STAR+PLUS is the Texas Medicaid program that most families have never heard of until the week they desperately need it. It is how Texas pays for ongoing, in-home caregivers for adults who are aging or living with disabilities – so they can stay home instead of moving to a nursing facility. Here is how it actually works.
What STAR+PLUS is
STAR+PLUS is Texas Medicaid managed care for adults who need long-term services and supports (LTSS). Instead of the state paying providers directly, each member picks (or is assigned) a managed-care plan – in our service areas these include Superior HealthPlan, Molina Healthcare, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, and Aetna Better Health. The plan covers both regular health care and long-term supports like an in-home attendant.
Who qualifies
- Adults 65 and older who qualify for Medicaid financially, or
- Adults 21+ with a qualifying disability (including those who get SSI), and
- A need for help with daily living – bathing, dressing, meals, transfers, toileting
Financial eligibility runs through YourTexasBenefits; if you are unsure, apply anyway or call 2-1-1 – many families assume they earn too much and are wrong, especially once medical deductions are counted.
The HCBS waiver: nursing-home-level care, at home
Within STAR+PLUS is the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver – for people whose needs are high enough to qualify for a nursing facility but who want to stay home. The waiver unlocks a deeper service package. There can be an interest list depending on circumstances, which is one more reason to start the process early rather than in a crisis.
What services members actually get
- Personal assistance services (PAS) – an ongoing caregiver for daily living, the core benefit
- Respite for the family caregiver, in many service plans
- Day activity programs, emergency response systems, minor home modifications, and more depending on the assessment
- The option for a qualified family member to be the paid caregiver
How to apply, step by step
- Confirm or apply for Medicaid at YourTexasBenefits (or call 2-1-1 for application help).
- Choose a STAR+PLUS plan when prompted (you can change plans later).
- Ask the plan for a service coordinator assessment – this is the visit that determines authorized caregiver hours.
- Pick your provider agency. This is your choice, not the plan’s – tell the coordinator you want Newport Home Health.
- Care starts once hours are authorized; every visit is verified electronically (EVV).
Where Newport fits
We provide STAR+PLUS personal assistance across Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio, help families request assessments, and enroll family members as paid caregivers. More background: what Medicaid and Medicare cover and who qualifies.
Questions about your situation? Call Newport Home Health at 972-602-3500 — we serve Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio, and the consultation is free.
