Parents desire their children to have access to the best health insurance coverage possible. Children should have physical checkups on a regular bases, immunizations for school admission, and access to care in case of an emergency. Private health care coverage may be too expensive for some families, but there are insurance options available in Texas for low-income families. These options can give families confidence they will be able to meet their children's health care needs.
Children's Medicaid
Children who are residents of Texas may be eligible for health insurance coverage under Children's Medicaid. It provides benefits comparable to private health insurance, and are available to children regardless of their parent's residency status. In addition to regular health insurance benefits, Children's Medicaid coverage includes such services as eye examinations and eye glasses, prescription drug coverage and dental visits. Your family's income and financial assets will be evaluated to determine your family's eligibility for coverage.
Texas CHIP
The Texas Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, is a health plan funded by the state and federal government for families with income that is higher than the income limits to qualify for Children's Medicaid coverage. CHIP works through insurance companies and Health Maintenance Organizations throughout Texas to provide this coverage. CHIP provides the same health coverage as most insurance companies in the state provide. CHIP will also cover Texas residents who are pregnant and uninsured, and provide immediate coverage for your newborn child.
Insurance Pool
Families unable to get health coverage through a private insurance company because of preexisting medical conditions may be able to secure coverage through the state insurance pool. The cost of coverage may be double the amount you would normally pay for private health insurance, but it may be an opportunity to secure coverage if you income status is too great for Children's Medicaid or CHIP. The health benefits under coverage from the health insurance pool are comparable to those available through private insurance.
Special Needs
The Texas health care program for children with special medical needs is called The Children with Special Health Care Needs program. CSHCN helps with needs beyond those experienced by other children. The program also assists people with cystic fibrosis of any age with their health needs. The program is designed to make sure that medical expenses and physical assistance children need beyond normal health care expectations are met. These extra benefits can provide you and your children with the support needed to live a better life.
Community Health Care
Local community health care centers provide medical services for families that are uninsured or for some other reason do not have sufficient health care coverage. These centers serve as a safety net for parents and their children ensuring that everyone living in the state receives the medical care they need to live a healthy and happy life. Local community health care centers may be focused on the needs of migrant families, health care for homeless families and individuals, or for low income families in need of assistance.
Private Insurance
Two forms of private insurance are available in Texas: indemnity plans, and managed care plans. These plans may be provided through you employer, or you can purchase a plan on your own. An indemnity plan allows you to use the doctor of your choice, and managed care plans such as Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) and Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) control cost by giving incentives for using doctors within the network. Each plan will provide the quality care your children need to live healthy and happy lives.
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