Twogether Updates

College of Direct Support  http://www.directcourseonline.com/direct-support/about/

DirectCourse | “College of Direct Support brings training in line with the latest research and partners with other leaders in the field of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities”

Has a fantastic training curriculum for Direct Support Staff and their supervisors.  See a list of courses from the 2019 catalog in the link below:

https://www.directcourseonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-CDS-catalog_Final.pdf

Direct Support Professionals 

From the DSP Perspective: Exploring the Use of Practices That Align With Trauma-Informed Care in Organizations Serving People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
An article in the June 2020 issue of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities by an author affiliated with Indiana University Bloomington discusses a study that explored the extent to which intellectual and developmental disabilities organizations utilize practices that align with trauma-informed care with their DSP workforce. (abstract free of cost, full-text access available with a fee)

The Impact of Ongoing Staff Development on the Health and Safety of People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
An article published in the Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities by an author affiliated with the Council on Quality and Leadership reports on a study exploring how ongoing staff development impacts the health and safety of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. (abstract free of cost, full-text access available with a fee)

Free Online Training at The Center For Start Services:  The  National Leaders in the Mental Health Aspects
of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities                                                                                                                                                                                                     For all their training go to  https://www.centerforstartservices.org/community-resources

Free Video Training from the NADSP and AADMD  “The Role of The DSP and The Corona Virus”,  Part I-check out this amazing training video.    https://youtu.be/ud4Q4e_hcuw

Part II of this DSP Video Training session is as follows:  “The Role Of The DSP and The Corona Virus” Part II  https://youtu.be/VfErVzMn9-A

Free Training For Those Who Support Persons With IDD

https://hhs.texas.gov/about-hh s/communications-events/news/2017/01/free-training-people-who-support-clients-idd

September 21st, 2021

Updated: COVID-19 Mitigation Rules for TxHmL Providers

HHSC Long-term Care Regulation has published revised COVID-19 mitigation rules (PDF) for TxHmL program providers. The rules address changes in response to Executive Order No. GA-38(link is external) regarding facemasks and updated CDC guidance.

The rules became effective Sept 19, 2021.

Emergency Rule Adoption for TxHmL and COVID-19 Mitigation

See new rule at link below:

https://hhs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/documents/doing-business-with-hhs/provider-portal/long-term-care/txhml-covid-19-emergency-rules.pdf

September 6, 2020

HCS Billing Guidelines Revised-Sept. 2020

Please pay special attention to the changes and clarifications for Nursing Services!  We will be reviewing these in our “Billable Services-HCS-2020” webinar on Sept. 21st, 2020.  For more information please contact Meghan Jones to register:  meghanjones.tx@gmail.com   If you attended the recent Billable Nursing Services training in August (Part I and II) we did add these to your handouts at the time of the training.  You have the updated ppt. copy.  Thanks.  Here is the link to the HCS BG’s: 

https://hhs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/documents/doing-business-with-hhs/providers/resources/hcs/hcs-billing-guidelines.pdf

Currently, all “On-site Training” is on hold due to COVID-19.  If you require any of these trainings, please check our calendars on our website for current webinars or contact us at:  info@twogetherconsulting.com for some of our pre-recorded training options.

Live Training On-Site (Please contact us if you want us to provide these trainings on-site for your program):

HCS/TxHmL: Care Coordination in the HCS Program, Using Person-Centered Thinking To Develop The IP (Implementation Plan), Changes in the HCS Progam, Quality Assurance, Changes in The Survey Process In HCS (we are adding one for ICF), Changes in The Billing Audit Process in HCS and TxHmL, Nursing in HCS/TxHmL Programs, Common Nursing Errors In The HCS/TxHmL Programs & Corrective Action Planning, ICAP/IDRC/ and LON Increase Packet Training.

