WALA News for June 7, 2006
- Nursing Home Diversion Slots Filling Up
- Managed Care Is Coming-What Do You Need To Know?
- New DHFS Hotline Established For Public Health Disasters
- Variance Granted For New TB Test
1. Nursing Home Diversion Slots Filling Up
IDHFS has already begun implementation of the Nursing Home Diversion Program approved by the Governor and Legislature in April. A memo was distributed at the May 16 Assisted Living Forum describing the status of the program. It outlines the criteria by which individuals are screened and lists the constraints on the program. Particularly, it states that a total of 150 slots are available statewide and the maximum per diem reimbursement is $85. Interested providers should contact their county's human services department ASAP; 20 slots had been filled at the time of the Forum. The full text of this memo can be viewed on the WALA website.
2. Managed Care Is Coming-What Do You Need To Know?
WALA is preparing a seminar this fall on the expansion of Family Care. We want
to include the latest, most relevant information, and we need your
help to put it together. What do you need to know about the future
of managed care in Wisconsin? There are some major changes coming,
and every provider needs to be prepared and informed.
Help us put together the best seminar we can for you! Please contact Jim Murphy
at jmurphy@ewala.org or 608/288-0246 with your questions and comments.
3. New DHFS Hotline Established For Public Health Disasters
A 24-hour hotline has been established for providers to report public health emergencies. DHFS has trained staff on call if providers are faced with natural disasters, chemical or radiological incidents, communicable diseases or local human services crises. Additionally, fires resulting in serious injury or death must be reported to the hotline. The number is 608/258-0099; callers should identify themselves and have as much information as possible on the incident they are reported. More information is in BQA memo 06-008.
4. Variance Granted For New TB Test
The current HFS 83 requires that CBRFs administering a tuberculosis screening use the Mantoux 5TU PPD test. On May 2 the FDA approved another test, QuantiFERON-TB GOLD. Based on this approval, BQA is granting a statewide variance for providers to use the new test if they choose. Details on the new test can be found in BQA memo 06-009.
