TITLE social-services-and-assistance

Part I. Texas Department of Human Services

Chapter 45. Community Living Assistance and Support Services

Subchapter D. Fiscal Monitoring

40 TAC §45.401

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) proposes an amendment to §45.401, concerning Administrative Errors, in its Community Living Assistance and Support Services chapter. The purpose of the amendment is to make non-substantive changes to the section. This rule is being amended because it was found that inclusion of some of the rule was inappropriate.

Eric M. Bost, commissioner, has determined that for the first five- year period the proposed section will be in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the section.

Mr. Bost also has determined that for each year of the first five years the section is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the section will be to promote quality of services, and provide better accessibility for clients and consumer satisfaction. There will be no effect on small businesses because the changes are clarifications to existing rules. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the proposed section.

Questions about the content of the proposal may be directed to Gerardo Cantu at (512) 438-3693 in DHS's Community Care Services section. Written comments on the proposal may be submitted to Supervisor, Rules and Handbooks Unit-178, Texas Department of Human Services E-205, P.O. Box 149030, Austin, Texas, 78714-9030, within 30 days of publication in the Texas Register .

Under section 2007.003(b) of the Texas Government Code, the department has determined that Chapter 2007 of the Government Code does not apply to this rule. Accordingly, the department is not required to complete a takings impact assessment regarding this rule.

The amendment is proposed under the Human Resources Code, Title 2, Chapters 22 and 32, which provides the department with the authority to administer public and medical assistance programs and under Texas Government Code §531.021, which provides the Health and Human Services Commission with the authority to administer federal medical assistance funds.

The amendment implements §§22.001-22.030 and §§32.001-32.042 of the Human Resources Code.

§45.401.Administrative Errors.

A recoupment of 12% of the paid unit rate is the administrative error exception for services billed [ on an hourly basis ]. It represents the administrative portion of the rate. Administrative errors are applied to the documentation reviewed and are not extrapolated. Administrative errors include, but are not limited to, the items in paragraph (1)-(2) of this section:

(1)

Administrative errors on documentation of services delivered form or the facsimile :

(A)-(J)

(No change.)

(K)

The attendant, nurse, therapist, other professional, or other agency representative fails to sign the documentation of services delivered form or [ approved ] facsimile. DHS applies the error to the total number of units documented on the time sheet.

(L)-(M)

(No change.)

(2)-(3)

(No change.)

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on June 29, 1999.

TRD-9903887

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Proposed date of adoption: September 1, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3765


Chapter 47. Primary Home Care

Subchapter B. Service Requirements

40 TAC §§47.2902, 47.2910-47.2912

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) proposes amendments to §§47.2902, 47.2910, and 47.2912, concerning requesting prior approval for primary home care, service breaks, and service plan changes; and proposes new §47.2911, concerning orientation of attendants, in its Primary Home Care chapter. The purpose of the amendments and new section is to add performance standards currently contained in the provider manual and include procedures for orientation of attendants, service plan changes, and additional documentation requirements for service breaks.

Eric M. Bost, commissioner, has determined that for the first five- year period the proposed sections will be in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the sections.

Mr. Bost also has determined that for each year of the first five years the sections are in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the sections will be to promote quality of services, and provide better accessibility for clients and consumer satisfaction. There will be no effect on small businesses because the program standards are currently being followed by providers. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the proposed sections.

Questions about the content of the proposal may be directed to Gerardo Cantu at (512) 438-3693 in DHS's Community Care Services section. Written comments on the proposal may be submitted to Supervisor, Rules and Handbooks Unit-178, Texas Department of Human Services E-205, P.O. Box 149030, Austin, Texas, 78714-9030, within 30 days of publication in the Texas Register .

Under section 2007.003(b) of the Texas Government Code, the department has determined that Chapter 2007 of the Government Code does not apply to these rules. Accordingly, the department is not required to complete a takings impact assessment regarding these rules.

The amendments and new section are proposed under the Human Resources Code, Title 2, Chapters 22 and 32, which provides the department with the authority to administer public and medical assistance programs and under Texas Government Code §531.021, which provides the Health and Human Services Commission with the authority to administer federal medical assistance funds.

The amendments and new section implement §§22.001-22.030 and §§32.001-32.042 of the Human Resources Code.

§47.2902.Requesting Prior Approval for Primary Home Care.

(a)-(e)

(No change.)

(f)

Using the service plan form, the RN must develop a service plan for the client. The service plan must be agreed upon and signed by the client/client's family and agency. The service plan must include:

(1)

(No change.)

