Did you know you can use iDocsWeb telemedicine to meet your additional staffing requirements?

QIPP Texas Telemedicine usage requirements are included in the quality metrics. HHSC has outlined the following requirements for how a NF meets these metrics. Please note number 3’s outline of using telemedicine / telehealth services to meet QIPP’s staffing requirements:

1. Hours above the federally mandated eight hours of in-person RN coverage must be scheduled non-concurrently with mandated hours.

2. NFs must provide in total 12 or 16 hours of RN coverage, respectively, on at least 90 percent of the days within the reporting period.

3. NFs may use telemedicine / telehealth services for scheduling hours beyond the eight-hour in-person mandate.

QIPP component two further outlines the requirements when using telemedicine or telehealth to meet the updated staffing requirements:

QIPP Texas Component Two – Workforce Development Portal Instructions:

Data will be collected monthly through a Web portal developed by HHSC. Facilities will have three business days into the following month to complete their submission for the reporting period (the previous calendar month). 

Facilities must attest to the number of days the additional RN staffing hours were met and how services were rendered (in-person or via telehealth). For telemedicine / telehealth services, facilities must report total hours covered and any encounters that do not meet an in-person level of care.

Telehealth services will be considered unavailable during any encounter that does not meet the in-person level of care. Any hours wherein telehealth services are unavailable for any reason will not count towards RN metric hours whether or not services were requested during that time. 

Good news, iDocsWeb telemedicine was designed specifically for Long Term Care / Skilled Nursing Facilities. Our platform meets and exceeds the QIPP Texas Telemedicine qualifying requirements!

QIPP Texas Telemedicine / Telehealth Services Qualifying Requirements:

This section will outline requirements regarding the appropriate use of telehealth services in meeting the first two quality metrics for Component Two:

For purposes of the QIPP, when health care services are delivered by a provider to a resident at a different physical location than the provider using telecommunications or information technology, such services are considered to be telehealth services. In accordance with 1 TAC Chapter 353, Subchapter O, §353.1304(g)(2), telehealth services may be provided only by an RN, APRN, NP, PA, or physician. 

To be considered appropriate and sufficient, telehealth services must be provided in compliance with all standards established by the respective licensing or certifying board of the provider. The requirements for telehealth services in acute care settings do not apply to the use of telehealth services in the QIPP context. 

The provider must obtain informed consent to treat from the resident, resident’s parent, or the resident’s legal guardian prior to rendering services via telehealth. Healthcare providers at the resident’s physical location cannot give consent on behalf of the resident. 

iDocsWeb meets the requirements:

iDocsWeb Telemedicine allows NF’s to meet the QIPP Texas Telemedicine requirements which means you can use remote assistance to achieve your QIPP requirements. That equates to less money spent and more money collected!

Still have questions? Don’t worry, we’re here to help. Contact our QIPP Expert to learn more about using telemedicine to achieve your QIPP goals!

View QIPP Guidelines in their entirety at: https://hhs.texas.gov/services/health/medicaid-chip/provider-information/quality-incentive-payment-program-nursing-homes

Written by blogs_iDocs

The iDocsWeb blog team is comprised of practicing physicians, LTC consultants, and medical writers.