STAR+PLUS MCOs in Dallas: Comparing Your Managed Care Options

When your loved one enrolls in STAR+PLUS for Medicaid home care in Dallas, they’re
assigned to a Managed Care Organization — and most families accept the assignment
without a second thought. But the MCO you’re enrolled with shapes the entire
experience: how quickly a service coordinator is assigned, how many hours get
authorized, and how smoothly the Consumer Directed Services process runs. In Dallas,
four MCOs operate STAR+PLUS. Here’s what we see working with each one.

Superior HealthPlan

Superior is part of Centene Corporation and is one of the largest STAR+PLUS MCOs in
Texas. In the Dallas area, Superior has a broad provider network and significant
experience processing HCBS authorizations. In our experience at CareChoice,
Superior’s service coordination teams handle high volume — which means they know
the process well, but individual responsiveness can vary by coordinator.
Families enrolled with Superior who want CDS should be direct with their service
coordinator about the request early in care planning. Superior’s CDS process is well established,
but like any high-volume operation, things move faster when the family is
proactive.

Molina Healthcare of Texas

Molina has a strong presence in the Dallas market and serves a large Medicaid
population. In our experience, Molina’s service coordinators tend to be accessible and
responsive to family inquiries. Molina’s network includes providers experienced with the
Dallas area’s diverse communities, including the large Hispanic population in
neighborhoods like Oak Cliff, Irving, and Garland.

For families in these communities who want family-directed care and need language accessible
services, Molina’s cultural competency is a genuine strength.

Amerigroup Texas

Amerigroup, part of Elevance Health, operates one of the larger STAR+PLUS networks
statewide. They’ve invested in community health initiatives across DFW and have
dedicated teams for long-term services and supports. In our experience, Amerigroup’s
care management tools and technology platforms are among the more developed —
which can make the CDS enrollment and timekeeping process smoother for families.

UnitedHealthcare Community Plan

United brings national scale and resources. Their provider network in Dallas is
extensive, and their member services infrastructure is robust. In our experience,
United’s CDS process is well-documented and systematic — families who follow the
steps methodically tend to move through enrollment efficiently.

What to Ask Before Accepting Your MCO

Don’t accept blindly. Before committing, ask how quickly a service coordinator will be
assigned. Ask whether the coordinator proactively explains the CDS option or only
offers agency-based care. Ask how responsive member services is (call the number and
test it). And ask what the MCO’s average timeline is from assessment to CDS activation.

In our experience across all four MCOs, the quality of the individual service coordinator
matters as much as the MCO itself. A great coordinator at any MCO makes the process
smooth. A disengaged one creates delays regardless of which company they work for.

If you’re unhappy with your MCO, you can request a change during the annual open
enrollment period or at other designated times. The HHSC enrollment line handles MCO
changes.

Get MCO guidance from CareChoice → Contact our Dallas team

Written by Gary Murray, Chief Marketing Officer | CareChoice

Related: STAR+PLUS in Dallas → | Consumer Directed Services → | How to Apply for TX
Medicaid Home Care →