What is service coordination?
Service coordination is a service Driscoll Health Plan provides for you. You and your Service Coordinator will work together to assess your health needs. Together you will:
- Create a care plan,
- Organize all your services, and
- Monitor your progress toward your health care goals.
When you enroll with Driscoll Health Plan, you will have a Service Coordinator available to you.
Your Service Coordinator will:
- Call you and get to know you and your health care, long-term care, and behavioral health needs.
- Use a health risk assessment to help decide if you need more help right away.
- Talk with any case managers, doctors, or other persons that you say are important for your care needs.
- Help you find the services you need in your community.
- Write a care plan with you, your family’s, and your doctor’s help.
- Stay in contact with you to check up on your health.
- Keep track of your care plan to see if you are meeting your care plan goals.
How do I get a hold of my service coordinator?
If you have any questions, contact your Service Coordinator or call the Service Coordination line toll free at:
Nueces: 1-844-508-4672
Hidalgo: 1-844-508-4674
You can also call Member Services who can help you get in touch your Service Coordinator: Call toll free at 1-877-DCHP-KIDS.
How do I change my PCP?
Driscoll Health Plan wants you to be happy with your Primary Care Provider. You can change your Primary Care Provider if:
- You are not happy with the Primary Care Provider’s care.
- You need a different doctor to take care of you.
- You move farther away from the Primary Care Provider.
- The Primary Care Provider is no longer a part of Driscoll Health Plan’s network.
- You do not get along with the Primary Care Provider.
You can change Primary Care Provider by calling Member Services. The Driscoll Health Plan Provider Directory lists all Primary Care Providers and can be found on our website at: http://driscollhealthplan.com/find-a-provider
What is Disease Management?
Driscoll Health Plan has a program for Members who have asthma and/or diabetes. The program helps you and your family to understand and take care of your disease. Our goal is for you to have better health. Your Service Coordinator will call to explain the program and will assess your Asthma and/or Diabetes during a scheduled visit. The Service Coordinator will work with you and your doctor to create a plan.
How do I choose an in network specialist?
Your doctor will tell you if you need to see a specialist. A specialist is a doctor for certain types of health care like cardiology for heart health or orthopedics for bones and joints. For help on choosing a specialist in our network call Service Coordination toll-free at:
Nueces: 1-844-508-4673
Hidalgo: 1-844-508-4675
How do I file a complaint?
We want to help you. If you have questions about how to file a complaint, please call Member Services toll-free at 1-877-DCHP-KIDS. A Driscoll Health Plan Member Services Advocate can help you file a complaint.
If you feel that your complaint has not been resolved after you’ve gone through the Driscoll Health Plan complaint process, you can also file a complaint through the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) by calling toll-free 1-866-566-8989. If you would like to make your complaint in writing, please send it to the following address:
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Health Plan Operations – H-320
P.O. Box 85200
Austin, TX 78708-5200
ATTN: Resolution Services
If you can get on the Internet, you can send your complaint in an email to
HPM_Complaints@hhsc.state.tx.us.
How do I file an appeal?
There might be times when the DHP’s Medical Director denies your services. When this happens, you can appeal for the denial of payment for services in whole or in part. We will send you a letter if services are denied. The form to appeal the denial will be included. For help with how to fill out the appeal form call Member Services toll free at 1-877-DCHP-KIDS. A Member Advocate can assist you with your appeal.
Do I qualify for Minor Home Modifications?
Minor Home Modifications must be needed to ensure health, welfare and safety or to support independence in the home. Some STAR Kids members might be able to get Minor Home Modifications, such as MDCP members.
Driscoll Health Plan will cover changes to existing bathrooms and doorways, as well as ramps.
For more information about Minor Home Modifications, contact your Service Coordinator or the Service Coordination Line toll-free at:
Nueces: 1-844-508-4673
Hidalgo: 1-844-508-4675
What is respite?
Respite care is temporary help for caregivers from the responsibilities of caring for a person with special needs. Services might be delivered in the home or out of the home. Respite care can be a few hours provided:
- on a one-time basis
- overnight or
- extended care
What is a Value Added Service?
When you join Driscoll Health Plan, you get some services that Medicaid does not offer. These services are at no cost to you. They are to help promote healthy lifestyles, and improve health outcomes.
Some of these services are:
- Asthma Services
- Extra Eyeglass Benefits
- Extra Phone Help
- Gifts for Completing Checkups
- ID Wristbands
- Sensory Items
- Community-Based Specialty Services
- Sports/School Physicals
- Extra Transportation Services
- Special Needs Camp
- Pest Control Services
What is the Medical Transportation Program (MTP)?
MTP is an HHSC program that helps with non-emergency transportation to healthcare appointments for eligible Medicaid clients who have no other transportation options. MTP can help with rides to the doctor, dentist, hospital, drug store, and any other place you get Medicaid services.
What services are offered by MTP?
- Passes or tickets for transportation such as mass transit within and between cities
- Air travel
- Taxi, wheelchair van, and other transportation
- Mileage reimbursement for enrolled individual transportation participant (ITP). The enrolled ITP can be the responsible party, family member, friend, neighbor, or client.
- Meals at a contracted vendor (such as a hospital cafeteria)
- Lodging at a contracted hotel and motel
- Attendant services (responsible party such as a parent/guardian, etc., who accompanies the client to a healthcare service)
Who do I contact for a ride?
Call the Medical Transportation Program (MTP)
Phone Reservations: 1-877-633-8747 (1-877-MED-TRIP).
All requests for transportation services should be made within 2-5 days of your appointment.
If you are having trouble getting a ride, call your Service Coordinator for help. You may also call Member Services toll-free at 1-877-DCHP-KIDS.
