DADS has issued the following Information Letter(s):
Information Letter No. 14-23: Expansion of the STAR+PLUS Medicaid Managed Care Program to the Medicaid Rural Service Areas
The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is expanding the STAR+PLUS Medicaid managed care program to the existing Medicaid Rural Service Areas (Medicaid RSAs) including West, Central, and Northeast Texas. With this expansion, most individuals who are older or who have a disability will get their basic health services (acute care), and long-term services and supports (LTSS) through a STAR+PLUS managed care organization (MCO). In the fall of 2013, HHSC began conducting statewide Medicaid Managed Care Initiative information sessions to inform the targeted providers and individuals of this expansion.
STAR+PLUS is a Texas Medicaid program designed to integrate service delivery of acute care and LTSS through a managed care model. The STAR+PLUS program provides a continuum of care through a MCO licensed by the Department of Insurance and contracted with HHSC. The anticipated operational start date for the STAR+PLUS Medicaid RSA expansion is for September 1, 2014. This expansion will complete the inclusion of the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) Community Based Alternatives (CBA) program. The CBA program, a 1915(c) nursing facility waiver will be terminated and no longer exist effective on
September 1, 2014.
The CBA program will be replaced by the Texas Healthcare Transformation and Quality Improvement program, which is a 1115 waiver program. This program includes the STAR+PLUS Home and Community-based Services (HCBS) STAR+PLUS waiver, and the array of services is very similar to that of the CBA program.
