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More information about being a surrogate decision maker for your family member is found here.

It is the responsibility of each intermediate care facility (ICF/IID) community program provider to submit the required forms and supporting documentation to the Surrogate Decision-making Program (SDMP) when a person they serve lacks the capacity to make certain treatment decisions for himself or herself and has no legal guardian or surrogate decision-maker.

The Surrogate Decision-making Program (SDMP) is a legislatively mandated process which authorizes actively involved family members and committees comprised of trained volunteers to provide written informed consent for individuals residing in community-based ICF/IID who have no legal guardian and who lack the ability to make certain treatment decisions for themselves.

HHSC has settled a lawsuit that affects Texas Health Steps, Comprehensive Care Program-eligible children under 21 years of age. Read the Settlement Agreement.

HHS employees and contracted providers must follow state and federal rules and statutes when delivering services to eligible Texans. HHS also takes into account stakeholder input when new rules and policies are being written to ensure interested parties can contribute to the process.

HHS employees have a legal and ethical obligation to protect the rights of Texans who are eligible for services, to recover money as required by law, and to follow the terms of settlement agreements.

HHS has many handbooks, which outline the rules employees and contracted providers are held accountable for when providing services to eligible Texans. We provide these for all Texans to view as part of our effort to be transparent in service delivery.

HHS forms are used every day to perform tasks such as applying for benefits, contracting to provide goods or services, reporting incidents, declaring end of life wishes, and conducting other business.