HHSC Announces SFY 2027 Enrollment Deadlines for Directed Payment Programs
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has issued a formal reminder to providers regarding upcoming enrollment deadlines for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2027 participation in several Directed Payment Programs (DPPs) and the Quality Incentive Payment Program (QIPP). Providers are advised that no deadline extensions will be granted.
Directed Payment Programs: March 5, 2026, Deadline
The enrollment period for SFY 2027 participation in the following programs will close on March 5, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CST:
- Comprehensive Hospital Increase Reimbursement Program (CHIRP)
- Directed Payment Program for Behavioral Health Services (DPP BHS)
- Rural Access to Primary and Preventive Services Program (RAPPS)
- Texas Incentives for Physicians and Professional Services (TIPPS)
HHSC emphasized that enrollment submissions must be completed by the stated deadline. Late submissions will not be accepted except under specific system-related circumstances outlined below.
QIPP Enrollment: March 18, 2026 Deadline
The enrollment period for the SFY 2027 Quality Incentive Payment Program (QIPP) will close on March 18, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CST. No extensions will be provided.
Support for STEPS Users With Active Help Tickets
HHSC acknowledged that a significant number of users of the State of Texas Electronic Provider System (STEPS) are currently experiencing technical issues that have hindered enrollment completion.
Specifically, HHSC is aware of a data synchronization issue affecting providers attempting to update their Primary Entity Contact (PEC) information within PEMS. In response, HHSC will permit enrollment submission after the deadline only for providers who meet strict criteria.
To qualify for post-deadline submission:
- The PEC must have submitted a support ticket in STEPS or emailed costinformationpfd@hhs.texas.gov before the applicable enrollment deadline.
- The ticket must clearly state that the PEC was unable to view all affiliated National Provider Identifier (NPI) entities when logged into STEPS.
- The issue must constitute a system defect that directly prevented enrollment submission.
HHSC clarified that providers who did not attempt to complete enrollment or failed to report a qualifying system issue prior to the deadline will not be granted additional time.
All tickets will be reviewed in the order received, and determinations will be made based on the outlined eligibility criteria.
Important Administrative Reminders
HHSC also issued several operational reminders:
- Providers should not submit duplicate help tickets, as this delays response times for all users.
- If a previously reported issue has been resolved, providers should respond within STEPS or reply to PFD Cost Information to request ticket closure.
- Providers must ensure that PEMS contact information reflects approved data, as only approved records are transmitted to STEPS.
- For STEPS access questions, providers may email PFD cost information.
- For application functionality issues, a ticket must be submitted directly through STEPS.
- For PEMS-related issues, including email updates not saving, providers must contact TMHP and submit a ticket as necessary. PFD cannot submit tickets on behalf of providers.
HHSC expressed appreciation for providers’ continued cooperation and encouraged timely completion of enrollment requirements to ensure uninterrupted participation in SFY 2027 programs.
You can email your questions to these email addresses
- CHIRP: PFD_hospitals@hhs.texas.gov
- DPP BHS: PFD_DPPBHS@hhs.texas.gov
- RAPPS: PFD_hospitals@hhs.texas.gov
- TIPPS: PFD_TIPPS@hhs.texas.gov
- QIPP: QIPP@hhs.texas.gov
