Volume XXX, Number 5
 May 2015

Managed Care Protections Sought

Two bills that would extend protections for nursing facilities under Medicaid managed care are currently being considered by the Legislature.

HB 3523 by Human Services Committee Chairman Rep. Richard Raymond (D-Laredo) would ensure that the state continues to set the payment rate for nursing facilities. Under current law, rate setting would be turned over to insurers after September 1, 2019.

CLICK HERE TO READ HB 3523

Current law will also let managed care organizations choose which facilities to contract with after September 1, 2017. SB 1602 by Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) would require they work with any Medicaid provider until September 1, 2019. It would also ensure that facilities approved to accept Medicaid patients before September 1, 2015 would be afforded this “any willing provider” protection. This provision currently applied only to facilities that could accept Medicaid before September 1, 2013.

CLICK HERE TO READ SB 1602

HB 3523 passed the House Human Services Committee unanimously and is headed to the House floor. SB 1602 was heard by the Senate Health and Human Services committee on Wednesday, April 22. The committee has not voted on it yet.

• Make the Call

Legislative Update

• State Budget Moves to Conference Committee

• Bill Calls for State Review of Survey and IDR Process

• Managed Care Protections Sought

Commitment to Care

• THCA Welcomes Texas Long Term Care Stakeholders to First Commitment to Care Quarterly Committee Meeting

State News

• MCO Complaints handled by HHSC Command Center and HPM Complaints Box

• Final Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Requirements

• Distribution of Resident Days by RUG Level Report No Longer Available

National News

• President Signs into Law Permanent Solution to SGR

• CMS Releases SNF PPS Proposed Rule for FY 2016

• Staffing Data Submission Payroll Based Journal (PBJ)

Announcements & Recognitions

• National Nursing Home Week, May 10-15, 2015, “BRING ON THE FIESTA!”

• 2015 THCA Award Nominations are Now Open!

• Welcome THCA’s Newest Board Member

• THCA Provider Membership is Growing

• THCA facility contact information sheet

• Activity Professional award winners and nominees recognized at the THCA Spring Conference

  ”Like” & “Share” the THCA Facebook page 

  Follow the THCA Twitter page

THCAPAC

• THCAPAC 500 Club & Recognitions

• Thank you Spring “Golf Fore PAC” Tournament Sponsors, Players & Volunteers

Region News

• “Region Chairs Need You!”

• THCA facility contact information sheet

• Region Updates & Meeting Information

Education

• THCA 65th Annual Convention & Trade Show

• DADS Provider Joint Training Opportunities

If you have suggestions for education sessions or questions about THCA education, please contact Sue Wilson at the THCA office swilson@txhca.org.

Calendar

• May 2015

• June 2015