An official State of Texas website.
Provider Communications
View news, information letters (ILs) and 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.
Resources
- Infection Prevention and Control Measures for Common Infections in LTC Facilities (PDF)
- Infection Control Basics and PPE Training for Essential Caregivers (PDF)
- Omnicare POC Testing FAQs for Healthcare Professionals (PDF)
- FAQ Medicaid Hospice Webinar 8-22.pdf
Contact Program Staff
- Contracting information: 512-438-3550
- Licensing and certification: 512-438-2630
- OASIS help desk: 512-438-4122
- HHS Regulatory policy and licensing rule interpretations: 512-438-3161
- Hospice Medicaid policy and rule interpretations: HospicePolicy@hhs.texas.gov
- Regional nurses: Community Services regional contacts for your region
- Regulatory Services regional contacts
How to Become a Provider
Hospice providers must be licensed as a Home and Community Support Services Agency and have a contract with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to provide Medicaid hospice services. Rules regarding minimum licensing standards for a HCSSA can be found in Title 26 of the Texas Administrative Code as follows:
- Texas Administrative Code, Title 26, Part 1, Chapter 558: Licensing Standards for Home and Community Support Services Agencies.
- Please visit the HCSSA site for more information about licensing standards and application requirements for all HCSSA services.
For more information about the HHSC provider enrollment process and requirements, please click here.
Open Enrollment Process
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission accepts applications through its open enrollment process to contract for the Hospice Medicaid program. Under the open enrollment process, HHSC awards contracts on a noncompetitive basis to eligible applicants meeting the qualifications and other requirements.
Applications for Hospice can be submitted year-round with no deadline. Hospice program provider applicants must complete the application packet and include all required documents in accordance with HHSC instructions.
Contracting to Provide Services
To be eligible to provide services and receive reimbursement for these services, a provider agency must meet certain eligibility criteria. Rules regarding program and contracting requirements can be found in Title 40 of the Texas Administrative Code as follows:
- Texas Administrative Code, Title 26, Part 1, Chapter 266: Medicaid Hospice Program
- Texas Administrative Code, Title 40, Part 1, Chapter 49: Contracting for Community Care Services
For more information about the HHSC provider enrollment process and requirements, please click here.
An individual or provider agency must complete an application to provide services in the Community Services programs. Once you have met the minimum eligibility criteria, you may review the required application documents at:
The forms may be downloaded for completion. Completed forms and any additional required information should be mailed to:
Regular mail
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Contract Administration and Provider Monitoring - Waiver Program Enrollments
Mail CodeW-359
P.O. Box 149030
Austin, TX 78714-9030
Overnight/Express delivery
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Contract Administration and Provider Monitoring - Waiver Program Enrollments
Mail Code W-359
701 West 51st St.
Austin, TX 78751
Should you have any questions regarding the enrollment process for these programs, contact Contract Administration and Provider Monitoring - Waiver Program Enrollments at 512-438-3234.
Regulatory Comment Card Survey
Seeking an Initial Parent or Alternate Delivery Site License?
Applicants seeking an initial parent or alternate delivery site license to provide licensed and certified hospice services (authorization to provide services to Medicare beneficiaries) should read Provider Letter 15-10, Direction from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Prioritization of Initial Medicare Certification Surveys (PDF).
Statutes and Rules
State
- Texas Administrative Code, Title 40, Part 1, Chapter 9, Subchapter E, Division 9: Hospice Services
- Texas Administrative Code, Title 40, Part 1, Chapter 19: Nursing Facility Requirements for Licensure and Medicaid Certification
- Texas Administrative Code, Title 26, Part 1, Chapter 266: Medicaid Hospice Program
- Texas Administrative Code, Title 40, Part 1, Chapter 49: Contracting for Community Services
- Texas Administrative Code, Title 26, Part 1, Chapter 551: Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability or Related Conditions
- Texas Administrative Code, Title 26, Part 1, Chapter 558: Licensing Standards for Home and Community Support Services Agencies
- Texas Administrative Code, Title 1, Part 15, Chapter 371, Subchapter C, Rule 371.214: Texas Index for Level of Effort (TILE) Assessments