Greater Houston Senior Living Guide
Does Medicaid Pay for Home Health in Texas?
Your Houston Guide
The short answer: yes, but the coverage depends on which Medicaid program you belong to, which MCO (managed care organization) administers your plan, and what services you need. This guide explains the programs available to Houston families and helps you find agencies that accept your specific plan.
Updated Q2 2026 — citing HHSC published rates, STAR MCO plan data, and CMS enrollment records.
Find Your MCO
Which MCO Manages Your Medicaid Plan?
Enter your ZIP code and select your Medicaid program. We will show you which managed care organizations operate in your area, with their enrollment phone numbers.
Medicaid STAR+PLUS
STAR+PLUS Home Health Coverage
STAR+PLUS is the Medicaid managed care program for adults age 21 and older who have disabilities or are age 65+. It is the primary pathway for seniors receiving home health through Medicaid in Houston. The program combines acute care (doctor visits, hospital) and long-term services and supports (LTSS) into a single managed care plan.
What home health services does STAR+PLUS cover?
- Skilled nursing visits (wound care, IV therapy, injections)
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Personal attendant services (PAS) — bathing, dressing, meals
- Community First Choice (CFC) attendant services
- Medical supplies and durable medical equipment
- Adaptive aids and minor home modifications
- Emergency response services (PERS)
Who qualifies?
- Adults 21+ who receive SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
- Adults 65+ who meet Medicaid financial requirements
- People who are dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid
- Adults with disabilities meeting functional need criteria
Houston-area MCOs for STAR+PLUS
In the Greater Houston area (HHSC Regions 6, 7, and 8), STAR+PLUS is administered by UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, Molina Healthcare of Texas, Amerigroup Texas, and Aetna Better Health of Texas. Your home health agency must be contracted with your specific MCO to bill for services.
Community First Choice (CFC)
Community First Choice Attendant Services
Community First Choice (CFC) is a federal Medicaid option that Texas adopted within the STAR+PLUS program. It provides personal attendant services to people who meet an institutional level of care but want to remain in their homes. CFC is not a separate program from STAR+PLUS; rather, it is a specific service category within STAR+PLUS that provides enhanced attendant hours.
What CFC covers
- Personal attendant services — help with daily activities
- Habilitation services — skill building for daily living
- Emergency backup attendant services
- Support management (help coordinating your care)
- Voluntary training for attendants selected by the member
Who qualifies?
You must be enrolled in STAR+PLUS and meet an institutional level of care, meaning you need help with enough daily activities that you would otherwise require nursing facility placement. A functional assessment determines eligibility.
Full CFC Guide →STAR+PLUS Waiver
Nursing Facility Diversion Waiver
The STAR+PLUS Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver, sometimes called the Nursing Facility Diversion waiver, provides additional services beyond standard STAR+PLUS to help people avoid nursing home placement. It covers services like adult foster care, assisted living (as a waiver service), home-delivered meals, minor home modifications, and respite care.
Key waiver services not available in standard STAR+PLUS
- Adult foster care
- Assisted living as a waiver service (not Room & Board)
- Home-delivered meals
- Minor home modifications (ramps, grab bars, bathroom modifications)
- Nursing services beyond standard home health
- Respite care (temporary relief for family caregivers)
Looking for STAR Kids? STAR Kids is the Medicaid program for children and young adults (birth through age 20) with disabilities. Pediatric home health is outside the scope of this senior living guide. For STAR Kids information, visit HHSC STAR Kids or call 2-1-1.
Medicaid STAR
STAR (Regular Medicaid) Home Health Coverage
STAR is the basic Medicaid managed care program for children, pregnant women, and some parents/caretakers. Home health coverage under STAR is more limited than STAR+PLUS. STAR covers medically necessary skilled nursing and therapy visits ordered by a physician, but does not include long-term personal attendant services (PAS).
