Long-Term Care Regulatory Provider Letter - PL 18-05 Policy Update Re; Life Safety Code for Assisted Living Facility Senate Bill 1049, 85th Legislature, 2017 added §247.0264 to Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 247. This code affirms the role of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) in the interpretation and enforcement of accessibility standards in assisted living facilities. Effective since September 1, 2017, a Health and Human Services (HHSC) inspector may not cite … [Read more...] about Accessibility Standards in Assisted Living Facilities
Accessibility Standards in Assisted Living Facilities
Provider Letter PL 18-05 (ALF) This letter describes procedures related to enforcement of accessibility standards during initial Life Safety Code (LSC) inspections for Assisted Living Facilities. 2.0 Policy Details Senate Bill 1049, 85th Legislature, 2017 added §247.0264 to Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 247, that affirms the role of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) in the interpretation and enforcement of accessibility standards in assisted living … [Read more...] about Accessibility Standards in Assisted Living Facilities
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
American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living Announce Quality Improvement Goals for Nursing Providers
The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) issued quality improvement goals for skilled nursing providers in long term and post-acute care. The goals, aligned with the priorities of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and federal mandates, were identified to improve care delivery during the next three years. According to reports: The goals outlined by the AHCA and NCAL include: --Safely reduce long- and short-stay hospitalizations by … [Read more...] about American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living Announce Quality Improvement Goals for Nursing Providers
Invitation Only. New changes to the FMSA enrollment training process
Information Letter No. 18-05: Effective the date of this letter, registration for the FMSA enrollment training will be available by invitation only. The purpose of this letter is to notify current and prospective financial management services agencies (FMSAs) of changes to the FMSA enrollment training process. INVITATIONS TO REGISTER Invitations for registration will be extended only to FMSA contract applicants who have initiated the contract application process with HHSC or an MCO in order … [Read more...] about Invitation Only. New changes to the FMSA enrollment training process
Proposed rule addresses healthcare providers’ right regarding patients care for religious or moral reasons
A Proposed Rule by the Health and Human Services Department is purported to give healthcare providers sweeping discretion to refuse patients care for religious or moral reasons. The rule, Protecting Statutory Conscience Rights in Health Care; Delegations of Authority, explains that since the U.S. has a long history of providing conscience-based protections for individuals and entities with objections to certain activities based on religious belief and moral convictions, they propose to revise … [Read more...] about Proposed rule addresses healthcare providers’ right regarding patients care for religious or moral reasons
Two new proposals address alternative payment models for patients in Palliative Care.
The 11-member Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee(PTAC) established by MACRA to consider whether models submitted by stakeholders qualify as Medicare alternative payment models voted to move forward on proposals for two alternative payment models for review by the HHS secretary. One model, the Patient and Caregiver Support for Serious Illness model, was submitted by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. The second model is the Advanced Care Model … [Read more...] about Two new proposals address alternative payment models for patients in Palliative Care.
Texas Biometric Privacy Law restricts certain “biometric identifiers.” Only three states have laws regulating the collection and storage of Biometric data.
Healthcare is rapidly expanding the use of biometric information with hospitals utilizing fingerprinting to secure patient electronic data. Employers are also using the technology which debaters argue could compromise an individual’s right to privacy. However, new laws continue to create protection and security through the use of biometric information. “Biometrics” are biological measurements that cannot be replicated of individual biological patterns or characteristics such as fingerprints, … [Read more...] about Texas Biometric Privacy Law restricts certain “biometric identifiers.” Only three states have laws regulating the collection and storage of Biometric data.
Medicare Extra for All Plan: A Universal Healthcare plan backed by Progressives and Conservatives.
A proposal was recently released by the Center for American Progress (CAP) for Medicare Extra, an enhanced version of the Medicare program and a plan to guarantee universal health coverage in the United States. The plan would be available to all Americans, regardless of income, health status, age, or insurance status. According to reports, Medicare Extra highlights and tries to resolve the reasons for the high cost of the American healthcare system head-on by placing caps on doctor and … [Read more...] about Medicare Extra for All Plan: A Universal Healthcare plan backed by Progressives and Conservatives.
MyHealthEData Initiative to give patients control and access to Healthcare data
In a press release by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) MyHealthEData, a Trump initiative was announced as a way to empower healthcare patients by giving them control of their healthcare data, and allowing it to follow them through their healthcare journey. "CMS launched the “Blue Button 2.0” tool, calls on all health insurers to make data available to patients. According to the press release: The government-wide MyHealthEData initiative is led by the White House Office … [Read more...] about MyHealthEData Initiative to give patients control and access to Healthcare data
