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. 

What will CHIP cover?
The CHIP II benefit package covers the services most needed by children:

• Choice of doctors
• Regular checkups and office visits
• Dentist visits, cleanings and fillings
• Prescription drugs and medical supplies
• Access to medical specialists
• Vaccines
• Hospital care and services
• X-rays and lab tests
• Mental health care
• Treatment of special health needs
• Treatment of pre-existing conditions
• Eye exams and glasses

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 visit the Texas CHIP Coalition.