HHSC published the proposed changes mandated by House Bill (H.B.) 2025 to the ICF/IID rules which calls for changes to rules governing administrative penalties, license terms and related policies in various programs including the ICF/IID program, DAHS, ALFs, NFs and Pediatric Extended Care Facilities. HB 2025 is the act relating to the regulation of certain long-term care facilities, including facilities that provide care to persons with Alzheimer ’s disease or related disorders; authorizing an … [Read more...] about PPAT Notice-Proposed Changes to the ICF/IID Administrative Penalties Rules
Preparing for the Upcoming Fiscal Year 2018 Fee-for-Service Claims Billing Closeout
Information Letter No. 18-06 : This letter addresses preparation for the August 31, 2018, end of fiscal year closeout. Providers must promptly submit claims to be paid by the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) for any unbilled services. Any problems associated with the claims are resolved within the 12-month filing limitation. The letter directly addresses the following: Adult Foster Care Providers Assisted Living Facilities Community Attendant Services Providers Community … [Read more...] about Preparing for the Upcoming Fiscal Year 2018 Fee-for-Service Claims Billing Closeout
Guidelines Regarding Plans of Correction Associated with a PASRR Violation
Provider Letter 18-09 (NF) - This letter addressed Long-Term Care Regulations by HHSC. Nursing facilities (NFs) must comply with both state and federal requirements related to Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR). This includes coordinating Level I screening and Level II evaluation assessments, participating in interdisciplinary team meetings (IDTs), and providing necessary specialized services for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID), developmental disabilities (DD) or … [Read more...] about Guidelines Regarding Plans of Correction Associated with a PASRR Violation
HHS Seeks Members for e-Health Advisory Committee – Deadline June 26th
According to the HHS Website, The Texas Health and Human Services Commission executive commissioner will appoint members to the E-Health Advisory committee to serve a two-year term. Applications are due by 5 p.m. June 26. This position is specific for those interested in health information technology, health information exchange systems, telemedicine, telehealth and home telemonitoring services. Excerpt form HHS: The e-Health Advisory Committee was created under Texas Government Code, … [Read more...] about HHS Seeks Members for e-Health Advisory Committee – Deadline June 26th
Nursing Providers – Designation of Disability Rights Texas as Protection and Advocacy System in Texas
Provider Letter - PL 18-08 (NF) - Nursing providers have been issued a new provider letter regarding Disability Rights Texas (DRTx). Prior to March 2011, Disability Rights Texas was known as Advocacy, Inc. As a part of recent rules amendments, HHSC Long-term Care Regulatory has elected to use a generic description of the protection and advocacy system rather than the name of the entity. The letter details that when Nursing Facility (NF) rules refer to the designated protection and advocacy … [Read more...] about Nursing Providers – Designation of Disability Rights Texas as Protection and Advocacy System in Texas
Accessibility Standards in Assisted Living Facilities
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
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
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
Changes to HHSC-Approved Diagnostic Codes for Persons with Related Conditions List
Information Letter No. 18-04 This letter provides an annual update to the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code set as of October 1, 2017, which includes new and revised ICD-10 diagnostic codes. Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has revised the HHSC-Approved Diagnostic Codes for Persons with Related Conditions. List of Invalid ICD-10 Related Conditions Codes: The following ICD-10 diagnoses codes are no longer valid and were deleted from the … [Read more...] about Changes to HHSC-Approved Diagnostic Codes for Persons with Related Conditions List
