Texas Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
The Children’s Health Insurance Program is available to uninsured children in Texas, offering low cost medical services to those who qualify. The program is available to children whose household income is too high to be eligible for Children’s Medicaid, though are still without health insurance. CHIP covers many types of care, including dental visits, cleanings, and fillings, vision exams and eyewear, routine checkups, doctor’s office visits, hospital care, prescriptions, vaccinations, and more.
Similar to having a comprehensive health plan through an insurer, you can expect the usual types of care and related supplies to be covered by CHIP. Costs for CHIP vary based on your income level. Because CHIP eligibility is based on the fact that income is higher than Medicaid, services are not free of cost, though copays are very low. For example, doctor’s office visit copays can range from $3 to $5 for families with a lower income, to $25 to $35 for those with a high level of income.
CHIP Eligibility and Income Guidelines
To qualify for CHIP, the child must be a Texas resident, and prove their U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency. Only the child is required to be a U.S. citizen or legal resident in Texas, as immigration status of the parent is not taken into consideration for CHIP eligibility. Children who are eligible must also be under the age of 19, and have a household income less than or equal to the designated amount for each family size.
Pregnant women are also able to receive coverage through CHIP Perinatal, which provides prenatal care for low income women of any age. Individuals who are 19 or younger and live independently can apply for CHIP, as well as those who live with parents. Below are the income limits per household by the month and year allowed in Texas to receive CHIP benefits.
Family Size Monthly Income Yearly Income
1 $1862 $22,340
2 $2522 $30,260
3 $3182 $38,180
4 $3842 $46,100
5 $4502 $54,020
6 $5162 $61,940
7 $5822 $69,860
8 $6482 $77,780
About CHIP Providers
Medical and dental services offered by CHIP in Texas are delivered by private managed care plans. Each of these plans develops and maintains its own network of providers through a major carrier or a regional health plan. You can choose a carrier based on what plans are available in your location. Below is a list of each medical and dental provider offering CHIP plans throughout the state of Texas. To view the member handbooks for each of these plans, scroll to the bottom of this page on the HHSC site.
CHIP Medical Plans
Aetna Better Health
Amerigroup
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
CHRISTUS Health Plan
Community First Health Plans
Community Health Choice
Cook Children’s Health Plan
Driscoll Children’s Health Plan
El Paso First CHIP
FirstCare CHIP
Molina Healthcare of Texas
Parkland KIDSfirst
Sendero Health Plans
Seton Health Plan
Superior HealthPlan
Texas Children’s Health Plan
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan
CHIP Dental Plans
Delta Dental Insurance Company
DentaQuest
MCNA Dental
CHIP Enrollment Fee
In order to apply for CHIP, you are required to pay an enrollment fee. You can either send your payment by check or money order in the mail, or pay online with a credit card. Click here to find out more or pay online. To send a check or money order, address it to the following:
CHIP
P.O. Box 660287
Dallas, Texas 75266-9792
Resources
Texas HHSC: CHIP and Children’s Medicaid
HHSC CHIP call center: 877-543-7669 or 800-647-6558
CHIP Processing Center:
HHSC
P.O. Box 14200
Midland, Texas 79711-4200
