STAR & CHIP Providers

Texas Health and Human Services – COVID-19 Information

04-01-21 Update Enrollment and Demographic InformationFor more information click here.01-20-21 COVID-19 Vaccine FactsFor more information click here.12-28-20 Important Update on COVID-19 VaccinesFor more information click here.09-10-20 Certain COVID-19 Procedure Codes Implemented RetroactivelyFor more information click here.05-27-20 Date of Service Extension for Telemedicine Physician-Delivered and TelehealthFor more information click here.05-14-20 Updated Guidance: Texas Health Steps Medical Checkups via Remote Delivery
For more information click here.05-14-20 Top 10 List of Key COVID-19 Flexibilities
For more information click here.05-08-20 THSteps Medical Checkups via Remote Delivery
For more information click here.04-28-20 Types of Telemedicine Virtual Visits-Texas Medicaid
For more information click here. 04-28-20 Claims for Telephone (Audio-Only) Nutritional Counseling Services
For more information click here. 04-28-20 Claims for Telephone (Audio-Only) Early Childhood Intervention Specialized Skills Training
For more information click here.04-24-20 COVID-19 Guidance Targeted Service Coordination Through Remote Delivery
For more information click here. 04-20-20 Temporary Change in Status for Oral Immunosuppressives Drug Class
For more information click here. 04-14-20 Claims for Telehealth Service for Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy
For more information click here. 04-01-20 Provider Enrollment Revalidation Due Dates Extended in Response to COVID-19
For more information click here.03-30-20 RHC Reimbursement for Telemedicine and Telehealth Services
For more information click here. 03-24-20 Client Signature Requirement Waived on DME Certification and Receipt Form
For more information click here. 03-20-20 Claims for Telephone (Audio Only) Medical Services
For more information click here. 03-20-20 Claims for Telephone (Audio Only) Behavioral Health Services
For more information click here. 03-18-20 FQHC Reimbursement for Telemedicine Phys Delivered and Telehealth Non-Phys
For more information click here. 03-16-20 Coronavirus Testing Procedure Codes to Become a Benefit For more information click here.

Provider Portal

FirstCare providers have access to our online self-service portal. Here, you can look up claims, request an authorization, appeal a claim, and much more. Log in/register to the Provider Portal.

Becoming a New Provider

Interested in joining our network? Please visit the Becoming a New Provider page for general information. The following pertains specifically to our STAR & CHIP providers:


Credentialing Forms

Click on the links below to view/download FirstCare's Provider Credentialing forms:

Expedited Credentialing

The expedited credentialing process allows providers to participate in the FirstCare network on a provisional basis. This provisional status is available if:
  • Provider is a first time applicant to FirstCare and provisional credentialing request is based on a critical need of the members.
  • Provider is joining as a partner, shareholder or employee of a currently contracted and credentialed FirstCare provider in good standing.
  • Provider has submitted the appropriate paperwork, including a complete Texas Standard Credentialing Application with current attestation.
  • The applicable Regional Medical Director has reviewed the request and determined the application cannot be completed in 30 days or less.
  • The required verifications must indicate the file is clean. This includes a state license in good standing with the appropriate medical board, as well as a clean NPDB query.
All provisionally approved providers must agree to comply with the terms of the FirstCare contract currently in force with the applicant physician’s established medical group. The full credentialing process must be completed within 60 calendar days of the date a physician is granted provisional status.

Provider Availability of Services
FirstCare monitors compliance for availability of services standards. In order to ensure the best quality of care for our members, we ask participating providers to operate within the standards described in the Minimum Requirements for Provider Availability of Services.

STAR & CHIP Provider Training
Cultural Competency
An effective health communication is as important to health care as clinical skill. To improve individual health and build healthy communities, health care providers need to recognize and address the unique culture, language and health literacy of diverse consumers and communities.

Additional cultural competency resources can be found on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health website.

Pharmacy Information

Complaints & Appeals

Filing complaints & appeals to FirstCare STAR
  • Call: 1-800-431-7798,
  • Fax: 1-877-878-8422,
  • Email: cs-informationcenter@bswhealth.org, or
  • Mail to: FirstCare Health Plans
    Attn: Complaints and Appeals Department
    1206 W Campus Drive
    Temple, TX 76502
Filing complaints & appeals to FirstCare CHIP
  • Call: 1-877-639-2447,
  • Fax: 1-877-878-8422,
  • Email: cs-informationcenter@bswhealth.org, or
  • Mail to: FirstCare Health Plans
    Attn: Complaints and Appeals Department
    11206 W Campus Drive
    Temple, TX 76502
Filing complaints to HHSC
  • Email: HPM_Complaints@hhsc.state.tx.us, or
  • Mail to: Texas Health and Human Services Commission
    Health Plan Operations – Resolution Services H-320
    P.O. Box 85200
    Austin, TX 78708
Filing complaints to TDI
  • Call: 1-800-252-3439, OR
  • Mail to: Texas Department of Insurance
    P.O. Box 149104
    Austin, TX 78714-9104

Customer Service

For member eligibility and benefit questions, please contact FirstCare Customer Service: 
  • STAR: 1-800-431-7798
  • CHIP & CHIP Perinatal:
    1-877-639-2447

Provider News

For the latest news & information impacting providers, visit the Provider News page.

Provider Relations

If you have provider-related inquiries, please contact our Provider Relations department: You may also call the Provider Relations representative in your region, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.:
  • Abilene area: 1-254-298-3064
  • Amarillo area: 1-800-239-5650
  • Lubbock area: 1-806-784-4380
  • All other areas: 1-800-431-7737

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