Consumer Directed Services (CDS)

What is CDS?

This document was developed under grant CFDA 93.791 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

Consumer Directed Services allows people who receive services from Texas Health and Human Services Commission to hire and manage the people who provide their services.

The program is the result of Senate Bill 1586, 76th Texas Legislature, which allows a voucher payment option that empowers people to make personal decisions related to the delivery of personal assistance and respite services within their current home and community-based program.

Provider Communications

Click here for news, information letters (ILs) & provider letters (PLs).

Don’t Miss Out on Emails from HHS

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission contracts with a company called Granicus to provide email updates, called GovDelivery. In accordance with your contract, and contracting rules at 40 Texas Administrative Code §49.302(g), you must subscribe to receive HHSC email updates, using this GovDelivery signup, and select Information Letters, Provider Alerts and the contract program type(s).

When you sign up for email updates, you are giving your information to both HHSC and to Granicus. When HHSC has your information, it is subject to the HHSC privacy policy. When Granicus has your information, it is subject to the Granicus GovDelivery privacy policy.

Services That Can Be Self-Directed
Program NameType of Service
Community Living Assistance and Support ServicesTransportation-habilitation services, respite services, nursing services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, cognitive rehabilitation therapy, Community First Choice personal assistance services/habilitation, employment assistance, supported employment and support consultation
Consumer Managed Personal Attendant ServicesPersonal assistance services
Deaf-Blind with Multiple DisabilitiesTransportation-residential habilitation (less than 24 hours), intervener, respite services, CFC personal assistance services/habilitation, supported employment, employment assistance and support consultation
Home and Community-based ServicesTransportation-supported home living, respite services, nursing services, cognitive rehabilitation therapy, CFC personal assistance services/habilitation, supported employment, employment assistance and support consultation
Primary Home Care, Family Care, Community Attendant ServicesPersonal assistance services
Texas Home LivingDay habilitation, respite services, adaptive aids, audiology services, behavioral support, transportation-community support, dental treatment, dietary services, minor home modifications, nursing services, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language therapy, CFC personal assistance services/habilitation, supported employment, employment assistance and support consultation
STAR Health MDCPRespite, flexible family support, employment assistance and supported employment, and adaptive aids and minor home modifications.
STAR KidsPersonal care services and CFC personal assistance services/habilitation
STAR Kids MDCPRespite services and flexible family support services delivered by an attendant or a nurse, employment assistance, supported employment and support consultation, and adaptive aids and minor home modifications.
STAR+PLUSPersonal care services and CFC personal assistance services/habilitation
STAR+PLUS HCBSPersonal assistance services, respite services, nursing services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, cognitive rehabilitation therapy, speech-language therapy, supported employment, employment assistance and support consultation

Communications

Information & Provider Letters

Case-sensitive. Use commas to separate multiple entries.
Note: These files are in PDF format unless otherwise noted.
Number Title/Notes Date Published
IL 2023-38 Individual Plan of Care (IPC) Revision Process to Update Attendant Rates in the CLASS and DBMD Programs Effective Sept. 1, 2023
IL 2023-39 Individual Plan of Care (IPC) Revision Process to Update Attendant Rates in the HCS and TxHmL Programs Effective Sept. 1, 2023
IL 2023-26 STAR Kids Community First Choice Personal Attendant and Habilitation Consumer Directed Services Option Effective Retroactively to June 1, 2023
IL 2023-18 ARPA and HCBS Provider Retention Payments Attestation and Reporting Requirements

Note: Replaces IL 2022-52

IL 2023-10 In-Home Individualized Skills and Socialization Information for Program Providers for COVID-19

Note: Replace IL 2023-06, originally issued January 30, 2023.

IL 2022-47 Applications to Establish Contracts (Revised)

Note: Replaces IL 2022-44 & IL 2022-41

IL 2022-40 Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) Direction for FMSAs on Consumer Directed Services (CDS) Employer Usage
IL 2022-30 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Provider Retention Payments (Revised)

Note: Revised June 24, 2022

IL 2022-32 In-Home Day Habilitation Information for Program Providers for COVID-19

Note: Replaces IL 2022-28

IL 2022-31 Preparing for the upcoming Fiscal year 2022 Fee-for-Service Claims Billing Closeout