ICF: The Role & Responsibilities of the QIDP, DIT on Active Treatment, Changes To the ICF Surveyor’s Guide-Appendix J- “How It Affects Your Program”, as well as DIT Trainings-A/N/E,  “Common Nursing Tags in the ICF Program-How to Prevent & Correct Them“, Nursing In The ICF Program as well as ICAP/IDRC/ and LON Increase Packet Training.

Direct Support Staff Training:  “Expectations of the Nurse from the Direct Support Staff”, “Abuse, Neglect, and ANE” (including recent changes in the HCS TAC), “When and What to Report To The RN”, Documentation Expectations for Direct Support Staff”, “Behavior Support Plans-general concepts and purpose of support plans”, “Interacting With Individuals with Developmental Disabilities in Your Program” (Effective Communication, Verbal Intervention, Appropriate/Inappropriate Reactions, Body Language, and more).

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

HHS Announces Enhanced Provider Portal, Relief Fund Payments for Safety Net Hospitals, Medicaid & CHIP Providers

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is announcing additional distributions from the Provider Relief Fund to eligible Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) providers that participate in state Medicaid and CHIP programs. HHS expects to distribute approximately $15 billion to eligible providers that participate in state Medicaid and CHIP programs and have not received a payment from the Provider Relief Fund General Distribution. HHS is also announcing the distribution of $10 billion in Provider Relief Funds to safety-net hospitals that serve our most vulnerable citizens. The safety net distribution will occur this week.

“Healthcare providers who focus on treating the most vulnerable Americans, including low-income and minority patients, are absolutely essential to our fight against COVID-19,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. “HHS is using funds from Congress, secured by President Trump, to provide new targeted help for America’s safety-net providers and clinicians who treat millions of Medicaid beneficiaries.” There is healthcare for liver cancer as well.

HHS is providing support to healthcare providers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic through the bipartisan CARES Act and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, which allocated $175 billion in relief funds to hospitals and other healthcare providers, including those disproportionately impacted by this pandemic, this will help them recover and implement new technologies such as a Medical Spa Software which will enhance patient care.

ENHANCED PROVIDER RELIEF FUND PORTAL

On Wednesday, HHS is launching an enhanced Provider Relief Fund Payment Portal that will allow eligible Medicaid and CHIP providers to report their annual patient revenue, which will be used as a factor in determining their Provider Relief Fund payment. The payment to each provider will be at least 2 percent of reported gross revenue from patient care; the final amount each provider receives will be determined after the data is submitted, including information about the number of Medicaid patients providers serve.

The initial General Distribution provided payments to approximately 62 percent of all providers participating in state Medicaid and CHIP programs. The Medicaid and CHIP Targeted distribution will make the Provider Relief Fund available to the remaining 38 percent. HHS has already provided relief funding to over one million providers, and today’s announcement is expected to reach several hundred thousand more providers, many of whom are safety net providers operating on thin margins. There are some common questions for orthodontists that patients usually ask and dental experts can answer those. You can read this article further to know more.

Clinicians that participate in state Medicaid and CHIP programs and/or Medicaid and CHIP managed care organizations who have not yet received General Distribution funding may submit their annual patient revenue information to the enhanced Provider Relief Fund Portal to receive a distribution equal to at least 2 percent of reported gross revenues from patient care. This funding will supply relief to Medicaid and CHIP providers experiencing lost revenues or increased expenses due to COVID-19. Examples of providers serving Medicaid/CHIP beneficiaries possibly eligible for this funding include pediatricians, obstetrician-gynecologists, dentists, opioid treatment and behavioral health providers, assisted living facilities, and other home and community-based services, providers. The insurance for orthodontists is what one can opt for in case there is some emergency.

To be eligible for this funding, health care providers must not have received payments from the $50 billion Provider Relief Fund General Distribution and either have directly billed their state Medicaid/CHIP programs or Medicaid managed care plans for healthcare-related services between January 1, 2018, to May 31, 2020. Close to one million health care providers may be eligible for this funding.

