Volume XXX, Number 1, 
January 2015

DADS and DSHS Conference:  Infection Control in Long-term Care 2015

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services and the Texas Department of State Health Services are hosting a series of joint training conferences around the state to increase awareness of infection control and regulatory requirements in assisted living facilities, nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities.

The events are free and participants can earn continuing education credits. Handouts will be provided at the conference.

Space is limited; please register online here early to hold your seat.

Dates and Locations

President's Report

     84th Legislative Session
     has arrived 

Legislative Update 

     Budget Outlook is Mixed
     for New Legislature

     New Leaders Taking the
     Reins of Texas Government

     THCA Members Gearing Up
     for Busy Legislative Session

State News 

     Effective February 1, 2015, 
     Institutional Claims 
     Submitted Via -- EDI Must 
     Have All Required Field 
     Information 

     HHSC Issues Information 
     Letter on Minimum 
     Payment Amount Program 
     (MPA)

     Important: Physician Last 
     Name Must Match Last 
     Name on Associated
     License on Assessments

     Distribution of Resident  
     Days by RUG Level
     Enclosed

     Analysis of Survey Activity, 
     Deficiencies Enclosed – 4th 
     Quarter FY 2014 

Announcements & Recognitions

     2015 THCA Membership 

     AHCA/NCAL 7th Annual 
     Quality Symposium

THCA Membership Contribution 

     Stark Law Concerns with 
     Skilled Nursing Facility 
     Medical Directors

THCAPAC 

     THCAPAC "$500 Club" 
     Recognition

Region News

     Fighting the Flu Requires
     Constant Vigilance!

     SAVE THE DATE! Provider 
     trainings are coming to an 
     area near you – please help 
     spread the word

     Upcoming Region Meetings

Education 

     Medicaid Managed Care
     Institute - 
     January 26-28, 2015

     THCA Spring Conference
     and Resource Fair 
     April 20 - 22, 2015, 
     Barton Creek Conference 
     Center - Austin, TX

     THCA 65th Annual 
     Convention and Trade Show
     September 21 - 24, 2015
     The Gaylord Texas
     Grapevine, Texas

     DADS and DSHS 
     Conference:  Infection 
     Control in Long-term Care 
     2015

     The Health and Human 
     Services Commission 
     (HHSC) Provider Training

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

Calendar 

     January, 2015 

     February 2015

  •

Continuing Education Credit
This conference has been approved for the following continuing education units, contact hours or clock hours:

Social Work, Provider # 5590, 6.75 CEUs. Also under this category the following are authorized for 6.75 CEU/Contact Hours/Clock Hours: assisted living facility managers, licensed nursing facility administrators, certified nurse aides, nursing facility activity directors, qualified intellectual/developmental disability professionals, and licensed psychology professionals.

Licensed Professional Counselor, Provider # 2260, 6.75 CEUs.

"Nursing contact hours have been applied for through the Texas Nurses Association, an accredited approver of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation."