Texas Child Protection Law Bench Book

2024 version: As effective October 1, 2024

Introduction

Please see the Checklist Section for the Medical and Mental Health Care for Foster Youth Checklist.

STAR Health is a comprehensive, managed care program operated by one statewide managed care organization designed to better coordinate and improve access to health care for:

•   Children in DFPS conservatorship (under age 18);

•   Young adults in DFPS Extended Foster Care (age 18 through the month of the person's 22^nd birthday );

•   Young adults who were previously under DFPS conservatorship and who have returned to foster care through voluntary foster care agreements (age 18 through the month of the person's 21^st birthday ); and

•   Young adults who aged out of foster care at age 18 and who are eligible for Medicaid services (age 18 through 20 years).

Not all children are eligible for the STAR Health program. STAR Health does not cover children who are:

•   In state conservatorship who are placed outside of Texas;

•   From other states but placed in Texas;

•   From other states who are placed in Texas Medicaid-paid facilities, such as children in nursing homes, Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability (ICF-IID), or State-Supported Living Centers; or

•   In DFPS conservatorship but adjudicated and placed in a Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) facility. (This population receives healthcare services through TJJD.)

Unless otherwise indicated, children who are ineligible for STAR Health benefits receive Medicaid through fee-for-service Medicaid.

Adoption Assistance/Permanency Care Assistance (AA/PCA)

•   Children in Adoption Assistance or Permanency Care Assistance will be enrolled in STAR, STAR Health, or STAR Kids after a transition period. During the transition period they remain enrolled in STAR Health.

•   Adoption Assistance/Permanency Care Assistance members who get Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicare, or 1915(c) waiver services can choose whether to stay in STAR Health or enroll in STAR Kids.