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)
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
New Process Requires Online Completion of Requests for Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) Specialized Services
Information Letter No. 17-12 - DADS is notifying nursing facility providers of the new process for requesting Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) nursing facility specialized services. Paper forms are no longer acceptable. Providers have to now log onto the TMHP LTC Online Portal and complete a Nursing Facility Specialized Services (NFSS) form to request the following PASRR nursing facility specialized services. and the information letter details that the Health and Human … [Read more...] about New Process Requires Online Completion of Requests for Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) Specialized Services
Palliative Care Education and Information Program launched by HHSC to educate Texans on Hospice & Supportive Care
HHS published information regarding a newly launched Palliative Care Education and Information Program. The online program is a resource that educates Texans about end of life care and support by offering assistance and tools for patients, families and providers. According to Jimmy Blanton, director of HHSC’s Health Quality Institute in the Quality and Program Improvement section, the program, a result of a House Bill 1874, was implemented to "address some of the misconceptions around palliative … [Read more...] about Palliative Care Education and Information Program launched by HHSC to educate Texans on Hospice & Supportive Care
CMS to add 200 more facilities to the Music & Memory Program in Texas. Latest expansion to include 165 more nursing homes.
Music therapy is one of the methods that health facilities and providers are researching which may be beneficial to people with disabilities living in long-term intermediate care facilities. The Music & Memory initiative for Dementia patients began in 2015 as a way to improve and build upon the quality of life for those nursing home residents. The music and memory program's first two phases included a roll-out at 250 nursing homes in Texas. The program is executed by using Apple iPods or … [Read more...] about CMS to add 200 more facilities to the Music & Memory Program in Texas. Latest expansion to include 165 more nursing homes.
New Billing Codes for Pre-admission Screening and Resident Review (PASSR) DME and Therapy Assessments.
Information Letter No. 17-11 — The purpose of this letter is to notify Nursing Facility Providers (NFs) of the new billing codes for durable medical equipment (DME) and therapy assessments reimbursed through the PASRR program. All PASRR specialized services approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) on or after June 1, 2017, must be billed using the billing codes below. … [Read more...] about New Billing Codes for Pre-admission Screening and Resident Review (PASSR) DME and Therapy Assessments.
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED PAYMENT RATES
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED PAYMENT RATESEffective September 1, 2016The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will conduct a public hearing at 3:00 p.m. on August 26, 2016 in the Public Hearing Room in the Brown Heatly Building, 4900 N. Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas, with entrance through Security at the front of the building facing Lamar Boulevard. Public comments will be received on proposed Foster Care Redesign (FCRD) payment rates for the 24-Hour Residential Child Care (24 RCC) program … [Read more...] about SUMMARY OF PROPOSED PAYMENT RATES
Medicaid 1115 Waiver
HHSC has received federal approval of a waiver that allows the state to expand Medicaid managed care while preserving hospital funding, provides incentive payments for health care improvements and directs more funding to hospitals that serve large numbers of uninsured patients.Recent Updates:The recording of the October 5, 2016 DSRIP DY5 October Reporting Webinar has been posted on the Recorded Webinars/Conference Calls page. (10/6/16)HHSC has posted information for DSRIP October DY5 Reporting … [Read more...] about Medicaid 1115 Waiver
Provider Marketing Guidelines
Provider Marketing GuidelinesPurposeThe purpose of the Texas Provider Marketing Guidelines is to provide guidance to the State of Texas Medicaid fee-for-service, Medicaid Managed Care, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Children's Medicaid Dental, and CHIP Dental Providers, referred to as Medicaid, on permissible and prohibited provider marketing.The information provided is not intended to be comprehensive, or to identify all applicable state and federal laws and regulations. Providers … [Read more...] about Provider Marketing Guidelines
Texas Health and Human Services Agencies Begin Major Transformation
At the direction of the Texas Legislature, the state’s health agencies have begun a massive restructuring to make the system more efficient, effective and responsive for all Texans.On Sept. 1, about 4,000 employees and more than 120 programs and functions will officially “move” to the Health and Human Services Commission from four other health and human state agencies.The move marks the first of two waves of the state’s significant health agency transformation designed to help Texans find and … [Read more...] about Texas Health and Human Services Agencies Begin Major Transformation
