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Twogether Newsletter
Issue 3.1.23

New Lego Sets Feature Characters With
A Range Of Disabilities

Lego is offering up a host of new characters with disabilities as part of a broader push for more diversity within its toy lineup.

The characters include those with Down syndrome, limb differences, anxiety, vitiligo and a dog with a wheelchair. They are part of Lego Friends — a collection of more detailed and realistic looking Lego characters — which has been reimagined to feature more diversity, with multiple skin tones, cultures, physical and non-visible disabilities and neurodiversity.

“At the Lego Group, we understand that children want the characters they encounter to be more like the diverse personalities they meet in real-life,” said Tracie Chiarella, head of product for Lego Friends at the Lego Group. “We’re continuously evolving our products so that they’re reflective of society today and that’s why we’re proud to launch this brand-new generation of Lego Friends.” Read More...
A Note From Julie
Please contact us directly for your care coordination, QIDP, and nursing needs at info@twogetherconsulting.com or you may contact our assistant Meghan Jones at meghanjones.tx@gmail.com.  We are happy to provide whatever assistance we can with questions you may have, especially concerning HCS/TxHmL Care Coordination, IT and security, Nursing, or general survey requirements from LTCR department in these programs.  We also still provide assistance with the ICF/IID program and expect to have some webinars in the near future for ICF including nursing.  
We continue to provide requested on-site live training at this time and we will resume regular live training after March of 2023.
Twogether Webinars

  Common Nursing Violations: Prevention & Correction (ICF/IID)

 

Date:  March 16, 2023

Time: 10:00 AM- 12:00 PM

Cost: $55/person

Presenters:   Stephanie Figueroa/RN Consultant For IDD Waiver Services AND Julie Blacklock/ IDD Waiver Consultant 

For: Administrators, RN’s, Quality Assurance Staff

This is an especially good training session for new nurses or a great refresher for nurses currently in the program. It is also a great way for persons doing QA in the program to learn what to look out for, especially concerning tags leading to immediate jeopardy.  We will also be providing some quality assurance tools and ideas for some nursing forms and checklists the facility might like to utilize if they don’t currently have certain nursing forms or tools in place for the issues we discuss during the webinar. We will be providing some guidance to the RN  about different violations (W-tags) and how to prevent tags, prevent critical violations leading to Immediate jeopardy as well as plans of correction.


Topics:

– Surveyor’s Operational Manual (Review of Specific Nursing Sections from Appendix J & Q)

Examples of Some of the Most Current & Common Violations Related To Nursing

Prevention Ideas & Discussion

-(POC’s) Plan of Correction Ideas & Discussion

-Important Policies, Procedures, Standards of Practice & Training To Develop & Implement (samples)

-Tips & QA Tools  From Twogether Consulting

 


Registration:

To complete registration and for any additional information or to arrange
payment by check you must contact:

Meghan Jones at: meghanjones.tx@gmail.com 

Mailing address for checks:  Twogether Consulting  P.O. Box 90426 Austin, TX 78709

  New Provider (HCS/TxHML) Training: “I Got My Contract, Now What Do I Do?” Part I 

 

Date:  April 3, 2023

Time: 2:00 PM-4:00 PM

Cost: $75/person

Presenters:  Julie Blacklock/ IDD Waiver Consultant 

For: Owners, Program Managers, Case Managers/ Care Coordinators, Nursing Staff Quality Assurance Staff 

(Part II is on April 7th, 2023)


 


Topics:
-Resources at HHSC (Health & Human Services Commission)
– What Is HCS?  What is TxHmL?
Marketing for Consumers
-Basic Start-Up Process Packet-How To Set Up Consumer Charts (Paper or Electronic).
– Interacting with the Local IDD Authority (LIDDA)
-Consumer Admissions:  LIDDA Vs. The Provider (Enrollments & Transfers)
LIDDA Vs. Provider: Temporary Discharge (Suspension), Permanent Discharge (Termination)

 

 


Registration:

To complete registration and for any additional information or to arrange
payment by check you must contact:

Meghan Jones at: meghanjones.tx@gmail.com 

Mailing address for checks:  Twogether Consulting  P.O. Box 90426 Austin, TX 78709

