Medicaid Home Modification Assistance in Texas
Texas covers home modifications through STAR+PLUS HCBS, administered by the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). Minor Home Modifications — including bathroom changes, doorway widening, and ramps — are covered up to a $7,500 lifetime limit, plus up to $300 per individual plan of care for repair and maintenance after that limit is reached.
Texas provides home modification assistance through STAR+PLUS, the state’s managed Medicaid program for people who are elderly or have disabilities, administered by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).
What STAR+PLUS HCBS covers
The Minor Home Modifications benefit under STAR+PLUS HCBS (opens in a new tab) covers physical changes needed to support a member’s health, safety, and independence at home. Commonly covered examples include bathroom modifications, doorway widening, and ramps.
The lifetime limit
This benefit has a $7,500 lifetime limit. After that limit is reached, the program can still provide up to $300 per individual plan of care (IPC period) specifically for repair and maintenance of modifications already installed — but not for new major modifications beyond the cap. This makes it worth planning modifications thoughtfully rather than using the benefit piecemeal, since the total available assistance is capped regardless of how it’s used.
What’s not covered
Changes that don’t directly support safety or independence — new carpet, general roof repair, central air conditioning, or home additions — fall outside this benefit, even as part of a larger renovation that includes qualifying modifications.
How to apply
STAR+PLUS enrollment and the HCBS Minor Home Modifications benefit are managed through your STAR+PLUS managed care organization once you’re enrolled in the program. Start with the Texas HHSC STAR+PLUS program page to confirm eligibility and enrollment steps, since eligibility involves both Medicaid financial qualification and a functional needs assessment.
Other assistance to check
If the $7,500 lifetime limit won’t cover a larger project, look at USDA Section 504 (opens in a new tab) if you’re in a rural area, or the medical expense tax deduction (opens in a new tab) for costs beyond what STAR+PLUS covers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens after I hit the $7,500 lifetime limit in Texas?
Once the $7,500 lifetime limit for Minor Home Modifications is used, STAR+PLUS HCBS can still provide up to $300 per individual plan of care specifically for repair and maintenance of modifications already made — but it won't fund new major modifications beyond the lifetime cap. At that point, other programs covered in our financial assistance section, or private-pay options, become the path forward for additional major work.
What's specifically excluded from Texas's Minor Home Modifications benefit?
Changes that don't directly support the member's safety or independence — like new carpet, general roof repair, central air conditioning, or home additions — are not covered under this benefit, even if they'd improve the home generally. The program is specifically scoped to accessibility and safety, not general home improvement.