(2)

tasks and hours; [ and ]

(3)

the attendant service schedule ; and [ . ]

(4)

frequency of supervisory visits.

(g)-(i)

(No change.)

§47.2910.Service Breaks.

(a)

(No change.)

(b)

Verbal approval for a service break extension beyond 14 days must be obtained from the caseworker before obtaining written approval. The provider agency must request written approval by submitting a case information form to the caseworker within seven days of the date verbal approval was given. Subsequent approval(s) for service break(s) are not needed if the initial break(s) extend another 15 days or more. Regardless of how long the service break lasts, it is considered only one service break if the break is consecutive.

(c)

The provider agency must ensure that a Priority 1 client is not without authorized/scheduled services after service initiation unless:

(1)

the service break is caused by circumstances described in §47.2914(a) and (b) of this title (relating to Suspension of Services); or

(2)

(No change.)

(3)

the client requests that services not be provided on a specific day(s) ; or

(4)

the client agrees to less than scheduled hours as documented in the record; and

(5)

the provider agency notified the caseworker on the case information form (or facsimile) of the reason within seven days of the break.

(d)

(No change.)

§47.2911.Orientation of Attendants.

(a)

The supervisor, who is a registered nurse (RN) for a licensed home health agency, or is not an RN for a personal assistance services (PAS) agency, must orient that attendant before or when services for the client begin. The supervisor must meet with the attendant and the client at the client's home to give the attendant a general orientation about the client. The purpose of the orientation is to:

(1)

provide the attendant with information needed to provide the authorized services;

(2)

ensure that the attendant is able to recognize and report any changes in the client's health (such as shortness of breath, swelling of feet, or chest pains in the presence of certain health conditions); and

(3)

ensure that the attendant is competent to provide authorized tasks.

(b)

The supervisor is not required to give this onsite orientation to the special (substitute) attendant, but must give the special attendant verbal or written orientation before the special attendant goes to the client's home.

§47.2912.Service Plan Changes.

(a)

No later than the first Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) workday after becoming aware of the change, the provider agency must verbally notify the caseworker or staff in the caseworker's office about any change that may require an increase in hours or service termination. The provider agency must follow up this verbal notification with further notification in writing, to the caseworker, using the attendant orientation/supervisory visit form. Written notification must occur within seven days after verbal notification.

(b)

When a caseworker initiates an increase or decrease in hours or service termination , he sends the approval for Community Care for Aged and Disabled (CCAD) services-referral response form to the provider agency to: [ authorizes the increase in hours on the prior approval/confirmation of services form. ]

(1)

authorize the change if the client receives family care or primary home care under Medicaid eligibility status; and

(2)

notify the provider agency to request authorization of the change from DHS's regional nurse when the change is for a client who is eligible for primary home care under the provisions of the Social Security Act, §1929(b). To request approval of the change, the provider agency must forward to DHS's regional nurse the approval for CCAD services-referral response form and the attendant orientation/supervisory visit form within seven days of the receipt of the approval for CCAD services-referral response form from the caseworker.

(c)-(e)

(No change.)

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on June 29, 1999.

TRD-9903888

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Proposed date of adoption: September 1, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3765


Chapter 48. Community Care for Aged and Disabled

Subchapter J. 1915(c) Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waiver Services for Aged and Disabled Adults Who Meet Criteria for Alternatives to Nursing Facility Care

40 TAC §§48.6020-48.6024, 48.6052, 48.6058, 48.6090, 48.6092, 48.6096

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) proposes new §§48.6020-48.6024, concerning pre-enrollment home health assessment, delay of pre-enrollment health assessment, community based alternatives annual reassessment, routine service plan changes, and changes to personal assistance services; and proposes amendments to §§48.6052, 48.6058, 48.6078, 48.6090, 48.6092, and 48.6096, concerning cost-effective purchases of adaptive aids, cost-effective purchases of medical supplies, billable units, fiscal monitoring and recoupment, initiation of community based alternatives (CBA) home and community support services (HCSS), and service breaks, in its Community Care for Aged and Disabled chapter. The purpose of the new sections and amendments is to add performance standards that are contained in the Community Based Alternatives (CBA) Provider manual, which will facilitate enforcement. The rules also establish timeframes and procedures for the pre-enrollment assessments and specify documentation requirements for service initiation, annual re- assessments, and service plan changes. DHS developed provider performance standards and uniform monitoring guides for use by regional staff, as part of the initiative to assure the quality of community care services through better contract monitoring.

