-- "A proposed rule released Thursday would cause home health agencies to experience a 1.5 percent reduction in their Medicare payments for 2014, which the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services estimates could reduce payments to these facilities by $290 million next year." - News Medical -- "The Commission on Long-Term Care held its first meeting Thursday [June 28] on Capitol Hill with some members acknowledging that their late start adds to their challenges in offering Congress … [Read more...] about LTC News: Home Health, Hospice
TX Register Updates: 7/10 and 7/17 Hearings
The following information was obtained from the June 21 issue of the Texas Register. Public Notices, Corrections, and Hearings HHSC issued four corrections concerning the Texas Healthcare Transformation Quality Improvement Program waiver program. See the Texas Register for details, and scroll down for each entry. HHSC will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, July 17, 2013, at 8:30 a.m., to receive comment on proposed Medicaid payment rates for Ambulance Services, Substance Use Disorder … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: 7/10 and 7/17 Hearings
IL and News Alerts: 6/21, 7/23 Meetings
AFC, AL/RC, CBA HCSSA, DAHS, FMS, HDM, MDCP, Out-of-Home Respite ADC and AL/RC, PHC, and TAS: DADS notified contracted providers of changes to contract and fiscal compliance monitoring protocol in relation to negative billing. (Letter) -- (Published on the DADS site today, 6/18) DADS will hold the quarterly HCSSA stakeholder meeting this Friday, June 21, 2013, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Public Hearing Room in the Winters Building, 701 W. 51st Street, Austin. Agenda (PDF) -- DADS will … [Read more...] about IL and News Alerts: 6/21, 7/23 Meetings
Long Term Care in Home Health
It's no surprise that the home health care industry is growing, as seniors choose to "age in place" at home instead of in nursing homes. Home health care is a long term health care option with huge growth potential, as the Baby Boom generation enters retirement. Demand for home health care will increase, but right now, the wages don't match the demand. That likely will change in the coming years. These days, home health care workers do more than provide basic services. An excerpt … [Read more...] about Long Term Care in Home Health
TX Register Updates: 10/23 Hearing, Advisory Committees
The following information was obtained from the October 5 issue of the Texas Register. Public Hearing and Notice HHSC will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, October 23, 2012, at 9 a.m. to receive public comment on proposed rates for hospice routine home, continuous home, inpatient respite, and general inpatient care. The hearing will take place in the Lone Start Conference Room. HHSC intends to submit to CMS a request to renew the Non-emergency Medical Transportation waiver program. For … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: 10/23 Hearing, Advisory Committees
ILs and S&CC Memos: Respite, ICD-10-CM
DADS issued two information letters, and several Federal Survey and Certification letters of interest to nursing facilities. MDCP: DADS clarified that respite can occur in places other than the individual's residence. An excerpt: Respite provided in these settings should not be confused with out-of-home respite which is provided in the following licensed and/or contracted settings: • special care facilities • licensed day care facilities • hospitals • nursing facilities • camps … [Read more...] about ILs and S&CC Memos: Respite, ICD-10-CM
Skilled NF Pay-for-Performance, Home Care Growth
In 2009, we blogged about CMS's cash incentive program to improve quality of care in nursing homes. CMS asked Arizona, Mississippi, New York, and Wisconsin to participate. Facilities with the highest scores as well as the greatest performance would receive performance payment. McKnight's reports that after four years, results are mixed (apparently Mississippi chose not to participate). CMS released a report about the program's first-year results. An excerpt: Although the demonstration is … [Read more...] about Skilled NF Pay-for-Performance, Home Care Growth
ILs: FY13 Begins 9/1/12
ALFs, CAS, CBA, DAHS, FC, ICF/ID, PACE, TAS, and others: DADS reminded these providers that the state FY13 begins on September 1, 2012. Any claims for services performed during FY10 received by the TMHP after noon Wednesday, August 8, 2012, will be processed as Miscellaneous, and cannot be paid through the standard payment process. (Letter) Community/State (Service Group 5) ICF/IID: DADS reminds these providers that FY13 begins on September 1, 2012. Any claims for services performed … [Read more...] about ILs: FY13 Begins 9/1/12
ILs/PL: Annual Mandatory ALF Training
DADS released two information letters and one provider letter: Medicaid Hospice: DADS asked these providers to submit the form attached to the letter, which shows the methodology CMS uses to determine the provider's Medicare overall cap for FFY 2010 and 2011. The deadline for submitting this information was May 15, 2012. (Letter) ALFs: DADS provided information about annual mandatory training for ALFs. See the provider web page for more information. (Letter) AFC, ALF, CBA, CLASS, … [Read more...] about ILs/PL: Annual Mandatory ALF Training
DADS News Alerts: Cultural Change Initiative, NF meeting
-- As part of the cultural change initiative, DADS will host four symposia in 2012. Registration information will be available a month before each event: Lubbock – Wednesday, August 22, Holiday Inn Lubbock - Hotel and Towers Dallas – Friday, August 24, Westin Park Central San Antonio – Tuesday, November 13, Sheraton Gunter Hotel Houston – Thursday, November 15, Houston Marriott Westchase -- DADS issued an alert to providers and other qualified entities to become a residential … [Read more...] about DADS News Alerts: Cultural Change Initiative, NF meeting
