COVID-19 Resources
September 15th, 2021
Oct. 4 ICF COVID-19 Webinar with HHSC LTCR
Long-term Care Regulation and the Department of State Health Services provide the latest information on the COVID-19 pandemic and take live questions from participants in this ICF provider webinar. Provider attendance is critical to staying current with COVID-19 requirements and guidance. ICF/IID providers are strongly encouraged to attend this and all COVID-19 webinars with LTCR and DSHS.
Those using Internet Explorer may have difficulties registering for the webinar. Please try another browser such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
October 4, 2021
11 a.m. – noon
Register for the COVID-19 Webinar.
September 15th, 2021
Sept. 13 ICF COVID-19 Webinar Recording Available
A recording of September 13, 2021, ICF/IID COVID-19 Q&A with HHSC LTC Regulation and DSHS is available for those who could not attend.
Listen to the webinar recording here(link is external).
August 30th, 2021
LTC Providers May Request COVID-19 Emergency Support
For Emergency Staffing Support:
The Office of the Governor directed DSHS to use staffing agencies to provide medical personnel from out-of-state to Texas health care facilities to assist in COVID-19 operations.
This support will be available to residential long-term care providers.
-Providers must demonstrate that they have exhausted all other options.
-Also that they have urgent need for assistance before requesting emergency staffing support.
The State is asking that jurisdictions and health care entities be judicious with requests for staffing, as the State will not be able to address all staffing needs, especially as the need for emergency staffing ramps up across the state.
LTC providers are always required to provide services to residents or clients before, during and after an emergency.
The emergency plan must include:
- Planning for staff shortages
- A back-up plan to ensure operations and care of residents continues
For COVID-19 Vaccination, Testing Kits, PPE, Disinfection, and HAI/EPI Support:
Long-term care providers can request:
- COVID-19 mobile vaccine clinics for residents and staff
- BinaxNow testing kits. Read PL 2020-49 for details.
- PPE (providers should exhaust all other options before request)
- Facility cleaning and disinfection
- Healthcare-associated infection and epidemiological support
To Request Support:
To initiate a request for COVID-19 support described above, contact the HHSC LTCR Regional Director in the region where the facility is located.
HHSC LTCR staff are responsible for initiating a State of Texas Assistance Request on behalf of the long-term care provider.
HHSC LTCR staff may request supporting documentation to verify need.
August 15th, 2021
LTC Provider COVID-19 Resource Contacts Have Changed
Federal COVID-19 Local Fiscal Recovery Funds are being distributed to cities and counties throughout Texas. HHSC urges long-term care providers in need of COVID-19 resources to use the following resources:
- Contact your city, county or regional advisory council to find out if resources or funds will be available for health care staffing support, testing services, resident or site assessment, and disinfecting services as these resources are no longer available through HHSC.
- For mobile COVID-19 vaccination needs, call 888-90-TEXAS to ask for a Mobile Vaccination Team to come out to your facility.
- Contact DSHS:
- Reach out to the HHSC Long-Term Care Regulation Regional Director in your region to ask for:
- BinaxNow testing kits. Review PL 2020-49 (PDF) for details.
- Health care-associated infection and epidemiological support.
- COVID-19 vaccine. Providers should go through all other options before this one.
LTC providers can now order COVID-19 therapeutics directly.
July 18th, 2021
August 2 ICF COVID-19 Webinar with HHSC LTCR
Long-term Care Regulation and the Department of State Health Services provide the latest information on the COVID-19 pandemic and take live questions from participants in this ICF provider webinar. Provider attendance is critical to staying current with COVID-19 requirements and guidance. ICF/IID providers are strongly encouraged to attend this and all COVID-19 webinars with LTCR and DSHS.
Those using Internet Explorer may have difficulties registering for the webinar. Please try another browser such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
ICF Provider Webinar
August 2, 2021
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Register for the COVID-19 Webinar.
July 16th, 2021
July 6 ICF COVID-19 Webinar Recording Available
A recording of the June 14, 2021, ICF/IID COVID-19 Q&A with HHSC LTC Regulation and DSHS is available for those who could not attend.
Listen to the webinar recording here(link is external).
May 12th, 2021
Quality In LTC Conference Online
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Health and Human Services made the decision to move forward with an online Quality in Long-Term Care conference. The conference presentations are available on the HHS Learning Portal, and can be accessed through August 2021. To obtain a certificate of completion, participants must view the selected presentation(s), and complete the associated learning quizzes and course evaluations. The certificate, noting any continuing education hours awarded, can be downloaded from the HHS Learning Portal.
Questions can be emailed to QMP@hhs.texas.gov
From HHSC May Newsletter
COVID-19 updated resources, see link below:
May 6th, 2021
APR 29 MCS COVID-19 Stakeholder Update
The audio from this session can be found here.
The presentation can be found here.
Future meeting notices and information will continue to be shared on these sites, so please check back regularly.
April 17th, 2021
March 18, 2021 MCS COVID-19 Stakeholder Information Session
Thank you for your interest in listening to the March 18 Texas Medicaid CHIP COVID-19 Information Session.
The audio from this session can be found here.
The presentation can be found here.
Future meeting notices and information will continue to be shared on these sites, so please check back regularly.
For additional questions, please write to Medicaid_COVID_Questions@hhsc.state.tx.us.
April 17th, 2021
Reminder: Providers Can Request Free COVID-19 Testing Kits
ALF, HCS, HCSSA, ICF/IID and NF providers in counties where the COVID-19 positivity rate is more than 10 percent can request free COVID-19 testing kits.