Eric M. Bost, commissioner, has determined that for the first five- year period the proposed sections will be in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the sections.

Mr. Bost also has determined that for each year of the first five years the sections are in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the sections will be to promote the quality of services, and provide better accessibility for clients and consumer satisfaction. There will be no effect on small businesses because the program standards are currently being followed by providers. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the proposed sections.

Questions about the content of the proposal may be directed to Gerardo Cantu at (512) 438-3740 in DHS's Community Care Services section. Written comments on the proposal may be submitted to Supervisor, Rules and Handbooks Unit-178, Texas Department of Human Services E-205, P.O. Box 149030, Austin, Texas, 78714-9030, within 30 days of publication in the Texas Register .

Under section 2007.003(b) of the Texas Government Code, the department has determined that Chapter 2007 of the Government Code does not apply to these rules. Accordingly, the department is not required to complete a takings impact assessment regarding these rules.

The amendments and new sections are proposed under the Human Resources Code, Title 2, Chapters 22 and 32, which provides the department with the authority to administer public and medical assistance programs and under Texas Government Code §531.021, which provides the Health and Human Services Commission with the authority to administer federal medical assistance funds.

The amendments and new sections implement §§22.001-22.030 and §§32.001-32.042 of the Human Resources Code.

§48.6020.Pre-Enrollment Home Health Assessment.

The Home and Community Support Services agency must complete and return the pre- enrollment home health assessment to the case manager's office according to the time frame entered in Item 14 of the Pre-Enrollment Home Health Authorization form, or within 14 days after receipt of the Pre-Enrollment Home Health Authorization form, whichever is sooner.

§48.6021.Delay of Pre-Enrollment Home Health Assessment.

(a)

The only valid reasons for the Home and Community Support Services (HCSS) agency to not complete the pre-enrollment home health assessment within 14 days for routine applicants or by the negotiated date for priority applicants are that:

(1)

the decision to initiate Medicare home health services is pending; or

(2)

there is a delay in getting the Client Assessment, Review, and Evaluation form signed by the physician.

(b)

The HCSS agency must notify the case manager of a delay in obtaining the physician's signature which would prevent the HCSS agency from meeting the time frame for completion of the pre- enrollment home health assessment by:

(1)

verbally notifying the case manager no later than 24 hours before the negotiated assessment completion date, if it is a priority referral, of the delay in obtaining the physician's signature. The agency must submit written documentation on the Case Information form to the case manager within two Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) workdays of the verbal notification, documenting the reason for the delay; and

(2)

submitting the Case Information form to the case manager no later than 24 hours before the 14-day time frame allowed for routine referrals and documenting the reason for the delay.

§48.6022.Community Based Alternatives Annual Reassessment.

The Home and Community Support Services agency must complete and return the Individual Service Plan attachments and the Client Assessment, Review, and Evaluation form to the case manager's office between the fifth and the 20th day of the fourth month before the expiration of the individual service plan (ISP), according to reassessment due dates listed in Appendix XIX of the Community Based Alternatives manual (CBA Reassessment Packet Due Dates).

§48.6023.Routine Service Plan Changes.

The Home and Community Support Services agency must submit routine service plan changes, for all services except personal assistance services, within seven Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) work days of identifying the need for a change in the service plan by submitting the following:

(1)

Case Information form, containing the rationale for service plan change, the type and amount of additional services needed and the anticipated duration, signed by the home and community support services agency professional;

(2)

the appropriate individual service plan (ISP) attachment page, B-E, identifying the service plan change, signed by the provider professional; and

(3)

documentation of necessity from a physician, physician's assistant, registered nurse, nurse practitioner, or therapist for any adaptive aid, medical supply, or minor home modifications identified.

§48.6024.Changes to Personal Assistance Services.

The Home and Community Support Services agency must submit a Case Information form, within seven Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) work days of identifying a need for a change, containing the rationale for the requested change, the type and amount of additional services needed, and the anticipated duration.

§48.6052.Cost-Effective Purchases of Adaptive Aids.

(a)

(No change.)

(b)

For any single adaptive aid expenditure costing $500 or more, in addition to complying with the requirements listed in subsection (a) of this section, the HCSS agency must:

(1)

(No change.)

(2)

obtain a minimum of three written bids if not using price lists or price quotes as identified under subsection (a)(4) [ subsections (a)(5) and (6) ] of this section, and document the reason for the selection including cost, delivery time of item, record of quality services, access to loaners during repairs, repair history, and warranties.

