What is STAR+PLUS?
STAR+PLUS is Texas Medicaid's managed care program for adults 21 and older who qualify for both Medicaid and meet a nursing facility level of care. In Cameron County, it's administered through four private Managed Care Organizations (MCOs): Superior HealthPlan, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, Molina Healthcare, and Wellpoint (formerly Amerigroup).
STAR+PLUS State Plan vs. HCBS Waiver — What's the Difference?
There are two parts to STAR+PLUS for home care. The STAR+PLUS State Plan covers basic Personal Assistance Services (PAS) through your MCO. The HCBS Waiver (Home and Community-Based Services) covers more extensive services — including companion care, respite, adaptive aids, and more — for people who would otherwise require nursing home care. Most families in Cameron County want to access the HCBS Waiver because it provides significantly more hours of care.
Who Qualifies for STAR+PLUS?
- You are 21 years of age or older
- You are enrolled in Texas Medicaid (Medicaid card from HHSC)
- You meet a nursing facility level of care — meaning you need help with at least 3 Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) like bathing, dressing, eating, or transferring
- You live in your own home or a community setting (not a nursing facility)
- You live in Cameron County or surrounding counties served by one of the four MCOs
How to Apply — Step by Step
- Step 1: Confirm Medicaid enrollment — Call 2-1-1 or visit your local HHSC office to verify you or your loved one has active Medicaid.
- Step 2: Contact your MCO — Call your health plan (Superior, UHC, Molina, or Wellpoint) and ask to speak with a Service Coordinator or Care Manager. Tell them you are requesting a Functional Assessment for STAR+PLUS HCBS.
- Step 3: The functional assessment — A nurse or social worker will visit the home to assess the level of care needed. This determines how many hours of service are authorized.
- Step 4: Choose your service model — You will choose between Agency Option (the agency is the employer of caregivers) or CDS (Consumer Directed Services, where the family is the employer). Most Cameron County families choose Agency Option.
- Step 5: Select your provider agency — Once approved, you choose which licensed HCSSA agency will provide your care. You can request Azucena's Primary Home Care by name.
- Step 6: Care begins — The agency completes intake, assigns a caregiver, and begins care — typically within 24–48 hours of authorization.
How Long Does the Process Take?
The functional assessment is usually scheduled within 10–14 business days of your request. Once the assessment is complete and services are authorized, care can begin within days. If you need care urgently after a hospital discharge, call your MCO immediately and ask for an expedited review — most MCOs will prioritize hospital discharge cases.
Requesting Azucena's as Your Provider
Once you receive STAR+PLUS HCBS authorization, you have the right to choose your agency. Simply tell your MCO Service Coordinator that you want Azucena's Primary Home Care (HCSSA #024195) as your designated provider in Cameron County. We accept all four Cameron County MCOs: Superior HealthPlan, UnitedHealthcare, Molina Healthcare, and Wellpoint.
Still Have Questions?
Call us at (956) 594-8188. We help families navigate the STAR+PLUS process every day — at no cost. We'll tell you exactly what to say to your MCO to get the process started.