Medicaid is a government-funded program that provides health care coverage to eligible low-income people across the country. In Texas, more than four million people receive coverage including pregnant women, children, adults with disabilities and senior citizens. Those eligible for Texas Medicaid receive medically necessary services including doctors visits, inpatient and outpatient hospital services, home health services and community-based or nursing home care.
Texas residents may qualify for Medicaid coverage if they meet certain income limits. The annual allowable income is $24,731 for single applicants and $33,482 for couples. Seniors who exceed these limits may qualify for the state’s Medicaid Buy-In program, which lets them make monthly payments to receive coverage.
Texas residents can apply for Medicaid online or request assistance by calling (877) 541-7905.
STAR+PLUS Waiver Program
STAR+PLUS is a Medicaid waiver program that provides services to eligible seniors and adults with disabilities through managed care plans. In addition to all the benefits provided by regular Medicaid, participants in the program can receive long-term care services and supports such as:
- Care coordination
- Assisted living facility care
- Personal assistance services
- Respite care
- Physical therapy
- Nursing care
- Adaptive aides and medical supplies
- Transition services
To receive services through the waiver program, seniors must be approved for Medicaid coverage. They also need to meet one of these eligibility criteria:
- Receiving SSI benefits
- Not receiving SSI but able to get STAR+PLUS services
- Receiving Medicaid through a Social Security Exclusion program
- Living in a nursing home
- Participating in the Breast and Cervical Cancer program
Seniors eligible for Medicare and Medicaid may also qualify for the waiver program. Dually eligible seniors will receive health care services through Medicare and long-term care services through STAR+PLUS managed care.
To learn more about the STAR+PLUS waiver program, contact the
Capital Area Agency on Aging at (512) 916-6062. To apply, visit
MyTexasBenefits.