Important Update Actualización importante:

Good news! All CHIP, STAR, and STAR Kids Member Handbooks are now available online. Quick, easy access to your benefits and coverage information - any time!

¡Buenas noticias! Todos los manuales para miembros de CHIP, STAR y STAR Kids ya están disponibles en línea. Obtén acceso rápido y sencillo a la información sobre tus beneficios y cobertura, ¡en cualquier momento!

Medicaid Preferred Drug List and Formulary Changes Cambios en el formulario y la lista de medicamentos preferidos de Medicaid

The Vendor Drug Program (VDP) made changes to the Texas Medicaid drug formulary effective July 24, 2026. To learn more about formulary changes impacted, please click here for more information.

El programa de medicamentos de proveedores de Texas (VDP) ha realizado cambios recientes en el formulario de medicamentos de Medicaid de Texas. Esto entrará en vigencia el 24 de julio de 2026. Para obtener más información sobre los cambios en el formulario afectados, visite el siguiente enlace para obtener más información.

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Action Required: State of Texas Electronic Provider System (STEPS) Cost Report Deadlines Are Approaching

Date: April 27, 2026

Attention: All Providers

Call to action: Texas Children’s Health Plan would like to inform providers that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has transitioned to a new web-based software application, State of Texas Electronic Provider System (STEPS), to collect information from providers for Medicaid and non-Medicaid cost reports, Supplemental and Directed Payment Program (DPP) enrollments, and legislatively directed reports.

HHSC is implementing a phased release plan (pdf) for the DPP enrollments, training, cost reports, and non-cost reports. Mandatory cost report training became available on February 2, 2026. Please see the phased release dates below, in addition to important resources and contact information. If you have not yet accessed the State of Texas Electronic Provider System (STEPS) via IAMOnline to complete your cost report, action is needed now.

Cost Reports Open as of March 2, 2026 – Do Not Delay

The following cost reports are open as of March 2, 2026:

  • 24-Hour Residential Child Care (24RCC) Cost Report
  • Single Source Continuum Contractors (SSCC) Cost Report
  • Mental Health, Early Childhood Intervention, and Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (MEI) Cost Report
  • UC Ambulance (Ambulance Services Supplemental Payment Program) Cost Report
  • CPC: Community Living Assistance and Support Services - Case Management Agency (CLASS-CMA), Community Living Assistance and Support Services - Direct Service Agency (CLASS-DSA), Primary Home Care (PHC)
  • Day Activity Health Services (DAHS)
  • State Supported Living Center (SSLC) Cost Report

Cost Reports Open as of April 1, 2026 – Prepare Now

  • Medicaid Administrative Claiming (MAC) – OD25 Quarter
    • Mental Health / Individuals with Intellectual Developmental Disability (MHIDD)
    • Independent School District (ISD)
    • Local Health District (LHD)
    • Early Childhood Intervention (ECI)
  • School Health and Related Services (SHARS) Cost Repor

Cost Reports, Applications, and Enrollments Opening Fall 2026:

  • Public Health Provider – Charity Care Program (PHP-CCP) Cost Report
  • Disproportionate Share Hospitals and Uncompensated Care (DSH/UC) Application
  • Hospital Augmented Reimbursement Program (HARP) Enrollment

Important Reminder — Verify Your Provider Enrollment and Management System (PEMS) Information is Current:

Cost reports will not populate in STEPS unless your Primary Entity Contact (PEC) email address in PEMS matches the email used to register in STEPS. HHSC cannot make this update on your behalf.

HHSC posted the PEMS contact lists under the “Medicaid Cost Reports with Provider Enrollment and Management System (PEMS) Primary Entity Contacts List” on the STEPS website.

Providers are responsible for reviewing available guidance and ensuring timely completion of all required actions.

Resources:

  • The STEPS website is the central location for major announcements and resources, including:
    • System User Guides
    • Registration Guides
    • Transition materials
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • STEPS Registration via IAMOnline User Guide (.pdf)
    • Certain users were pre-identified by HHSC for STEPS access. Follow the instructions on the STEPS website under the “STEPS Pre-Identified Registration User List”
    • If you were not pre-identified by HHSC follow the instructions in the “STEPS Registration via IAMOnline User Guide”.
  • Long-term Services and Supports (LTSS) Cost Report Resources
    • The enrollments and Medicaid cost reports will not populate in STEPS unless the PEC’s email address in PEMS matches the email address used to register in STEPS. HHSC posted the PEMS contact lists under the “Medicaid Directed Payment Programs (DPPs) with Primary Enrollment and Management System (PEMS) Primary Contacts Lists” on the STEPS website.

Contact Information:

For STEPS functionality or system issues Submit a ticket in STEPS

For PEMS questions, contact TMHP:

  • Call the TMHP Contact Center (800) 925-9126, or
  • TMHP-CSHCN Services Program Contact Center (800) 568-2413, or
  • Email TMHP to request assistance with enrollment maintenance

For program-specific questions or submit a ticket in STEPSLTSS: pfd-ltss@hhs.texas.gov

MAC: medicaidadministrativeclaiming@hhs.texas.gov

If you have any questions, please email Provider Relations at providerrelations@texaschildrens.org. 

For access to all provider alerts: www.texaschildrenshealthplan.org/provideralerts.