How long does TMHP provider enrollment take for a home care agency in Texas?

A complete, correct application typically takes 30 to 45 calendar days from submission to receiving your Texas Medicaid provider identifier. Incomplete applications — missing NPI, missing HCSSA license copy, unresolved background check issues — are the most common cause of delays, which can push the timeline to 60 to 90 days or longer. TMHP does not process applications faster based on urgency; the only way to shorten the timeline is to submit a complete packet on the first attempt.

Can I start serving STAR+PLUS clients while my TMHP enrollment is processing?

No. You must have a fully approved Texas Medicaid provider ID before submitting EVV data to HHAeXchange or billing any MCO for STAR+PLUS services. Serving STAR+PLUS clients before enrollment is complete and submitting claims creates unbillable visits that you may not be able to recover. Use the enrollment processing window to serve private pay clients, hire caregivers, and complete your EVV system setup so you are operationally ready the day your provider ID arrives.

Do I need a separate TMHP enrollment for each county or service area I plan to serve?

No. TMHP enrollment is issued at the agency level, not the county level. One enrollment covers your agency's entire authorized service territory in Texas. However, MCO credentialing — the step that follows TMHP enrollment — is done separately with each managed care organization, and each MCO credentialing application covers the service delivery area(s) you specify. You only enroll with TMHP once per agency entity.

What is a Texas Medicaid provider identifier and how is it different from an NPI?

A National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a federal identifier issued by CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) that uniquely identifies your agency across all payers and states. A Texas Medicaid provider identifier (often called a TMPI or TMHP provider ID) is a state-issued number that TMHP assigns when it approves your enrollment in the Texas Medicaid program. You need the NPI first — it is a required field on the TMHP enrollment application — and the TMHP provider ID is what MCOs require before beginning your credentialing application.

What if my HCSSA license is still pending when I want to start TMHP enrollment?

You must have an active, issued HCSSA license before TMHP will process your provider enrollment application. TMHP requires a copy of your current HCSSA license as a supporting document, and license number verification is part of the review. There is no way to begin TMHP enrollment before your HCSSA license is issued. Use the HCSSA application window (typically 60 to 90 days for a PAS license) to complete your NPI application, gather your other required documents, and prepare your TMHP application so you can submit on the day your license arrives.

Texas TMHP Provider Enrollment for Home Care Agencies: Step-by-Step Guide 2026

Every STAR+PLUS guide you read — including the ones on this site — mentions TMHP provider enrollment as a prerequisite. "Get your TMHP provider ID first." But most of those guides treat the enrollment process as a checkbox, not a workflow. They do not explain what TMHP is, what the application actually requires, where submitting common mistakes leads, or what you can and cannot do once enrollment is complete.

This guide closes that gap. It covers the TMHP enrollment process step by step, from prerequisites through first-day-active setup, written specifically for home care agencies applying for personal assistance services (PAS) enrollment.

All information is current as of September 2026. Specific portal interfaces and document requirements may be updated by TMHP — verify current requirements at tmhp.com before submitting your application.

What TMHP Is and Why Enrollment Is Required

TMHP — Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership — is the fiscal agent for the Texas Medicaid program, contracted by HHSC to administer provider enrollment, claims processing, and payment for Medicaid-covered services in Texas.

As a home care agency that wants to serve STAR+PLUS members (adults with disabilities and seniors enrolled in Medicaid managed long-term services and supports), you must be enrolled with TMHP before anything else:

Before submitting EVV data — HHAeXchange, the required Texas EVV aggregator, requires a valid Texas Medicaid provider identifier to configure your agency's account
Before MCO credentialing — every STAR+PLUS managed care organization (Molina, Superior HealthPlan, UnitedHealthcare, Wellpoint, Community First, El Paso Health, Community Health Choice) requires your TMHP provider ID in your credentialing application
Before submitting any STAR+PLUS claim — claims submitted without a TMHP-enrolled provider ID are denied

TMHP enrollment does not by itself let you bill STAR+PLUS — that requires MCO credentialing, which comes after. But enrollment is the gate that unlocks the next three steps.

Important: TMHP vs. MCO billing. Because STAR+PLUS is a managed care program, your actual claims go directly to the member's MCO — not to TMHP. TMHP enrollment is a prerequisite and a system registration, not the billing relationship. The MCO is the payer.

Prerequisites: What Must Be in Place Before You Apply

1. Current HCSSA License

TMHP will not process a provider enrollment application without a currently active HCSSA license issued by HHSC. Your license number is a required field in the application, and TMHP verifies active license status against the HHSC provider registry during review.

If your HCSSA license application is still pending, do not submit your TMHP enrollment application yet. Use the HCSSA processing window (typically 60 to 90 days for a PAS license) to complete every other prerequisite below so you are ready to submit to TMHP on the day your license is issued.

