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Licensed home health agencies and hospices are in the category of Home and Community Support Services Agencies (HCSSA). They provide an individual with home health, hospice, or personal assistance services in their own home or independent living environment as prescribed by a physician or individualized service plan.

Each agency must provide clients with a Plan of Care (POC) that includes specific services the agency agrees to perform. The agencies are licensed and monitored by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services. Information is available by calling the Customer Service Hotline at 1-800-228-1570.

Home Health Services

The provision of one or more of the following health services required by an individual in a residence or independent living environment:

• Nursing
• Physical, occupational, speech, or respiratory therapy
• Medical social service
• Intravenous therapy
• Dialysis
• Service provided by unlicensed personnel under the delegation of a licensed health professional
• Furnishing of medical equipment or supplies, excluding drugs, medicines, or nutritional counseling

Agency

A home and community support services agency (HCSSA)

Parent Agency

The agency that develops and maintains administrative controls and supervises branch offices and alternate delivery sites.

Branch Office

A facility or site in the service area of a parent agency from which home health or personal assistance services are delivered or where active client records are maintained.

Alternate Delivery Site

A facility or site that is not the hospice's principal place of business from which the hospice provides hospice services.

Termination of Services

An agency intending to transfer or discharge a client must notify the client or the client's parent, family, spouse, significant other, or legal representative; and the client's attending physician not later than 5 days before the date on which the client will be transferred or discharged. Exceptions to this rule are:

• Upon the client's request
• If the client's medical needs require transfer (e.g. a medical emergency)
• In the event of a natural disaster where if not transferred, the client's health and safety is at risk
• For the protection of staff of a client after the agency has made a documented reasonable effort to notify the client, the client's family and physician, and appropriate state of local authorities of the agency's concern for staff or client safety, and in accordance with agency policy
• According to physician orders
• If the client fails to pay for services, except as prohibited by federal law