Dell Children’s Health Plan

Optum Behavioral Health administers mental health and substance use disorder benefits for Dell Children’s Health Plan (DCHP) members beginning Sept. 1, 2026. The plan serves Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and State of Texas Access Reform (STAR) members in the Travis Service Area.

Information on this page supports your work in providing quality care and developing appropriate, evidence-based treatment plans that help Dell Children’s members live healthier, happier lives.

Get ready to care for members

If you’re new to working with CHIP and STAR members – or simply need a refresher – these resources provide the background, processes and requirements you need to know

Provider Orientation

An overview of plan requirements, guidelines and resources
Take the training

Quick Reference Guide

Highlights how to complete member- and claim-related tasks
Get the details

DCHP Provider Manual

Guidance on provider responsibilities, processes and deadlines
Review the manual

Prior Authorizations

Outlines which services require authorization or notification
Check the details

Transition Timeline

Now through Aug. 30, 2026:	Magellan remains responsible for medically necessary services provided through Aug. 30 at 11:59 p.m. Continue to follow all Magellan processes, requirements, timely filing deadlines and workflows.
Beginning Sept. 1, 2026:	Optum Behavioral Health is the designated administrator of mental health and SUD benefits for CHIP and STAR members. Here’s what you need to know: Network Status: All Optum network (contracted) providers are able to provide behavioral health services to Dell Children’s Health Plan members, as outlined by the provisions of your current Participation Agreement. A notice confirming this was mailed to all network providers in early August. Claims: Submit to Optum for date(s) of service on or after Sept. 1 Tip: Be sure to ask members for their new Optum ID card and update the plan info in your systems.

Now through Aug. 30, 2026:

Magellan remains responsible for medically necessary services provided through Aug. 30 at 11:59 p.m. Continue to follow all Magellan processes, requirements, timely filing deadlines and workflows.

Beginning Sept. 1, 2026:

Optum Behavioral Health is the designated administrator of mental health and SUD benefits for CHIP and STAR members. Here’s what you need to know:

Network Status: All Optum network (contracted) providers are able to provide behavioral health services to Dell Children’s Health Plan members, as outlined by the provisions of your current Participation Agreement. A notice confirming this was mailed to all network providers in early August.
Claims: Submit to Optum for date(s) of service on or after Sept. 1

Tip: Be sure to ask members for their new Optum ID card and update the plan info in your systems.

Coordination of Care from Magellan to Optum by Nov. 30

To protect continuity of care, we will follow all applicable laws and regulations for the 90-day mandated transition of care period. The transition of care benefit period is Sept. 1, 2026 through Nov. 30, 2026. This means patients who are currently receiving care from a Magellan network provider must transition to an Optum network provider no later than Nov. 30, 2026.

If you or a patient have any questions or need support with a transition protocol, please call the phone number listed at the back of the member’s ID card.

Outpatient Services: Members who are in active, ongoing outpatient treatment with a provider who is not contracted with Optum on Sept. 1, 2026 may request the 90-day transition of care benefit. Members must contact Optum by Sept. 30, 2026 to request the benefit.
Inpatient Services: If a member is receiving inpatient services that will continue past Aug. 30, Magellan will continue to administer the inpatient member’s benefits until stepdown to a lower level of care or discharge, whichever comes first. After that, Optum will administer the member’s benefits and providers must follow applicable prior authorization requirements.
Residential / Partial Hospitalization / Intensive Outpatient Programs: Optum will honor all approved prior authorizations for these services. If the services are expected to continue after xx/xx/xxxx, the treating provider must submit a prior authorization request to Optum Behavioral Health to continue treatment. If the treating provider is not contracted with Optum, we will work with you to ensure the member can continue treatment without disruption.

A collaborative approach for member care

Dell Children’s Health Plan is dedicated to serving Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and State of Texas Access Reform (STAR) members in the Travis Service Area. Network providers who care for these members are asked to follow a unified treatment philosophy that places equal importance on physical health and behavioral health needs.

Physical health and behavioral health go hand-in-hand

Members are more likely to stick to a medical treatment plan if their behavioral health needs are properly met, and vice versa.

Collaboration leads to well-informed treatment decisions

Developing compatible courses of treatment increases the chances for positive health outcomes and avoiding adverse interaction.

Relevant information is shared timely and confidentially

Standards set by NCQA and URAC. Guide the coordination of care between primary care and behavioral health providers.

Resources

Dell Children’s Health Plan provider portal – Use this portal for all physical health inquiries, authorizations and claims. (Do not use the Provider Express secure portal for physical health information – it is solely for behavioral health services.

Questions?

Call Optum Provider Services at 1-877-614-0484, 7 am – 7 pm, Monday – Friday. If they cannot resolve the issue, Provider Services will elevate it to your Provider Advocate.