The best way to protect your Medicaid or CHIP benefits is to make sure Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has your most up-to-date contact information.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas has been around for nearly 95 years and is the largest provider of health benefits in the state. We are committed to helping our members access care and improve their personal health and wellness.
The STAR program is for people who qualify for Medicaid and who are either pregnant, have limited income, are newborns or receive cash assistance (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or TANF). BCBSTX is pleased to offer a STAR plan for people and families who qualify under Medicaid. We have served STAR members in the Travis Service Area since 2012.
Each quarter, BCBSTX holds a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Meeting so that we can find out how we can serve you better. If you would like to come and share your ideas with BCBSTX staff and community partners on what you like about your plan benefits or where we can do better, please call the member advocate toll-free for details at 1-877-375-9097 (TTY 711). Learn about upcoming Community Advisory Committee meetings.
You can call customer service for help choosing a PCP or use the Provider Finder ® .
BCBSTX allows members with special health care needs to have direct access to the right specialists for their conditions and identified needs. This includes a standing referral to a specialty doctor, or having a specialist as a PCP if needed. Mental Health/Substance use services do not need an OK from your PCP when you are not in the hospital, but you do have to see a BCBSTX provider. Some PCPs and OB/GYNs offer family planning. You do not need an OK from your PCP to get family planning help. Members may use any qualified family planning clinic, certified nurse midwife or provider. The provider does not need to be part of BCBSTX. If you need help finding a specialty doctor, mental health/substance use services or an OB/GYN provider, call Customer Service at 1-888-657-6061 or TTY 711. You do not need a referral to get emergency services. You should call your child’s PCP after the emergency so follow-up care can be planned. This should be done for any emergency at home or away.
If you do not agree with a decision BCBSTX has made about your request for benefits or services, you have the right to ask for a State Fair Hearing from the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). The HHSC hearings officers will hear your case, look at the evidence and make a decision based on state and federal rules, regulations and laws. If you ask for a State Fair Hearing, you can also ask for an External Medical Review where independent health care experts review your request to receive services. The External Medical Review is an optional, extra step you can take to get your case reviewed for free before your State Fair Hearing. To ask for an appeal or a fair hearing, call the Member Advocate in the Travis service area at 1-877-375-9097 (TTY 711) from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time, Monday to Friday. Find out more about how to ask for an appeal, State Fair Hearing or External Medical Review.
Visit the Office of Consumer Credit Commissions (OCCC) website to get tools and skills to help you make informed financial decisions. The OCCC has resources to help understand your financial choices and obligations. Knowing your choices makes it easier to manage your personal finances so you can meet your financial goals.
We are part of the Inspector General Integrity Initiative and have pledged to partner with the Office of Inspector General (OIG) to fight fraud, waste and abuse in Texas' Medicaid program. To learn more, visit the OIG website.
Call customer service at 1-888-657-6061 (TTY 711). We are open 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday. You can speak with someone in English or Spanish. You can also speak with someone about how to get information in other languages or formats at no extra charge. You may also request interpreter services. You may leave a voice mail outside of our normal business hours or on weekends and holidays. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
For the Behavioral Health Services Hotline, call us at 1-888-657-6061 (TTY: 711). You can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can speak with someone in English or Spanish. You may also request interpreter services. Mental Health/Substance Use services do not need an OK from your PCP when you are not in the hospital, but you do have to see an in-network provider. BCBSTX also offers emergency and crisis support. If you or your child have a mental health emergency, you may call at any time of day or night, and on any day of the week.
For the 24/7 Nurse Hotline, call 1-844-971-8906 (TTY 711). You can speak with someone in English or Spanish. You may also request interpreter services. This help line is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with registered nurses who can help you get answers to your health questions. If an unexpected medical situation arises, a nurse can help you decide if you should call your doctor, visit the ER or urgent care, or treat the problem yourself.
If you need to contact Texas Health Steps, call them toll-free at 1-877-847-8377 (1-877-THSTEPS). Learn more about Texas Health Steps.
If you need help choosing a health plan, call 1-800-964-2777. You can call Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Central Time.
If your provider needs to contact us, they may call the Provider Services Hotline at 1-877-560-8055 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday. Your provider can contact us with questions about eligibility, benefits, provider network referrals or claim statuses. They can also contact us about appeals and complaints.
To get auxiliary aids and services, or to get written or oral interpretation to understand the information given to you, including materials in alternative formats such as large print, braille or other languages, please call BCBSTX STAR Customer Service at 1-888-657-6061 (TTY/TDD 711).
Your prescription benefits are administered by BCBSTX. For questions about drug coverage, please contact us at 1-888-657-6061 (TTY 711). Prior Authorization Forms View your drug coverage.
Your vision coverage includes an eye exam every 12 months and glasses or contact lenses, when medically necessary. Your vision benefits are administered by Davis Vision. For questions about your vision coverage, please call BCBSTX customer service at 1-888-657-6061 (TTY 711). View your vision coverage.
Children on Medicaid receive dental benefits that are administered by either Dentaquest or MCNA Dental. Please call them directly to learn more about your child’s dental coverage: Call Dentaquest at 1-800-516-0165 and MCNA Dental at 1-800-494-6262. If you do not know your child's dental plan, call the enrollment broker at 1-800-964-2777. View your child’s dental coverage.
BCBSTX works with you for mental health and substance use services. For questions about your behavioral health coverage, please call us at 1-888-657-6061 (TTY: 711). Review your behavioral health coverage.
STAR members can get NEMT rides to medical appointments, at no cost, as a covered benefit through Texas Medicaid. Call 1-866-824-1565 (TTY: 711) between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday, for more information about NEMT or to schedule a ride. Rides are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call the NEMT Where’s My Ride line 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-866-824-1565 (TTY: 711) to make changes to your reservation, cancel a trip or ask questions about a ride that has already been scheduled.
Find a Doctor or Hospital
Use our Provider Finder ® to search for doctors and pharmacies near you.
If you have questions, please call customer service toll-free at 1-888-657-6061 (TTY 711).
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas has been around for nearly 95 years and is the largest provider of health benefits in the state. We are committed to helping our members access care and improve their personal health and wellness.
The CHIP and CHIP Perinatal program is available to children (age 18 and younger) and pregnant women who do not qualify for Medicaid. BCBSTX is pleased to provide a CHIP plan. We have served CHIP members in the Travis Service Area since 2012.
Each quarter, BCBSTX holds a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Meeting so that we can find out how we can serve you better. If you would like to come and share your ideas with BCBSTX staff and community partners on what you like about your plan benefits or where we can do better, please call the member advocate toll-free for details at 1-877-375-9097 (TTY 711). Learn about upcoming Community Advisory Committee meetings
You can call customer service for help choosing a PCP or use the Provider Finder ® .
BCBSTX allows members with special health care needs to have direct access to the right specialists for their conditions and identified needs. This includes a standing referral to a specialty doctor, or having a specialist as a PCP if needed. Mental Health/Substance use services do not need an OK from your PCP when you are not in the hospital, but you do have to see a BCBSTX provider. Some PCPs and OB/GYNs offer family planning. You do not need an OK from your PCP to get family planning help. Members may use any qualified family planning clinic, certified nurse midwife or provider. The provider does not need to be part of BCBSTX. If you need help finding a specialty doctor, mental health/substance use services or an OB/GYN provider, call Customer Service at 1-888-657-6061 or TTY 711. You do not need a referral to get emergency services. You should call your child’s PCP after the emergency so follow-up care can be planned. This should be done for any emergency at home or away.
Some CHIP members have copays. Your member's card shows if you have one. You can view copays for different services, based on income guidelines.