For a full walkthrough of the HCSSA licensing process, including administrator training requirements and the pre-survey CBT, see our Texas HCSSA License Requirements 2026 guide.

2. Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Your agency must be operating as a legal business entity with an EIN issued by the IRS before applying for TMHP enrollment. A sole proprietor using a Social Security Number instead of an EIN is generally not the appropriate structure for a Medicaid-enrolled home care agency in Texas.

If your entity is newly formed, apply for an EIN at irs.gov before starting the TMHP process. EIN approval from the IRS is typically immediate when applied online.

3. Type 2 NPI (National Provider Identifier)

An NPI is the federal identifier issued by CMS that identifies your agency to payers. For a business entity (as opposed to an individual clinician), the correct NPI type is a Type 2 NPI (Organizational).

If you do not have an NPI:

Go to nppes.cms.hhs.gov (NPI/NPPES Registry)
Apply for a Type 2 (Organization) NPI
Enter your agency's legal name, address, EIN, and the relevant provider taxonomy code(s) for personal care services

Taxonomy codes for Texas PAS home care agencies: The most commonly used taxonomy code for an HCSSA providing personal assistance services is 251G00000X (Home Health). Some agencies also add 363LA2100X (Attendant Care Provider) depending on their HCSSA license type and the specific services they offer. Verify the correct taxonomy code(s) for your license category with TMHP's provider enrollment team before submitting — applying an incorrect taxonomy code creates enrollment category mismatches that require correction.

NPI applications are typically approved within 5 to 10 business days. Your NPI is permanent and does not need to be renewed.

The TMHP Provider Enrollment Application

TMHP processes provider enrollment through TexMedConnect, its secure web portal at tmhp.com. All new enrollments are submitted online.

Step 1: Create Your TexMedConnect Account

If your agency does not have a TexMedConnect account:

Go to tmhp.com and click TexMedConnect
Select New User registration
Create an account for the person who will manage the enrollment (typically the agency owner or administrator)
Complete identity verification as prompted

Once your account is active, you have access to the Provider Enrollment section where you can initiate a new enrollment application.

Step 2: Select Your Provider Type

Within the Provider Enrollment section, you will select your provider type. For an HCSSA providing personal assistance services, the relevant category is Home and Community Support Services Agency (HCSSA). Selecting the correct provider type is critical — it determines which service codes you can bill, which authorization types apply to your claims, and what revalidation schedule TMHP will use for your enrollment.

If you hold a PAS-only HCSSA license (the most common for new agencies), select PAS as your service type. If your agency holds a Licensed Home Health (LHH) or Licensed and Certified Home Health (L&CHH) license, you may also select those service lines within your enrollment application.

Step 3: Complete the Enrollment Application

The TMHP enrollment application collects the following:

Agency identification:

Legal business name and doing-business-as (DBA) name, if different
Federal Tax ID (EIN)
Type 2 NPI with taxonomy code(s)
HCSSA license number (must be active and current at time of submission)
Agency physical address and mailing address
Primary contact phone and email

Service area information:

Counties where your agency will provide services
Service types being enrolled (PAS, companion, homemaker, respite — as authorized by your HCSSA license)

Principal and owner information:

Name, SSN, and date of birth for each agency owner or principal with 5% or greater ownership stake
This information is used for background screening as part of enrollment review
Each listed individual is subject to the OIG exclusion list check and Texas HHSC exclusion database check

Banking information for EFT:

Routing and account number for the bank account that will receive Medicaid payments
Account type (checking recommended)
EFT authorization form (submitted as part of or immediately after enrollment)

Step 4: Upload Required Supporting Documents

Along with the online application, TMHP requires the following documents uploaded in the portal:

Document	Notes
Current HCSSA license	Must be active; TMHP verifies the license number against the HHSC registry
NPI confirmation letter or NPPES registry printout	Shows Type 2 NPI, taxonomy code(s), and agency name exactly as enrolled
IRS EIN confirmation (CP-575 or 147C letter)	Confirms the EIN belongs to the agency legal entity
Proof of general liability insurance	Certificate of Insurance with current effective dates; some provider types require minimum coverage amounts — verify current TMHP requirements
Professional liability (errors & omissions) insurance	Same format; review TMHP requirements for HCSSA providers
W-9	Signed within the current tax year
Government-issued ID for each listed principal	Driver's license or state-issued ID
Articles of incorporation or business formation documents	For corporations, LLCs, and partnerships

Document quality matters. TMHP reviewers flag applications when documents are blurry, expired, or do not match the name on the application. Use PDF scans, confirm all certificates show current dates, and confirm all names match your legal entity name exactly before uploading.

Step 5: Submit and Receive Your Application Reference Number

After completing the online application and uploading all supporting documents, submit the application. TMHP will generate a reference number — record this immediately and keep it. It is the only way to track your application status without contacting TMHP.

