Finding quality long-term care in Texas for yourself or a loved one can be overwhelming. The Texas Health And Human Services (HHSC) Long-Term Care (LTC) Provider Search offers a valuable online tool to research and compare various care options across the state. While in-person visits remain crucial, this search tool provides essential preliminary information to guide your decision-making process.
Understanding the Texas HHSC LTC Provider Search
The HHSC LTC Provider Search encompasses two primary categories of long-term care providers: residential facilities and home and community-based services (HCBS).
Residential Facilities in Texas
Residential providers offer care within a dedicated facility. Search results for these facilities include inspection reports, contact information, and details on Medicaid/Medicare acceptance. Residential options include:
- Nursing Homes: Providing skilled nursing care and assistance with daily living activities.
- Assisted Living Facilities: Offering supportive services in a residential setting.
- Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (ICF/IID): Providing specialized care and support for individuals with IDD.
- Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Centers (PPECC): Offering prescribed services for medically dependent children under 21.
- Daytime Programs for Adults: Providing structured activities and support during daytime hours.
Home and Community-Based Services in Texas
HCBS programs aim to enable individuals to remain within their communities, avoiding institutional care. These services include:
- Home Health: Skilled nursing and therapy services provided in the home.
- Hospice: Comfort care for individuals nearing the end of life.
- Personal Assistance Services: Assistance with daily living tasks.
Accessing Detailed Information through Texas HHSC
The LTC Provider Search provides summary information. To request more in-depth details about specific providers, you can contact Texas Health and Human Services directly:
For Residential Facilities:
- Email: [email protected]
- Fax: 512-438-2738
- Mail: Texas Health and Human Services LTC-R Open Records Mail Code E-349 P.O. Box 149030 Austin, Texas 78714-9030
For Home and Community-Based Services:
- Email: [email protected]
- Fax: 512-424-6586
- Mail: Texas Health and Human Services Open Records Coordinator Mail Code 1070 4900 N. Lamar Blvd. Austin, Texas 78751-2316
Utilizing the Texas HHSC Provider Search: Location-Based Search
To search by location:
- Input the city, county, or ZIP code.
- Select the desired service type from the dropdown menu (e.g., nursing home, home health).
- The results page will display a sortable list of matching providers.
Important: The location-based search allows for only one provider type per search.
Utilizing the Texas HHSC Provider Search: Name-Based Search
To search by provider name:
- Enter at least three letters of the provider’s name.
- Optionally, refine the search by selecting a provider type from the dropdown.
- Results will appear in a sortable table.
Understanding Inspections and Surveys Conducted by Texas HHSC
Texas Health and Human Services conducts regular inspections and surveys to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. These oversight activities focus on two key areas:
- Health: Encompassing medication management, staff background checks, overall facility management, and other factors impacting resident well-being.
- Life Safety Code: Addressing building safety features and compliance with fire codes.
HHSC utilizes different terminology for these oversight activities: Surveys are conducted for certified facilities, Inspections are conducted for licensed facilities and Certification Reviews for certified providers. If a provider is both licensed and certified, HHSC conducts inspections and surveys concurrently.
Navigating Individual Provider Pages on the Texas HHSC Website
Individual provider pages within the search results offer detailed information:
- General Information: Ownership details, facility size, and Medicaid/Medicare acceptance.
- Inspections/Surveys: Dates of inspections/surveys, identified deficiencies, and correction dates.
- Right to Appeal: Information regarding a provider’s right to appeal cited deficiencies. Some sections include links to federal websites like Nursing Home Compare and Home Health Compare for facilities that accept Medicare or Medicaid.
Conclusion: Leveraging the Texas HHSC LTC Provider Search
The Texas Health and Human Services LTC Provider Search offers a crucial starting point for researching long-term care options. By understanding its features and utilizing the available information, you can make more informed decisions about the care you or your loved one needs. Remember that this tool complements, but does not replace, in-person visits and thorough discussions with potential providers. For comprehensive assistance, consider contacting Your Texas Benefits at 1-855-937-2372 or visiting their website.