  New Provider (HCS/TxHML) Training: “I Got My Contract, Now What Do I Do?” Part I 

 

Date:  April 7, 2023

Time: 2:00 PM-4:00 PM

Cost: $75/person

Presenters:  Julie Blacklock/ IDD Waiver Consultant 

For: Owners, Program Managers, Case Managers/ Care Coordinators, Nursing Staff Quality Assurance Staff 

(Part I from April 3rd, 2023 will be available as a recording to purchase, if you miss the live session)


 


Topics:
-Setting Up SSI
–Monitoring Medicaid Eligibility & Problems That May Arise,
-Intro To Billing Requirements
-Putting Service Delivery Logs/Notes in place,
–Contracting Services On The IPC, and
– Billing/Reimbursement Process:  Some Discussion of TMHP System (Resources, FAQ’s, Required Policy, Contacts & Billing Options, etc.. )

 


Registration:

To complete registration and for any additional information or to arrange
payment by check you must contact:

Meghan Jones at: meghanjones.tx@gmail.com 

Mailing address for checks:  Twogether Consulting  P.O. Box 90426 Austin, TX 78709

Twogether Updates

February 27th, 2023 Letter IL 2023-09 discusses that Sections 263.502 and 263.503 (a)(1)(A) and (b) through (m) of the new Chapter 263 CMS rules do not apply to HH/CC providers in which the HH/CC provider is an immediate family member of the person receiving HH services.  See page 1, 2nd paragraph of the IL for the definition of an immediate family member.  Sections 263.502 and 23.503 (a)(1)(A) and (b) through (m) will however, apply if a HH/CC provider does not meet the definition of an...read more

February 23rd, 2023 Check Out This Info From Milling Billing Pro. See the following Vimeo Videos.  If you need billing software or billing services for TMHP and EVV this may be a great option for Texas HCS & TxHmL providers.  They are also ready for the change over to ISS (Individualized Socialization Skills) when March 1st, 2023 comes around.  To request a demo from Millin Billing please go to  Request A Demo Remember to tell them how you heard about Millin Billing Pro (Twogether...read more

February 25th, 2023 Please click on links below to find the referenced rules which were published as adopted on February 24th, 2023, with an effective date of March 1, 2023. HCS Rules TxHmL Rules Please be aware of the following: Only the rule provisions to which changes were made are included in the links above.  I believe HHSC will post the complete set soon. You are urged to read the preamble to the rules, in particular HHSC's responses to comments received from stakeholders, before reading...read more

February 22nd, 2023 I know providers have really been concerned about the period of time between March 1st and May 11th while the PHE has been extended, as to whether or not this will include ISS services for In-Home ISS. HHSC stated it would release a notice soon stating that beginning March 1, 2023 in-home ISS can be done without the justification (medical or behavioral justification or anyone 55 years of age and older should they request such) for such that will be required in the rules,...read more

February 22nd, 2023  In-Home ISS in HH/CC Settings:  If persons receiving HH/CC services receive in-home ISS only, the provider does not have to be licensed.  If the person receiving HH/CC services engages in community activities (known as off-site ISS), then the provider of the off-site ISS must be a licensed ISS provider.  Note:  EVV is NOT required for in-home DH or in-home ISS in a HH Setting - EVV is only required in own home/family home settings.  Also, the requirement for EVV matching...read more

February 21st, 2023 Update on Who Qualifies To Assess The Need For A Modification According to HHSC (and the proposed rules that will now be under Chapter 263) modifications to the door lock requirement must be based on a documented, assessed need and brought to the SPT for review and documentation in one's PDP As to whom determines the assessed need, HHSC stated at recent training sessions in Lake Jackson and Austin I believe, that a licensed professional, defining such as a doctor, RN,...read more

February 21st, 2023 More ISS Training In addition to the training sessions occurring in various locations across the state, HHSC will conduct a training on ISS in Austin on April 3, 2023. Registration information should be posted on or before March 13th, 2023.  Very Important:  Surveys of ISS Providers With Temporary Licenses In case this information was overlooked by new ISS providers: Once HHSC issues a temporary license, HHSC may conduct a survey at any time. HHSC may conduct a survey of...read more

