Policy priorities for the Association are determined by a number of governing committees that advise the TAHC&H Board of Directors. Our policy committees include Pediatrics, Private Pay, Community Care Services, Medicare/Medicaid, Hospice, and Government Affairs. These committees meet four times per year in person and additionally on an ad hoc basis to discuss current issues affecting the industry and make decisions on how to direct Association staff time and resources.
TAHC&H engages in the public policy debate before, during and after an idea becomes reality. We address issues affecting home care and hospice at the state and federal levels from the moment an idea is proposed, to its introduction as legislation, to the implementation stages. Here are some of our current issues:
How Hospice Helps
State:
Community First Choice (CFC) was initiated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in a final rule published on _______________. The rule gave states the option of drawing down a 6% additional match in federal funds should they choose to expand access to home and community based services. Texas elected to participate in CFC and during the 83rd Texas Legislative session, SB 7 gave the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) authority to proceed. In late 2015 HHSC amended its State Plan to offer home and community based services to all individuals that qualify for CFC; e.g. have a "institutional level-of-care" need for services. As such, personal attendant services and habilitation will be available to any individual who qualifies, whether they are currently receiving services in the 1915(c) waivers or in the STAR+Plus Medicaid Managed Care model.
In 2015 TAHC&H passed legislation (HB 4001) adding the term "habilitation" to the Home and Community Supports Services (HCSS) license, as many home care agencies had traditionally provided this service through waiver programs. This clarification will add assurances to managed care contracting in STAR+Plus.
Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) is a system for verifying the time-in and time-out of direct service workers. Passed by the legislature in SB 7, 82nd Texas Legislative Session, HHSC rolled-out EVV to select parts of the state between 2011 and 2013. EVV was expanded state-wide beginning in 2014.
Dual-eligible Demonstration
STAR Kids
STAR+Plus
Pediatric Therapy
Medicaid Re-enrollment
SB 760 Network Adequacy
Home Telemonitoring
Federal
Face-to-face
Department of Labor Repeal of the Companionship Exemption
Medicare Program Integrity (RACs/ZPICs)
Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs)
Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement Payment Model
Value Based Purchasing