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To view COVID-19 Guidance for FMSAs and CDS Employers from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, please visit: https://apps.hhs.texas.gov/providers/communications/2020/letters/IL2020-08.pdf

To check your area, you can search your county or city name along with "SIP COVID Orders" (Ex: Travis County SIP Order COVID). Dallas County Order to Shelter in Place Tarrant County Order to Shelter in Place Denton County Order to Shelter in Place Rockwall County Order to Shelter in Place Harris County Order to Shelter in Place Galveston County Order to Shelter in Place City of Austin Order to Shelter in Place City of San Antonio Order to Shelter in Place

Submit your COVID-19 Health and Education Policy Questions to the link below. https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/TXGOV/bulletins/2858a47

The Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities (GCPD) and the Office of the Governor (OOG) have made materials available in American Sign Language (ASL). Please click the link below to access these materials: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/TXGOV/bulletins/2871d15

Information Letter 2020-22 (PDF) reminds FMSAs and CDS employers to comply with all applicable employment-related laws. This includes the DOL temporary rule and associated guidance about the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The letter also provides FFCRA information and resources. FMSAs are required to share the information contained in this letter with CDS employers and DRs.

HHSC wants to ensure Consumer Directed Services employers are aware of Electronic Visit Verification requirements. Participation in EVV is mandatory starting Jan. 1, 2021. FMSAs may provide a copy of the EVV Requirements for CDS Employers (PDF) letter to CDS employers who still need to complete Form 1722, Employers Selection for Electronic Visit Verification Responsibilities, or who still need to begin the EVV onboarding process. Providing a copy of the letter to CDS employers is not mandatory. Email: EVV policy questions: Electronic_Visit_Verification@hhsc.state.tx.us and CDS policy questions: CDS@hhsc.state.tx.us

DSHS New Release: People 65 and older or with certain medical conditions in next phase for COVID-19 vaccine The state of Texas will prioritize people who are at the greatest risk of severe disease and death from COVID-19 for the next phase of vaccination. More than 70 percent of COVID-19 deaths in Texas have occurred in people 65 and older, and scientific evidence shows that adults of any age with certain medical conditions have an increased risk of hospitalization and death if they get sick with COVID-19. At a meeting Dec. 17, the Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel recommended vaccinating these diverse groups in Phase 1B of vaccine distribution to limit the loss of life from COVID-19 and help reduce the burden on the state’s hospitals. Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner John Hellerstedt, MD, has approved that definition. “The focus on people who are age 65 and older or who have comorbidities will protect the most vulnerable populations,” said Imelda Garcia, EVAP chair and DSHS associate commissioner for laboratory and infectious disease services. “This approach ensures that Texans at the most severe risk from COVID-19 can be protected across races and ethnicities and regardless of where they work.” The state is currently in Phase 1A of vaccine distribution, which includes residents of long-term care facilities and front-line health care workers. With an estimated 1.9 million Texans in those groups, it will likely be at least a few weeks before a transition to Phase 1B occurs. The timing will depend on the amount of vaccine provided to Texas and the uptake of vaccine among the priority populations. The Phase 1B priorities are below, and additional information is available at dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/immunize/vaccine/EVAP-Phase1B.pdf. The full EVAP will continue to meet and make recommendations about the prioritization of additional groups for the COVID-19 vaccine. (News Media Contact: pressofficer@dshs.texas.gov) Texas Phase 1B COVID-19 Vaccine Priorities People 65 years of age and older People 16 years of age and older with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19, such as but not limited to: Cancer Chronic kidney disease COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies Solid organ transplantation Obesity and severe obesity (body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher) Pregnancy Sickle cell disease Type 2 diabetes mellitus

DSHS Updates COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Question DSHS updated their FAQ page to include community-based intermediate care facilities for individuals with an intellectual disability or related condition, regardless of size, and small group home residence settings (three and four-person residences) that are owned and operated by certified Home and Community-based Services Medicaid Waiver Program providers in the definition of "long-term care facilities." Read the COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs on the DSHS website.

As of tomorrow, your employee’s time is supposed to be reported in EVV. Due to various obstacles and system problems, you will need to continue to submit paper timesheets for 1.1.2021 until the systems are all working. We will then assist you on how to input your time into Vesta once you are completely set up. Our leadership has talked to the state about this issue. Other clients with other FMSAs are encountering similar issues and each FMSA is problem solving in different ways. This notice is to assure you that your employees will get paid if you continue to send us timely, correct, and authorized time using paper time sheets. Once the systems are working, paper time sheets will no longer be accepted. You should have already turned in your Clock in/out Method Selection, Form 1722, and your training certificate. Various trainings are available which have been emailed/mailed out to you. If you are missing any of these items, please reach out to your consultant. We are a team and will get through this together. We are here to help. We appreciate your patience and wish you and your family a Happy New Year!

EVV Policy Update: 90 Day Visit Maintenance Temporary Policy HHSC posted the Electronic Visit Verification Temporary 90 Day Visit Maintenance Policy (PDF) on the HHS EVV webpage. The policy: Is effective on Jan. 1, 2021. Applies to all program providers, financial management services agencies and Consumer Directed Services employers required to use EVV. Allows 90 days to complete visit maintenance, instead of the standard 60 days, for visits with dates of service from Jan. 1, 2021–March 31, 2021. Gives Cures Act program providers, FMSAs and CDS employers required to use EVV beginning Jan. 1, 2021, more time to familiarize themselves with the EVV system and the visit maintenance process. As a reminder, program providers currently required to use EVV have 180 days to complete visit maintenance for visits with dates of service from March 21, 2020–Dec. 31, 2020, as described in the Temporary EVV Policies for COVID-19 (PDF). Contact your payer with policy questions or email HHSC EVV.

In-Home Attendant Services is experiencing continuous technical difficulties due to inclement weather. Update: Widespread power outages are causing some delay in payroll processing. As soon as power systems are back up, things will proceed at an expedited pace. We have limited staff available over the phone. Please e-mail your inquires to your assigned consultant. Our team might take up to 2 business days to respond. We apologize for any inconvenience and will get to your inquiries as soon as we can. Thank you, Your FMSA In-Home Attendant Services