Texas News and Information Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Regulatory Services Mailbox PL 19-11 New Policy, Rules and Training Mailbox was issued on April 23, 2019. Policy, Rules and Training (PRT) now has a dedicated email mailbox. Questions for all provider types regarding policy and rules can be sent to [email protected] . The email […]
Federal Register Highlights DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 42 CFR Part 418 Medicare Program; FY 2020 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Requirements— This proposed rule would update the hospice wage index, payment rates, and cap amount for fiscal year 2020. This rule […]
During the 84th Legislative Session, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 200, addressing the reorganization of health and human services delivery in Texas. As a result, some agencies were abolished and their functions transferred to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). AS a result, the following rules will be transferred and receive new TAC chapters:
40 TAC Chapter 15 (PPECC) will transfer to 26 TAC Chapter 550;
40 TAC Chapter 18 (NFA) will transfer to 26 TAC Chapter 555;
40 TAC Chapter 90 (ICF) will transfer to 26 TAC Chapter 551;
40 TAC Chapter 92 (ALF) will transfer to 26 TAC Chapter 553; and
40 TAC Chapter 97 (HCSSA) will transfer to 26 TAC Chapter 558
Medicaid Hospice Rates Reminder~
HHSC released Information Letter No. 19-08 – Payment Rates for Medicaid Community Hospice Effective October 1, 2018 on April 3, 2019. HHSC approved rate changes for the Medicaid Community Hospice Program for continuous home care, inpatient respite care, general inpatient care, routine home care (days 1-60), routine home care (days 61+), and the service intensity add-on effective October 1, 2018.
A new study in the Journal of Palliative Medicine presents a model that “predicts risk of death within 6 to 12 months with acceptable reliability in a general practice setting and has the potential to be incorporated into clinical practice and electronic records.”
Every week, hospice providers will be receiving a legislative update so you can be aware of what is going on in your respective states during the session. We hope that you will find this information helpful and insightful. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Maxcine “Max” Tomlinson at: [email protected] […]
Federal News and Information Targeted Probe and Educate (TPE) TPE designed to help providers and suppliers reduce claim denials and appeals through one-on-one help. It is intended to increase accuracy in very specific areas, such as: • The inclusion of signatures; • Notes did not support the elements for eligibility; • Documentation does not meet […]
MEDPAC RELEASES REPORT TO CONGRESS ON MEDICARE PAYMENT POLICY The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) has released the March 2019 Report to the Congress: Medicare Payment Policy. The 531-page report covers a broad range of issues—from the context for Medicare payment policy to outpatient dialysis services and opioid alternatives in hospital settings. It provides […]