Texas HHSC has organized a number of Long Term Care trainings for Providers. Topics range from abuse and neglect to Survey issues. You can sign up here. … [Read more...] about September Training Opportunities for Long Term Care Providers in Texas
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
Nursing Providers: Avoiding Common Errors that Result in Nursing Facility Specialized Services Denial
Information Letter No. 18-02 -Nursing Facility providers often make two common mistakes that usually result in denial of authorization requests or Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) NF specialized services or assessments. To avoid this error, DADS has published this letter to help avoid these errors. The two most common reasons HHSC denies authorization requests for PASRR specialized services and assessments are: 1. NF staff … [Read more...] about Nursing Providers: Avoiding Common Errors that Result in Nursing Facility Specialized Services Denial
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
Abuse & poor quality care rate in Texas nursing homes is nearly four times the national average
Many nursing homes have hired Certified Nurse Aides with criminal histories legally. Using data from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, it has been discovered that the patient abuse rate in Texas nursing homes is nearly four times the national average. 25% of the state's 1,200 long-term care centers have been cited for serious standard deficiencies- According to reports by the AARPIn Texas, there are many nurse aides in nursing facilities that have criminal … [Read more...] about Abuse & poor quality care rate in Texas nursing homes is nearly four times the national average
(CMS) requires that Medicare-certified home health agencies (HHAs) meet the Medicare Conditions of Participation (CoPs)
Provider Letter 17-35 DADS released the latest Provider Letter 17-35 – Determination of Separate Entities which replaces PL 01-46 & PL 02-05 for Medicare Certified Home and Community Support Service Agencies. The letter details that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requires that Medicare-certified home health agencies (HHAs) meet the Medicare Conditions of Participation (CoPs) for all clients being served by the agency, regardless of a client’s payment source. The … [Read more...] about (CMS) requires that Medicare-certified home health agencies (HHAs) meet the Medicare Conditions of Participation (CoPs)
Procedural Requirements for Requesting Additional Medicaid Beds through an Exemption
Provider Letter 2017-30 Addressed to Nursing facilities. DADS reports that to qualify for a high occupancy rate exemption and receive an allocation of additional Medicaid beds when it has high occupancy rates, a NF must demonstrate that it has had an occupancy rate of at least 90 percent for nine of the 12 months prior to the application. A NF may not rely on data for any month before a previous increase. See the provider letter for more details. Medicaid Bed Allocation Requirements for high … [Read more...] about Procedural Requirements for Requesting Additional Medicaid Beds through an Exemption
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
In the U.S. Many Terminally Ill Patients are not Receiving Palliative Care
Access to Palliative Care in the U.S. is available but often times very widespread but gradually improving in the Healthcare system. Palliative care provide certain treatments that may help to relieve patients from the side effects, symptoms and stress of serious chronic diseases, often to remedy the pain, nausea, dizziness, anxiety and depression cause from illness, as opposed to the disease itself. End of Life care has been at the forefront of conversation due to the advances in public … [Read more...] about In the U.S. Many Terminally Ill Patients are not Receiving Palliative Care