What STAR covers for home health
- Skilled nursing visits (physician-ordered, time-limited)
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Home health aide visits (as part of a skilled plan of care)
- Medical supplies related to the home health plan
What STAR does not cover
- Long-term personal attendant services (PAS)
- Community First Choice (CFC) — only available under STAR+PLUS
- Home modifications or adaptive aids
- Respite care
Emergency Medicaid
Texas Emergency Medicaid & Home Health
Texas Emergency Medicaid covers emergency medical conditions only. It does not cover routine home health services. If you have Emergency Medicaid, you are not eligible for ongoing home health visits, personal attendant services, or therapy. Emergency Medicaid covers stabilization in an emergency room or hospital, emergency labor and delivery, and emergency dialysis.
If you need home health services and currently have Emergency Medicaid, you should explore whether you qualify for full Medicaid benefits through STAR or STAR+PLUS. Contact the HHSC Benefits Helpline at 2-1-1 or visit hhs.texas.gov to learn about eligibility.
Find Agencies
Find Agencies That Accept Your Plan
Select a Medicaid program below to see agencies in our directory that accept that insurance category.
Insurance acceptance is self-reported by agencies or auto-populated from CMS enrollment data. Always verify directly with the agency before starting services.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Medicaid Home Health in Houston
Is home health free with Medicaid in Texas?
Yes. There are no copays or cost-sharing for Medicaid home health services in Texas. Your MCO pays the home health agency directly. You should never be billed for covered services.
What is the difference between STAR and STAR+PLUS?
STAR is basic Medicaid covering short-term skilled nursing and therapy. STAR+PLUS is for adults 21+ with disabilities or age 65+ and adds long-term personal attendant services (PAS), Community First Choice, and other LTSS benefits. If you need ongoing daily living help, STAR+PLUS is the program to look into.
How do I know which MCO I am enrolled in?
Check your Medicaid ID card — your MCO name is printed on the front. You can also call the HHSC Enrollment Broker at 1-800-964-2777 or log in at YourTexasBenefits.com to see your plan assignment.
Can I choose my home health agency with Medicaid?
Yes. You can choose any home health agency that is contracted with your MCO. Use our directory to filter by insurance and find agencies in your area that accept your plan.
What if my agency is not enrolled with my MCO?
Your MCO will only pay contracted providers. Ask the agency if they plan to contract with your MCO, or choose a different agency that is already in-network. Our directory shows which insurances each agency accepts.
Does STAR+PLUS pay for 24-hour care?
STAR+PLUS can authorize significant attendant hours, but true 24/7 care at home is uncommon and typically reserved for people who would otherwise need nursing facility placement. Your MCO determines hours based on a functional needs assessment.
Can I switch my Medicaid MCO to use a different home health agency?
You can switch MCOs during the first 90 days of enrollment and during annual open enrollment. However, you do not need to switch MCOs to change home health agencies — you can change agencies anytime as long as the new agency is contracted with your current MCO.
What is the STAR+PLUS waiver for nursing home diversion?
The STAR+PLUS HCBS waiver provides additional services (home-delivered meals, respite, minor home modifications, adult foster care) to help people who qualify for nursing home care stay at home instead. It has limited slots and a possible interest list.
Does Medicaid cover hospice?
Yes. Hospice is covered under Medicaid. When a STAR+PLUS member elects hospice, the hospice benefit is carved out of the MCO and paid by Medicaid fee-for-service or Medicare (if dually eligible). The MCO continues covering non-hospice services.
What documents do I need to start Medicaid home health?
You need your Medicaid ID card, a physician's order or referral for home health services, and your MCO must authorize the services. The home health agency handles the rest of the paperwork for you.
Getting Started
How to Apply for Medicaid in Texas
If you are not yet enrolled in Medicaid, you can apply through the following channels:
- Online at YourTexasBenefits.com
- By phone: call 2-1-1 (HHSC Benefits Helpline)
- In person at your local HHSC benefits office
- By mail — download the application from hhs.texas.gov
This guide is for informational purposes only. Houston Senior Living Guide is not affiliated with HHSC, CMS, or any MCO. Always verify eligibility and coverage details directly with your MCO or HHSC.