More information about eligibility and the application process is available at https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/cares-act-provider-relief-fund/general-information/index.html

For updated information and data on the Provider Relief Fund, visit hhs.gov/providerrelief

News Releases below:                                                                                                                                                                                           

media@hhs.gov
www.hhs.gov/news
Twitter @SpoxHHS

Update on TWC services Provider Manual and Resources 

The following revisions to the Vocational Rehabilitation Standards for Providers Manual (VR-SFP) are available for 30-day review on the Vocational Rehabilitation Providers’ Resources page and will go into effect on June 29, 2020.

Chapter 2: Obtaining a Contract for Goods and Services—updated Section 2.8.1 Adding Counties or Services, Goods, and/or Equipment to a Contract, to indicate that provider contracts awarded after January 2020 will be statewide and therefore will not list the counties to be served.

Chapter 17: Basic Employment Services—updated Section 17.4.1 Bundled Job Placement Services Service Description and its associated form VR1845B, Bundled Job Placement Services Plan—Part B and Status Report, to clarify which types of placements are acceptable for VR customers and the use of online paystub creator system.

Chapter 18: Supported Employment Services—updated Section 18.1, Supported Employment Overview, and its associated form VR1643, Supported Employment Services Plan 2—Placement, Job Analysis &Training Plan, to clarify which types of placements are acceptable for VR customers.

No other live training has been scheduled at this time, these sessions are suspended until we hear more about the Covid-19 virus to decide on whether or not these sessions would be advisable at this time.  We will continue with webinars and on-site training, until further notice. 

Behavioral Support Services

HCS and TxHmL Behavioral Support Services Provider Policy Training

(Has been mandated for HCS & TxHmL providers to ensure their contracted Behavioral Support Services providers to take since March 2015)

This course informs service providers of behavioral support services in the HCS and TxHmL programs related to the provision of behavioral support services in those programs.  All new behavior support service providers must complete the WBT before providing services to an individual. All providers must complete the course every three years.

***To document successful course completion, participants must print a copy of the certificate provided at the end of the training and submit a copy to a program provider with whom they are employed or contracted.

Seniors have always ignored health promotion activities meant to promote their health. This is because their health status is perfectly normal, and they do not consider themselves at significant risk of falling ill. However as a senior ages; a number of things can happen which can leave the senior injured or sick and possibly needing 24-hour nursing care like the one provided at www.carltonseniorliving.com/ and residencesatplainview.com/community/your-retirement-community/. It is common knowledge that elderly individuals are at risk for a number of health related issues – heart attacks are commonly suffered by the elderly and they can also have strokes or other critical illnesses. When these events occur after getting out of bed without the help of a nurse or even a doctor’s assistance this is called accidental falls in the elderly and it is the leading cause of injury related deaths for this age group in the US today!

Senior citizens tend to have more chronic conditions or multiple sclerosis than younger people. They often have a limited capacity when it comes to their functional capabilities. They also have certain restrictions in their diet since they have already reached the age where they have to watch what they eat so as not to develop different diseases caused by our unhealthy lifestyle such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes. It also has to be noted that they are unable to have frequent physical activities so they do not have the energy that they need to move and perform necessary daily activities. Because of these circumstances above that these people face everyday it is important that they start taking care of themselves as early as possible in order to maximize their health and prolong their lives to the fullest possible.

One of the ways that you can help your seniors is to monitor their lifestyle habits so that they can live healthy lives longer without experiencing unnecessary illnesses that can shorten their life as well as yours. If you think you’re unable to care for them properly, we highly suggest having a family discussion to determine if a community living for seniors like Riverview Senior Living is the best option for your family. You can check out this memory care community for seniors or this popular assisted living community if needed. By talking to them about their health and living routine, you will be able to find out what is happening that is affecting their health. Communicate with your loved ones in a way that they can clearly understand what you are talking about and remember to talk slowly and ask if they are understanding what you really mean. If you want to find assisted living options for your elderly loved ones, you can learn about assisted living here and see various amenities that can help with their current lifestyle.