County Indigent Health Care Program
The County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP) provides medical services to residents of Texas, and is operated by each individual county and their public hospitals and hospital districts. Those who qualify can receive a number of services, ranging from preventive care to hospitalization, at no cost. The program covers basic services, required by all participating counties, including annual exams, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, laboratory and X-ray, and clinics. Additional services are covered by counties on an elective basis, such as medical supplies and dental care.
CIHCP Eligibility
In order to qualify for assistance through the County Indigent Health Care Program, you must live in the county where you apply and plan to continue living in the same county. Eligible residents must also not qualify for any Medicaid programs, and meet the income guidelines. Asset limits are also imposed, as applicants who are aged or disabled can have no more than $3,000 in resources, and all other households cannot exceed $2,000. Income limits are based on the size of your household and must be less than or equal to 21 percent of Federal Poverty Level.
Family of 1: $196 monthly
Family of 2: $265 monthly
Family of 3: $335 monthly
Family of 4: $404 monthly
Family of 5: $473 monthly
CIHCP Covered Services
Basic
All county health programs are required to offer such essential services as:
- Vaccinations
- Screenings for various diseases and conditions
- Routine physical exams
- Hospitalization
- Outpatient hospital care
- Rural health clinics
- Diagnostic services
- Family planning
- Physician care
- Prescriptions (maximum of 3 per month)
- Skilled nursing facility
Optional
Any county can choose to provide the following services approved by the DSHS for optional care:
- Ambulatory Surgical Centers
- Diabetic and colostomy medical supplies and equipment
- Durable medical equipment
- Home and Community-Based Services
- Psychotherapy
- Physician assistant services
- Advanced practice nurse (a nurse practitioner, a clinical nurse specialist, a certified nurse midwife [CNM], or a certified registered nurse anesthetists [CRNA]) services
- Dental services
- Vision exams and eyeglasses
- Federally qualified health centers (FQHC)
- Emergency care
For a complete list of optional and basic services, visit the DSHS website.
How to Apply
To enroll in CIHCP, you can visit a County Administrative office, public hospital, or hospital district anywhere within your county. There, you will be able to fill out an application and find out if you qualify. Bring with you proof of income and resources, an ID, and proof of residence in the county. For more details, contact your local CIHCP Office.
Resources
County Indigent Health Care Program
Contact CIHCP:
Texas Department of State Health Services
Preventive and Primary Care Unit, MC 2831
1100 W. 49th Street
PO Box 149347
Austin, TX 78714-9347
T: (512) 776-7706
F: (512) 776-7713
Email: County Indigent Feedback