Who do I contact for non-covered medications?
If your doctor cannot be reached to approve a prescription, you may be able to get a three-day emergency supply of your medication.
Call Member Services toll-free at: 1-877-DCHP-KIDS for help with your medications and refills.
How Do I get routine eye exams for my child?
To get eye exams or glasses, call Envolve at:
Nueces: 1-844-305-8300
Hidalgo: 1-844-725-6410
You do not need a referral from your doctor for routine eye checkups from ophthalmologists or optometrists in Envolve’s provider network.
How do I get family planning services?
Family planning services, like birth control and counseling, are very private. You can have a once a year visit, counseling, and tests. You can also have drugs and supplies that prevent pregnancy. Ask your doctor if he or she offers family planning services such as birth control. If you do not feel comfortable talking with your doctor, call Member Services toll free at 1-877-DCHP-KIDS. You may also contact your Service Coordinator for help. You can go to any family planning clinic that will take Medicaid.
How do I find a pharmacy?
To find a network pharmacy, visit the pharmacy network list at www.driscollhealthplan.com. You may also contact Member Services toll free at 1-877-DCHP-KIDS for help finding a network drug store.
How do I get OB/GYN services?
You have the right to pick an OB/GYN without a referral from your Primary Care Provider. You can also have the OB/GYN doctor be your Primary Care Provider. To pick an OB/GYN, or if you want to have the OB/GYN doctor be your Primary Care Provider, call Member Services toll free at: 1-877-DCHP-KIDS.
What are Consumer Directed Services (CDS)?
In STAR Kids, you may select how you would like some Long Term Services and Supports delivered.
- Agency Option (AO): all services provided and managed by an agency
- Service Responsibility Option (SRO): individuals manage day-to-day activities while the provider agency manages business activities
- CDS option: individuals manage day-to-day and business activities
CDS option gives you more choices and control over how some of your LTSS services are delivered.
If you choose the CDS option, you will be able to:
- Find, screen, hire and fire the people who provide services to you or our staff.
- Train and direct your staff
Services that can be managed by CDS will depend on your Waiver. Some of these services may include:
- attendant care
- speech, physical and occupational therapy
- respite care
- employment assistance
- flexible family support
If you choose to be in CDS, you will contract with a Financial Management Services Agency (FMSA). FMSA will:
- Provide Training and support to help you with your staff,
- Do your payroll and,
- File your taxes.
Call the Service Coordination Line toll-free at:
Nueces: 1-844-508-4673
Hidalgo: 1-844-508-4675
What do I do if my child needs Personal Care Services?
Personal Care Services (PCS) helps with everyday tasks like bathing, eating, dressing, and walking. PCS can also help you to fix meals and do light housework. Your Service Coordinator will assess your need for this service at each home visit. Call your Service Coordinator for help or call the Service Coordination Line at:
Nueces: 1-844-508-4673
Hidalgo: 1-844-508-4675
What do I do if I want Community First Choice Services for my child?
Community First Choice (CFC) services may be provided in home or in a community-based setting. CFC provides basic attendant services and supports. The services you can get in CFC are:
- Help with daily tasks like dressing, bathing, and eating.
- Services to help you learn how to care for yourself.
- Emergency Response Services (ERS): Backup systems and supports, like electronic devices, to help members who live alone or are alone for a large part of the day.
- Training on how to select, manage, and dismiss an attendant.
For help call the Service Coordination Line toll-free at:
Nueces: 1-844-508-4673
Hidalgo: 1-844-508-4675
My child was requesting durable medical equipment/supplies and is now in STAR Kids, what do I do now?
Some durable medical equipment (DME) and products normally found in a pharmacy are covered by STAR Kids Medicaid. For all Members, Driscoll Health Plan pays for nebulizers, ostomy supplies, and other covered supplies and equipment if they are medically necessary. For children (birth through age 20), Driscoll HealthPlan also pays for medically necessary prescribed over-the-counter drugs, diapers, formula, and some vitamins and minerals.
Call Members Services for more information about these benefits.
Can I/my child still see the same doctors?
Yes, you can see the same doctor as your child if the doctor takes care of adults. You can call your child’s doctor and ask them or you can call Member Services. Member Service can help you in finding out if the doctor takes care of adults.
If your child’s doctor does take care of adults and you want to change your doctor you will need to call Member Services to change your doctor of record. Service Coordination can also help you with scheduling an appointment for your child. Call the Service Coordination Line toll-free at:
Nueces: 1-844-508-4673
Hidalgo: 1-844-508-4675
My child was receiving Personal Care Services and is now in STAR Kids, what will happen now?
These services will continue until your DHP Service Coordinator assesses your needs and determines the number of hours you will require. Call your Service Coordinator or the Service Coordination Line toll-free at:
Nueces: 1-844-508-4673
Hidalgo: 1-844-508-4675
What do I do if I receive a bill?
You should never get a bill from your doctor. If you get a bill, call Member Services and we will call the provider’s office for you to let them know that you are not responsible for the bill. Have your member ID card and the bill when you call.
What if I can’t get a hold of my Primary Care Provider?
Your doctor is available by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you get sick at night or on the weekend you can call your doctor’s office for help. The office will have an answering service or message on how to contact the doctor. They should return your call within 30 minutes.
You may also go to an in-network After Hours Clinic or Urgent Care Center for sudden illness. You should contact your doctor’s office if you are unsure about going to an After Hours Clinic or Urgent Care.
What if my child is going out of State for an appointment?
If you need to see a doctor out of area, contact your Service Coordinator. All appointments for out of area appointments require prior authorization.