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If you still have questions after learning about STAR Health:

 

What is STAR Health?

STAR HealthExternal Link is a statewide, comprehensive healthcare system that was designed to better coordinate and improve access to health care for:

  • Children in DFPS conservatorship (under age 18).
  • Young adults who have remained in DFPS extended foster care placements up to the month of their 22nd birthday.
  • Young adults who were previously under DFPS conservatorship and have returned to DFPS extended foster care placements through voluntary foster care agreements up to the month of their 21st birthday.
  • Young adults eligible for Medicaid for Former Foster Care Children (FFCC) up to the month of their 21st birthday. (Young adults eligible for Medicaid for Former Foster Care Children (FFCC) will continue coverage through the STAR Medicaid Managed Care plan of their choice from age 21 through the month of their 26th birthday).  

STAR Health provides a full-range of Medicaid covered medical and behavioral health services for children in DFPS conservatorship and young adults in DFPS paid placements.

STAR Health Goals

The main goal of STAR Health is to quickly give children in state care the coordinated medical and behavioral health care services they need. These services are available to these children no matter where they are in the state and even when they move.

STAR Health Enhancements

Some of the many new enhancements to the STAR Health program are included in more detail in the flyer below.  Some of these new services include:

  • Over the Counter Pharmacy Services that will cover $30 every 3 months for over-the-counter medications through a mail order program.
  • Online Mental Health Resources, including www.mystrength.com, External Linkto improve mental health and overall well-being available for children and youth, caregivers,and caseworkers.
  • Case-by-Case Services (available upon approval) include support services such as trauma-informed peer support for caregivers, practice visits for gynecology and dental appointments and services to assist when a child with primary medical needs moves. 
  • Mobile Health Passport access.
  • Psychiatric hospital diversion programs called Turning Point in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Abilene for children and youth in foster care (including Kinship placements).
  • a2A CentAccount® Rewards Program which offers rewards dollars for youth ages 18 through 21 years old who complete wellness visits, dental checkups and other health screenings.
  • Boys & Girls Club Membership for children ages 6 through 18 years old.
  • Sports/Camp Physicals for children ages 4 to 18 years old.
  • Resources

STAR Health Program at a Glance

  • A Medical Home for each child, meaning a doctor [or other Primary Care Provider (PCP) or PCP Team] to oversee care.
  • Speedy enrollment for immediate health care benefits.
  • Coordination of physical and behavioral healthcare.
  • Clinical case management to address complex medical and behavioral healthcare needs.
  • Preventive care through Texas Health Steps.
  • Access to healthcare through a network of providers (doctors, nurses, hospitals, clinics, psychiatrists, therapists, pharmacies, etc.)
  • Health Passport to makemore health history and health information available to DFPS caseworkers, medical consenters, doctors, and other healthcare providers.
  • Medical advice help-line for caregivers,medical consenters and caseworkers - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Medical advisory committees to monitor healthcare provider performance.
  • Recruitment of providers with a history of treating children who have been abused or neglected.
  • Network of providers and specialists trained in trauma-informed services and therapy.

STAR Health Services

  • Physical and behavioral healthcare
  • Dental services
  • Vision services
  • Pharmacy
  • Personal Care Services 
  • Service coordination
  • Clinical service management and disease management
  • Health Passport
  • Help-lines for consumers and healthcare providers
  • Physical, occupational, speech, and other health-related services
  • Complex case management for children with high medical or behavioral health needs
  • NurseWise 24 hour medical advice line
  • Psychotropic medication review

Accessing STAR Health Services and Information

For a child enrolled in the STAR Health program, DFPS staff, caregivers and medical consenters can get information and help with finding a provider, scheduling an appointment, or getting services by:

The medical consenter for a child in the program should present the child's STAR Health ID Card, his or her Texas Benefits Medicaid Card, or DFPS Designation of Medical consenter Form 2085-B at the time of the appointment. The Star Health provider or medical consenter may contact STAR Health Member Services if they have questions about the child's eligibility for STAR Health services.

To plan for services for a child with primary medical needs entering DFPS conservatorship or moving, the caseworker will contact the regional well-being specialist to schedule a meeting.  STAR Health, the medical consenter, health care providers and other key parties are invited to participate and assist with the child's needs.  

Caseworkers should let the DFPS well-being specialist know of  any issues or concerns about STAR Health.

STAR Health FAQs

Please click on the question below to read the answer.

Q: What should I do if a child needs immediate medical attention?
Q: How does a medical consenter select a Primary Care Provider (PCP) for a child?
Q: What if my current healthcare provider is not a STAR Health provider?
Q: What forms does the medical consenter need to take to the child's appointment?
Q: What should I do if my child’s current doctor refuses to see the child or schedule an appointment?
Q. What should I do if I receive a bill?

Quick Guide to STAR Health for Caregivers

Additional STAR Health Information and Training

See the STAR Health website at www.fostercaretx.comExternal Link

Key STAR Health phone numbers

Organization Phone Number
Superior HealthPlan Network (medical and behavioral health services, including prescriptions) 1-866-912-6283
Denta Quest (dental services) 1-888-308-4766
Envolve (vision services) 1-866-642-8959
Nurse Advice Line 1-866-912-6283
Medical Transportation Program 1-877-633-8747

Regional Well-being Specialists

Well-being specialists are DFPS liaisons to Superior HealthPlan, the company that operates the  STAR Health provider network. The DFPS caseworker for the child contacts the regional well-being specialist for help with STAR Health.

History

Before STAR Health, data clearly showed children in DFPS conservatorship have increased health care needs.  Physical health care for a child in conservatorship was five times the cost of care for a child receiving Medicaid but not in DFPS conservatorship.  Behavioral health care costs were 40 times the cost for children not in conservatorship.

As a result, in 2005 HHSC received Legislative direction to design a comprehensive medical services delivery model to meet the healthcare needs of children in DFPS conservatorship.  In April 2008, the STAR Health program was the first of its kind to be implemented. 

Effective September 1, 2015 a newly enhanced STAR Health program is in place with new benefits and services!   Superior HealthPlan Network (Superior) was again awarded the contract by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to run the STAR Health program.