The Medicaid program is a jointly funded initiative of the federal and state governments that provides vital health care coverage to economically vulnerable Americans, including parents with young children, pregnant women, blind and disabled adults and seniors.
Close to 4.5 million residents of Texas receive health care services through the state Medicaid program, and 23% of enrollees are elderly or disabled. Texas Medicaid covers a range of services through managed care plans for those who meet the programs’ eligibility requirements. Depending on the plan an applicant qualifies for, the benefits they receive can include doctor and specialist visits, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, emergency medical services, lab work and X-rays, transportation to medical appointments, prescription medications and long-term care services.
To qualify for long-term care through the state Medicaid program, Bastrop residents must be aged 65 or older or have a disability that persists for one year or longer. Applicants also must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents or legal aliens and meet income and resource limits of:
- $2,313 or less in monthly income for individuals and $4,626 for married couples applying together
- $2,000 or less in countable resources for single people and $3,000 for couples if both spouses apply
Medicaid counts income from all sources when determining eligibility. Some resources are disregarded, including a primary home, one car, personal effects, household furnishings and irrevocable burial trusts.
Low-income seniors and disabled adults approved for
Supplemental Security Income benefits through the Social Security Administration are automatically enrolled in Medicaid and don’t need to file a separate application.
Residents of Bastrop can
apply for Medicaid online or call the Your Texas Benefits helpline at (877) 541-7905 to receive assistance with completing an application.
STAR+PLUS Waiver Program Texas Medicaid offers the
STAR+PLUS waiver program as an alternative to institutional nursing home admission for seniors and disabled adults who wish to stay in the community. The STAR+PLUS program delivers integrated medical and long-term supportive services through a participant’s choice of state-approved managed care providers.
For those who qualify, the waiver program provides all the medical services covered under the state Medicaid plan, along with care coordination and supportive services such as:
- Assisted living care
- Assistance with personal care and activities of daily living
- Nursing services
- Transitional aid to relocate from a nursing facility
- Occupational and physical therapies
- Medical supplies and adaptive aids
To qualify for the STAR+PLUS program, Bastrop residents must need a nursing facility level of care and meet the various eligibility requirements for Medicaid coverage. Applicants also must meet one of several program-specific conditions, such as being an SSI benefit recipient or receiving Medicaid while living in a nursing home.
For more information about the STAR+PLUS waiver program or to apply, seniors and disabled adults in Bastrop can contact the
Capital Area Agency on Aging at (512) 916-6062.