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ILs: Hospice Rates, Criminal Checks

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DADS released three information letters. Medicaid Hospice: HHCS approved new payment rates for Medicaid hospice room and board for recipients living in a NF or ICF/MR, effective September 1, 2011. You can access the new rates at the HHCS Rate Analysis web page. (Letter) CBA AL/RC, CBA HCSSA, CLASS CMA and DSA, DAHS, DBMD, HCS, ICF/MR, NF, PHC, AL/RC, and TxHmL: HHSC adopted amendments to its Cost Determination Process rules governing the Informal Reviews and Formal Appeals at 1 TAC … [Read more...] about ILs: Hospice Rates, Criminal Checks

TX Register Updates: ICF/MR Hearing, ECI Changes

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The following information was obtained from the September 2 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearing and Notices HHSC will hold a public hearing on September 16, 2011, at 9 a.m. to receive public comment on the proposed interim per diem Medicaid reimbursement rates for small and large, state-operated ICFs/MR in the Lone Star Conference Room of the Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric Boulevard, Austin. HHSC intends to submit to CMS a request to amend the CLASS waiver … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: ICF/MR Hearing, ECI Changes

DADS Alerts: Cancelled CLASS, NF Bed Allocation

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--  DADS has cancelled the CLASS Basic Job Skills Training scheduled for September 6 - 7, 2011, in Austin. The next CLASS BJST is scheduled to take place April 10-11, 2012. Please call Laura Trevino, DADS Program Consultant, with questions at (512) 438-4385. --  DADS has posted new information to clarify current policies and procedures and to announce new procedures related to NF Medicaid bed allocation requirements outlined in 40 TAC §§19.2322 and 19.2324. --  A recording of the HCS … [Read more...] about DADS Alerts: Cancelled CLASS, NF Bed Allocation

ILs & PL: New Rates, Employee Screening

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DADS released one provider and six information letters. Hospice Agencies with a Freestanding Inpatient Unit: DADS reminds these providers to ensure patient safety during an external or internal disaster. They must comply with TAC, Title 40, Part 1, Chapter 97, section §97.256 and have a written emergency preparedness and response plan based on a risk assessment of potential disasters most likely to occur in their service area. (Letter) CWP: HHSC approved new payment rates, effective … [Read more...] about ILs & PL: New Rates, Employee Screening

TX Register Updates: Amended Notice, Abolished SKIP

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The following was obtained from the August 26 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notice HHSC issued an amended public notice of intent to seek a waiver from CMS to expand the STAR+PLUS program. An excerpt: The waiver request, in its final form, is now available to the public, as described below. HHSC is publishing this amended notice to alert interested parties that the comment period will remain open to take comments on the waiver request until 5:00 p.m., August 31, 2011. The waivers … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Amended Notice, Abolished SKIP

DADS News Alerts: Training Sessions, Manual Updates

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Since our last update on DADS news alert, the agency has released many more. Beginning on page two, scroll down to see each alert, which includes links to survey web pages, then go forward to the first page for the most recent alerts. A sample of the latest updates: Providers still have time to submit the 2011 Home Health and Hospice Care Nurse Staffing Survey, extended to August 31, 2011. Providers will find materials for Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies at this web site. When … [Read more...] about DADS News Alerts: Training Sessions, Manual Updates

ILs & PLs: HHA Survey Process, PAS Reminder

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DADS released two provider and two information letters: HSCCAs that provide HHA and L&C Applicants: CMS revised the existing HHA survey process. Among the changes: more emphasis on data collection from staff interviews, clinical records, and home visits. (Letter) ADCs, ALFs, HSCCAs, ICFs/MR, and NFs: Effective September 1, 2011, new convictions for the offenses added by House Bill 2609 prohibit employment in facilities and agencies subject to Health and Safety Code Chapter 250. … [Read more...] about ILs & PLs: HHA Survey Process, PAS Reminder

TX Register Updates: Medicaid Fees

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The following was obtained from the August 19 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices HHSC intends to submit amendments to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, which would modify the reimbursement methodologies and reduce Medicaid fees as detailed below: Birthing Centers: 5 percent Case Management for Children and Pregnant Women: 5 percent Durable Medical Equipment Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS): various percentages averaging 10.5 percent Early and … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Medicaid Fees

Impact of Medicare Reductions on Texas

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Last month, CMS issued a final rule announcing the reduction of Medicare skill nursing facility Prospective Payment System rates for FY12 by $3.87 billion. (Source) According to Avalere Health, which represents long term care providers, the cuts not only would affect long term care facilities, but would reduce economic activity in the most populous states, which includes Texas ( economic activity loss: $497 million; Medicare revenue loss: $349 million). An excerpt of the press … [Read more...] about Impact of Medicare Reductions on Texas