May 13th, 2023

May 2023 MCS COVID-19 Stakeholder Information Session

Thank you for your interest in listening to the May 2023 Texas Medicaid CHIP COVID-19 Information Session.

The audio from this session can be found here.

The presentation can be found here.

This is the last scheduled stakeholder recording for COVID-19 updates.

For additional questions, please write to Medicaid_COVID_Questions@hhsc.state.tx.us.


January 12th, 2023

 January 12 Texas Medicaid CHIP COVID-19 Information Session.

These sessions will continue to share information with stakeholders about the implementation of various Medicaid/CHIP flexibilities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 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.

COVID-19 Provider Information

COVID-19 Client Information

For additional questions, please write to Medicaid_COVID_Questions@hhsc.state.tx.us.


December 1st, 2022

December 1 Texas Medicaid CHIP COVID-19 Information Session.

These sessions will continue to share information with stakeholders about the implementation of various Medicaid/CHIP flexibilities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

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.

COVID-19 Provider Information

COVID-19 Client Information

For additional questions, please write to Medicaid_COVID_Questions@hhsc.state.tx.us.


November 8th, 2022

Medicaid and CHIP Services Has Updated Its Process of Sending Monthly COVID-19 Updates

In the past, these updates were sent via an email from Outlook. Beginning with the December update, the MCS COVID-19 Stakeholder Update will be sent via GovDelivery.

If you wish to be removed from the MCS COVID-19 Stakeholder Update distribution list and not receive anymore alerts, please reply with “OPT OUT”.

Future meeting notices and information will continue to be shared on these sites, so please check back regularly.

COVID-19 Provider Information

COVID-19 Client Information


Sept. 7th, 2022

 September 1 Texas Medicaid CHIP COVID-19 Information Session

These sessions will continue to share information with stakeholders about the implementation of various Medicaid/CHIP flexibilities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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.

COVID-19 Provider Information

COVID-19 Client Information

For additional questions, please write to Medicaid_COVID_Questions@hhsc.state.tx.us.


April 28th, 2022

COVID-19 ICF/IID Webinar Recording from April 11 Available

The April 11 recording of the Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability or Related Conditions COVID-19 Q&A with HHSC Long-term Care Regulation and DSHS is available.

The PowerPoint is updated with information given in the DSHS webinar.

Read the COVID-19 Q&A (PDF).

Listen to the webinar recording here.

Email LTCR Policy for the transcrip


February 27th, 2022

COVID-19 ICF/IID Webinar Recording from Feb. 14 Available

A recording of the Feb. 14 Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability or Related Conditions COVID-19 Q&A with HHSC Long-term Care Regulation and DSHS is available for those who could not attend.

There have been changes made to the PowerPoint based on the information provided by DSHS during the webinar.

Read the COVID-19 Q&A (PDF).

Listen to the webinar recording.

Email LTCR Policy for the transcript.


February 1st, 2022

HCS, TxHmL COVID-19 Response Webinar Recording: Jan. 27 and Jan. 30

This webinar reviewed information from the revised COVID-19 Response Plan for HCS and TxHmL.

This includes strategies to rapidly identify COVID-19 and:

  • Prevent its spread
  • Protect individuals, staff, and visitors
  • Provide care to infected people
  • Recover from an outbreak

They also addressed the surge of COVID-19 across the state, address staffing shortages and provide you guidance from the CDC.

. A recording of this webinar is now available as of Jan. 31 at GoToStage.


January 27th, 2022

 HCS and ICF/IID providers who attended the webinar from HHSC on 1/19/22.

The webinar below was held in response to discussions between the 3 IDD associations and HHSC regarding the increase in COVID cases, ongoing staff (direct care and nurse) shortages (which have now been exacerbated because of COVID), limited to no access to PPE and testing resources and inconsistent (and at times unclear) rules and policies related to COVID and infection control.  
Providers have still not been able to find a resolution as of to date to these issues (i.e. staffing shortages and shortages in PPE, status of ARPA funds).
Below, however, are several actions HHSC has taken to improve communications with providers, streamline current COVID processes and policies and clarify current policies and practices:
** Note: Twogether Consulting does understand that many providers have been unsatisfied with the efforts HHSC has made to assist with staff shortages, especially since even if you do complete the checklist before requesting emergency staffing, it does not mean they will honor your requests.  I have informed at least one of the IDD associations about this concern.
  • Recently HHSC re-issued and, in some cases, issued updated policies and guidance for all IDD COVID-related documents.(1/5/22 and 1/7/22 for HCS concerning guidance booklet updates).
  • HHSC is working to reorganize the COVID-related information, including COVID flexibilities and Appendix K waivers, on the ICF/IID and HCS home webpages to facilitate ease in access. 
  • HHSC did communicate the above and other changes and policy clarifications with providers via a webinar on January 19th, 2022, however many questions were still unanswered and attendees were told that questions that were not answered should be addressed in an FAQ from HHSC within 2 weeks of the webinar.

Jan. 19 Recording of HCS and ICF/IID COVID-19 Webinar Available

A recording of the Jan. 19 for Home and Community-based Services and Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability or Related Conditions webinar with LTCR is now available.

Listen to the webinar recording here.

Read the webinar slide presentation (PDF).

Email LTCR Policy for the transcript.