While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Unemployment Insurance program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides comprehensive free or low-cost healthcare benefits to children whose parents or guardians do not qualify for Medicaid. CHIP is a federal program, and each state/territory has flexibility to design their own CHIP program within federal guidelines. Therefore, CHIP benefits may differ in each state/territory.
CHIP benefits may include annual check-ups, hospital visits, dental insurance, vision insurance and more. All services are provided through medical providers that participate in the CHIP program. Not all doctors and medical facilities accept CHIP patients.
Learn more about CHIP benefits here.
The Texas state CHIP program is called the Texas Children’s Health Plan. It is administered by the Texas Department of Health and Welfare. For more information about the Texas Children’s Health Plan, click here.
A child may receive CHIP benefits in Texas for as long as he or she qualifies for the program. A participant’s qualifications are determined by their age and their household’s monthly gross income. To learn more about eligibility and qualifying for the Texas Children’s Health Plan, click here.
If a child is eligible for CHIP, the following services will be covered:
Other services may also be covered depending on the child’s needs.
For more information about the services covered and what medical assistance you can receive, call the Health Coverage Assistance line at 1 (800) 990-8247.
To qualify for CHIP in Texas, a child must meet the following criteria:
For more information on Texas’s household income limits and other eligibility criteria to qualify for CHIP, click here.
Depending on your gross household income, the premium may be $30 to $50 per year per family covered by the Texas Children’s Health Plan in your household.
When your child receives covered medical services, your copay will be $3 to $25 except for emergency services.
For more information on the cost of CHIP benefits in Texas, visit the Texas Children’s Health Plan page here. Or call the Health Coverage Assistance line at 1 (888) 559-7526.
Before applying for the Texas Children’s Health Plan, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the income limits and other eligibility criteria here.
To apply for CHIP online, you can create an account through the Texas Benefit Portal here.
To apply for CHIP by phone, call 211 or 1 (800) 990-8247 for application assistance.
To apply for CHIP by mail, fill out the Application for Health Coverage found here and send it to the following address:
Texas HHSC
PO Box 149024
Austin, TX 78714-9968
To apply for CHIP by fax, complete an Application for Health Coverage found here and send it to 1 (877) 447-2839.
Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:
You will receive a determination letter in the mail notifying you of your eligibility for CHIP within 45 days of applying. This timeline may be extended if the Department of Health and Welfare requires more information from you to process your application.
If approved for CHIP, you will be sent a Texas Health Insurance Identification Card within 2 weeks of your eligibility determination letter.
For more information about what happens after you apply for the Texas Children’s Health Plan, you can contact the Health Coverage Assistance Center at 1 (888) 559-7526.
How to Appeal a Denial of Benefits
If you do not agree with the Texas Department of Health and Welfare’s decision to deny you CHIP benefits, you can file an appeal within 90 days of when you receive your eligibility determination in the mail.
You can file your appeal by mail or by fax to the Health Insurance Marketplace.
To send your appeal by fax, fill out the appeal form here and dial:1 (877) 369-0130.
To send your appeal by mail, complete the appeal form and send it to the following address:
Health Insurance Marketplace
Attn: Appeals
465 Industrial Blvd.
London, KY 40750-0061
After submitting your appeal, you will receive a decision by mail or email within 30 days.
If you have any further questions regarding the appeals process, you can contact the Marketplace Appeals Center at 1 (855) 231-1751. Or, you can contact the Texas Health Coverage Assistance Center at 1 (888) 559-7526.
To transfer your child from your current insurance to CHIP benefits, you will need to contact your current health insurance provider and ask a representative to discontinue their insurance coverage.
You can find your insurance company’s customer service number on your health insurance card.
If you have any questions about the insurance transfer process, contact the CHIP program administrator, at 1 (877) 543-7669.
If you have any further questions about the Texas Children’s Health Plan or CHIP, call the Health Coverage Assistance Center at 1 (888) 559-7526.
You can also visit the Texas Children’s Health Plan contact page here for more information on specific CHIP and member services.
You can also contact your local Texas Department of Health and Human Services office for assistance. Find your nearest office location and contact information here.
Services are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
For additional inquiries, you can send an online inquiry through the Texas application assistance page here.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Children’s Health Insurance Program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free CHIP Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
