Adoption Assistance or Permanency Care Assistance

People who meet the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) eligibility requirements for Adoption Assistance or Permanency Care Assistance (AA or PCA) programs get Medicaid through managed care.

Most AA and PCA members are enrolled in STAR.

AAPCA members who get Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicare, or 1915(c) waiver services can choose to stay in STAR Health or enroll in STAR Kids.

Transitioning from STAR Health to STAR or STAR Kids

  • The AA or PCA member or their family will have 45 to 60 days to choose a managed care program and new health plan.
  • During the choice period, the AA or PCA member will remain enrolled in STAR Health.
  • If no choice is received by the end of this choice period, HHSC will default the AA or PCA member into STAR or STAR Kids.

HHSC will mail an enrollment packet to the AA or PCA member and their family with instructions on how to pick a new Medicaid program and health plan.

If an AA or PCA member or their family does not get an enrollment packet in the mail, they should call a DFPS regional adoption assistance eligibility specialist. If the member or their family does not know their eligibility specialist, they can call the DFPS hotline at 1-800-233-3405.

Resources

Adoption Assistance Medicaid Transition Flyer (PDF)

Medicaid and Adoption Assistance or Permanency Care Assistance (PDF)

DFPS Post Adoption Services

DFPS Permanency Care Assistance (PCA)