What is Medicaid?
Medicaid is a federal health insurance program for people who can't afford medical care for some or all of their medical bills. It covers children, the aged, blind and/or disabled and is available to people with limited incomes.
There are certain requirements that you must meet in order to be eligible for Medicaid. If your income is low and you need medical care, you should apply for Medicaid and ask for a qualified caseworker to take a look at your circumstances. If you are eligible for the STAR+PLUS program, Medicaid will send payments directly to your health care providers.
What is STAR+PLUS?
STAR+PLUS is a Texas Medicaid managed care program designed to provide health care, acute and long-term services and support through a managed care system. The program provides a range of options to meet individual needs.
At HealthSpring, we can help you choose the plan options that are right for you. We will work together with you, your family and PCP to help coordinate health, long-term and other support services. To learn more about our plan, click one of the links to the right. Call HealthSpring Member Services if you need assistance or have questions. We are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time, excluding state-approved holidays.
Hidalgo Service Area: 1-877-653-0327 (TTY 711)
Tarrant Service Area: 1-877-966-9272 (TTY 711)
Are You Eligible for STAR+PLUS? *
There are many categories of Medicaid eligibility. There are mandatory groups of people that are eligible for Medicaid no matter where they live. These mandatory groups include low income people with a physical or mental disability, low income families with dependent children, and women who are pregnant and have children and are below the federal poverty level. You must enroll in STAR+PLUS if you live in a STAR+PLUS service area and fit one of the requirements below:
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People age 21 or older who can receive Medicaid because they are in Social Security Exclusion program and meet financial criteria for 1915(c) waiver services.
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People age 21 or older who are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
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People who have a physical or mental disability and qualify for supplemental security income (SSI) benefits or for Medicaid due to low income.
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People who qualify for Community-Based Alternatives (CBA) 1915(c) waiver services.
Medicare
* Individuals that are in a nursing facility for more than 120 days, individuals of Medicaid 1915© waiver services (other than Community-Based Alternative services); residents of Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded; individuals not eligible for Medicaid and children in state foster; clients not eligible for full Medicaid benefits, such as: 1) Qualified Medicare beneficiaries, 2) Specified low-income Medicare beneficiaries, 3) Qualified disabled working individuals and undocumented aliens cannot participate in the STAR+PLUS program.
Enrollment in STAR+PLUS is voluntary for:
To find out if you are eligible, call the STAR+PLUS Help Line at 1-800-964-2777, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Central Time.
Service Area list
Hidalgo Service Delivery Area: Cameron, Duval, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Maverick, McMullen, Starr, Webb, Willacy, and Zapata
Tarrant Service Delivery Area: Tarrant, Denton, Hood, Johnson, Parker, and Wise
How To Enroll
If you are eligible, go to www.yourtexasbenefits.com to fill out an application form. You will get an enrollment package from the state. Call the STAR+PLUS Helpline at 1-800-964-2777 if you have questions.
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