STAR+PLUS is the Texas Medicaid managed-care program that provides long-term services and supports to adults who are 65 or older or who have a disability. Its purpose is to help people get the care they need in the most integrated setting possible — ideally at home or in the community rather than in an institution. This page explains, in plain language, how the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) portion works for Houston-area families.
What STAR+PLUS HCBS can cover
For members who meet both the financial rules and a functional-need assessment, HCBS can pay for supports that make staying at home realistic. Depending on the person’s assessed needs and their managed care organization, that can include:
- Personal attendant care — help with bathing, dressing, meals, and medication reminders
- Adult day care and day activity/health services
- Respite care to give family caregivers a break
- Home modifications and adaptive aids (such as ramps or grab bars)
- Nursing and therapy services in the home
- In some situations, services delivered in an assisted living or residential care setting
Who is eligible
Eligibility rests on two tests. First, financial: STAR+PLUS follows Medicaid income and asset limits, which change yearly and are set by the state. Second, functional: the state assesses whether the person needs a nursing-facility level of care or otherwise qualifies for waiver services. Because both pieces must line up, many families get help from a benefits counselor before applying.
How it is administered
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) runs STAR+PLUS, and day-to-day services are delivered through managed care organizations (MCOs) that members choose from in their region. Each member is assigned a service coordinator who arranges the approved services in their care plan.
Getting help
Whether STAR+PLUS is the right path — and how it combines with private pay or a VA benefit — depends on your family’s specifics. A free Houston Senior Advisor can help you understand the options and find communities that accept these benefits. Call (346) 385-3815, or read more about STAR+PLUS in Houston and Medicaid and assisted living. For official program details, see the Texas HHS website.
