Introduction CFC is a state plan benefit, governed by Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 42, Chapter IV, Subchapter C, Part 441, Subpart K, regarding Home and Community-Based Attendant Services and Supports State Plan Option (Community First Choice), that provides certain services and supports to individuals living in the community, including individuals in the HCS and TxHmL programs. CFC services are state plan services, not Medicaid waiver services. Important Things to Know About CFC … [Read more...] about Things to Know About CFC and the CDS Option

  DADS published an information letter to inform about new Medicaid benefit, called Community First Choice (CFC), which begins June 1, 2015. CFC, which is not a waiver service, includes personal assistance services/habilitation (PAS/HAB), emergency response services (ERS), and support management. Because you are enrolled in the Texas Home Living (TxHmL) Program and receiving community support (CS) services, you do not need to take any action to receive CFC PAS/HAB. If you are interested in … [Read more...] about New Medicaid Benefit – Community First Choice

  DADS published an information letter to inform Home and Community-based Services (HCS) and Texas Home Living (TxHmL) program providers and local intellectual and developmental disabilities authorities (LIDDA) about the implementation of the Community First Choice (CFC) benefit for individuals in the HCS and TxHmL programs, effective June 1, 2015. This letter does not address CFC services through the consumer directed services (CDS) option or through Medicaid managed care. Requirements … [Read more...] about Implementation of Community First Choice in Home and Community-based Services or Texas Home Living Programs

  The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) issued a letter to provide clarification and notification to hospice agencies seeking initial Medicare certification of the current CMS survey and certification (S&C) requirements. Each year CMS publishes a Mission and Priority Document (MPD) that describes the S&C workload and program requirements for state agencies. The MPD describes how state agencies must prioritize S&C activities. The MPD includes guidance on … [Read more...] about Prioritization of Initial Medicare Certification Surveys

  Dual-eligible clients in Texas’ most populous counties may soon have the chance to combine their Medicare and Medicaid services into one health plan. On March 1, HHSC began enrolling people who get both Medicare and Medicaid benefits into a new STAR+PLUS Medicare-Medicaid demonstration program. Those who participate in the program will get their full array of Medicare and Medicaid services through a single health plan instead of two. The program is limited to 147,000 dual eligible clients … [Read more...] about Demo project to streamline delivery of Medicare, Medicaid services

  Dual-eligible clients in Texas’ most populous counties may soon have the chance to combine their Medicare and Medicaid services into one health plan. On March 1, HHSC began enrolling people who get both Medicare and Medicaid benefits into a new STAR+PLUS Medicare-Medicaid demonstration program. Those who participate in the program will get their full array of Medicare and Medicaid services through a single health plan instead of two. The program is limited to 147,000 dual eligible clients … [Read more...] about Demo project to streamline delivery of Medicare, Medicaid services

  HHSC has rolled out new technology and streamlined processes to help keep pace with rising eligibility caseloads without additional resources. But ask Deputy Executive Commissioner Stephanie Muth the key to success, and she's got a one-word answer: staff. "All the highlights of 2014 really lead back to our staff," Muth said. "I could not be more proud of what we accomplished last year." HHSC employees put together an impressive highlight reel for 2014: SNAP error rates are less than 1 … [Read more...] about Service improvements mark banner year for  HHSC eligibility team

  AGENDA: Drug Utilization Review Board April 23, 20159 a.m. Meeting Site:Department of Aging and Disability ServicesJohn H. Winters BuildingPublic Hearing Room701 West 51st St.Austin, TX 78751 Call to Order. Approval of Minutes from January 29, 2015 Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board Meeting. (Vote Required) Hepatitis C Drugs Update:  Josh Dominguez, Pharm. D. (Vendor Drug Program). Report of Recent Retrospective DUR Interventions:  Larry Dent, Pharm. D., BCPS (Xerox … [Read more...] about Drug Utilization Review Board Meeting

HHSC posted a revised DY4 QPI Reporting Template on the Tools and Guidelines for Regional Healthcare Partnership Participants page. Projects with a template delay (listed in the List of projects with QPI issues document) may report using this version of the template.  Each DSRIP provider should review this entire Companion document to understand the guidelines for how to report DSRIP achievement for the April DY4 reporting period. The Companion Document includes important information … [Read more...] about 2014-2015 Reporting

  AGENDA: Promoting Independence Advisory Committee April 16, 20159 a.m. Meeting Site:Health and Human Services Commission Brown Heatly BuildingPublic Hearing Room4900 North Lamar Blvd.Austin, TX 78751 This meeting will be webcast. Agency Reports (PDF) Welcome and Introductions. 84th Legislative Session Update. Senate Bill 7 Implementation Update. Intellectual and Developmental Disability Assessment. Nursing Facility Carve-In. Community First Choice. Dual … [Read more...] about REMINDER: Promoting Independence Advisory Committee Meeting