§48.6058.Cost-Effective Purchases of Medical Supplies.

The Home and Community Support Services agency must:

(1)

prior to the selection of medical supplies, obtain comparative price quotes or use a price list to document prices of the medical supplies from a minimum of three suppliers , [ or ] document the basis for selection and for those selected, document in the vendor records the names of the suppliers from whom all quotes/price lists were obtained, the amount of the quotes/price lists, the items for which the quotes/price lists were requested, and the dates the quotes/price lists were obtained; or [ and ]

(2)

(No change.)

§48.6078.Billable Units.

The following activities may be billed as Community Based Alternatives (CBA) services by Home and Community Support Services agencies:

(1)

Nursing services:

(A)-(E)

(No change.)

(F)

time spent in performing the [ annual reassessment or ] Texas Index for Level of Effort resets which include direct [ actual ] participant contact and documentation of assessment and completion of forms [ forms and care plan ];

(G)-(H)

(No change.)

(2)-(7)

(No change.)

(8)

Annual reassessment-direct participant contact, documentation of assessment, and completion of forms/care plan.

§48.6090.Fiscal Monitoring and Recoupment.

(a)

Administrative errors. A recoupment of 12% of the paid unit rate is the administrative error exception for services billed on an hourly basis. It represents the administrative portion of the rate. Administrative errors are applied to the documentation reviewed and are not extrapolated. Administrative errors include, but are not limited to, the items in paragraphs (1)-(2) of this subsection:

(1)

administrative errors on the documentation of services delivered form or the facsimile :

(A)-(J)

(No change.)

(K)

The attendant, nurse, therapist, or other agency representative fails to sign the documentation of services delivered form or [ approved ] facsimile. DHS applies the error to the total number of units documented on the time sheet.

(L)-(M)

(No change.)

(2)

(No change.)

(b)

Financial errors. A reduction of 100% of the paid unit rate is the financial error exception. This exception is applied to the units of service on the documentation reviewed. This exception is not extrapolated. Financial errors include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1)-(2)

(No change.)

(3)

DHS reimburses the provider agency for hours that exceed the authorization given by DHS. DHS applies the error to the total number of units reimbursed in excess of the units authorized by DHS, unless purchased following emergency procedures. For nursing tasks [ services ], the maximum monthly hours that may be reimbursed is the number of hours listed under "NURSING TASKS, Direct Nursing Performed by HCSS Provider" [ "direct nursing hours" ] on the individual service plan/nursing service plan.

(4)-(6)

(No change.)

(7)

DHS reimburses the provider agency for a claim for service, other than a pre-enrollment home health assessment, delivered prior to the eligibility effective date on the notification of Community Based Alternatives services form. DHS applies the error to the entire amount [ total number of units ] reimbursed for such services that were delivered before the effective date on the form.

(8)

DHS reimburses the provider agency for any hours or items that consisted of non-billable time and activities as identified in the rule §48.6080 of this title (relating to Non-Billable Time and Activities). DHS applies the error to the entire amount [ total number of units ] reimbursed for such services.

(9)-(12)

(No change.)

§48.6092.Initiation of Community Based Alternatives (CBA) Home and Community Support Services (HCSS).

In order to initiate CBA HCSS services, the provider agency must:

(1)

(No change.)

(2)

initiate waiver services:

(A)

on or before any negotiated start date; [ or ]

(B)

within seven calendar days from the effective date on the Texas Department of Human Services' (DHS's) Notification of CBA Services form for routine status applicants, if no earlier start date has been negotiated; [ and ]

(C)

within seven DHS workdays of the initiation of personal assistance services and send a Case Information form to the case manager with the:

(i)

service initiation date; and

(ii)

name of the attendant performing personal assistance services; and

(3)

(No change.)

§48.6096.Service Breaks.

The home and community support services (HCSS) agency must ensure that any authorized or scheduled personal assistance services are delivered in accordance with the Individual Service Plan unless the actions specified in paragraphs (1)- (5) [ (4) ] of this section occur:

(1)-(2)

(No change.)

(3)

the participant is not at home when services are scheduled to be delivered; [ or ]

(4)

the participant requests that services not be provided on specific days ; or

(5)

the participant agrees to less than the scheduled hours as documented in the record.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on June 29, 1999.

TRD-9903889

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Proposed date of adoption: September 1, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3765