Prompt Payment Act

by | Sep 11, 2026

September 11th, 2026  Prompt Payment Act: HHSC stated that it has received an increase in complaints from subcontractors (ISS providers, HH providers, and other entities) reporting that they have not been paid by the program provider. According to the statute:  Sec. 2251.022.  TIME FOR PAYMENT BY VENDOR.  (a)  A vendor who receives a payment from a governmental entity shall pay a subcontractor the appropriate share of the payment not later than the 10th day after...

Can You Have Cameras In HCBS Settings?

by | Sep 11, 2026

September 11th, 2026 Cameras in HCBS Settings Update: HHSC Regulatory stated that at this time it is not citing HCS providers for use of cameras EXCEPT when there is a preponderance of evidence of a rights violation in which case it is sent to CAPM. Regulatory is waiting on the draft letter and interpretation being prepared by the Medicaid and CHIP Services department to determine if it (Regulatory) needs to change it’s current protocol/practice with regard...

 Implementation of the Federal Access Rule: “Grievance Procedure”

by | Sep 10, 2026

September 10th, 2026  HHSC is developing rules and a process to comply with this new rule on the “grievance procedure” expectations. Grievance rules for FFS HCBS Waiver Programs .  This will apply to HCS, TxHmL, DBMD, CLASS and MH waiver programs. HHSC is targeting early 2027 for implementation. The federal rule allows for an individual or their authorized representative  to file a complaint related to service delivery (more specifically, a complaint...

Guidance for Providers Related to the Search Engine for Multi-Agency Reportable Conduct (SEMARC)

by | Sep 10, 2026

September 10th, 2026 REMINDER:  Held Harmless Period Just a friendly reminder: Concerning the implementation of SB 1849 (89th Texas Legislative session) which created the Interagency Reportable Conduct Search Engine (aka, SEMARC), including  PL 2026-10 ,  the hold harmless period ends on 10/05/2026. DOES NOT apply to HCS/TxHmL yet (implementation targeted for March 2027), but does apply to other programs referenced in PL 2026-10 including ICFs/IID, DAHS, DAHS with...

Important Note: HCS, TxHmL, and LIDDA-Entering Suspension End Dates

by | Sep 9, 2026

September 9th, 2026 Important Note Concerning Entering Suspension Dates in LTC Online Portal. The suspension end date is the date the suspension ends, before a person returns to service. When entering a suspension end date on an Individual Movement Form (IMT) in the Long-Term Care (LTC) Online Portal, the date entered must be one day before the person returns to service. Using the correct end date ensures that the location and service authorizations are created...

HHSC Publishes Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Compliance Reports PEC List on the STEPS Website

by | Sep 8, 2026

September 8th, 2026 Updated Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Compliance Reports Primary Entity Contacts List HHSC has published a list of the identified Primary Entity Contacts (PECs) on the HHSC STEPS website for each of the requested Financial Compliance Reports. The PEC is identified based on the entity’s approved primary email address associated with the entity’s NPI in the Texas Medicaid and Healthcare Partnership (TMHP) Provider Enrollment and Management System...