Dear Members,
TAHC&H has recently learned that the state will no longer accept paper application forms for initial, renewal, or licensure changes. These activities must now be submitted to HHSC/DADS via the TULIP system for all provider types regulated by long-term care regulatory services, including Home and Community Support Services Agencies (HCSSAs).
TULIP is an electronic system designed to increase the efficiency of the licensure process by:
- Making all licensure applications electronic, including those for initial licenses, renewals and changes of ownership
- Accepting electronic payments
- Providing immediate access to the status of licensure information
HHSC/DADS has advised that they stopped accepting paper applications for initial licenses, changes of ownership (CHOWs) and updates/changes of information on September 4, 2018. DADS Provider Information Letter PL 18-15 was issued in August 2018 to notify providers of these changes.
*Agencies who received a paper renewal application for licensure can still submit their renewals using the paper forms until December 31, 2018.
Effective January 1, 2019, all application types must be submitted via the TULIP system.
More information and on-demand training videos are available on the TULIP website. Questions about the system may be submitted to DADS via email at: TULIP_Support@hhsc.state.tx.us. TAHC&H has requested that the HCSSA handbook and state websites/rules referring to the use of Form 2021 be updated to reflect this change in procedure.
NOTE: The TULIP website is currently displaying the following important message regarding a known systems issue:
Due to unanticipated problems with TULIP, HHSC is currently unable to print Long Term Care Regulatory licenses. The affected licenses are for assisted living facilities, day activity and health services facilities, intermediate care facilities for individuals with an intellectual disability, nursing facilities, home and community support services and prescribed pediatric extended care centers.
Until licenses can be printed through TULIP, HHSC will mail a letter to an applicant or license holder whose license application has been approved. Such a letter will serve as evidence of licensure and, therefore, you must display the letter in the same manner that you would display a license until you receive the actual license. The term of your license will not be affected by this delay.