STAR Kids serves youth with disabilities covered by Medicaid, improving coordination and customization of care, access to care, health outcomes, cost containment, and quality of care.
The STAR Kids Screening and Assessment Instrument identifies health care services, needs and eligibility for these youth.
What is STAR Kids?
The STAR Kids Medicaid managed care program, created by Senate Bill 7 of the 83rd Texas Legislature, is legislatively mandated to provide services for children and youth with disabilities who have Medicaid coverage. The goal of the STAR Kids program is to improve:
- Coordination and customization of care
- Access to care
- Health outcomes
- Cost containment
- Quality of care
Beginning September 1, 2016, children and youth age 20 or younger who either receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Medicaid, or are enrolled in the Medically Dependent Children Program (MDCP) will receive all of their services through a STAR Kids health plan. Children and youth who receive services through other 1915(c) waiver programs will receive their basic health services (acute care) through STAR Kids.
A core component of the STAR Kids program will be a standard screening and assessment process used by health plans to determine each child’s needs as they relate to health and independent living.
STAR Kids Screening and Assessment Instrument
HSSC and Texas A&M University (TAMU) are collaborating to create the SKSAI (STAR Kids Screening and Assessment Instrument) to help identify the potential need for Personal Care Services (PCS), nursing services, and to determine eligibility for the Medically Dependent Children Program (MDCP).
In addition, the SKSAI will help identify potential need for:
- Behavioral health
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy services
- Durable medical equipment
The goal of the SKSAI is to provide a standardized care needs assessment process that is comprehensive, holistic, consumer-driven, evidence-based, and takes into consideration social and medical issues, for purpose of prioritizing the child or youth’s needs that threaten independent living.
Developing the Texas STARKids Medicaid Managed Care Assessment for Children with Complex and Chronic Health Care Needs (2014-2017).
Develop and test an assessment form (STARKids Core) for use with children (under 21) receiving Medicaid home care nursing services, community-based personal care services, and private duty nursing services in Texas.
Role: Principle Investigator