Section 4610 of the HCS and TxHmL Billing Guidelines will no longer include the requirement for respite to be used only for non-routine circumstances. A decision to revise the requirement was made after extensive consideration of the impact on individuals receiving services and their families/unpaid caregivers. Amendments to remove “non- routine circumstances” from the HCS waiver, HCS and TxHmL rules, and section 4610 of the HCS and TxHmL Billing Guidelines are included in upcoming projects. For more info go to http://www.dads.state.tx.us/providers/communications/2014/letters/IL2014-67.pdf.
Effective immediately, stakeholders can utilize respite in situations that are routine. DADS Surveyors, Utilization & Review Staff and Billing & Payment Reviewers will not cite providers for using respite services under routine circumstances. Respite can be utilized as follows: Respite is provided for short-term relief of the unpaid caregiver who is temporarily unavailable to provide supports. Unpaid caregivers can use respite services in a routine or non-routine schedule based on the primary unpaid caregiver being temporarily unavailable to provide services. In addition, respite may be used for situations that are emergency or planned. All other rule and Billing Guideline requirements for respite remain the same.
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