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Health Care Coverage: Children and Youth Children’s Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program Low-income children may receive health care coverage through the Children's Medicaid program or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Both programs provide a wide range of benefits to keep kids healthy, including doctor’s visits, immunizations, prescription drugs, lab and X-ray charges, hospital care, eyeglasses and dental services. There is one application for both programs. HHSC will look at the application and will let the parent or caretaker know if his or her children can receive either Children’s Medicaid or CHIP. [CHIP & Children's Medicaid Application] Children’s Medicaid Children’s Medicaid offers free health care services to children under 19 years of age whose families have limited incomes and resources. The Children’s Medicaid program provides six months of health care coverage. (Newborns receive 12 months of coverage if the mother was receiving Medicaid when the child was born). Coverage begins as soon as the application is approved. Before the end of each six-month period of coverage, a renewal application is sent to the family. If a child is receiving Medicaid and has a disability, mental retardation or chronic condition, HHSC will look at the child’s case to decide if the child can receive special services such as:
To learn more about some of these services, visit the Department of Aging and Disability Services’ website. Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) CHIP is a health insurance program for children under 19 years of age whose families have low incomes and resources, but earn too much to receive Medicaid and do not have private health insurance. CHIP will provide 12 months of health care coverage. Before the end of each 12-month period of coverage, a renewal application will be sent to the child’s parent or caretaker. As long as a family meets requirements and returns the renewal application by the due date, health care coverage for the children will continue without interruption. CHIP enrollment fees and co-payments are based on the family's income. Enrollment fees are $50 or less per family for each 12-month period of coverage, and most co-payments for doctor visits and prescription drugs range from $3 to $10. CHIP coverage also is available for unborn children. To learn more about maternity care, visit the CHIP perinatal coverage section of this website. Medicaid Buy-In for Children This program is for families who have a child with a disability, but earn too much money to get traditional Medicaid. Through this program, families can “buy-in” into Medicaid coverage by making monthly payments. To be in this program the child must:
The benefit period for this program is usually one year. Before the end of the benefit period, a renewal application will be sent to the family. [Learn more about this program] Medicaid Buy-In for Children applications: [English] [Español] Medicaid for Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care People who were in foster care on their 18th birthday and are now age 18 through 20 may receive Medicaid if they have no other medical coverage and have income and resources below the limits set by the program. For questions about this program or to receive a copy of the application with a postage-paid envelope, call the toll-free number, 1-800-248-1078, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Central Time and ask to speak to someone about Medicaid for youths aging out of foster care. More information about assistance for those who are aging out of the foster care system or who are currently in the foster care system, can be found on the Department of Family Protective Services’ website. Medicaid for Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care People who were in foster care on their 18th birthday and are now age 18 through 20 may receive Medicaid if they have no other medical coverage and have income and resources below the limits set by the program. For questions about this program or to receive a copy of the application with a postage-paid envelope, call the toll-free number, 1-800-248-1078, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Central Time and ask to speak to someone about Medicaid for youths aging out of foster care. More information about assistance for those who are aging out of the foster care system or who are currently in the foster care system, can be found on the Department of Family Protective Services’ website. Income limits for this program:
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