February 21st, 2023 Service Delivery Logs Finally Available for Individualized Socialization Skills Services Form 8616 - In-Home ISS:  https://www.hhs.texas.gov/regulations/forms/8000-8999/form-8616-home-individualized-skills-socialization-service-delivery-log Form 8615 - On & Off-Site ISS:  https://www.hhs.texas.gov/regulations/forms/8000-8999/form-8615-site-site-individualized-skills-socialization-service-delivery-log **Please Note:  In viewing please know that the logs only include...read more

 

See All Updates Here
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Watch this video to learn more about our billing software!

     
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Watch this video to learn more about our billing services!

Announcements: What is Millin up to?

We are Prepared for the ISS Transition

Our staff has worked hard to prepare MillinPro for Day Hab's transition to Individualized Skills and Socialization, (ISS). Your system is fully configured to adapt to this change when the new services go live on March 1st. 

     

Free Webinar for PACSTX Members

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Millin will be hosting a webinar of the MillinPro system for PACSTX members on Wednesday, February 8th at 11:00 AM. The webinar will focus on the Texas I/DD services that currently bill through TMHP, and best practices for helping to manage the entire billing workflow.

If you are a PACSTX member and interested in attending this webinar, contact Stephanie Bulak using the address below: sbulak@eami.com  

     

We Provide General Ledger Integration Services!

Did you know that MillinPro can integrate with your GL system? This process can benefit your agency by decreasing manual work and reducing human error. 

Here are the 5 most popular GL integration systems used by Millin clients:

Fund EZ

GreatPlains

Sage Intacct

GP-Dynamics 365

AccPac

If your agency is ready to integrate, or if you are interested in learning more about our GL services, contact our GL Data Analyst, Steven Marcus at smarcus@millinmedical.com or our Executive Director of Operations, Jim Wisz at jwisz@millinmedical.com

MillinPro Solutions:  Tips from the Team!

Sort Your Eligibility Issue Searches With the Exception Filter  

MillinPro supports a new sorting feature allowing users to search their Eligibility Issues by specific issue type. 

To view this feature, navigate first to the Eligibility Tab, then to the Eligibility Issues Sub-tab. Here, you will find a filter labeled "Exception Filter." Select the drop down menu to view the filtering option.

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The sorting options include:

Inactive

DOB/Gender Mismatch

Any Policy Mismatch

No Matching Crosswalk

     

Request A Demo With Millin Staff

Request a demonstration of the system & services Millin has to offer by clicking the button below. 

Request A Demo
Tell them you heard about them from Twogether Consulting,
and you can get up to 25% discount on your initial implementation fees!
TMP-logo new 4-2022

TMP CEO Provides ISS Update

Hello,

As many of you know, Taskmaster Pro is headquartered in Abilene, Texas. Our leadership and team take great pride and care in the Texas IDD community, working to lobby for better standards, care, and to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to policy updates throughout our home state. 

That being the case, we have been working behind the scenes for quite some time to prepare for the upcoming changes to ISS in Texas and would like to provide our clients with an update on our progress.

For context, HHSC published its new billing guidelines on January 1st, 2023 (effective Jan 1st, 2023). Additionally, the new billing form was released on February 13th, 2023. 

While TMP acknowledges the critical importance of this update, we are also aware that this timeline has placed providers and vendors in a catch-up position.

In keeping with our ‘Yellow Brick Road’ ethos, we have taken the time to develop proper workflows and functionality that will be needed to truly manage the ISS operational complexity in a fluid environment. 

We are proud of how quickly these tools are being developed and they will play an essential role in program management on a daily basis. 

As we work towards the release of this update, we will provide relevant updates when available and welcome any questions you may have for our team.

