Texas Medicaid home care for adults 65 and older is mainly delivered through STAR+PLUS, a Medicaid managed care program that can include help at home with basic daily activities. To use it, a person must first be approved for Texas Medicaid and meet the program’s criteria.
Here is a plain-language overview of what STAR+PLUS is, what kinds of in-home support it can include, and how families can begin.
What Is STAR+PLUS?
According to Texas Health and Human Services, STAR+PLUS is a Texas Medicaid managed care program for adults who have disabilities or are age 65 or older. In addition to healthcare, it provides long-term services and supports, such as help at home with basic daily activities and short-term care that gives family caregivers a break.
Members choose a health plan from the plans available in their service area, and every member receives service coordination to help build a care plan.
Texas Medicaid Home Care Services That May Be Included
HHS lists long-term services and supports that may be available to STAR+PLUS members, including:
- Personal assistance services
- Day Activity and Health Services
- Emergency response services
- Community First Choice services
- Consumer Directed Services, which let some members help choose and manage their own attendants
People in the STAR+PLUS Home and Community Based Services waiver may also be able to get services such as home-delivered meals, minor home modifications, adaptive aids, and respite care. Availability depends on individual assessments.
Who May Qualify
A person must be approved for Medicaid and meet at least one of the program’s criteria, which relate to factors such as age, disability, SSI status, and the need for home and community-based services. People who have both Medicare and Medicaid can often still join STAR+PLUS and keep seeing their Medicare doctors.
Because income and asset rules are detailed, families should get answers directly from the state rather than relying on general rules of thumb.
How to Get Started in El Paso
Step 1: Apply for Medicaid
Texas residents can apply online through the state’s benefits website or by calling 2-1-1, which connects callers to state health and human services information.
Step 2: Prepare documents
Have identification, proof of income, information about assets, and any medical information ready. Missing paperwork is a common cause of delays.
Step 3: Work with your service coordinator
Once enrolled, the health plan’s service coordinator meets with the member to understand goals and needs and build a service plan. Invite family members to that conversation if your loved one wants them there.
Planning While You Wait
Applications and assessments can take time. Many families arrange short-term private help, lean on relatives, or adjust schedules while they wait for a decision. Keeping a simple log of the help your loved one needs each day can also be useful during assessments.
For questions about your specific eligibility, contact Texas HHS or 2-1-1. For health questions, talk with your loved one’s doctor.
Common Questions Families Ask During the Process
What if my parent has too much income or savings?
Medicaid has financial limits, and the rules about income, assets, and transfers are complex. An elder law attorney or a benefits counselor can explain options. Avoid moving money or property without advice, because some transfers can affect eligibility.
How long does approval take?
Timelines vary based on paperwork, assessments, and the program. Ask the state or your service coordinator for an estimate and check in regularly on the status of the application.
Can family members be paid caregivers?
Some Texas programs offer Consumer Directed Services, which can allow members more say in hiring and managing attendants. Rules apply, so ask the health plan or service coordinator how this works in your loved one’s case.
Where can we get free help?
Calling 2-1-1 connects Texans with health and human services information. The local Area Agency on Aging can also share resources for older adults and caregivers in the El Paso region. Keeping all letters from the state in one folder and responding quickly to requests for information can prevent avoidable delays.
Combining Medicaid Services With Family Support
Even when a loved one qualifies for STAR+PLUS, the hours and services approved may not cover every need. Many El Paso families combine program services with help from relatives, neighbors, faith communities, and privately arranged support. Mapping out the week, who covers mornings, who handles appointments, and where the gaps are, makes it easier to see what additional help might be useful.
Keep the service coordinator informed when needs change, such as after a fall or a hospital stay. A change in condition may lead to a reassessment of the services in the care plan. Clear, regular communication helps the plan reflect how your loved one is really doing at home.
While You Wait on STAR+PLUS
Applications and assessments can take time, and many families need some help at home in the meantime. Our home care services page outlines the non-medical tasks a caregiver can cover, and in-home care for El Paso families explains how we work with families as needs change. To talk through a short-term plan, call (915) 307-6103.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Texas Medicaid pay for in-home care?
Texas Medicaid can pay for certain in-home long-term services and supports, such as personal assistance services, for eligible members through programs like STAR+PLUS.
Can someone with Medicare also get STAR+PLUS?
In many cases, yes. Texas HHS states that people with Medicare can get STAR+PLUS unless they receive certain waiver services or live in specific facilities.
How do I apply for Texas Medicaid?
You can apply online through the state’s benefits website or by calling 2-1-1.
Does every home care agency accept Medicaid?
No. Ask any agency directly whether it is contracted with your loved one’s STAR+PLUS health plan before arranging services.