An official State of Texas website.
Revision 22-3; Effective Sept. 9, 2022
The Medically Dependent Children Program (MDCP) is a 1915(c)-waiver program for eligible members. It prevents placement in long-term care facilities who are medically dependent and under 21 years old. Only members who are assessed as meeting medical necessity (MN) for Medically Dependent Children Program (MDCP) and who have a slot in MDCP are eligible for MDCP services.
The applicant or member’s managed care organization (MCO) uses the STAR Kids Screening and Assessment Instrument (SK-SAI) to assess for MN for MDCP. Receipt of MDCP services does not impact a member's eligibility for other long-term services and supports (LTSS) available in STAR Kids. Refer to Appendix XIX, Mutually Exclusive Services, to determine if two services may be received simultaneously by an applicant or member.
MDCP services include respite, flexible family support services (FFSS), minor home modifications, adaptive aids, transition assistance services (TAS), supported employment (SE), employment assistance (EA) and financial management services (FMS).
4200.1 Medically Dependent Children Program Respite
Revision 22-3; Effective Sept. 9, 2022
Respite services are direct care services needed because of a member's disability that provides a primary caregiver temporary relief from caregiving activities when the primary caregiver would usually perform such activities.
Refer to the STAR Kids Handbook (SKH) for more information about respite services.
4200.2 Flexible Family Support Services
Revision 22-3; Effective Sept. 9, 2022
Flexible family support services (FFSS) are direct care services needed because of a member's disability that help a member participate in childcare, post-secondary education, employment, independent living, or support a member's move to an independent living situation.
Refer to the STAR Kids Handbook (SKH) for more information about flexible family support services.
4200.3 Adaptive Aids
Revision 22-3; Effective Sept. 9, 2022
Adaptive aids are devices necessary to treat, rehabilitate, prevent, or compensate for conditions resulting in disability or loss of function and enable members to:
- perform activities of daily living (ADL); or
- control the environment in which they live.
Adaptive aids are available through the Medically Dependent Children Program (MDCP), if:
- determined medically necessary; and
- only after exhausting all Medicaid state plan services and other third-party resources.
After any applicable benefits are exhausted, adaptive aids covered through MDCP include but are not limited to:
- van lifts;
- vehicle modifications;
- jump seats;
- tumble form chairs;
- feeder seats;
- medically appropriate strollers;
- barrier-free lifts;
- stair lifts;
- environmental control units;
- alarm systems;
- support rails;
- electrical work related to use of authorized adaptive aids;
- installation of authorized adaptive aids; and
- repairs to adaptive aids.
Refer to the STAR Kids Handbook (SKH) for more information about adaptive aids.
4200.4 Minor Home Modifications
Revision 22-3; Effective Sept. 9, 2022
A minor home modification (MHM) is a physical modification to a member’s residence necessary to prevent institutionalization or support de-institutionalization. Minor home modifications are necessary to ensure the health, welfare, and safety of the member or to enable the member to function with greater independence in their home.
Refer to the STAR Kids Handbook (SKH) for more information about minor home modifications.
4200.5 Transition Assistance Services
Revision 22-3; Effective Sept. 9, 2022
Transition assistance services (TAS) are a one-time service provided to a Medicaid-eligible resident of a nursing facility (NF) located in Texas to assist the resident in moving from the NF into the community to receive Medically Dependent Children Program (MDCP) services.
Refer to the STAR Kids Handbook (SKH) for more information about TAS.
4200.6 Employment Assistance
Revision 22-3; Effective Sept. 9, 2022
Employment assistance (EA) helps a member locate paid employment in the community. EA services include:
- identifying a member’s employment preferences, job skills, and requirements for a work setting and work conditions;
- locating prospective employers offering employment compatible with a member’s identified preferences, skills, and requirements; and
- contacting a prospective employer on behalf of a member and negotiating the member’s employment.
Refer to the STAR Kids Handbook (SKH) for more information about EA.
4200.7 Supported Employment
Revision 22-3; Effective Sept. 9, 2022
Supported employment (SE) helps to sustain paid, competitive employment to a member who, because of a disability, requires intensive, ongoing support to be self-employed, work from home, or perform in a work setting where members without disabilities are employed. SE services include:
- assistance provided to a member to sustain competitive employment and who, because of a disability, requires intensive, ongoing support to be self-employed, work from home or perform in a work setting at which individuals without disabilities are employed;
- employment adaptations, supervision and training related to a member’s assessed need; and
- ensuring members earn at least minimum wage, if not self-employed.
Refer to the STAR Kids Handbook (SKH) for more information about SE.
4200.8 Financial Management Services (FMS)
Revision 22-3; Effective Sept. 9, 2022
Financial management services (FMS) are available to members who choose the Consumer Directed Services (CDS) option. FMS helps members with managing funds related to the services elected for self-direction. The service includes initial orientation and ongoing training about responsibilities of being an employer and adhering to legal requirements for employers.
Refer to the STAR Kids Handbook (SKH) for more information about FMS.