September 3rd, 2026
Be Sure To Clean Up Data For Residential Locations
Provider Guidance From HHSC: September 1, 2026
Why Is This Important?
All host home/companion care settings (HH/CC), three-person residences, and four-person residences operated by Home and Community-based Services (HCS) program providers are listed in the Long Term Care Online Portal (LTCOP).
The information is entered and maintained by the HCS program providers and reflects the residential settings associated with each provider.
Accurate location data ensures:
- Reliable reporting of residential capacity
- Clear understanding of available placements
- Avoidance of over- or under-counting homes
What Providers Can and Cannot Do in LTCOP
Providers may add new residential locations and end-date locations that are no longer active.
Locations cannot be deleted once entered, as they may be tied to historical records and system data. Because of this, keeping location records accurate and up to date is essential.
Acceptable Use of Residential Locations
Homes may be listed even if currently unoccupied when there is intent to fill the home or a valid operational purpose.
A listed location must:
- be a valid, accurate, and verifiable address that reflects an actual location and follows U.S. Postal Services (USPS)-standard address protocols,
- represent legitimate service delivery and placement options, and
- not be used to temporarily increase capacity during discharges or disenrollments
Administrative Locations
HHSC recognizes the need for one (1) administrative location to support same-day moves or urgent transitions. Providers should maintain only one (1) administrative location per contract, if needed. Administrative locations will be excluded from external reporting and capacity calculations. All other locations listed in LTCOP are considered part of the provider’s available residential capacity.
What Providers Should Do Now
Please review your LTCOP location list and:
✔ Remove duplicate entries
✔ Correct inaccurate addresses
✔ Add apartment or unit numbers, where applicable
✔ End-date office locations or non-residential entries
✔ Ensure only one (1) administrative location is listed for a contract, if applicable
Upcoming HHSC Outreach
VERY IMPORTANT: Providers have until October 31, 2026, to complete internal cleanup.
BE AWARE: Provider Monitoring staff will then contact providers to review location lists together, identify duplicates or fictitious entries, and provide hands-on assistance (including screen-sharing). These discussions may also occur during on-site reviews.
