• If you are thinking about changing providers, we encourage you to first try to work out the issues with your current provider. Whether you are diagnosed with a developmental disability or not, change isn’t always a great experience so talk with your provider first.

If differences cannot be worked out, how do I continue with transferring to ACS or other provider?
This has changed significantly since new rules went into effect on June 1, 2010.  You can get a list of all of the providers in area from either you current HCS provider or local MHMR Center Service Coordinator.  Once you get this, you will want to talk to various companies and we would encourage you to ask the same questions as you would during the original enrollment process. If you didn’t read the enrollment process page, please look a “Enrollment Process Page” and it provides a list of questions. Another technique that is very common is "Word of Mouth". There are two forms that are a must in order to transfer: A transfer form (http://www.dads.state.tx.us/forms/3617/) and an information consent form that you will need to get from ACS or the new provider you choose. These two forms will allow ACS or new provider to get information that is vital to your transfer process (e.g., copy of Individual Services, Plan, MR/RC Assessment, Individual Plan of Care, etc.) for continuity of care purposes. Once you have requested and filled out these forms, you local MHMR Center Service Coordinator will take care of the rest and get the appropriate paperwork to everyone involved.  During this timeframe, please don’t be surprised if the old provider tries to take measures in order for you to stay with them. Obviously, no one in our industry likes to lose consumers. ACS then would proceed by assisting you by either calling your old provider to get further information (also you can do this if seems more comfortable). Hopefully by this time, the old provider will not be surprised and releases the information.  Most of the documentation you may be filling out currently will remain very similar.  There may be slight changes in services however, for example, our ACS nurse goes to the individual’s house instead of making him/her come to a central location as do our psychologist. Generally, there is a lot of behind the scenes stuff between the two providers, however, the transition as a whole is relatively non-problematic. ACS makes every effort to not make any significant changes (e.g., if you get paid at the 1st of the month for being an Foster Care Provider, then your pay would continue to be at the first of the month).

I want to transfer due to the fact that we are moving to a different part of the state, can I keep the same provider or must I change?

• One of the things you must understand about HCS is that although it is a state wide program, not all providers have contracts in all of the regions. The state is currently broken down into 9 waiver contract areas (WCA). You can view the various regions and the counties each serves by going to: http://www.dads.state.tx.us/providers/CDS/waiver-map.pdf

• Many companies do not contract with all 9 regions (WCA) consisting of 254 counties. This generally is not that significant unless you plan on moving out of the waiver contract area. For Example, ACS serves Dallas County which falls within Waiver Contract Area 3, but also has 5 other counties within Waiver Contract Area 3. Also, companies can choose how many counties within a WCA. For example, an HCS provider can choose to provide services in just 1 county in the whole state.

Upon determining that you are going to move, let you local MHMR Center Service Coordinator be aware to get the process started.  As a courtesy, it would be nice if you also let your HCS service provider also know (Case Manager).

After all of this information, the best thing to do is to look and see what counties does the new provider serve. Make a decision as to whether or not you will make a long move within the state in the near future. If not, then don’t let this be a significant factor in your decision making for a new provider.