EDITOR'S NOTE
We at Twogether Consulting want to wish you the best for the Holiday Season!
A report from the CDC says that autism rates are on the rise again. According to the report, 1 in every 44 children show up on the autism scale. Read about it HERE.
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www.peguedenniscpa.com
Office 1: 469-708-4272
December Client Update Newsletter
Holiday Quiz: These Hot Toys Created Shortages
How well do you know the holiday shortages of yesterday?
 With all the talk around ports being clogged and transportation backups causing product shortages, why not take a look back at famous holiday shortages caused by the demand for the toy EVERYONE just had to have! So grab your family and friends, put away the cell phones, take out a piece of paper, and see who knows more about these true, historic shortages.
- In 1983, this toy came with its own certificate of adoption, but only if you could find one.
- This hand-held gadget created a bond that if broken could be fatal. At its peak they were selling 15 of them every minute!
- In 2014, this supplier limited purchases of this toy to two dozen per person, but it sold out months before the holidays, with some selling on eBay for as much as $1,000. Fortunately, the company making the toy was able to solve the supply problem in time for the holidays. Can you name it?
- For three years in a row, from 2005 thru 2007, game consoles were all the rage. Give yourself a point if you can name all three.
- Red and popular, this toy was as scarce as ice in a campfire during 1996. But every small child just had to have one.
- This hand-held puzzle was all the rage in 1981. Can you name it?
- In 1998 these small creatures could be trained to speak English…that is if you could get one.
- Often a TV program inspires scarcities in the toys it creates. This colorful group was tough to find in 1993. Never fear, the supplier geared up for the next season only be out of stock once again in 1994. What is the name of this group of toys?
- These little furballs were cute, cuddly and hard as ever to find in 2009. This $9 toy often fetched up to $60 each. Can you name them?
- And last, but not least, this extremely popular toy in the 1950s may have started the holiday toy craze…mainly because it was advertised on television. But the toy required a food product from your pantry to make it come to life. What was it?
Answers: 1. Cabbage Patch Kids, 2. Tamagotchi, 3. Elsa doll from Disney’s Frozen movie, 4. Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Nintendo Wii, 5. Tickle Me Elmo, 6. Rubik’s Cube, 7. Furby, 8. Mighty Power Rangers, 9. ZhuZhu Pets, and 10. Mr. Potato Head
So how did you do?
0 – 2 right…No worries. Shortages don’t seem to bother you.
3 – 5 correct…You probably have asked for a couple of these.
6 – 8 correct…You are a cultural icon! Pat yourself on the back.
9 – 10 correct…You are a monster shopper.
View previous article
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Editor's Note
I received a note from Bankrate, a leading financial advisor. It brought up something that I feel could be a very common problem for people with special needs, and I think it should be looked at. Here is the note, and links.
About 1 in 4 adults in America have a physical or mental disability, which can result in financial instability and difficulty working. Our experts at Bankrate created a guide that informs readers on how to accumulate savings for people with disabilities. It includes:
- How to save money without impacting benefit asset limits
- Ways to ensure a financially secure future
- Savings accounts for individuals with disabilities
Here is the link:
https://www.bankrate.com/banking/saving-money-for-people-with-disabilities/
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© Therap Services 2003 - 2021. All Rights Reserved.
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WEBINARS
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ATTENTION
If you missed out on Part 1 of "Expectations of the Nurse (HCS/TxHmL)" on Nov.29th, you may contact Meghan Jones at meghanjonestx@gmail.com to purchase the previously recorded session.
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New Provider (HCS/TxHML) Training: “I Got My Contract, Now What Do I Do?” Part I @ Webinar
Dec 8 @ 9:30 am – 11:30 am
New Provider (HCS/TxHML) Training: “I Got My Contract, Now What Do I Do?” Part I
Date: Dec. 8th, 2021 (Part II is on Dec. 14th, 2021)
Time: 9:30am – 11:30am
Cost: $75
For: Owners, Program Managers, Case Managers/Care Coordinators, Nursing Staff, Quality Assurance Staff
Presenter: Julie Blacklock/IDD Waiver Consultant
You will receive a confirmation email and handout as well as a link to register with “Gotowebinar” to attend the session, once we receive payment. Please click on your registration link right away to receive reminders for the session!
Topics:
-Resources at HHSC (Health & Human Services Commission)
– What Is HCS? What is TxHmL?
