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Medication Administration by an Unlicensed Person in all ICFs/IID with a Capacity of 13 or Fewer Beds

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An unlicensed person may provide administration of medication to an individual without the requirement that a registered nurse (RN) delegate or oversee each administration of the medication if the following conditions are met: Each individual who has medications administered by an unlicensed person is assessed by an RN to identify the individual's needs and abilities regarding the individual's medication. The administration of medication is performed in such a manner as to ensure the greatest … [Read more...] about Medication Administration by an Unlicensed Person in all ICFs/IID with a Capacity of 13 or Fewer Beds

The CDC has issued draft guidelines for prescribing opioids for chronic pain. 

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The CDC is requesting comments from stakeholders. The National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization has given its response, stating that it is “pleased that the guidelines exclude patients who are at the end of life, with language that states ‘outside end-of-life care.’” Nevertheless, the NHPCO has several concerns with the draft guidelines, including the short timeline of the commenting period, an apparent lack of documentation behind the guidelines, and potential risks to vulnerable … [Read more...] about The CDC has issued draft guidelines for prescribing opioids for chronic pain. 

Implementation of CFC for Individuals in a DADS ICF/IID Waiver Program and Receiving PCS

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The purpose of this information letter (IL) is to inform you about the impact of Community First Choice (CFC) benefits for individuals who are receiving Personal Care Services (PCS) through the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Comprehensive Care Program, a program administered by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), or through a managed care organization (MCO), and who are enrolled in one of the following 1915(c) Intermediate Care Facilities for … [Read more...] about Implementation of CFC for Individuals in a DADS ICF/IID Waiver Program and Receiving PCS

Use of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, Field 27 of the Intellectual Disability/Related Condition Assessment

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 The purpose of this information letter (IL) is to provide information and guidance on the use of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5), when submitting the International Classification of Diseases, Version 10 (ICD-10) diagnosis codes in Field 27 of the Intellectual Disability/Related Condition (ID/RC) Assessment (Form 8578).Effective October 1, 2015, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will require healthcare providers and governmental … [Read more...] about Use of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, Field 27 of the Intellectual Disability/Related Condition Assessment

Discontinuation of the Intellectual Disability/Related Condition Purpose Code E

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The purpose of this information letter (IL) is to inform Home and Community-based Services (HCS) providers, Texas Home Living (TxHmL) providers and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authorities (LIDDAs), effective November 1, 2015, the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) is discontinuing submission of Purpose Code E (PC E) Intellectual Disability/Related Condition (ID/RC) forms to cover a gap in ID/RC authorization time periods. No other ID/RC purpose code … [Read more...] about Discontinuation of the Intellectual Disability/Related Condition Purpose Code E

New Billing Codes and Payment Rates for Hospice Physician Directed Care Claims

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 Effective October 1, 2015, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) implemented new billing codes and payment rates for Medicaid Hospice (Service Group 8) / Physician Direct Care services (Service Code 30). Each procedure code for physician directed care services has two new billing codes and payment rates. The new billing codes and payment rates are age-specific, one set of billing codes for services to individuals less than 21 years old and another for individuals 21 … [Read more...] about New Billing Codes and Payment Rates for Hospice Physician Directed Care Claims

CALIFORNIA’S NEW PAS LAW EVOKES WIDESPREAD RESPONSE

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California joined four other states that allow physician-assisted suicide after Governor Jerry Brown, D-CA, signed the End of Life Option Act into law. The measure allows physicians to prescribe lethal doses of drugs to terminally ill patients diagnosed with fewer than six months to live. Limitations apply, as described below. The bill will take effect 90 days after the California legislature ends it session on healthcare. Predictions are that this will happen between January and November 2016. … [Read more...] about CALIFORNIA’S NEW PAS LAW EVOKES WIDESPREAD RESPONSE

Hospice – Advance Directives

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Advance DirectivesThe 84th Legislative Session passed HB 3074, relating to the provision of artificially administered nutrition and hydration and life-sustaining treatment.   Chapter 97 Home and Community Support Services Agencies Licensure rules require hospice agencies have policies in compliance with the Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter §166 Advance Directives.   DADS staff  are  working on updating the advance directive forms.   DADS Regulatory will be notifying providers of the … [Read more...] about Hospice – Advance Directives

CMS Published New ICD-10 Blog

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 ICD-10 Ombudsman and ICD-10 Coordination Center Here to Support Your Transition NeedsIt’s important that you know help’s available if you have problems with ICD-10:The ICD-10 Ombudsman, Dr. Bill Rogers, can be your impartial advocate.  Dr. Rogers, a practicing emergency room physician, is known to many of you already. Since 2002, he has been the Director of the Agency’s Physicians Regulatory Issues Team, assisting physicians, other practitioners, and medical societies in identifying and … [Read more...] about CMS Published New ICD-10 Blog