Texas Medicaid Managed Care Plans: Compare the 7 STAR+PLUS MCOs

Texas Medicaid managed care plans for seniors run through STAR+PLUS. Seven managed care organizations (MCOs) serve the program across 13 service delivery areas, and most areas give you two or three plans to choose from.1 Not every MCO serves every part of the state, so which plan you can pick depends on where you live. This guide covers who the seven MCOs are, how to find which ones serve your area, and what actually matters when you compare them.

In This Guide

• Key Takeaways
• What Is a Managed Care Plan?
• The Seven STAR+PLUS MCOs
• Which Texas Medicaid Managed Care Plans Serve Your Area
• How to Compare Texas Medicaid Managed Care Plans
• What Happens If You Don't Choose
• How to Switch Your MCO
• Your Rights as a Member
• What to Do If You Have a Problem
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Next Steps

What Is a Managed Care Plan?

Almost all Texas Medicaid seniors get their care through managed care rather than the old fee-for-service system.5 Your MCO (managed care organization) is the health plan that coordinates and pays for your medical care. It sits between you and your doctors, arranging services and handling the bills.

Every STAR+PLUS MCO covers the same core Medicaid benefits: doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, behavioral health, vision, personal attendant services, and long-term care.3 The differences are in their provider networks, their customer service, and the extra "value-added" benefits they offer on top.

The Seven STAR+PLUS MCOs

Here is who runs STAR+PLUS under the contracts effective September 1, 2024:1

UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Texas. Serves the largest number of STAR+PLUS service areas.1

Molina Healthcare of Texas. Serves many service areas across the state.

Superior HealthPlan. A long-standing Texas Medicaid MCO that serves many service areas.

Wellpoint (formerly Amerigroup). Serves the Lubbock, Nueces, Jefferson, and Rural Service Area-West areas.1

Community First Health Plans. A San Antonio regional plan, serving the Bexar service area only.1

El Paso Health. A local plan serving the El Paso service area only.1

Community Health Choice. A community plan based in the Houston area.

Which Texas Medicaid Managed Care Plans Serve Your Area

Texas divides STAR+PLUS into 13 service delivery areas, and each member chooses from the two or three MCOs available in their area.1 Three MCOs serve most of the state, while four are regional plans tied to specific areas:

The exact plan lineup in each service area is set by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and can change, so confirm which MCOs are available at your address by calling the Texas Enrollment Broker at 1-800-964-2777 or checking the current HHS "STAR+PLUS Health Plans by Service Areas" list.1

If you have both Medicare and Medicaid, note one recent change: Texas ended its STAR+PLUS Medicare-Medicaid Plan (MMP) dual demonstration on December 31, 2025, and the MCOs that ran those plans began offering aligned Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) on January 1, 2026 in Bexar, Dallas, El Paso, Harris, and Hidalgo counties.1

How to Compare Texas Medicaid Managed Care Plans

Every STAR+PLUS MCO covers the same core Medicaid benefits, so the differences come down to networks, service, and extras.3 Compare your options in this order.

What Happens If You Don't Choose

If you do not pick an MCO when you enroll, HHSC assigns one for you.2 An active choice beats an automatic assignment: even a quick check of whether your current doctor is in-network puts you in a stronger position than a default plan.

How to Switch Your MCO

You are not locked into your plan.

• Call the Texas Enrollment Broker at 1-800-964-2777.9
• You can change your STAR+PLUS plan at any time. Texas does not limit Medicaid plan changes to a set enrollment window.2
• A change takes 15 to 45 days to take effect.2

The Enrollment Broker gives free, independent choice counseling and is not affiliated with any MCO.2 If your parent's doctor leaves the plan's network mid-year, that is a valid reason to switch, and continuity-of-care protections may let them keep seeing that doctor temporarily while the change processes.

Your Rights as a Member

Whichever MCO you choose, your STAR+PLUS member handbook spells out the same core member rights, including the right to:

• Choose and change your PCP. You pick your primary care provider and can change PCPs within your MCO at any time.
• See a specialist. Your PCP can refer you to in-network specialists, and some specialists do not require a referral.
• Get emergency care anywhere. Emergency rooms must treat you regardless of network status, with no prior authorization.
• Get language help. Your MCO provides interpreter services and translated materials at no cost.
• File a complaint or grievance with your MCO or directly with HHSC.
• Appeal a denial. If your MCO denies, reduces, or ends a service, you can appeal and request a State Fair Hearing.10

What to Do If You Have a Problem

Start with your MCO, then escalate to the state if the plan does not fix it.

File a Complaint with Your MCO

Every MCO has a grievance process. Call the member services number on your ID card and ask to file a formal complaint. If the plan does not resolve it, you can take the complaint to HHSC.

Request a State Fair Hearing

If your MCO denies, reduces, or terminates a service, you can file an internal appeal with the MCO within 60 days of the notice, and the MCO must resolve it within 30 days.10 If the MCO upholds the denial, you can request a State Fair Hearing within 120 days, and HHSC must issue a final decision within 90 days of your request.10 You can ask that your services continue at the current level while the hearing is pending.10

If your MCO does not resolve your issue, these Texas agencies can help.9

You can also file a complaint online through the HHSC complaint form.

Next Steps

Once you know which MCOs serve your area, confirm your doctor is in-network, then choose or switch through the Enrollment Broker.

Learn More

Find personalized help comparing Texas Medicaid managed care plans at brevy.com.

The information on Brevy.com is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, or medical advice. Rules vary by state and program and change frequently. Always verify with the relevant agency or a qualified professional. Brevy is not a law firm, financial advisor, or healthcare provider.