For More info, Click HERE
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Webinar “Expectations of The Nurse In The HCS/TxHmL Programs” Part II @ Webinar
Dec 9 @ 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
“ Expectations of the Nurse In The HCS/TxHmL Program” Part II
Updated Version: Including Some of The New Guidance from LTCR Surveyors
Part I is on November 29th, 2021
Date: December 9th, 2021
Time: 10:00 AM-12:30 PM
Cost: $60 per person
Presenter: Julie Blacklock/IDD Waiver Consultant
:For: Nurses, Medical Appt. Scheduler’s, Program Administrators, Program Directors, & other Medical Staff Applicable Programs: HCS & TXHmL
Topics:
-RN Delegation (Part II)
-Review of the RN Nursing Assessment (RN Comprehensive Nursing Assessment/CNA),
-Nursing Service Plans, Justification for Nursing Services,
For More Info, Click HERE
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New Provider (HCS/TxHML) Training: “I Got My Contract, Now What Do I Do?” Part II @ Webinar
Dec 14 @ 9:30 am – 11:30 am
New Provider (HCS/TxHML) Training: “I Got My Contract, Now What Do I Do?” Part II
Date: Dec. 14th, 2021 (Part I is on Dec. 8th, 2021)
Time: 9:30 am-11:30am
Cost: $75/person
For: Owners, Program Managers, Case Managers/Care Coordinators, Nursing Staff, Quality Assurance Staff
Presenter: Julie Blacklock/IDD Waiver Consultant
You will receive a confirmation email and handout as well as a link to register with “Gotowebinar” to attend the session, once we receive payment. Please click on your registration link right away to receive reminders for the session!
Topics:
-Setting Up SSI
-Monitoring Medicaid Eligibility & Problems That May Arise,
For More Info, Click HERE
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“Nursing Documentation & Billable Services” (HCS/TxHmL) @ Webinar
Jan 10 @ 9:30 am – 12:00 pm
“Nursing Documentation & Billable Services”
(HCS/TxHmL)
(Short Version 2.5 hrs)
Date: January 10th, 2021
Time: 9:30 AM-12:00 PM
Cost: $55 per person
Presenter: Julie Blacklock/IDD Waiver Consultant & Guest RN
: For: Nurses, Medical Appt. Scheduler’s, Program Administrators, Program Directors, & other Medical Staff Applicable Programs: HCS & TXHmL
Topics:
-Billing Definitions
-Billable Units in the CARE system
-Tracking My Billable Nursing Units (Utilization Monitoring: Do I have enough? Do I have too much?)
-What’s Billable
-What’s Not Billable
-What Do I Document? (Health Status Changes, F/U to medical appts., incidents, hospitalizations, illnesses, med. errors, behavioral events, etc…)
**What Are Surveyors looking For vs. What Are Billing Auditors Looking For?
-Sample Narratives or Nursing Service Delivery Logs
You will also receive a variety of Sample Forms you may need to utilize for Nursing/Medical in your program. Whether you are a brand new nurse, a seasoned HCS nurse, a Program Director, etc… there is something for everyone who attends! *All attendees will receive a manual with handouts, recommended forms, and resources.
For More Info, Click HERE
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Julie's Updates
(As seen on the Updates tab on twogetherconsulting.com)
https://twogetherconsulting.com/updates/
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Dec 1, 2021
Dec. 1st, 2021 Judge Doughty, U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana, blocked enforcement of the CMS Interim Final Rule (which among other LTC programs, applies to ICFs/IID) regarding the vaccine mandate nationwide. Below are links to several articles regarding the ruling. Important Information: Links #1 and #3 provide access to the 32 page court ruling. Link #2 is an article about some Texas legislators calling for a 4th Special Session to enact legislation to ban the COVID-19...
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Nov 30, 2021
November 30th, 2021 All IDD providers are required to complete the surveys (beginning with the initial survey, followed by the ongoing surveys) regardless of whether the provider received federal COVID-19 Provider Relief Funds (PRF). The survey was updated November 9, 2021. As the result, providers which were in compliance with the requirement prior to November 9th need to resubmit their surveys using the updated survey. This includes the 'initial' survey and the 'ongoing' surveys covering...
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Nov 30, 2021
November 30th, 2021 Please see the message below for clinics scheduled for this week and all other clinics scheduled through December 14, 2021. The message includes the links to the schedule (dates, times and locations) and registration/sign-up. The message also provides the Tarrytown email address in the event you have questions. Message from Tarrytown Expocare Pharmacy Please remember that if people did not sign-up in time for the clinics this week, they can just show-up on-site and we'll...
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Nov 30, 2021
Please go to www.twogetherconsulting.com for more information and registration. Click on "the calendar" of the Webinar you want to attend. ********We also have pre-recorded webinars you can purchase for use at your facility. Please contact Meghan Jones at: meghanjones.tx@gmail.com for more information, registration, and payment. November 2021 Expectations of The Nurse in HCS/TxHmL- Part I (Updated Version) HCS New Provider Training: Now I Got My Contract, What Do I Do-Part I ...
