BCBS of Texas will launch new plan for children with demanding, complex conditions
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas will soon offer more benefits to families with children suffering from complex and demanding conditions, such as mental health disease or drug and alcohol addiction.
Beginning Nov. 1, patients under BCBS of Texas who either receive Supplemental Security Income Medicaid or are enrolled in the Medically Dependent Children Program will be able to receive services through the insurer’s new STAR Kids health plan, the insurer said in a statement.
BCBS of Texas is the largest health insurance provider in the state. They have 80,000 physicians and healthcare practitioners in its network and serve more than 5 million people in all of the Lone Star State’s 254 counties.
The STAR program will provide eligible families with access to medical, behavioral, social and developmental services. The program is aimed to help families take better care of and keep their children at home. The plans will be personalized for a patient’s particular condition and health status. Patients in 39 counties of central Texas will qualify to enroll.
"We truly believe STAR Kids deserve star treatment," said Esteban López, MD, chief medical officer and market president for BCBS of Texas, in a statement. "Therefore, BCBS of Texas will coordinate care for them and be their advocate as we assist their families with doctor and nurse visits, medicines, therapies and daily tasks, giving them extra time to focus on what's really important—enjoying time with their children."
Additionally, BCBS of Texas has added a Medicare Advantage-Dual Special Needs Plan to provide coverage to STAR Kid members that are also eligible under Medicare and Medicaid program in certain counties in the area.
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As a Senior Writer for TriMed Media Group, Katherine primarily focuses on producing news stories, Q&As and features for Cardiovascular Business. She reports on several facets of the cardiology industry, including emerging technology, new clinical trials and findings, and quality initiatives among providers. She is based out of TriMed's Chicago office and holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Columbia College Chicago. Her work has appeared in Modern Healthcare, Crain's Chicago Business and The Detroit News. She joined TriMed in 2016.