Blessings, 

Gary West

CEO - Taskmaster Pro

     
Share Your Question
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TaskMaster Pro, 1926 East Lowden, Abilene, TX 79601, United States, P. 877.495.3014

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Three Tax Break Tips for Caregivers  
  If you’ve ever had to care for a sick, elderly or disabled person, you know it can be difficult financially as well as emotionally. A recent study found that many caregivers are forced to make financial sacrifices, including delaying retirement, in order to help their loved ones.
Luckily, there are three key federal income tax breaks available to help lighten the financial burden on caregivers. Here are some tips to help take advantage of them:
Tip #1: Use the “family” credit
This is a $500 tax credit that you can claim for each dependent other than children under age 17. This credit is generally for relatives and others who are members of your household and for whom you provide more than half of their support. The credit begins to phase out at $400,000 for married joint filers and $200,000 for individual filers.
Tip #2: Use the medical expense deduction
Caregiving often comes with medical expenses. The good news is that you can claim a deduction for the medical expenses you pay for your dependents.
The threshold for claiming the medical expense deduction is 7.5 percent for the 2022 and 2023 tax years, meaning that you can deduct any medical expenses higher than 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income.
Bonus tip: You can still claim the deduction for medical expenses for a relative even if that person wouldn’t otherwise be classified as a dependent (such as when they don’t live in your household), as long as you provide more than 50 percent of their support. In the case where multiple people together provide more than 50 percent of the support for a relative, you can collectively decide who gets to take the deduction as part of a multiple support agreement. This is useful when, for example, siblings share the cost of caring for elderly parents.
Tip #3: Use the Child and Dependent Care Credit
If you are working while acting as a caregiver for a dependent, you may be able to use the Child and Dependent Care Credit to offset part of the cost of their care. The dependent must be physically or mentally incapable of caring for themselves and live in the same home as you for more than half the year. Depending on your income, the credit can be applied against 20% to 35% of qualified expenses, up to a total maximum credit of between $600 and $1,050 for one dependent.
Bonus tip: Both you and your spouse must be working during the year to claim this credit. If your employer provided any dependent support as part of a benefits package, the amount of the credit is reduced by that amount.
If you have any questions about the tax benefits available to you, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
 
Support & Empowerment Program for Adults with IDD
We serve all of Texas for this program, not just Bexar County!
 
”Join us for our Support & Empowerment Program for adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities and their caregivers. We provide free classes online and in-person (in-person classes currently on hold due to COVID-19) to the individuals we serve with IDD and their caregivers throughout the state of Texas! These classes focus on health, finances, stress, nutrition, and physical fitness. We encompass these topics to guide our individuals and caregivers to plan ahead and encourage them to develop healthier practices in their day-to-day lives.

Our goal is to provide assistance to aging individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities that are/aren’t involved with AACOG and establish community ties to develop a sense of belonging to the community in order to age in place. We assist participants up to one year after taking the classes in navigating the broad range of community resources we have collected through various agencies. Our aim is that with this program and the results from our follow-up visits, we will establish the necessity of programs like this to be provided to individuals with developmental disabilities and their caregivers to improve their overall health and quality of life.

This is a great program we recommend for staff, caregivers, and persons with an intellectual/developmental disability. We offer classes in the morning and evening during the week and morning classes during the weekend. Translation services are available upon request. During the course, we are also able to provide tablets through our tablet loan program.”  For more information please contact me (Diana Chavarria) at AACOG
Diana Chavarria
Health & Wellness Coordinator
Alamo Area Council of Governments
2700 NE Loop 410, Suite 101
San Antonio, TX 78217
Cell: (210) 334-7023
www.aacog.com
If you want to know more about the program or receiving services for their individuals, Diana will be a guest presenter in January at our Free Provider Resource Webinar Series in Jan. 2023

Health Outcome Solutions for Data-Driven Care

Schedule slotTherap | Person-Centered. Data-Driven.

Track Health Outcomes Individually and Aggregately at your organization.

Get Started

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© Therap Services 2003 - 2022. All Rights Reserved.

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advertisers for the newsletters!

 
Please contact Meghan for more information!
meghanjones.tx@gmail.com
Upcoming Conferences 
April 24, 2023 - April 26, 2023
CONFERENCE

2023 ANCOR Annual Conference

As we write the next chapter of our community's story, it's time to reach higher, dream bigger and be bolder. This year's conference theme, Possibility Unleashed, challenges us to embrace the creativity generated through intentional innovation.

