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CDS Notices

Notices from or regarding: Capitol Care CDS (formerly CTD CDS Division), the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), the Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership (TMHP), and Electronic Visit Verification (EVV).

CDS Division Notice (Sept. 28, 2022): UPDATED CDS Community Attendant – COVID 19 in Healthcare Relief

As your Fiscal Management Service Agency or FMSA, we at the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities (CTD) recently sent you a detailed email (9/14/22) on the COVID 19 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which provided federal money or grants for attendant bonuses. We have updated this notice to provide some background about the grant money; explain why CTD considered applying for these funds a risk; and outline what CTD is doing to ensure that you and your attendants receive bonus funds in the near future. View the full updated notice.

HHSC Notice (Sept. 20, 2022): Annual EVV Policy Training Webinars for CDS Employers

HHSC will host two Electronic Visit Verification policy training webinars for Consumer Directed Services employers required to use EVV. CDS employers may register for a webinar based on the option selected on Form 1722, Employer's Selection for EVV Responsibilities. Attending the webinar will complete the annual EVV policy training requirement.

Agenda

EVV Policy Handbook revisions
Updates and reminders
Interactive exercise
Question and answer session

Live closed captioning will be available.

Webinar Registration for CDS Employers

For CDS employers who selected Option 1 on Form 1722, register for the Oct. 20, 2–3:30 p.m. webinar.
For CDS employers who selected Option 2 or 3 on Form 1722, register for the Nov. 3, 2–3:30 p.m. webinar.

If you are unable to attend a webinar, they will be recorded and posted to the HHS Learning Portal about 10 business days after each session. CDS employers may receive credit for annual EVV policy training by listening to or watching one of the recordings and completing all three steps in the course.

CDS employers who are new to EVV must complete the Initial EVV Policy Training for CDS Employers computer-based training course on the HHS Learning Portal.

Email questions to HHSC EVV Operations.

HHSC Notice (Sept. 14, 2022): EVV Compliance Job Aids Updated

The Electronic Visit Verification Compliance Job Aids have been updated. They are in the compliance section on the EVV web page.

The job aids were simplified and provide updated information about the following EVV Compliance standards:

EVV Usage Scores and reviews
Required free text reviews
Landline phone verification reviews

Email questions to EVV Operations.

CDS Division Notice (Sept. 14, 2022): CDS Community Attendant – COVID 19 in Healthcare Relief

HHSC is accepting Applications for the CDS Community Attendants - COVID-19 in Healthcare Relief. The purpose of this Application is to distribute funding for Critical Staffing Needs to Consumer Directed Services (CDS) Employers receiving CDS Community Attendant Services in Texas whose Community Attendants have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. View the full Information Guide.

CDS Division Notice (Sept. 14, 2020): Upcoming Changes for EVV

Things in the CDS world are changing. The 21st Century Cures Act 9 (Sec 12006(a) mandates that all states implement Electronic Visit Verification (EVV). Please keep in mind, EVV is in addition to what you are currently doing. You will STILL prepare and send in weekly time sheets. There are no other changes!

What EVV means for CDS EMPLOYERS

As your Financial Management Service Agency (FMSA), CTD CDS Division is going to act on your behalf. There will be little to no change on your part. Paper time sheets will still be required. The deadlines and due dates all remain the same.

Your employee will be using their smartphones and/ or computers to clock in and out every day. Again, they will still use paper time sheets like you are used to. They will, in addition to paper time sheets, use an app on their smart devices to clock in and out. Your employee will be receiving an email with instructions on how to set up that app.

Right now, all we need from CDS employers is form that requires your signature, Form 1722. This form states that you are requesting CTD to handle your EVV processes on your behalf. This form must be signed and returned to us via email at EVV@txdisabilities.org. CDS Employers ONLY: access Form 1722.

What EVV means for CDS EMPLOYEES

EVV is being rolled out in phases and we are at that point where we need to begin our training. You will be receiving an email with the subject line: “Set up your EVV account for Coalition of Texans with Disabilities.”

In that email, you will be given a link that will guide you through the set up process. EVV transactions will be monitored by our EVV vendor, Authenticare. We will continue to keep you updated as roll out dates approach. In the mean time, watch out for the email with the subject line: “Set up your EVV account for Coalition of Texans with Disabilities.”

HHSC Notice (May 28, 2020): Suspension of Face-to Face CDS Orientations Extended Through June 30

HHS' revised Information Letter No. 20-08 (PDF), originally published on March 20, 2020, provides an updated timeline for the suspension of face-to-faceCDS employer orientations.

Read the full letter

HHSC Notice (May 7, 2020): Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Information Letter 2020-22 (PDF) from HHSC reminds FMSAs and CDS employers to comply with all applicable employment-related laws. This includes the Department of Labor (DOL) temporary rule and associated guidance about the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The letter also provides FFCRA information and resources.

Read the full letter

EVV Notice (Aug. 30, 2019): EVV is coming

Electronic Visit Verification is a computer-based system that electronically verifies the occurrence of authorized personal attendant service visits by electronically documenting the precise time a service delivery visit begins and ends. The EVV program was implemented to replace paper-based attendant timesheets.

Texas requires EVV for certain Medicaid funded home and community-based services provided through the Health and Human Services Commission and health plans.

Learn more about EVV in Texas

CDS Division Notice (Dec. 19, 2017): Changes to Time sheets and Time sheet Schedule

A major change will go into effect January 2018. Time sheets will be presented to CTD/ CDS Division every week. Work weeks will start on Sunday, and they will end on Saturday. You will have the same three days to get time sheets into the office. Once the week ends on Saturday, you have until Tuesday of every week to get your time sheets into our office. Yes, you will send in a time sheet for one week, every week.

Beginning on Monday January 1, 2018 you will start to use the NEW time sheets (see sidebar). The old time sheets will NOT be accepted. Only the new time sheets will be processed for payroll.

Use your old time sheets through December 31, 2017. That time sheet is due in our office no later than Tuesday, January 3, 2018. Then, starting on January 1, 2018 you start with new timesheets and you turn them in every week. They are due on or before every Tuesday of the week. If they come in late, your check will be delayed until the next pay period.

When you turn in your first 2018 time sheet to us on or before Tuesday January 9th, 2018, we will process payroll and your first paycheck will be sent to you and payable on January 26, 2018. Paychecks will be processed every other Friday.

This notice has been placed in every employee paycheck and a certified letter with new time sheets have been sent to every employer. Employees and employers: you are hereby notified of this change. No further notices will be sent.

Recap: Week starts on Sunday. Week ends on Saturday at midnight. Every Tuesday is latest day to get time sheets into the CDS office. Paydays are every other Friday beginning on January 26th, 2018. Only new time sheets can be used after December 31, 2017. Old time sheets will not be accepted.

View a PDF copy of this notice.