Full Definition

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is the umbrella state agency responsible for health and human services programs in Texas. For senior care, HHSC has three primary roles relevant to families: regulatory oversight of care facilities, administration of Texas Medicaid and long-term care benefits, and consumer protection.

HHSC licenses and inspects assisted living facilities, nursing facilities, memory care units, and other care settings. Inspection reports — including deficiency findings — are public records and searchable through the HHSC website. Families evaluating care facilities should review HHSC inspection histories as part of their due diligence.

On the benefits side, HHSC administers the STAR+PLUS Medicaid managed care program, the HCBS waiver programs, and the Community First Choice benefit. Applications for Medicaid long-term care services are processed through HHSC.

HHSC also operates the Long-Term Care Regulatory program, which handles consumer complaints about licensed facilities. If a family has concerns about the quality of care in a Texas care facility, filing a complaint with HHSC Long-Term Care Regulatory is one avenue for formal review and investigation. The Texas Long-Term Care Ombudsman — a separate program — also advocates for residents of nursing facilities and assisted living.