In a press release, CMS announced that doctors and other eligible clinicians participating in the Quality Payment Program can begin submitting their 2017 performance data using a new system on the Quality Payment Program website (qpp.cms.gov). The Quality Payment Program has two tracks you can choose:Advanced Alternative Payment Models (APMs) orThe Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS)The data submission system is an improvement from the former systems under the CMS legacy programs, which … [Read more...] about CMS Launches Data Submission System for Clinicians in the Quality Payment Program
Medicare program’s penalty protocols for Nursing homes change under Trump Administration
In 2016, the nursing home industry requested the change in the Medicare program's penalty protocols and now, according to reports, a new policy from the Trump administration will roll back fines against nursing homes cited for mistreatment or neglect. The New York Times research found that nearly 6,500 nursing homes in the U.S. have received at least one citation for a serious violation since 2013 and about two-thirds of those have been fined by Medicare.According to this New York Times excerpt … [Read more...] about Medicare program’s penalty protocols for Nursing homes change under Trump Administration
Effective Date for Enrollment ID/RC Assessments for Individuals in the Home and Community-based Services and Texas Home Living Programs
Information Letter Number: 17-29 The initial effective date of an enrollment ID/RC Assessment for an individual who is enrolled in the Home and Community-based Services or Texas Home Living Program on or after January 1, 2018 will be the same as the effective date of the individual’s initial individual plan of care (IPC). This change is being made to simplify the renewal process for an individual’s ID/RC Assessment and IPC. So if an initial IPC is authorized by HHSC with an effective date … [Read more...] about Effective Date for Enrollment ID/RC Assessments for Individuals in the Home and Community-based Services and Texas Home Living Programs
Texas to receive $25 Billion in Medicaid Funding after Approval of the 1115 Demonstration Waiver
According to The Office of Texas Government news release, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have reached an agreement to continue a critical part of the state’s Medicaid program over the next five years.The approval of the 1115 Demonstration Waiver will allow the state to continue expanding managed care to Medicaid clients while also preserving supplemental payments to hospitals and other critical Medicaid providers. According to … [Read more...] about Texas to receive $25 Billion in Medicaid Funding after Approval of the 1115 Demonstration Waiver
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
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
Enforcement of Obama-era nursing home standards and enforcement remedies halted by CMS
CMS halts enforcement of some standards required by nursing homes that would enhance safety procedures for patients. In this notice: Temporary Enforcement Delays for Certain Phase 2 F-Tags and Changes to Nursing Home Compare posted late last month, the CMS announced an 18-month moratorium on enforcement remedies in some nursing home regulation that was finalized last year.Memorandum Summary from CMS Inlcuded:Temporary moratorium on imposing certain enforcement remedies for specific Phase 2 … [Read more...] about Enforcement of Obama-era nursing home standards and enforcement remedies halted by CMS
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
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
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
