Long-Term Care Regulatory Provider Letter PL 18-12 (ALF) - Texas Health and Safety Code, Section 247.066(h) directs the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), to require that facility managers complete an annual training on aging in place and retaliation. The ALF rule is found at Texas Administrative Code, Title 40, Part 1, §92.41(f)(6). HHSC has developed a web-based training that meets this requirement. The creation of this course was required by House Bill (HB) 2109, … [Read more...] about Annual Mandatory Training for Assisted Living Facility Manager
Technical Memoranda (TM) concerning prescribed Life Safety Code (LSC) standards for ALFs
Provider Letter 18-11 - Technical Memoranda (TM) concerning prescribed Life Safety Code (LSC) standards for ALFs to be responsible for reviewing the LSC TM and complying with the guidance provided therein. The LSC is a set of fire protection requirements designed to provide a reasonable degree of safety at Assisted Living Facilities. It covers construction, protection, and operational features designed to provide safety from fire, smoke, and panic. According to the letter and 2.0 Policy … [Read more...] about Technical Memoranda (TM) concerning prescribed Life Safety Code (LSC) standards for ALFs
PPAT Notice-Proposed Changes to the ICF/IID Administrative Penalties Rules
HHSC published the proposed changes mandated by House Bill (H.B.) 2025 to the ICF/IID rules which calls for changes to rules governing administrative penalties, license terms and related policies in various programs including the ICF/IID program, DAHS, ALFs, NFs and Pediatric Extended Care Facilities. HB 2025 is the act relating to the regulation of certain long-term care facilities, including facilities that provide care to persons with Alzheimer ’s disease or related disorders; authorizing an … [Read more...] about PPAT Notice-Proposed Changes to the ICF/IID Administrative Penalties Rules
Preparing for the Upcoming Fiscal Year 2018 Fee-for-Service Claims Billing Closeout
Information Letter No. 18-06 : This letter addresses preparation for the August 31, 2018, end of fiscal year closeout. Providers must promptly submit claims to be paid by the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) for any unbilled services. Any problems associated with the claims are resolved within the 12-month filing limitation. The letter directly addresses the following: Adult Foster Care Providers Assisted Living Facilities Community Attendant Services Providers Community … [Read more...] about Preparing for the Upcoming Fiscal Year 2018 Fee-for-Service Claims Billing Closeout
Long-term Care Regulatory Provider Letter – Incident Reporting Requirements
Provider Letter - PL 18-07 Providers have been reporting incidents without providing all of the information necessary for HHSC Complaint and Incident Intake (CII) to properly prioritize its review of those incidents. This letter serves as a guidance to the provider types including: Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs) Day Activity and Health Services (DAHS) Facilities, Home and Community Support Services Agencies (HCSSAs), Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with an … [Read more...] about Long-term Care Regulatory Provider Letter – Incident Reporting Requirements
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
Provider Letter regarding Rule Amendments in Texas Administrative Code (TAC) – Change of Ownership
Provider Letter No. 17-38 - the Health and Human Service Commission (HHSC) added new rules and amended existing rules regarding the change of ownership (CHOW) process for ALFs. According to the letter, under the amended rules, a CHOW occurs when the federal tax identification number of the license holder changes. When the number changes, the incoming license applicant must apply for an initial license and submit the required documents as required by §92.12(b), which states that an applicant … [Read more...] about Provider Letter regarding Rule Amendments in Texas Administrative Code (TAC) – Change of Ownership
DADS Functions Abolished after 2-Year HHS Transformation
Provider Letter No. 17-37 – The Department of Aging & Disability Services (DADS) is no longer a stand-alone agency and has been transferred to the Health and Human Service Commission (HHSC), although the regulatory processes for notifying providers of changes to licensure requirements will remain unchanged. Regulatory programs and management of the operations for state supported living centers will transfer to HHS .The provider letter details that HHSC will continue to notify providers of … [Read more...] about DADS Functions Abolished after 2-Year HHS Transformation
ALF’s- Resolution of an Immediate Threat of Harm During an On-site Inspection
Provider Letter 17-36 ? If there's an Immediate Threat of Harm to the health and safety of residents at an Assisted Living Facilities during an On-site Inspection HHSC is authorized by HSC §247.042 to suspend the facility’s license or immediately close the facility. The inspector will conclude the review if, after reviewing documentation and reviewing sufficient evidence, the inspector determines that the residents are no longer at risk of serious injury, impairment or death. According to the … [Read more...] about ALF’s- Resolution of an Immediate Threat of Harm During an On-site Inspection
The Future of Assisted Living Communities headed for change
As the number of elderly population requiring living facilites rises the new preferences of those older adults will drive changes to assisted living communities in the future, according to a new report on Assisted Living. The report identified 4 ways these communites could change in the future for elderly residents and their providers. The report, Real Trends. The Future of Real Estate in the U.S. identified technology, demographics and policy as some of the significant areas that will … [Read more...] about The Future of Assisted Living Communities headed for change
