The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) implemented STAR Health in March 2008. It is a designed to improve services and better coordinate care for children in foster care (almost all children in foster care are covered by Medicaid). Children in foster care will begin receiving services through the program in April 2008. Services are provided through a contract with Superior HealthPlan Network. One of the stated project components is "A medical home through a primary care doctor who coordinates care and promotes better preventive health practices."
Texas has dedicated $25 million to test eight to ten Health Home models to determine the best model to launch statewide. Pilots are expected to be implemented in 2010. The state has hired a consultant to work with state officials to establish all the core components of the pilots, including forming an expert panel to advise the pilots. Work has yet to begin on most of the core decisions needed for the pilots. In addition, at the request of the stateís legislature, Texas Medicaid will be developing a health information exchange (HIE) infrastructure to provide primary care providers access to electronic health records, electronic prescribing, and other features that will serve to support many of the pilot principles.
Targeted population: Medicaid/CHIP children.
