Resource Utilization Group (RUG) Training

RUGS Information

Please carefully read this entire page before completing the online RUG training registration form. 

You have 90 days to complete the training. If you have not completed the training within your 90 day enrollment period, you will need to complete the registration process again.

The RUG training may take up to four (4) hours to complete.

Training must be repeated every two (2) years. If training requirements are not met, assessment submissions are not allowed.

If your license number changes, we must be notified so the database can be updated. Please email a written request asking that your license number be changed. Include in the written request the old license number that is to be deleted and the new license number that is to be added, and email it to rugs-ce@txstate.edu. Written requests will be kept on file and the report to TMHP will be adjusted to reflect the change.

This program operates on the Texas State University schedule. We are closed on University holidays and services are limited during Christmas Break (2 weeks) and Spring Break (1 week). Holidays will be posted at the bottom of the main Continuing Education page.

Technical Requirements

You must have:

• A secure Internet connection to complete the online RUG training program.
• A working email account—either a paid Internet providers or free Internet providers (i.e., Yahoo or Hotmail)
• A web browser such as Firefox or Google Chrome, must accommodate and allow security settings that enable Javascript and Java. Internet Explorer is no longer compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0 or higher - available free online at Acrobat Reader

If you have a pop-up blocker on your browser, you may need to turn it off or tell it to allow pop-ups. Another problem could be the firewall on the computer. This problem will have to be taken care of by your computer technician.

Registration

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission's Office of Inspector General provides training to Medicaid providers, contractors, their employees, and staff from other state agencies that are involved in the administration of health and human services.

This web-based training on the Minimum Data Set (MDS) – Resource Utilization Group (RUG) is intended for long-term care nurses and other providers of long-term care in an institutionalized setting, and for nurses and providers associated with the Department of Aging and Disability Services Community Programs.  It is designed to provide the requirements for completing MDS assessments for Texas Medicaid payment.

Texas State University, in cooperation with the Office of Inspector General, makes this training available through the Continuing Education's online course program.

Important:  Nurses must complete RUG training every two years to be able to submit forms for Texas Medicaid payments.

Payment Information 

The RUG training fee is $40.00.

Payments can be made with a personal or company check, money order/cashier’s check, or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover).

The University assesses a returned check fee for insufficient funds. 

Online Payments

After submitting an online application, a page will pop up with a link to the online payment site. In the box for the "Applicant Name(s)" you will be allowed to enter up to 10 names.

(NOTE: this is for payment information only - this does not count as an application - each person taking the training will need to submit an individual application).

Enter the name(s) of the person(s) taking the training as the applicant(s) in order for us to be able to match the payment with the name on the actual application. Later during the process, you will need to enter a name for "Billing Information". At that point in the process, enter the name of the person or entity paying for the training.  You will receive an email confirmation of payment.  If you are unsure if your payment went through, please call us before attempting to pay again.

Please call (512) 245-7118 (M-F, 8-5) if you need assistance with the online payment process.

Mail payments to:

Texas State University
Office of Distance and Extended Learning
ASBN 302
601 University Drive
San Marcos, TX 78666

Please be sure to include the name(s) of the applicant(s), their license number(s) and a phone number with this correspondence.

Once payment has been received, it will be matched up with the application for processing. 

Receipts: Receipts are not automatically sent out but can be emailed upon request.

Refunds: There are no refunds for the online RUG Training Program.

Enrollment Confirmation

Within 5 business days of your online online application and payment, you will receive two emails. The first is your "Rug Enrollment Instructions" and the second is from "TXST Canvas" which is the portal that holds your course.

Please contact our office if you have questions. Please do not contact CANVAS.

Quite often emails are caught in junk mail/spam folders. Be sure to check these locations before contacting our office.

We are unable to rush registrations.  We suggest allowing ample time for any problems that might occur with your application, payment, internet provider, personal timing issues in completing training, and receipt of acknowledgment of completion.

Accessing Online RUG training Site (Canvas)

Once you have received your "TXST Canvas" course invitation and created your password, you may now access your course. Please see below the following information that may help you while logging in:

Canvas link: https://canvas.txstate.edu/login/canvas

Guest Login: This is your email you used to register for the course

Guest Password: The password you created 

Course Completion

After completing the training, you will be sent a course completion email notification within 5 business days. This email is your acknowledgment of completion. We suggest printing several copies; one of which should be kept on file at your facility.

Please keep in mind, upon receiving your certificate, it can take 3-5 business days for the certification to show valid in THMP. We are unable to rush this process, as this process is in place with TMHP.

Special Request

Request a RUG Training Replacement Certificate: Please complete the online Replacement Certificate Request Form

Request to be transferred from one course to another: If you accidently signed up for the incorrect course, please contact us. (This request can not be completed if you have already completed the currently enrolled RUGS program. In the event you completed the wrong RUGS program, you must re-enroll for the correct program and submit new payment)

Important Contact Information

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission / Office of the Inspector General

Texas Medicaid and Healthcare Partnership TMHP

TMHP is the contractor with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) that is responsible for medical necessity determinations and for processing fee-for-service Medicaid claims. TMHP maintains the Long Term Care (LTC) Online Portal in which assessments are submitted and retained for a period of 7 years.

They also conduct periodic LTC training webinars for nursing facility, hospice, PACE and community waiver providers. Providers must register for the webinars. Visit our Webinar page to view descriptions and information about upcoming broadcast dates, registration link, recordings and Q&A documents from the most recent broadcast, and other associated resources.

To access TMHP learning management system, providers must register and obtain a username. Visit Learn TMHP to register.

Registered users can:

• Run computer-based training modules,
• Listen to or read transcripts of past webinars, and
• Access written workshop materials.

The goal of the medical necessity assessment training webinars is to educate community waiver providers, nursing facilities and hospices providers on their roles and responsibilities. Providers will learn how to:

• Obtain an LTC Online Portal administrator account,
• Understand basic LTC Online Portal features,
• Understand Medical Necessity (MN) and the MN determination process,
• Submit Medical Necessity and Level of Care (MN/LOC) Assessments,
• Understand and complete the Long Term Care Medicaid Information (LTCMI) section,
• Submit Individual Service Plan (ISP) forms,
• Understand the provider workflow process,
• Understand how to correct or inactivate assessments,
• Understand how to print completed and blank assessments, 
• Identify assessment statuses and how to resolve issues.

Texas State University

Texas State University is contracted with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to administer the Resource Utilization Group (RUG) Minimum Data Sets MDS Nursing Facility and Community Services training programs for both nursing facility and community waiver audiences per federal and state requirements.

Texas State University
Office of Distance and Extended Learning
Continuing Education Program
ASBN 302
601 University Drive
San Marcos, TX 78666
Telephone: (512) 245-7118 (M-F, 8-5)
Fax: (512) 245-8934
Email: rugs-ce@txstate.edu