How to apply for Texas STAR+PLUS — Medicaid Managed Care + Long-Term Services and Supports

Who it's for

STAR+PLUS is Texas Medicaid's managed-care program for adults age 65+ and adults with disabilities. It bundles full Medicaid medical coverage with long-term services and supports (LTSS) — the in-home personal care, adult day care, home modifications, personal emergency response systems, and respite care that keep older Texans out of nursing facilities. Members must first qualify for Texas Medicaid (typically via the tx.medicaid_abd pathway for non-LTSS members, or via the STAR+PLUS HCBS waiver for members at risk of nursing-home placement). All STAR+PLUS members are assigned a service coordinator who arranges medical care and long-term services. The STAR+PLUS HCBS (Home and Community-Based Services) waiver expands Medicaid LTSS eligibility to people whose income exceeds the regular Medicaid limit but is below 300% of the SSI Federal Benefit Rate ($2,901/month single 2026), provided they meet a nursing-facility level of care criterion. Apply through HHSC at YourTexasBenefits.com, by calling 2-1-1, or by calling HHSC at 1-800-252-8263. The STAR+PLUS HCBS waitlist (interest list) can have multi-year waits — apply early if Medicaid LTSS may be needed.

What you'll need

• Proof of age 65+ (Texas driver's license, Texas ID, birth certificate, or Medicare card)
• Proof of all household income (Social Security award letter, pension statement, SSI award letter)
• Proof of all countable resources (bank statements, brokerage statements)
• Proof of Texas residency
• Medical documentation supporting nursing-facility level of care (for the STAR+PLUS HCBS waiver pathway)
• Social Security number
• Photo identification

Where to apply

Renewals

annual redetermination