BCCS Services

Standard Offering

• Statewide availability of TDD/TTY and Nextalk service
• TDD/TTY units constitute a 1-time purchase offered with a 1-year warranty. There is no maintenance provided on the equipment
• Nextalk/Textnet consists of a computer-based application
• Nextalk service carries 2 monthly charges: a monthly toll-free usage charge and a monthly service fee per user in addition to an installation charge

Non-standard Offering

• Amplified telephones for users with a mild hearing loss.
• Voice Carry-Over Amplified telephones for users with severe hearing loss.
• Answering machines are available to provide for both sound and printed messages.
• Keyboard-adaptive products provide useful interactive and visual features designed to give the optimum telecommunication information for hearing-impaired users.
• In-line telephone amplifiers to amplify regular telephone conversations.
• Portable amplifiers and headsets

• Telecommunications Service Intervals: Target Timelines [PDF, 29KB]
• Nextalk service requires a toll free number which Nextalk provides. This number allows for toll free access to the service.
• 24 x 7 x 365 availability of service
• Ordering services are performed during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m
• CSC Communications System Specialists (CSS) are dedicated to providing price quotations and low-cost alternatives, clarifying order information, monitoring order status, and updating billing information. They also help with the analysis and development of the appropriate product and service mix to fulfill specific short and long term customer needs.
• Integrated ordering, inventory, and billing in a shared database accessible to customer Telecom Coordinators to enable service order tracking, usage reporting and billing review. Customer Telecom Coordinators also receive automatic Service Bulletins announcing changes in equipment offerings, price, and procurement procedures
• Automated agency billing – included in monthly call detail provided by CMS Business Services
• A single point of contact for reporting and monitoring repair and maintenance issues through successful resolution
• Coordination of training in the efficient use of products and services
• Notification of manufacturer discontinued equipment

• Agencies must provide a dedicated line for TDD/TTY installation (line fees charged monthly)
• Perform a routine review of billing for errors, underutilized service, special features and equipment
• Provide a designated agency contact and related contact information for BCCS to interface with when needed
• Perform an annual reconciliation to ensure accurate assignment

• All agency requests for TTY or Nextalk must go through the designated agency Telecommunications Coordinator and be submitted on a Telecommunications Service Request (TSR).
• Instructions for completing a TSR
• Note: A TSR requires the signature of a Telecommunications Coordinator
• The TSR must include an authorization (i.e., billing) code for the purpose of billing the usage.
• The CSC offers a handbook for agency Telecommunications Coordinators:
• For additional questions or information on the ordering of telecommunications products and services, visit the BCCS web site