Practical guides for home care agency owners — compliance, growth, caregiver management, and operations.
HCSSA agencies must report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation within 24 hours to both DFPS and HHSC — the most-cited survey deficiency in FY2023. Who must report, what counts, and how to document it.
13 policy topics required under 26 TAC 558 — HHSC won't issue your license if any are missing. Annual review obligation, staff sign-off requirements.
Who qualifies as a Texas HCSSA administrator? PAS education paths, 8-hour pre-designation training, 16-hour first-year hours, criminal history rules. Updated October 2026.
4 checks required before a caregiver's first client visit in Texas — DPS, SEMARC (updated Aug 2026), § 250.006, and OIG exclusions. Full checklist inside.
How much does it cost to start a home care agency in Texas? Break down the real HCSSA startup costs — license, insurance, training, and software — before you spend a dollar.
TMHP won't process your application without an active HCSSA license. MCO credentialing can't start until TMHP approves you. NPI, PEMS, 30–45 day timeline.
HHSC requires proof of insurance before issuing your HCSSA license — GL, professional liability, workers' comp, and HNOA. Small agency cost benchmarks.
HHSC complaint surveys arrive unannounced — anyone can file, even anonymously. Understand the investigation sequence and 10-day Plan of Correction window.
Most Texas HCSSA agencies can't legally pay caregivers as 1099 contractors. Workers' comp opt-out risk, TWC UI, and FLSA overtime — 4 employer compliance rules.
Data-backed guide to Texas private pay home care hourly rates in 2026 — by metro, service type, and billing model. Includes how to set competitive rates, minimum-hour policies, and when and how to raise rates without losing clients. Updated August 2026.
The 2 most-cited HCSSA violations in Texas FY2023 are both documentation — not care delivery. Get the 10-day PoC clock and 6-area inspection checklist. Updated 2026.
Running a Texas home care agency? Caregiver orientation must be done before visit one — and HHSC surveyors check every file. PAS training topics, annual rules, and documentation requirements. 2026.
STAR+PLUS clients come from MCO coordinators, not direct referrals. 7 Texas MCOs by county, 30–90 day credentialing, and new-agency billing sequence.
STAR+PLUS referrals come from MCO coordinators, not clients. TMHP enrollment, HHAeXchange EVV, and credentialing — with the realistic 4–6 month timeline.
STAR+PLUS billing goes to 7 MCOs — not TMHP. Each has its own credentialing portal and claims cycle. HHAeXchange EVV steps and the payment timeline.
Starting a Texas home care agency? HCSSA license takes 60–90 days — and HHSC won't process your application without completing the Pre-Survey CBT first.
Complete guide to Texas Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) requirements for home care agencies. Covers required programs, the HHAeXchange aggregator, the 2025–2028 alternative device phase-out, and what to look for in EVV software.
DFW private-pay home care agencies operate in one of the most demanding markets in the country. Here's what to look for in software that fits — caregiver retention, LTC insurance billing, and the demographics that make DFW a private-pay deep market.
Private-pay home care in Houston has unique operational realities: sprawling geography, demanding clients, and a competitive caregiver market. Here's what to look for in software that fits.
Private-pay home care agencies in Texas leaving WellSky face specific challenges: LTC insurance reimbursement workflows, recurring client billing, and tight implementation windows. Here's how to switch without disrupting operations.
AxisCare, AlayaCare, and Atlas Care Software each target a different home care segment. This honest 2026 comparison covers strengths, fit, pricing posture, and where each one falls short.
HIPAA compliance for home care agencies is more nuanced than vendor marketing suggests. Here is what HIPAA actually requires of your operations, what your software needs to do, and where vendors oversell.
Shopping for the best home care software in 2026? This honest comparison covers the top platforms, what they do well, who they are built for, and how to choose the right one.
Growing your home care agency does not have to mean growing your admin team. Here is how software lets you scale operations without adding headcount.
Struggling to track caregiver training compliance? See how a caregiver training platform automates certificate tracking, state requirements, and compliance alerts for home care agencies.
Home care billing software eliminates manual re-entry, reduces claim denials, and speeds up your cash cycle. Here is what to look for and what it costs vs. doing nothing.
Private pay home care management gives agencies better margins and less bureaucracy — if you have the right operations in place. Here is how to run private pay profitably.
EVV compliance is now mandatory for most home care agencies. Here is what it requires, what the penalties are for non-compliance, and how home care software automates it.
Private pay agency? WellSky pricing up 15–25% since ClearCare. Compare Atlas ($199/mo flat), AxisCare, AlayaCare, and ShiftCare — Texas EVV included.
Caregiver management software reduces no-shows and improves retention by fixing the system problems behind turnover. Here is what the data shows and what to look for.
Looking for home care management software? This complete buyer's guide covers what it is, who needs it, must-have modules, and how to choose the right platform for your agency in 2026.
Not all caregiver scheduling software is built for home care. Here are the features that actually matter in 2026 — and what separates purpose-built tools from generic platforms.
A complete guide to care scheduling software for home care agencies — must-have features, evaluation questions, implementation tips, and what separates good from great.
Still running your home care agency on spreadsheets? Here are 5 signs it's hurting your growth — and what home care software actually costs vs. doing nothing.
Looking for home care agency software or home care management software in 2026? This guide covers must-have features, pricing models, red flags, and how to choose the right platform.