CPS Children & Families

Most children in DFPS conservatorship have foster care Medicaid benefits and services through the STAR Health program. Some Medicaid services are still available to children in foster care that are not covered under STAR Health. This includes:

  • Medical Transportation Program (MTP)
    Nonemergency medical transportation services are available for a Medicaid beneficiary or their child. These services include rides to doctor's office, dentist's office, hospital, drug store or any place that provides covered health care services. Caregivers may call1-877-MED-TRIP (1-877-633-8747) to arrange transportation. Answers to frequently asked questions about getting a ride are available on the HHS website.

Case Management Providers for Children and Pregnant Women is a Medicaid benefit for Medicaid eligible children with a health condition/health risk, birth through 20 years of age and high-risk pregnant women of all ages. The Case Management for Children and Pregnant Women’s program will help them gain access to medical, social, educational and other health-related services. For more information about the Case Management for Children and Pregnant Women's program or to get a case manager, call 1-877-847-8377 or visit the HHS website. For more information:

Services for children not in DFPS conservatorship and not covered by STAR Health Medicaid, as well as families can be found at the following links:

The Your Texas Benefits website offers you easy and secure online access to Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) benefits including Medicaid, Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Children's Health Insurance (CHIP), nursing home care, and other services for people who are elderly or have disabilities. To apply for benefits and more information go to www.yourtexasbenefits.com.

For more Information:

Adoption And Permanency Care Assistance (PCA)

Medicaid For Adopted Children

Medicaid coverage is available for children with special needs who are adopted from DFPS conservatorship, when all requirements are met. If approved, an adopted child may receive Medicaid coverage up to the age of 18. Medicaid coverage may be extended  up to age 21 if the child was age 16 or older when the adoption assistance agreement was signed, and the child meets certain educational or vocational requirements. At the end of the month in which the adoption is consummated, the child's Medicaid coverage will transition from STAR Health Medicaid to Traditional Fee-for-service Medicaid. Sometimes this transition in coverage  will occur one month later.  

More information is available on these pages:

Permanency Care Assistance (PCA)

Medicaid coverage is available for children living with licensed kinship families that obtain Permanent Managing Conservatorship (PMC), when all requirements are met. If approved, a child may receive Medicaid coverage up to the age of 18. Medicaid coverage may be extended up to age 21 if the child was age 16 or older when the Permanency Care Assistance (PCA) agreement was signed, and the child meets certain educational or vocational requirements. At the end of the month in which the PCA agreement is signed, the child's Medicaid coverage will transition from STAR Health Medicaid to Traditional Fee-for-service Medicaid. Sometimes this transition in coverage will occur one month later.

More information is available at:

Additional Programs and Resources

More information is available at:

For additional resources see Medical Assistance & Resources for CPS Children & Families (above).

Transitioning Foster Youth: Medicaid For Former Foster Youth and STAR and STAR Health Services

A brief overview of services available for youth transitioning out of foster care can be found in this document. The document describes state- and federally-funded programs for individuals currently or formerly in foster care.

Young adults under 21 years of age, previously in DFPS Conservatorship (custody), transfers to Medicaid for Transitioning Foster Care Youth (MTFCY) when they turn 18 years of age and leave foster care.  This transition from foster Care Medicaid to MTFCY is smooth and requires no additional steps by the youth.  The only exception is if the youth receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.  In that case, the Foster Care Medicaid is ended and the SSI benefits are reinstated.  This process should also be smooth.  If a young adult changes addresses or has in issue accessing STAR or STAR Health services comes across any issue concerning this benefit he or she can call: 2-1-1 for assistance.  The young adult should identify as a former foster youth when calling.

Additional Programs & Resources

For additional resources see Medical Assistance & Resources for CPS Children & Families (above).

Educational Materials for Health Care