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
Deadline: Provider Reports Should be Reviewed By June 30. CMS Inaugural Release of Hospice Compare Scheduled for this Summer 2017.
The Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP) was mandated by the Affordable Care Act and requires the Secretary to publicly report quality measures that relate to hospice care provided by hospice programs on the Hospice Compare website. The HQRP includes data submitted by hospices through the Hospice Item Set (HIS), and the Hospice CAHPS. CMS will release its first ever Hospice Compare data report this summer. According to CMS Any corrections can be made to your HIS data for 36 months beyond the … [Read more...] about Deadline: Provider Reports Should be Reviewed By June 30. CMS Inaugural Release of Hospice Compare Scheduled for this Summer 2017.
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.
HIPAA Notification From HHSC: Texas Vendor Loses Clients’ Personal Information. Breach may affect 1,842
The Health and Human Services Commission issue a notification about the accidental loss of protected personal information that include names, bank and health information, social security, addresses and other pertinent personal details. The breach may affect 1,842 people in the Texas. The box of forms containing client information was found beside an unsecured dumpster in Houston at the E. 40th St. complex, an Houston area eligibility office.The agency is examining this breach and an … [Read more...] about HIPAA Notification From HHSC: Texas Vendor Loses Clients’ Personal Information. Breach may affect 1,842
Atlantic Hurricane Season Preparedness Required by DADS: Health Services and Care Facilities should review their emergency preparedness and response plans.
With the latest weather conditions and Hurricane Season in effect from June to Novemeber, DADS has issued a new release addressing applicable program rules to ensure that: "All Adult Day Care Facilities (ADCs), Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs), Home and Community Support Service Agencies (HCSSAs), Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability or Related Conditions (ICFs/IID), and Nursing Facilities (NFs) should be prepared to protect residents/clients during … [Read more...] about Atlantic Hurricane Season Preparedness Required by DADS: Health Services and Care Facilities should review their emergency preparedness and response plans.
The Legislature and IDR for Assisted Living, HCS and TxHmL
The Texas Legislature passed two bills that revise Informal Dispute Resolution procedures for Assisted Living and providers participating in certain Medicaid waiver programs.SB 924 by Senator Perry out of Lubbock affects assisted living facilities. Here are the present procedures. You can look at the changes in the Enrolled version here. Although some of the really strong, helpful language originally in the bill didn’t make it to the end, it does specify documents that must come to the … [Read more...] about The Legislature and IDR for Assisted Living, HCS and TxHmL
CMS & CBO Report different numbers on possible effect of AHCA in the healthcare market
The Republican led U.S. House of Representatives approved the American Health Care Act of 2017 last may and now the Office of the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released its report on the Estimated Financial Effect of the “AHCA .” According to reports from the Health Affairs Organization:"The headline from the Actuary’s report that is likely to receive the most attention is that the CMS Actuary sees the AHCA as increasing the uninsured by 4 million for 2018/2019 … [Read more...] about CMS & CBO Report different numbers on possible effect of AHCA in the healthcare market
Challenges Continue for LTC Regarding Change of Therapy Documentation
Nursing facilities continue to battle Medicare denials because of documentation issues:Untimely certifications, missed or incorrectly billed Change of Therapy documentation, and lack of documentation supporting a signed physician order for skilled therapy are among the top reasons facilities are battling Medicare claims denials, an expert said in late April.Check your systems for communication between your MDS people and the therapy providers. … [Read more...] about Challenges Continue for LTC Regarding Change of Therapy Documentation
Ban on nursing home arbitration agreement officially lifted by CMS.
Ban on nursing home arbitration agreement officially lifted by CMS.Upheld by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services under the Trump Administration, according to reports, the ban on nursing home arbitration clauses has been lifted. CMS Issued the 'Proposed Revision Requirements for Long-Term Care Facilities’ Arbitration Agreements on its website. Obama-era regulation previously stopped nursing homes from forcing patients and their families to sign binding arbitration agreements, … [Read more...] about Ban on nursing home arbitration agreement officially lifted by CMS.
Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation, Misappropriation of Resident Property, and Other Incidents that Must Be Reported to DADS
Provider Letter No. 17-18 - (Replaces PL 14-13). The examples in this letter are not all inclusive. Many other possible scenarios are reportable. The law requires an owner or employee of a NF who has cause to believe that the physical or mental health or welfare of a resident has been or may be adversely affected by abuse, neglect or exploitation. Attachements included instruct guidance to NFs on resident-to-resident incidents, including sexual activity, and on how to determine whether NFs must … [Read more...] about Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation, Misappropriation of Resident Property, and Other Incidents that Must Be Reported to DADS
