What is HCS?
HCS is a Medicaid waiver program that supplies services and supports to Texans with an intellectual developmental disability (IDD) or a related condition so that they can live in the community. HCS services are intended to supplement rather than replace services received from other programs, such as Texas Health Steps, or from natural supports, including families, neighbors or community organizations.
Who can get HCS?
HCS may be available to any Texas resident not living in an institutional setting who:
- Has an IQ of 69 or below or has an approved related condition with an IQ of 75 or below.
- Has mild to severe deficits in adaptive behavior.
- Is eligible for Medicaid benefits.
- Is not enrolled in any other Medicaid waiver program.
- Home and Community Based Service -Adult Mental Health
- LMHA: The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD, Texas Tropical Behavioral, Access, Bluebonnet Trails Community Services; Brazos Valley
- Medicaid Transportation
What services can HCS provide?
Residential services Options
- Supervised Living ( (Group home)
- Host home/ companion care
- Supported Home Living
- Respite services
Professional Services
- Nursing services
- Dental services
- Behavioral support
- Social work
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Speech therapy
- Dietary services
- Audiology services
- Cognitive rehabilitation services (services for people with brain injury)
Additional Services
- Day habilitation
- Employment services
- Transportation
- Minor Home Modifications
- Adaptive aids
- Transition assistance services
- Consumer Directed Services (CDS)
Through CDS, individuals who live in their own home or family home can self-direct certain services and will assume and retain responsibility to:
- Recruit their service providers.
- Conduct criminal history checks.
- Determine the competency of service providers.
- Hire, train, manage and fire their service providers.
The following services are available through the CDS option:
- Employment assistance
- Financial management services
- Nursing services
- Respite care (in- and out- of-home)
- Supported home living (transportation)
- Support consultation
- Supported employment
- Cognitive rehabilitation therapy
- Community First Choice (CFC)/Personal Assistance Services /Habilitation
Individuals who use the CDS option must select a financial management services agency (FMSA) that will provide training, pay the service providers, pay federal and state employer taxes, and conduct criminal history checks.
The HCS provider can provide personal assistance services, habilitation or emergency response services through the Community First Choice (CFC) program to individuals who live in their own home or family home. Individuals can also receive unlimited prescriptions through the Medicaid Vendor Drug Program.)
