The purpose of this Information Letter is to inform Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authorities (LIDDAs), Texas Home Living (TxHmL) program providers, Primary Home Care (PHC) providers, Title XX Emergency Response Services (ERS) providers, and Financial Management Services Agencies (FMSAs) for PHC and TxHmL about the implementation of the Community First Choice (CFC) option, effective June 1, 2015. This letter also describes the process LIDDAs, the Texas Department of Aging and … [Read more...] about Community First Choice Implementation for Texas Home Living Individuals Receiving Primary Home Care or Title XX Emergency Response Services

The purpose of this letter is to remind Medicaid-certified nursing facilities (NFs) of the need to have prior authorization for Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) specialized services, power wheelchairs, and rehabilitative services. Effective March 1, 2015, Medicaid- certified NF services are provided through STAR+PLUS managed care organizations (MCOs). MCOs will pay for most NF services for residents enrolled with a STAR+PLUS MCO. Prior Authorization of Specialized Services for … [Read more...] about Prior Authorization for Customized Power Wheelchairs and Rehabilitative Therapy Requests

The purpose of this information letter (IL) is to inform Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities (DBMD) program providers, Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS) Direct Service Agencies (DSAs) and Case Management Agencies (CMAs) about the implementation of the Community First Choice (CFC) benefit for individuals in the CLASS Program, effective June 1, 2015. This letter does not address CFC services through the consumer directed services (CDS) option or through Medicaid managed … [Read more...] about Implementation of Community First Choice in Community Living Assistance and Support Services or Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities Programs

This letter provides information to Home and Community-based Services (HCS), Texas Home Living (TxHmL), Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities (DBMD), and Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS) program providers about their responsibilities regarding the implementation of electronic visit verification (EVV) under Community First Choice (CFC). The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will implement CFC on June 1, 2015. Any HCS, TxHmL, DBMD, or CLASS provider contracting … [Read more...] about Electronic Visit Verification Requirements for Delivery of Community First Choice Program Services

 The purpose of this letter is to inform Home and Community-based Services (HCS) program providers of changes to the critical incident reporting requirements. In accordance with Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 40, Chapter 9, §9.178(y), a program provider must enter critical incident data in the Client Assignment and Registration System (CARE) no later than 30 calendar days after the last day of each month for the month being reported in accordance with the HCS Provider User Guide. … [Read more...] about HCS – Revisions to Critical Incident Reporting Requirements

The purpose of this letter is to inform Texas Home Living (TxHmL) program providers of changes to the critical incident reporting requirements. In accordance with Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 40, Chapter 9, §9.580(r), a program provider must enter critical incident data in the Client Assignment and Registration System (CARE) no later than 30 calendar days after the last day of each month for the month being reported in accordance with the TxHmL provider user guide. Providers must … [Read more...] about Revisions to Critical Incident Reporting Requirements

 Home and Community-based Services (HCS) Program Providers  obtain approval from the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) for a four-person residence. In addition, this letter addresses the process to obtain approval from DADS for a four-person residence acquired by an HCS program provider from another program provider. As stated in Title 40, Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Part 1, Chapter 9, Subchapter D, §9.188(a), a program provider must obtain written approval from DADS before … [Read more...] about Four-Person Residence

Medicaid-certified nursing facilities (NFs) need to have prior authorization for Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) specialized services, power wheelchairs, and rehabilitative services. Effective March 1, 2015, Medicaidcertified NF services are provided through STAR+PLUS managed care organizations (MCOs). MCOs will pay for most NF services for residents enrolled with a STAR+PLUS MCO. Prior Authorization of Specialized Services for PASRR Positive Medicaid Residents A NF must … [Read more...] about Prior Authorization for Preadmission Screening and Resident Review Specialized Services

  Follow @TexasHHSC to get regular tweets about new developments with HHSC programs and services, including statistics, reports and informative videos.   Visit us at Garlo Ward, PC … [Read more...] about HHSC is Now on Twitter

 Do you provide services to, care for or have a relationship with someone who has dementia? Then register now for the free “Texas Taking the Next Step: Dementia in Long-term Care and Community Settings” conference in Austin on Aug. 20 at the Palmer Events Center. The first 600 registrants will receive a free copy of the book “Untangling Alzheimer’s” by Tom Cummings. The event is sponsored by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services and Texas State University. Participants will … [Read more...] about Dementia in Long-Term Care