for Assisted Living Facilities. These changes include:• A new 40 TAC §92.22 allows an applicant to request from DADS an initial Type B license and Alzheimer’s certification for a facility or distinct unit before DADS conducts an on-site health inspection if the applicant meets … [Read more...] about Initial License and Alzheimer’s Certification of a Type B ALF for an Applicant in Good Standing
