The Truth About the New Attendant Wage Rules in Texas

Welcome to another episode of The Home Care Experience with T&A, where Amy Taylor and Troy Brooks break down the most important issues shaping the home care and hospice industry.

In this special solo episode, Amy unpacks the massive Texas HHSC payment model change that went into effect on September 1, 2025—a shift that impacts reimbursement rates, cost reporting, average wage requirements, and future compliance risk for every home care agency in the state.

If you’re a Texas provider, this episode is essential. If you’re not in Texas, it’s still a powerful preview of where similar policies across the U.S. are heading.

🔍What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Why ACERS was eliminated and what replaced it
The real meaning behind the new “$13 average wage” requirement (spoiler: it’s NOT a minimum wage)
How misinformation from monitors and MCOs created confusion for providers
What goes into the 90% spend requirement—and how to avoid being placed on the new public “naughty list”
Why raising wages across the board to $13/hour could put agencies in financial danger
Strategic guidance on compliance, payroll structure, and preparing for the next cost-reporting cycle
How the cost report system (STEPS) will change the way providers submit and reconcile their data

Amy breaks down these rules in plain English, providing clear explanations and actionable guidance.

Whether you’re an agency owner, administrator, compliance leader, or just trying to understand the rapidly shifting home care landscape—this episode gives you the clarity you need to protect your agency and plan ahead.

⏱️ Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:01 What Changed on September 1?
01:16 Why Amy Is Leading This Breakdown Episode
02:12 Understanding the “Naughty List” & 90% Spend Requirement
03:30 The Truth About the $13 Wage Rule (Not a Minimum!)
07:35 Why Legislators Appropriated Funding the Way They Did
08:00 How HHSC Calculated the Statewide Average Wage Expectation
09:00 Misinformation From Monitors & Case Managers
26:55 New STEPS Cost Reporting System & Pre-Populated Data
30:00 What Agencies Should Do Next
31:00 Closing Thoughts

🔗 Listen On
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TheHomeCareExperience.com

📌 Hashtags
#HomeCarePodcast #HealthcareLeadership #HomeCareInnovation #TexasHomeCare #HHSCUpdate #MedicaidHomeCare #CostReporting #HealthcareCompliance