HHSC Emergency Rules for Certain Intermediate Care Facilities & Licensing Standards
In the November 5th Texas Register the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) implemented emergency rules pertaining to the sections regarding intermediate care facilities for individuals with an intellectual disability or related conditions & licensing standards for home and community support services agencies. A brief overview of the emergency rules can be found below.
Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability or Related Conditions
- The emergency rule requires limited indoor and outdoor visitation in an intermediate care facility in order to protect the intermediate care facility residents and the public health, safety, and welfare of the state during the COVID-19 pandemic. The restrictions on visitors include exceptions for those who have tested negative for COVID, end-of-life visits, essential caregiver status, and fully vaccinated visitors.
Licensing Standards for Home and Community Support Services Agencies
- The emergency rule requires limited indoor and outdoor visitation in a hospice inpatient unit in order to protect the clients admitted to a hospice inpatient unit and the public health, safety, and welfare of the state during the COVID-19 pandemic. The restrictions on visitors include exceptions for those who have tested negative for COVID, end-of-life visits, essential caregiver status, and fully vaccinated visitors.Â
HHSC Adopted Rules for Reimbursement Rates
The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) adopted a rule to the section relating to reimbursement rates. The original rule text was originally published in the August 13th issue of Texas Register. A brief overview of the adopted rule can be found below.
Reimbursement Rates
- The adopted rule outlines definitions, reporting requirements, guidelines, and procedures for health care institutions, as defined by Civil Practice and Remedies Code, to report received federal COVID-19 funding. The rule outlines penalties for providers who fail to submit the required reports, in alignment with the provisions of SB 809 and Rider 143.