October 3rd, 2021

COVID-19 Update to Temporary Change for Service Providers of Respite and CFC PAS/HAB

HHSC has lifted the ban on service providers of respite and CFC PAS/HAB from living in the same home as the person receiving Home and Community-based Services and Texas Home Living program services. This gives access to needed services for people living in their own or family’s home. A person’s spouse or a minor child’s parent still cannot be a paid service provider of these services due to guidelines found in HCS, TxHmL and CFC handbooks located under Long-term Care Waiver Programs.

This is a temporary policy change. It is effective March 27, 2020 through Oct. 31, 2021 unless the public health emergency ends sooner. HHSC will update if there are any changes.

Program providers must complete the required background checks for all service providers. They must follow:

• The Texas Administrative Code, Title 40, Part 1, Subchapter D and N
• HCS and TxHmL Rules,§9.177 (n) and (o), and §9.579 (r) and (s)
• HCS and TxHmL Billing Guidelines Section 3400 for service provider qualifications

Email the HCS program policy or the TxHmL program policy with questions.

FYI- Don’t forget that currently (Due to COVID-19) HHSC has said if you need to add on more CFC PAS/HAB units on the IPC,  you are not required to request SC to update the CFC PAS/HAB assessment.  The provider needs only complete an IPC revision and IP update.