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Nov 30, 2021
November 4th, 2021 HCS and TxHmL Annual Vendor Submission Timeframe The timeframe to submit for annual vendor approval is Nov.1, 2021 through Jan. 31, 2022. Required documentation for annual vendor requests are in the HCS and TxHmL Billing Guidelines, Section 6160(b)(2), Approval of Annual Vendor. Email packet submissions to Billing and Payment with the subject line: Annual Vendor Approval. Submissions sent to any other email addresses may not be received. If you are unable to meet the...
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Nov 24, 2021
The HHS Learning Portal Please bookmark the new location or click here and save to “Favorites” The new web address for the HHS Learning Portal is: https://learningportal.hhs.texas.gov New & Current HCS/TxHmL Providers, Please Take These Trainings The e-learning portal. This is where Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation Training ( the ANE training) for you and your staff is. All staff at the facility should take this at least initially and maybe every 1-2 years ANE E-Learning page ***You may need...
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Nov 23, 2021
November 23rd, 2021 While most of the suspensions related to COVID-19 have ended, the following HCS suspensions are still in place. HHSC will still allow an HCS four-person residence to add up to two additional individuals temporarily if the residence has the space to accommodate them and has been approved as a four-person residence by HHSC. (Rule: 40 TAC §9.153(39)(B)) Suspension of the requirement for HCS providers to ensure at least one complete staff shift change per day for individuals...
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Nov 23, 2021
November 23rd, 2021 Very Important !!!! HCS & TxHmL Providers: Migration of CARE to TMHP "Beginning March 1, 2022, Home and Community-based Services (HCS) and Texas Home Living (TxHmL) program providers, local intellectual developmental disability authority (LIDDA) agencies, and financial management services agencies (FMSAs) billing on behalf of consumer-directed services (CDS) employers will submit claims and forms to the Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership (TMHP). It’s...
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Nov 22, 2021
November 10, 2021, HCS, TxHmL, CLASS, DBMD Webinar Recording Available Last updated on 11/22/2021 A recording of the November 10, 2021, Home and Community-based Services (HCS), Texas Home Living (TxHmL), Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS), and Deaf-blind Multiple Disabilities (DBMD) Webinar with Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Long-term Services and Supports is available for those who could not attend. Read the HCS, TxHmL, CLASS, and DBMD Webinar (PDF)....
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Nov 22, 2021
Our free webinar session recordings previously recorded are currently posted on our "Gotostage" page. https://www.gotostage.com/channel/3b0bd3b1a47c4e80be974f4bcfa54d7b Free Webinars!! January 2021 Free Webinars Coming Soon Previous Free Webinars in Oct. and Nov. 2020 See Links to recorded sessions below Guest presenters: Erin Langlais & Mitchell Deter From: ADP Payroll & HR Services “As more people continue to return to the workplace, ADP is excited to share...
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Nov 21, 2021
As some of you may know, Twogether Consulting does not work for Taskmaster Pro, but we do have quite a bit of experience with their software and I love the benefits of this "cloud-based" program. In the past, I have also used the software for my own HCS program as we had HCS contracts in over 32 counties. Electronic Records were a must for us with that many counties to keep track of and service providers to monitor! No matter who you choose to provide those services. I do, however, highly...
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Nov 21, 2021
November 21st, 2021 HHSC Publishes In-Home Day Habilitation Information Revision/Update for Program Providers for COVID-19 (IL 2021-53) Texas HHSC is temporarily waiving certain requirements in Section 3710, 4381.3, 4381.7(6) and 4381.7(7) of the Home and Community-based Services Billing Guidelines and the Texas Home Living Billing Guidelines. This is due to COVID-19 and to provide access to needed day habilitation services. HHSC has published a revision to this guidance in IL 2021-53 , which...
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Nov 21, 2021
November 21st, 2021 COVID-19 Update to Temporary Change for Service Providers of Respite and CFC PAS/HAB HHSC has lifted the ban on service providers of respite and CFC PAS/HAB from living in the same home as the person receiving Home and Community-based Services and Texas Home Living program services. This gives access to needed services for people living in their own or family’s home. A person’s spouse or a minor child’s parent still cannot be a paid service provider of these services due to...
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Nov 21, 2021
November 21st, 2021 EVV Portal and Training Updates for November 2021 Texas Medicaid and Healthcare Partnership made improvements to the EVV Portal and related training materials on Nov. 11. For more information, access the November 2021 EVV Portal and Training Updates article on TMHP’s EVV webpage. FYI- When you click on the link above for updates from HHSC, please be sure to scroll to the bottom and click on "accept" as this is a disclaimer page. You must do this 1st. I have received some...
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Nov 20, 2021
November 21st, 2021 HHSC Publishes PL 2021-38 Medicaid Bed Reallocation HHSC published Provider Letter 2021-38 Medicaid Bed Reallocation which explains the process to request reallocated ICF/IID Medicaid beds from HHSC. This letter replaces Provider Letter 2019-21. November 4th, 2021 Updated ICF/IID COVID-19 FAQ and COVID-19 Response Plan Revised HHSC has revised the Frequently Asked Questions for ICF/IIDs about COVID-19 (PDF) and the ICF/IID COVID-19 Response Plan (PDF) in response to the...