The test kits are only to test essential caregivers or HCSSA staff going into an NF or ALF who have direct contact with people receiving hospice services. Providers can request the free BinaxNOW point-of-care antigen COVID-19 test kits by filling out the attestation form (PDF). The attestation form includes instructions for requesting the free COVID-19 testing kits for each eligible provider type.
March 28th, 2021
Free BinaxNOW COVID-19 POC Tests Available for LTC Providers
HHSC, along with the Texas Department of Emergency Management, is expanding the criteria for requesting free BinaxNOW COVID-19 point of care test kits to all the following.
- Nursing facilities
- Assisted living facilities
- Intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disability or related conditions
- Home and community-based services providers
- Home and community support services agencies
Use these free BinaxNOW COVID-19 POC test kits to test anyone including residents, staff and visitors.
Providers must attest to adhere to certain training and reporting requirements and have one of the following.
- Current Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment Certificate of Waiver
- Current CLIA laboratory certificate
Providers must complete and submit an attestation form for free BinaxNOW point-of-care antigen COVID-19 test kits (PDF) to request free BinaxNOW COVID-19 point of care test kits. See revised PL 2020-49 (PDF) for more information. Tests are available while supplies last.
March 22 ICF COVID-19 Webinar with HHSC LTCR
Long-term Care Regulation and the Department of State Health Services provide the latest information on the COVID-19 pandemic and take live questions from participants in this ICF provider webinar. Provider attendance is critical to staying current with COVID-19 requirements and guidance. ICF/IID providers are strongly encouraged to attend this and all bi-weekly COVID-19 webinars with LTCR and DSHS.
Those using Internet Explorer may have difficulties registering for the webinar. Please try another browser such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
ICF Provider Webinar
March 22, 2021
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Register for the COVID-19 Webinar.
HHSC & DSHS Publish LTC COVID-19 Vaccination Options
The Health and Human Services Commission and the Department of State Health Services have published Long-term Care COVID-19 Vaccination Options (PDF).
The resource document provides COVID-19 vaccination options to:
- Nursing Facilities
- Assisted-Living Facilities
- State Supported Living Centers
- Community-based intermediate care facilities for individuals with an intellectual disability or related condition regardless of size
- Small group home residence settings (three and four-person residences) that are owned and operated by certified Home and Community-based Services Medicaid Waiver Program providers.
Federal Pharmacy Partnership Program:
Contact Information for COVID-19 Vaccines
Long-term care providers with questions about CVS or Walgreens COVID-19 vaccinations administered through the Federal Pharmacy Partnership program should contact the following:
CVS:
833-968-1756
Email COVID Vaccine Clinics LTCV.
Walgreens:
Email Immunize ILTC.
COVID 19 CMS/CHIPS meeting notices and information will continue to be shared on these sites listed in links below, so please check back regularly.
These webinar meetings are held every Thursday
Thank you for your interest in listening to the January 21 Texas Medicaid CHIP COVID-19 Information Session.
The audio from this session can be found here.
The presentation can be found here.
For additional questions, please write to Medicaid_COVID_Questions@hhsc.state.tx.us.
Helpful Vaccination Information
Moderna EUA Storage and Handling Instructions (PDF) includes the following:
- Moderna EUA Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers Administering Vaccine (Vaccination Providers)
- Moderna EUA Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers
v-safe After Vaccination Health Checker Instructions (PDF)
Moderna EUA “What to Expect” Card for Healthcare Professionals (PDF)
Moderna EUA “What to Expect” Card for Vaccine Recipients (PDF)
CDC’s Moderna Clinical website is live: Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Information. This website includes the following documents:
- Storage and Handling Summary
- BUD Guidance and Labels
- Storage and Handling Labels
- Vaccine Expiration Date Tracking Tool
- Freezer Storage Loggers (F) and (C)
- Prep and Administration Summary
- Standing Orders Template
CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Resources For Posters For The Facility For Staff & Individuals
AADMD Webinar Series to Return in January 2021
Catch up on the webinars you may have missed.
https://open.texas.gov/
HHSC COVID-19 Provider Information
https://hhs.texas.gov/services/health/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-provider-information
Webinar – NHSN November 2020 Updates to LTCF COVID-19 Module Pathways
The National Healthcare Safety Network had updated the Long-term Care Facility COVID-19 Module pathways, specifically the Resident Impact and Facility Capacity and Staff and Personnel Impact. Revised forms, form instructions, and CSV templates are now available on the LTCF COVID-19 Module website.
The webinar will review the November 2020 updates.
Long-term Care Facility Webinar
November 24, 2020
10:00 – 10:45 a.m. CST
See Recording below
DSHS Video on Long-term Care Facilities COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Now Available
The Department of State Health Services has published a recorded training for long-term care providers on COVID-19 precautions to take and how to accomplish them.
https://www.txdisabilities.org/news-events/coronavirus-information-resources
ANCOR’s COVID-19 Resource Center
https://www.ancor.org/covid-19
CDC information for persons with IDD
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-disabilities.html
Resources from HRS
“As the situation with Coronavirus (COVID-19) develops, HRS is committed to providing those who work in the field of IDD supports with practical, sensible, and usable health information regarding identifying those at most risk and steps that can be taken to reduce the severity of the impact of this disease.”
Below are links to free helpful resources from HRS (Training Videos, Webinars, and Bulletins)
https://hrstonline.com/covid-19-resources/
December 22, 2020
Risk/Benefit Return to Activity Form (Free from our friends at HRS)
This could be very helpful for considerations for returning to work, Day Hab, Volunteer Jobs, etc…
https://hrstonline.com/download/risk-benefit-return-to-activity-form/?wpdmdl=3104&refresh=5fc779cf9f80e1606908367
