The federal government introduced the Medicaid program in 1965 to ensure access to basic health care services for economically vulnerable Americans. The program serves parents and dependent children, pregnant women, blind and disabled adults and senior citizens through a combination of state and federal funding.
In Texas, approximately 4.5 million low-income residents are enrolled in the state Medicaid program and almost one-quarter are blind, disabled or elderly. Texas Medicaid delivers health care services through managed care plans that provides a wide range of benefits, such as:
- Physician and specialist services
- Inpatient and outpatient hospital services
- Emergency medical services
- X-rays and laboratory tests
- Prescription drugs
- Emergency and nonemergency medical transportation
- Nursing home care
Coppell residents must be aged 65 or older or have a disability lasting a year or more if younger, to qualify for long-term care services through Texas Medicaid. Only U.S. citizens or legal immigrants are eligible for coverage, and they must have:
- $2,313 or less in monthly income and $2,000 in countable resources if single
- $4,626 or less in monthly income and $3,000 in countable resources as a couple applying together
If only one spouse applies, the non-applicant’s income isn’t counted. They may also be eligible to receive up to $3,160.50 of the applicant’s monthly income and up to $126,420 in jointly owned assets. These living and resource allowances are mandated by Medicaid to prevent
spousal impoverishment.
Some resources are automatically disregarded, such as household and personal effects, one vehicle, irrevocable burial trusts and one owner-occupied home valued at $585,000 or less.
Seniors who meet the Texas Medicaid long-term care eligibility requirements except for income may consider setting up a
Qualified Income Trust to lower it to the required level. Excess income gets deposited monthly, and the account’s trust agent can only withdraw funds to pay allowable medical and long-term care expenses.
Those with limited income and few assets who apply for
Supplemental Security Income benefits are automatically enrolled in Texas Medicaid by the Social Security Administration.
Seniors and disabled adults in Coppell can
apply for Medicaid online or call the Your Texas Benefits helpline at (877) 541-7905.
STAR+PLUS Waiver Program The
STAR+PLUS waiver offers Coppell seniors who need long-term care an alternative to institutional nursing home placement. The waiver program provides all-inclusive medical and community-based long-term care support services through the applicant’s choice of managed care providers serving Dallas County.
To qualify, Coppell residents must be assessed as requiring a nursing-home level of care. Applicants must be approved to receive full Medicaid benefits and meet certain other qualifying criteria, such as residing in a nursing home and receiving Medicaid or currently receiving SSI.
Approved applicants receive the full suite of medical services available through the state Medicaid plan as well as care coordination services and additional supports deemed necessary, such as:
- Transitional services to relocate back to the community from a nursing home
- Assisted living services
- Personal care and help with activities of daily living
- Nursing services
- Physical, occupational and speech therapy services
- Adaptive aides
- Medical supplies
For more information about the STAR+PLUS waiver program or to apply, seniors and disabled adults in Coppell can contact the
Dallas Area Agency on Aging at (214) 871-5065.