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 ($2,982/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

What to say when you call

"Hello, I'm calling to ask about Texas STAR+PLUS — Medicaid Managed Care + Long-Term Services and Supports. I'd like to know whether I may qualify, what documents I need, and whether I can apply online, by mail, by phone, or in person. I understand I may 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) — is anything else required? What is the best next step?"

Tip: have a pen ready, ask for the person's name, and write down any case or reference number they give you.

Step by step

1. Gather proof of age, photo identification, your Social Security number, proof of Texas residency, proof of all household income, and proof of all countable resources.
2. Gather medical records that support a nursing-facility level of care if you are applying for the STAR+PLUS HCBS waiver.
3. Choose the right path before you apply. Regular STAR+PLUS is for people who first qualify for Texas Medicaid. The STAR+PLUS HCBS waiver is for people at risk of nursing-home placement and may also help some people with higher income.
4. Apply online or apply by phone at 1-800-252-8263.
5. Ask to be placed on the STAR+PLUS HCBS interest list as early as possible if long-term services and supports may be needed.
6. Complete any follow-up requests from HHSC or the managed care program and submit any missing documents.

What to expect: After you apply, HHSC reviews your information and may ask for more documents. If you enroll, you will be assigned a service coordinator automatically to help arrange medical care and long-term services. If you apply for the STAR+PLUS HCBS waiver, wait times on the interest list can be long in some areas. Coverage must be renewed every year, so watch for your annual redetermination notice and respond on time.

Renewals

annual redetermination