Provider Letter PL 18-17 (NF) This letter addresses feeding assistance care for nursing home residents and staffing requirements to implement rules. HHSC and Long Term Care Regulatory (LTCR) determined that the topic of feeding assistance required an updated and consolidated communication to providers. The letter details: Policy Details & Provider Responsibilities: A paid feeding assistant is an individual who meets the requirements specified in the Texas Administrative Code who is … [Read more...] about Provider Letter: Feeding Assistance Rules for Nursing Facilities
HCSSAs that Contract with Management Companies
Provider Letter 18-13 - Home and Community Support Services Agencies (HCSSAs) are issued the clarifications and requirements and regarding the role of management companies. Providers are notified that if an HCSSA contracts with a management company or other organization, the HCSSA must comply with all rules and regulations that relate to such a contract, which is addressed in the provider letter. HHSC has statutory authority to adopt rules that specify the ownership interests and other … [Read more...] about HCSSAs that Contract with Management Companies
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
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
Amended Nursing Peer Review Committee (NPRC) Requirements and a State Agency’s Duty to Report
PL 18-06 - Long-Term Care Regulatory Provider Letter (PL) The Texas Health and Human Services Commission released the provider letter to nursing providers (ALF, DAHS, HCSSA, ICF/IID, and Nursing Facilities) the letter details that House Bill (HB) 3296, 85th Legislature, Regular Session, 2017, amended Texas Occupations Code §303.0015, regarding the establishment of a NPRC. Additionally, this letter clarifies the process a surveyor from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) … [Read more...] about Amended Nursing Peer Review Committee (NPRC) Requirements and a State Agency’s Duty to Report
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
(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)
Failure to Deliver PASRR Services – Level I Screening and Level II Evaluation Assessments
Provider Letter No. 17-15 - DAD'S latest provider letter addressing Nursing Facilities reports on clarification that the role of the nursing facility (NF) is to coordinate completion of the Level I screening and Level II evaluation assessments with appropriate entities. The letter reports:Nursing Facilities must comply with both state and federal requirements related to Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR). This includes coordinating with appropriate entities to ensure completion … [Read more...] about Failure to Deliver PASRR Services – Level I Screening and Level II Evaluation Assessments
