An excerpt from the public notices section of the January 31 issue of the Texas Register: The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), as required by House Bill 33, will engage in negotiated rulemaking to develop an implementation plan in the form of a rule (Acts 2013, 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, Chapter 218, 2013 Texas General Laws). This rule will establish an informal dispute resolution (IDR) process that provides for adjudication by an appropriate disinterested person of … [Read more...] about TX Register Update: Rulemaking
Bills, New Federal Site for Long Term Care Providers
HB 87: Relating to the expansion of eligibility for Medicaid in certain counties under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. SCR 2: Authorizing a proposed interim agreement between the parties of a lawsuit regarding individuals with intellectual disabilities and related conditions residing in or at risk of being admitted to nursing facilities. -- Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology has unveiled a new webpage with information and … [Read more...] about Bills, New Federal Site for Long Term Care Providers
Enrolled House and Senate Bills
-- The following recently enrolled bills affect certain long term care providers: HB 33: Relating to alternative methods of dispute resolution in certain disputes between the Department of Aging and Disability Services and an assisted living facility licensed by the department. HB 908: Relating to the assessment of an elderly or disabled person's psychological status for purposes of an emergency order authorizing protective services. HB 1358: Relating to procedures for certain audits … [Read more...] about Enrolled House and Senate Bills
CMS News and Texas Bills
-- CMS "could take a variety of steps to make audits less burdensome, healthcare providers stated in white papers submitted to members of the Senate Finance Committee. The committee released a report Thursday, summarizing stakeholders' input and recommendations for improving the audit process." – McKnight's -- CMS "has revised the provider certification manual for hospitals, giving more in-depth guidelines around discharge planning. The goal is for hospitals to reduce readmissions by … [Read more...] about CMS News and Texas Bills
Bill Status Reminder, Provider Events
We'd like to remind long term care providers to check the status of bills introduced during the 83rd legislative session. We list recently introduced bills on the blog, and the status of some of these bills have changed. See our category of posts with links to bills, and click on the ones relevant to you for status updates. Some long term care providers might be interested in the Texas Association for Home Care & Hospice's calendar of events. Leading Age Texas also has a calendar of … [Read more...] about Bill Status Reminder, Provider Events
Senate Bill, Long Term Care News
SB 1842: Relating to rules for restraint and seclusion procedures at certain facilities. -- McKnight's reports on a lethal, antibiotic-resistant bacteria in acute and long term care facilities: The bacteria, Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), are found in healthy digestive systems but cause infections when they get in other organs or the bloodstream. Some CRE germs are resistant even to antibiotics of "last resort," such as carbapenems, and the germs can transfer their … [Read more...] about Senate Bill, Long Term Care News
Senate Bills: PPACA, Medicaid
The following recently introduced Senate bills could affect long term care providers: SJR 61: Proposing a constitutional amendment requiring the reduction of amounts paid by Texans to provide health care to the uninsured if Medicaid eligibility is expanded in accordance with the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; requiring hospital district tax rate reductions. SB 1045: Relating to an evaluation of the state supported living center system. SB 1058: Relating to the … [Read more...] about Senate Bills: PPACA, Medicaid
House Bills: PPACA, Medicaid
The following recently introduced House bills could affect long term care providers: HB 2276: Relating to notice of residential services available for persons with intellectual disabilities. HB 2288: Relating to the exemption from sales and use taxes of certain health care supplies. HB 2348: Relating to the powers and duties of the Texas Medical Board and the regulation of certain persons licensed by the board. HB 2358: Relating to the regulation of the practice of nursing. HB … [Read more...] about House Bills: PPACA, Medicaid
House and Senate Bills: PPACA, Medicaid
The following recently introduced House and Senate bills could affect long term care providers: HCR 60: Urging the United States Congress to modify the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to allow cost-sharing payments and premium tax credits to be made available to the Texas political subdivision health care benefit pools on the same basis as those for health plans participating in the new federal exchange. HCR 64: Requesting the comptroller to conduct a study to determine the … [Read more...] about House and Senate Bills: PPACA, Medicaid
House and Senate Bills: Medical Board, STAR + PLUS
The following recently introduced House and Senate bills could affect long term care providers: HB 1406: Relating to the disclosure of the calculation of out-of-network payments by the issuers of preferred provider benefit plans and by health maintenance organizations. HB 1389: Relating to clinical initiatives to improve the quality of care and cost-effectiveness of the Medicaid program. HB 1389: Relating to clinical initiatives to improve the quality of care and cost-effectiveness of … [Read more...] about House and Senate Bills: Medical Board, STAR + PLUS
