Provider Letter No. 17-23 - DADS is directing providers to immediately redo all EMR searches conducted during this two-month period ( From June 9, 2017, through July 27, 2017) to verify the employability of any individuals they have hired. If a search result now shows that an individual is listed in the EMR, then the individual is not eligible to continue employment in a DADS-regulated facility or agency or any facility or agency governed by Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 253. Every … [Read more...] about Alert: All Providers Are Required To Redo Employee Misconduct Registry (EMR) Searches
Approved Rate Reductions in the HCS and TxHmL Waiver Programs (Effective August 1, 2017)
Information Letter No. 17-16 - Effective August 1, 2017, The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has listed its new and approved payment rate changes (decrease in payment rates) for the following providers as identified in the below list. HHSC has exempted the rates for the Consumer Directed Services (CDS) option from these rate reductions. All providers should share with any CDS employers to whom they provide any HCS or TxHmL services that the CDS option is specifically exempted … [Read more...] about Approved Rate Reductions in the HCS and TxHmL Waiver Programs (Effective August 1, 2017)
Hospice Care To Increase For U.S. Veterans via Initiatives to Improve Care at the End of Life.
Recently, a Texas home hospice care patient went viral online after hundreds of inspired and sympathetic people called and sent well-wishes to terminally ill army veteran, Lee. As the story is reported in the news; the influx of support came after his wife told a friend that the Lee had asked to hold his phone and when she asked why he said, 'in case someone calls but after a couple hours and no calls he told his wife, 'I guess no one wants to talk to me.' In recent reports, A 2009 initiative … [Read more...] about Hospice Care To Increase For U.S. Veterans via Initiatives to Improve Care at the End of Life.
Latest Pre-admission Screening and Resident Review – Quality Service Reviews
Provider Letter No. 17-22 - Quality service reviews (QSRs) of the implementation of policies, procedures, and improvements relating to the Pre-admission Screening and Resident Review Process (PASRR) will be conducted and the process will continue with Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) staff. HHS QSR staff will continue to conduct QSRs of nursing facilities, community-based Medicaid service providers, and Local IDD Authorities (LIDDAs) that provide service coordination and other services … [Read more...] about Latest Pre-admission Screening and Resident Review – Quality Service Reviews
Preparing for the Upcoming Fiscal Year 2017 Fee-for-Service Claims Billing Closeout
Information Letter No. 17-13 - This letter is addressed to all service providers, facilities, and agencies. August 31, 2017 is the end of fiscal year closeout and it is important for all providers to promptly submit claims to be paid by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) for any unbilled services. HHS will publish additional details regarding cutoff dates for fiscal year 2017. This information letter addresses the following:12-month filing rule - Providers should ensure not … [Read more...] about Preparing for the Upcoming Fiscal Year 2017 Fee-for-Service Claims Billing Closeout
Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Projects are Subject to Unannounced Visits to Ensure Project Implementation
Provider Letter No. 17-17 - DADS addresses Civil Money Penalty projects(CMP) regarding the documentation regarding the status of their project and the monitoring of the performance of the contract deliverables as indicated in Attachment C to the contract, Special Conditions for CMP Funded Contracts, section 4.01, Measurement. If your facility has applied and been approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to receive CMP funds, your facility is subject to unannounced … [Read more...] about Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Projects are Subject to Unannounced Visits to Ensure Project Implementation
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.
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
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
