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

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