In the past I have given presentations about providers and those they care for and interactions with police. Here is a very disturbing podcast about wrongful convictions and those with mental health problems. These kinds of things can and have happened with the intellectually disabled who have problems such as autism and other mental health conditions. … [Read more...] about Private Providers, Dual Diagnosis and the Justice System
Fiscal Year 2018 Cutoff Dates for Fee-for-Service Year-end Closeout Processing
Information Letter 18-08 & No. 18-09 This letter announces several dates regarding Fiscal Year 2018 Claims Processing for claims to be paid by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). August 24, 2018 by noon is the cutoff date for Home and Community-based Services Providers and Texas Home Living Providers . For all other agencies, providers and facilities listed below, the cutoff dates are as follows: • Fiscal Year 2016 Miscellaneous Fee-for-Service (FFS) Claims Cutoff: … [Read more...] about Fiscal Year 2018 Cutoff Dates for Fee-for-Service Year-end Closeout Processing
PPAT Notice For Draft Rule Amendments Regarding Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation
Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) implemented rules that address changes in the authority of the DFPS Adult Protective Services (APS) Provider division, as amended by SB 1880 and SB 760, 84th Legislative Session (2015). The changes give the APS Provider division the authority to investigate an allegation of abuse, neglect, or exploitation (ANE) of an adult or child who receives a service from a provider who contracts with HHSC to provide Medicaid waiver or Medicaid state plan services and … [Read more...] about PPAT Notice For Draft Rule Amendments Regarding Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation
Service Limit Exceptions in Programs for Adaptive Aids and Minor Home Modifications Due to Hurricane Harvey
Provider Letter No. 17-28 and Information Letter No. 17-27 addresses Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) allowing an exception to the service limits for replacing or repairing adaptive aids and minor home modifications for certain individuals enrolled including those in the:Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS)Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities (DBMD) ProgramHome and Community-based Services (HCS) Texas Home Living (TxHmL) ProgramSpecifically, individuals whose … [Read more...] about Service Limit Exceptions in Programs for Adaptive Aids and Minor Home Modifications Due to Hurricane Harvey
Proposed Amendments to streamline ICF/IID & HCS/TxHmL Provider Cost Report Rules
HHSC Report- Effective January 1st 2018, information contained in PPAT on cost report rule changes to be adopted by March 2018, address the implementation of a cost report reform initiative for HCS/TxHmL and ICF/IID providers as required by Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)On Jan. 1st, HHSC requires only even-year cost reports beginning with the providers’ 2018 fiscal year cost reports for HCS/TxHmL (§355.722(a) and ICF/IID(§355.105(c)(1) )providers. HHSC also proposes … [Read more...] about Proposed Amendments to streamline ICF/IID & HCS/TxHmL Provider Cost Report Rules
Changes to HCS Handbook Regarding Results of Residential Visit
Information Letter No. 17-23 – The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is making changes to the HCS Handbook, Section 14411. The handbook revisions pertain to results from a residential visit described in rule at Title 40, Texas Administrative Code, §9.171(j).The changes will explain how a score from a residential visit is calculated• Clarify when evidence of correction is required after a residential visit• Clarify when HHSC takes follow-up action after a residential visit• … [Read more...] about Changes to HCS Handbook Regarding Results of Residential Visit
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
Approved Rate Reductions in the HCS and TxHmL Waiver Programs (Effective August 1, 2017)
Information Letter No. 17-16 - Effective August 1, 2017, The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has listed its new and approved payment rate changes (decrease in payment rates) for the following providers as identified in the below list. HHSC has exempted the rates for the Consumer Directed Services (CDS) option from these rate reductions. All providers should share with any CDS employers to whom they provide any HCS or TxHmL services that the CDS option is specifically exempted … [Read more...] about Approved Rate Reductions in the HCS and TxHmL Waiver Programs (Effective August 1, 2017)
Waiver Survey and Certification Quality Assurance Surveys
Waiver Survey and Certification Quality Assurance SurveysEffective October 1, 2016, the Waiver Survey and Certification (WSC) Unit of the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) Regulatory Services will begin conducting quality assurance (QA) surveys of HCS and TxHmL program providers. The purpose of QA surveys is to increase consistency in the survey and certification process for the HCS and TxHmL programs. During a QA survey, a QA team will review the results of a survey … [Read more...] about Waiver Survey and Certification Quality Assurance Surveys
IDD Assessment Project – Phase One Implementation
The purpose of this information letter (IL) is to inform the LIDDAs, CMAs, and program providers for HCS, TxHmL, CLASS, DBMD and ICF/IID about the implementation of phase one of the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Assessment project (the project).IDD Assessment Project – Phase One ImplementationSection 3.01 of Senate Bill (S.B.) 7, 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013, directs the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) to develop and implement a … [Read more...] about IDD Assessment Project – Phase One Implementation