TMHP does not send an automatic confirmation email when an application is submitted. Log back into TexMedConnect 24 to 48 hours after submission to confirm the application shows as Received in the system.

What Happens During TMHP's Review

TMHP's review process for a new HCSSA enrollment involves:

Completeness check — confirming all required fields are filled and documents are present
License verification — confirming active HCSSA licensure against the HHSC provider registry
NPI verification — confirming your NPI exists, is active, and is registered to your agency entity
Background screening — OIG exclusion list, Texas HHSC exclusion database, and principal-level checks
Documentation review — confirming insurance certificates, ownership documents, and EIN letter match the application data

During review, a TMHP enrollment specialist may contact you by phone or email to request additional documentation or clarification. Respond within 48 to 72 hours. Applications where the agency does not respond to information requests within the allowed window are typically closed, and you must reapply from the beginning.

Tracking your application: In TexMedConnect, your application status will move through stages: Received → In Review → Additional Information Requested (if applicable) → Approved or Denied. Log in weekly to check status.

Timeline: What to Expect

Stage	Typical Duration
NPI application (if not yet obtained)	5–10 business days
TMHP enrollment review (complete application)	30–45 calendar days
TMHP enrollment review (incomplete — information request)	Add 15–30 days per request
HHAeXchange EVV setup (after TMHP approval)	7–14 days
MCO credentialing, per MCO (after TMHP approval)	30–90 days per MCO

Total: approximately 90 to 120 days from HCSSA license issuance to first billable STAR+PLUS client, assuming no delays and simultaneous MCO applications.

The agencies that reach their first STAR+PLUS billing date fastest are the ones that:

Have their NPI application submitted before the HCSSA license is issued
Have their W-9, insurance certificates, and formation documents ready on the day the license arrives
Submit a complete TMHP application within 24 hours of receiving the HCSSA license
Submit MCO credentialing applications to all SDAs simultaneously, immediately after TMHP approval

After Approval: Your Texas Medicaid Provider ID

When TMHP approves your enrollment, you receive a Texas Medicaid provider identifier — a unique number that identifies your agency in the Texas Medicaid system. This identifier is sometimes called a TMPI, a TMHP provider number, or simply a provider ID.

Save this number securely. You will use it in:

Every MCO credentialing application
HHAeXchange EVV setup for your agency account
All claim submissions (usually via the MCO's billing portal or an EDI clearinghouse)
Annual revalidation communication

Setting Up ERA and EFT

Along with your provider ID, configure your Electronic Remittance Advice (ERA) and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) settings in TexMedConnect before you submit your first claim:

ERA — Electronic Remittance Advice sends your payment explanation data electronically to your billing software or clearinghouse, replacing paper EOBs
EFT — Electronic Funds Transfer deposits Medicaid payments directly to your designated bank account; paper checks are slower and some MCOs no longer issue them by default

Both ERA and EFT are configured in TexMedConnect under the Provider Information section. Most home care billing software can receive ERA feeds directly, which simplifies payment reconciliation.

What Your TMHP Provider ID Does NOT Allow (Yet)

Receiving your TMHP provider ID is an important milestone — but it does not mean you can begin accepting STAR+PLUS clients or submitting claims. What your provider ID allows:

Unlocks:

MCO credentialing applications (you can now apply to Molina, Superior, UHC, and others in your SDA)
HHAeXchange EVV agency account configuration
Access to TMHP provider portals for claims and remittances

Still required before first billable visit:

Active credentialing status with the member's specific MCO
Completed HHAeXchange EVV setup and test submission
Valid Individual Service Plan (ISP) authorization from the MCO for the specific member

Do not schedule your first STAR+PLUS visit until you have active, approved MCO credentialing status and a valid ISP in hand. Visits rendered before credentialing is active or outside an ISP authorization period are not recoverable through billing.

Revalidation: Keeping Your Enrollment Current

Under CMS rules, all Medicaid providers must revalidate their enrollment every five years. TMHP manages the revalidation schedule and will send notice to the email on file approximately 180 days before your revalidation deadline.

Revalidation involves:

Confirming or updating your agency information in TexMedConnect
Uploading current insurance certificates, current HCSSA license, and updated ownership documentation
Passing another background screening for listed principals
Resubmitting EFT/ERA banking information if it has changed

Important: TMHP will disenroll providers that do not complete revalidation before the deadline. A lapsed enrollment cannot submit claims and must be reinstated — a process that can take 30 to 60 additional days. Set a calendar reminder at 180 days, 90 days, and 30 days before your revalidation deadline.

Common Mistakes That Delay Enrollment

These are the most frequent causes of application delays or denials:

Name mismatches. The legal entity name on your TMHP application must match exactly what is on your HCSSA license, your NPI registration, your EIN letter, and your insurance certificates. A single discrepancy — abbreviated name, DBA used instead of legal name, middle name included in one place but not another — flags an information request.