UPCOMING EVENTS
February 22, 2023
WEBINAR
Image of two paper hearts behind text that reads Relationships Matter: Lifelong Relationship Supports for People with Disabilities.
Relationships Matter: Providing Lifelong Relationship Supports for People with Disabilities
Click Here to see More!
Helpful Resources
.

CDD's (Texas Council of Developmental Disabilities)  list of current Bills being filed related to IDD and Mental Health issues that they posted in their recent E-letter
Bill Filing Continues
Lawmakers have filed over 3,600 bills to consider in the coming months. Here are some recently filed proposals related to disability issues:
  • House Bill (HB) 2037 by Rep. Ann Johnson, relating to proceedings in juvenile court for children with mental health conditions and intellectual disabilities
  • HB 2125 by Rep. John Bucy III, relating to a required training course for people serving as special education representatives and hearing officers at impartial due process hearings or as facilitators for individualized education programs
  • HB 2187 by Rep. Yvonne Davis, relating to the criminal offense of abandoning or endangering a child, an older adult, or a person with a disability
  • HB 2234 by Rep. Senfronia Thompson, relating to policies and procedures for the placement and use of video cameras in classrooms, including classrooms that provide special education services
  • HB 2283 by Rep. Armando “Mando” Martinez, relating to vehicle registration notifications for peace officers when vehicle owners may be transporting people with disabilities
  • HB 2301 by Rep. Shawn Thierry, relating to emergency generators or other power sources for nursing facilities and assisted living facilities
  • HB 2379 by Rep. Terry Meza, relating to the ability of voters with disabilities to cast secret ballots
  • SB 725 by Sen. Judith Zaffirini, relating to procedures for identifying defendants suspected of having a mental health condition or intellectual disability
  • SB 728 by Sen. Joan Huffman, relating to the reporting of mental health and intellectual disability information with respect to children for purposes of a federal firearm background check
  • SB 774 by Sen. Tan Parker, relating to the provision of services by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to offenders with intellectual or developmental disabilities
  • SB 776 by Sen. Judith Zaffirini, relating to the required period of retention of video surveillance recordings of special education settings
  • SB 891 by Sen. Judith Zaffirini, relating to excused absences from public school for a student's mental or behavioral health
  • SB 904 by Sen. Drew Springer, relating to requirements for accessible parking spaces
  • SB 944 by Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, relating to commitment orders for people with intellectual disabilities in state-supported living centers
Texas Workforce Commission Digital Updates

Blind Premium for Employment Services
Course Registration

Texas Workforce Commission sent this bulletin at 01/30/2023 04:06 PM CST
 

The Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Division (TWC-VR) will open course registration for the UNT WISE Blind Premium Endorsement on Jan. 30, 2023.

Visit the VR Providers’ Resources webpage for more information.

For questions about this announcement, email untwise@unt.edu or vr.standards@twc.texas.gov.

Advocacy Opportunities & Resources
Welcome to our Advocacy Opportunities & Resources email detailing updates from the Texas Legislature as well as available opportunities and resources of interest to disability rights advocates.
 

Legislative Updates

More than 3,000 bills have been introduced in the 88th Legislature thus far. Given the legislature’s limited time and resources, only a select few legislators will determine which bills are worthy of pursuing. For any given piece of legislation, these select few are the members of a relevant committee.
 
There are 15 permanent standing committees in the Senate and 34 in the House. A typical senator will serve on five or six senate committees and a typical house member will serve on two or more house committees. The select few chosen by the chamber’s presiding officer will serve as chair of a committee.
 
The members of a given committee will determine whether a particular piece of legislation pertaining to their committee’s subject matter jurisdiction dies or advances. Committee chairs have essentially unilateral authority over which bills are considered in their committee and which bills receive a vote in their committee.
Airline Passengers with Disabilities BILL OF RIGHTS
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Twogether Consulting
512-294-8032
P.O. Box 90426 Austin, TX 78709
meghanjones.tx@gmail.com
https://twogetherconsulting.com/

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