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Nov 20, 2021
Get Your Promotions for Becoming A New ADP Clients: - 1st 3 months free - Other Discounts Available! November 21st, 2021 Twogether Consulting strives to find a variety of good resources for our IDD providers and hope that ADP may be able to help some of you out there with Payroll and HR needs. Our newest contact from ADP is, Rachel Sawyer. She is the Major Accounts District Manager for Austin, Texas area, but can help you wherever you are located. She can assist our HCS/TxHmL/and...
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We are pleased to announce Yusaf Sterling as the newest contact at ADP here to provide assistance for the specific needs of IDD Providers (HCS,TxHmL, ICF, etc...)
Don't forget to mention us (Twogether Consulting) if you are interested in receiving services from ADP Payroll & HR Services, as there are discounts available!
For instance, Initial 2-3 months free!
ADP has also provided Twogether Consulting and our clients some new information that many of you may be interested in hearing about, regarding the
Summary of the Executive Order from President Biden and what it means to employers.
Below is the ADP link that discusses how they are helping companies track all of what they are expected to put in place, based on the new vaccine mandate
https://mediacenter.adp.com/2021-09-13-ADP-Bolsters-Return-to-Workplace-Mobile-Solution-with-COVID-19-Test-Result-Tracking
Here is the link to PDF Handout as well: ADP's Informational Handout About the Vaccine Mandate From President Biden.
For more information contact
Yusuf Sterling/ Assistant Regional Director-Central Texas at: 919-308-7521
or
Katie DeMayo/Comprehensive Services Consultant-Central Texas at: 724-205-4716
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UNIQUE CHALLENGES ENSURING MEDICATION COMPLIANCE IN THE I/DD SETTING
For people with I/DD, taking medications as prescribed is essential to managing chronic conditions, minimizing adverse effects, and improving their overall health. Many often have a tough time with medication adherence whether it is one prescription or more, which is most often the case. In fact, 80% of individuals with I/DD are prescribed five or more medications; more than 60% have 10 or more1. Juggling numerous medications can be problematic for these individuals, many of whom have trouble performing even the basic activities of daily living and face cognitive, physical, and communication challenges. While the residents rely on direct support professionals, nurses, medication technicians and other employees for medication help, staff who serve them often face challenges ensuring compliance on a daily basis. This complication, coupled with the fact that residents have varying levels of functionality and medication needs, adds to the complexity, stress and demands of the job. These are just a few factors that have created a staff retention problem. Additional key challenges include:
• Staff Training: Constant turnover can hinder an organization’s ability to properly train staff. While every ICF and supported living provider understands that well-educated staff members make fewer mistakes, most cannot afford to offer training to new employees on an ongoing basis. If the organization is not engaged with an LTC pharmacy that provides this training, they often have to outsource it, which can be expensive.
• Poor Pharmacy Support & Communication: I/DD organizations have unique needs that should involve constant interaction and industry expertise from a pharmacy partner. This level of commitment requires 24/7 pharmacy support and communication. Without it, members of the I/DD staff can be left in situations where they feel overwhelmed and uncertain of the right decision. Sadly, too many organizations experience insufficient assistance from their pharmacy, with some not knowing the appropriate pharmacy contact for every situation, including the best person to answer daily questions and provide after-hours and emergency services.
• Lack of Access to Newer Technologies: Technology can play a tremendous role in the accuracy and efficiency of medication management, but with so many program options in the market, organizations may have a hard time researching and understanding which systems are best to meet their immediate and future needs. Additionally, many are still using paper MARs, increasing the workload of the organization’s staff and the risk of human transcription error.
CHOOSE A PHARMACY WITH EXPERIENCE & COMPASSION
If you work with a pharmacy that specializes in medication compliance, you can minimize medication errors and billing complaints, leading to greater individual and staff happiness. Selecting the LTC pharmacy partner that shares the same level of enthusiasm and empathy you have for the residents you serve is equally as important. Build a relationship with a pharmacy that views meeting the needs of individuals with I/DD the same way you do – as a privilege and source of pride.
With Guardian Pharmacy Texas, you get the best of both worlds – Experience and Compassion.
If you have any questions, please see contact information below.
Contact Kevin Kirkpatrick
Office: 817-633-6688 | Cell: 972-742-3003
email: Kevin.kirkpatrick@guardianpharmacy.net
Guardian Pharmacy Texas
**If you sign up for services with Guardian and mention "Twogether Consulting" to Kevin Kirkpatrick, you could receive up to 6 months of "paper" MARS (Medication Administration Review Sheets) for FREE!
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