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Protecting Texas Kids The State of Texas has constructed a Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to provide every child in the state with comprehensive health insurance coverage. The first phase of CHIP already has been approved to provide benefits to teenagers not currently covered by Medicaid. The second phase, currently under design by the Texas Legislature, will further extend benefits to children from low income families. Here are some basic facts about CHIP in Texas. What will CHIP cover?
The CHIP II benefit package covers the services most needed by children, including:
- Well-child exams
- Immunizations
- Physician office visits
- Hospital care
- Rehabilitation services
- Prescription drugs
- Mental health services
- Lab
- X-rays
The Texas CHIP plan, as currently drafted, also covers vision and hearing screenings and preventive dental care.
Who is eligible for CHIP II?
CHIP II is designed for working families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to purchase private health insurance for their children. To qualify, children must be under age 19, live with families earning less than proposed 200 percent of the federal poverty level (that's $33,600 for a family of four in 1999), and not currently eligible for Medicaide or private health insurance. To encourage responsible use of health care services, families may be required to share in the program's costs by paying small proposed copay, premium and/or deductibles. Preventive health care services, such as well-child exams and immunizations, are exempt from cost-sharing. Cost-sharing is based on the family's income. For more information, call 800-943-KIDS or log onto www.main.org/txchip.
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