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Editorial Standards

HomeEditorial Standards

How we source

Every regulatory statement on this site links to the underlying Texas rule, HHSC handbook section or federal source. Cost data comes from the published CareScout Cost of Care Survey tables. Population figures come from U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, with the calculation method stated where we have combined two data vintages.

What we will not publish

  • Untraceable figures. If we cannot find a primary source, we say the number is unavailable rather than repeating what other sites say.
  • Unverified facility details. We publish a community's name, address and care type only when confirmed against the operator's own published information. We do not publish bed counts, license numbers, pricing or star ratings we could not verify.
  • Invented reviews or rankings. We do not rank communities, and we do not publish testimonials we cannot attribute.

Known limitations, stated openly

  • There is no published median price for memory care in Texas. We do not estimate one.
  • CareScout does not publish Austin-specific cost tables. We cite Texas medians and say Austin runs above them, without inventing a local figure.
  • The published Texas semi-private nursing median is the lowest in the nation and reflects a heavily Medicaid-weighted market. We flag this everywhere we cite it.
  • Our facility listings are smaller than aggregator directories because our verification standard excludes providers we could not confirm.

Corrections

If you find something wrong — particularly about your own community — email [email protected] and we will correct or remove it. Facility operators may request corrections to their listing at any time.

Questions Austin families ask

What's the difference between Type A and Type B assisted living in Texas?

Texas licenses assisted living by residents' ability to evacuate. Type A residents must evacuate without physical staff assistance, follow emergency directions, and not need nighttime attendance. Type B residents may need staff help evacuating, nighttime attendance, and help transferring from a wheelchair, but cannot be permanently bedfast.

Is memory care a separate license in Texas?

No. Memory care isn't a license type. Under Texas rule 26 TAC 553.27, any community advertising specialized Alzheimer's or dementia care must hold an Alzheimer's certification, and it must be licensed as Type B to qualify. Always ask to see the Alzheimer's certificate, not just the license.

How do I check if an Austin assisted living facility is licensed?

Search the Texas HHSC provider database. Use TULIP at tulip.hhs.texas.gov for current license status, and the legacy tool at apps.hhs.texas.gov/ltcsearch for inspection history and cited deficiencies. Both are free and public. Confirm the license type, Type A or Type B, matches your parent's actual care needs.

Do Texas assisted living facilities have star ratings like nursing homes?

No. CMS star ratings on Medicare Care Compare cover nursing facilities only. Texas assisted living facilities are regulated solely by state HHSC and receive no federal star rating. To evaluate an Austin assisted living community, review its HHSC inspection history and deficiency reports directly.

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