Wrong NPI type. Some applicants mistakenly apply for a Type 1 (individual) NPI for their agency. An agency entity requires a Type 2 (organizational) NPI. TMHP will not accept a Type 1 NPI for an agency enrollment.

Expired insurance certificates. Insurance certificates uploaded during enrollment must have effective dates covering the period of application submission. A certificate that was valid six months ago may have expired. Pull fresh certificates from your insurance agent on the day you assemble your application.

Listing excluded principals. If any owner or principal with a 5% or greater ownership stake is listed on the OIG exclusion list or Texas HHSC exclusion database, TMHP will deny enrollment. Research each listed individual in the LEIE database before submitting.

Incomplete county service area selection. If you plan to serve clients in multiple counties, confirm that all intended counties are listed in your application. Adding counties after enrollment requires a change request — which takes additional processing time.

Submitting before the HCSSA license is issued. Applications submitted with a pending or recently applied-for license number fail the license verification step immediately.

After TMHP: The Next Steps in the STAR+PLUS Enrollment Sequence

TMHP enrollment is step two in a four-step process:

HCSSA license → issued by HHSC; required before TMHP enrollment
TMHP provider enrollment → required before EVV setup and MCO credentialing (this guide)
HHAeXchange EVV setup → required before any STAR+PLUS visit can be submitted compliantly; 7–14 days after TMHP approval
MCO credentialing → 30–90 days per MCO; can begin immediately after TMHP approval; submit to all MCOs in your SDA simultaneously

For detailed guidance on each of the steps that follow TMHP enrollment, see:

Texas STAR+PLUS MCO Guide 2026 — which MCOs operate in your service delivery area and how to sequence credentialing
How to Get Your First STAR+PLUS Client — the referral pipeline, service coordinator outreach, and what an ISP looks like
STAR+PLUS Billing for Texas Home Care Agencies — the billing lifecycle after your first authorization
Texas EVV Requirements 2026 — HHAeXchange EVV compliance for STAR+PLUS services

Software Setup That Runs Parallel to TMHP Enrollment

TMHP enrollment takes 30 to 45 days. That is not dead time — it is the ideal window to complete your home care software setup, caregiver hiring, and pre-authorization paperwork.

By the time your TMHP provider ID arrives, an agency that used the enrollment window well will have:

Active caregiver profiles in their scheduling software (including background checks and credential verification)
EVV app installed on caregiver devices and tested with a private pay client
Billing workflow mapped out (who enters authorizations, who submits claims, who reconciles remittances)
Private pay clients generating revenue and building caregiver schedules

Atlas Care Software is built for exactly this sequence — Texas-native, designed for HCSSA PAS agencies, and set up in a single day. Caregivers log visits via GPS EVV, authorizations are tracked against visit counts automatically, and billing flows from verified visits without a separate step. You can start with private pay clients today and be ready for your first STAR+PLUS authorization the day your MCO credentialing clears.

See how Atlas handles STAR+PLUS EVV and scheduling →

Additional Resources

TMHP TexMedConnect portal: tmhp.com → TexMedConnect
TMHP provider enrollment contact: tmhp.com/contact-us (use the Provider Enrollment helpline)
NPI application (NPPES): nppes.cms.hhs.gov
OIG exclusion check: exclusions.oig.hhs.gov
HHSC LTCR provider exclusion list: hhs.texas.gov (search "excluded providers")
Texas HCSSA license lookup: hhs.texas.gov (search "HCSSA license search")
HHAeXchange Texas EVV onboarding: hhaexchange.com (Texas provider resources section)

Related Guides

Texas HCSSA License Requirements 2026 — the step before TMHP enrollment
Texas STAR+PLUS MCO Guide 2026 — MCO credentialing: which MCOs, which order, what documents
How to Get Your First STAR+PLUS Client — the referral pipeline after credentialing completes
STAR+PLUS Billing for Texas Home Care Agencies — billing lifecycle from authorization to payment
Texas EVV Requirements 2026 — HHAeXchange EVV compliance requirements for STAR+PLUS
Texas Home Care Employer Compliance Guide 2026 — W-2 vs. 1099 caregiver classification, Texas workers' comp, TWC UI registration
AtlasCare vs HHAeXchange — the difference between HHAeXchange as the required state EVV aggregator and as a commercial scheduling software
AtlasCare vs Axxess — both Texas-founded; STAR+PLUS compliance, EVV, and pricing compared
View all home care software comparisons →

All TMHP enrollment information reflects publicly available TMHP, HHSC, and CMS sources as of September 2026. Provider enrollment processes, portal interfaces, and document requirements are updated by TMHP periodically. Verify current requirements at tmhp.com before submitting your application.