November 22nd, 2020

COVID-19 Guidance for Activities, Dining, and Volunteers for the Holidays (PL 20-53)

HHSC publishes Provider Letter 20-53 Guidance for Activities, Dining, and Volunteers (PDF). The letter outlines provider responsibilities for resident activities, including communal dining and holiday-related activities.

The letter also gives specific stipulations on the use of volunteers and guidance on the protocol for residents who leave a facility.

This guidance can be used as a general reference through the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

November 22, 2020

HCS Training Webinars on the TAC Principals for November 2020

https://hhs.texas.gov/about-hhs/communications-events/news/2020/10/november-hcs-provider-certification-principle-webinars

Future topics:
9.178 Quality Assurance
9.173 Rights of Individuals
9.174 Service Delivery
9.181 and 9.182 Administrative Penalties and Amelioration

October 11th, 2020

IPC COVID-19 Policy Guidance for CLASS, DBMD, HCS and TxHmL Programs         

HHSC is not requiring a face-to-face meeting with an individual or their legally authorized representative for individual plan of care revisions. This is per COVID-19 guidance IL-20-11.

In addition, until further notice by HHSC, signatures from the individual or the LAR on the IPC or supporting documentation is not required before submitting to HHSC.

All required signatories that are not the individual or LAR (SC and Provider Representative) must sign the IPC and supporting documentation before submission.

For meetings currently conducted by phone or videoconference to revise an IPC, required individual or LAR signatures on the IPC and supporting documentation can be done electronically, by fax, by mail, or in person if face-to-face restrictions have been lifted and it is safe to do so. If unable to obtain a signature by the methods mentioned, document the following:

• The date of the meeting held by phone or videoconference
• The reason for the meeting and what was discussed
• If the individual or LAR agree with the services as indicated on the revised IPC

September 30th, 2020

Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Competency Training and Exam

Now Available in Spanish!!   

HHSC’s Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation Competency Training and Exam is now available in Spanish.

This training is designed to meet the basic ANE training requirements for staff providing direct care in a community setting.

To access the training and exam:

1. Go to the Texas HHS Learning Portal
2. Staff members, service providers and volunteers must first sign up on the Learning Portal to access HHSC-approved trainings, if they have not already created an account.
3. Click “Medicaid Long Term Services and Supports Training” and select “Curso para la prevención del abuso, negligencia y explotación (ANE)” to access the ANE training and test in Spanish.

ANE Competency Training & Exam

The training and exam requirements for the following long-term services and supports programs can be found below:

Home and Community-Based Services

TAC §9.175 Certification Principles: Requirements Related to the Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of an Individual

HCS Handbook Appendix XII, Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Training and Competency Test

Texas Home Living

TAC §9.585 Certification Principles: Requirements Related to the Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of an Individual

TxHmL Appendix IX, Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Training and Competency Test

Reporting a Death to HHSC in the HCS/TxHmL Programs

September 3rd, 2020

To report a death, HCS/TxHmL providers should complete Form 8493, Notification Regarding a Death in HCS, TxHmL programs by the end of the next business day following the program provider becoming aware of the individual’s death. Then fax the completed form to HHSC to 512-206-3999according to the newest version of form 8493 that was updated in May of 2020.

FYI-The previous fax # was 512-438-4148, which is still noted on the HHSC website as of now.  Please make sure you are faxing to the fax # listed on form 8493.

August 10th, 2020

If you missed the most recent webinar for Home and Community-based Services and Texas Home Living providers Long-term Care Regulation to discuss questions and answers related to administrative penalties on July 9th, please register to watch recorded session below.

Register for the WSC Q&A Webinar Regarding Administrative Penalties.

If you missed the initial Joint Provider’s webinar on June 25th discussing Administrative Penalties, you may see the webinar recording of the session below. 

A recording of June 25, 2020, HCS and TxHmL Joint Provider Training on Administrative Penalty Rules webinar is available for those unable to attend.

View the webinar recording here

June 7th, 2019

Revised: IL20-11 Temporary Guidance Extended Through Oct. 30 for IPC’s & IDRC’s

To ensure people do not experience a gap in services due to the temporary suspension of face to face service coordination visits for COVID-19, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission will extend Intellectual Disability/Related Condition assessments and individual plans of care expiring at the end of June 2020. This is for people enrolled in the Home and Community- based Services Program or the Texas Home Living Program.

HHS revised IL20-11, Extensions of Eligibility and Individual Plan of Care Revisions for Individuals in HCS and TxHmL Due to COVID-19 (PDF). It was previously issued on March 26 and extends the temporary guidance through Oct. 30, 2020.

Call the IDD Program Enrollment Support message line at 512-438-2484 for ID/RC assessment questions.

Call the IDD Utilization Review message line at 512-438-5055 for IPC extension or revision.