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
Invitation Only. New changes to the FMSA enrollment training process
Information Letter No. 18-05: Effective the date of this letter, registration for the FMSA enrollment training will be available by invitation only. The purpose of this letter is to notify current and prospective financial management services agencies (FMSAs) of changes to the FMSA enrollment training process. INVITATIONS TO REGISTER Invitations for registration will be extended only to FMSA contract applicants who have initiated the contract application process with HHSC or an MCO in order … [Read more...] about Invitation Only. New changes to the FMSA enrollment training process
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
Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) adopted new rules for Disabled Patients
Provider Letter 18-04 The new rule describes the requirement of a facility to allow a resident to use a wheelchair self-release seatbelt if the resident meets certain conditions. Addressed to providers including Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs), Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability or Related Conditions (ICFs/IID), and Nursing Facilities (NFs). The new rules implement §322.0515, Texas Health and Safety Code, as added by House Bill (HB) 284 of the 85th … [Read more...] about Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) adopted new rules for Disabled Patients
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
Nursing Facilities – Immediate Threat Violations
PL 18-03-NF - This guidance for Nursing providers was issued by HHSC to address licensure violations and when violations counts as one of the three violations forming the basis for the license revocation that is required by §19.2107 in 40 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 19. b) Except as provided by subsection (d) of this section, the executive commissioner revokes a license if DADS finds that: (1) the license holder has committed three violations in §19.601(b) or (c) of this chapter … [Read more...] about Nursing Facilities – Immediate Threat Violations
New Requirements for Rehabilitative Services and Nursing Facility Specialized Services
PL 18-01 (NF) -Last September 10, 2017, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) added new rules and amended and deleted rules in Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 40, Part 1, Chapter 19, Nursing Facility Requirements for Licensure and Medicaid Certification. The Provider letter describes new requirements related to rehabilitative services and nursing facility (NF) specialized services and the provider responsibilities that arise from the new rules. Among many new rules and for … [Read more...] about New Requirements for Rehabilitative Services and Nursing Facility Specialized Services
New Law gives Healthcare providers and Nurses Religious Protections
According to reports, a newly created division of the Department of Health and Human Service’s Office for Civil Rights will oversee and protect health care workers who decline to partake in certain medical procedures for patients due to moral or religious objections. HHS’ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule on "protecting life" and “conscience rights” that will further protect health-care providers who think they are being punished or discriminated … [Read more...] about New Law gives Healthcare providers and Nurses Religious Protections
