How to apply for Medicaid in Texas
Healthcare coverage is available to low-income residents all across the US but each state has its own eligibility requirements and process to access the support.
Medicaid is designed to provide medical coverage for vulnerable or low-income Americans who would not otherwise be able to afford healthcare. The programme is organised jointly by state and federal authorities, meaning that the exact eligibility requirements and coverage specifications can vary between states.
In Texas, health authorities aim to ensure that Medicaid beneficiaries receive “high quality, comprehensive health care services within the recipient's community.” However the state decided not to opt in to the Medicaid expansion for 2022, leaving $15.3 billion of federal support on the table.
Texas currently has more than 5 million people enrolled in either Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), behind only California and New York in terms of total number of beneficiaries. Here’s how you can enrol in Medicaid healthcare coverage in Texas…
Who is eligible for Medicaid in Texas?
Texas Medicaid support is available for those who are residents of the state of Texas, and are either a US national, citizen, permanent resident or legal alien. Recipients must be in need of healthcare insurance support and have a low or very low income level.
Recipients must also be at least one of the following:
- Pregnant
- A parent or guardian for a child aged 18 or younger
- Blind
- Recognised as disabled, or live with a family member with a disability
- At least 65 years old
To work out whether you can receive the coverage, the Benefits.gov website has a helpful online calculator to establish whether your annual household income makes you eligible for Medicaid support.
How can I apply for Medicaid in Texas?
The easiest way to apply for the benefit is to use the Medicaid online form. You will be required to input your citizenship status, personal and family situation, and your household’s annual income. This will outline the level of support that you are entitled to and the steps needed to continue with your claim.
For more information on Medicaid in Texas head over to the state’s Health and Human Services Medicaid and CHIP help page, which has all the information you need to make your application.
If you have any queries about your eligibility status or need further assistance before claiming your coverage, you can get in touch with Texas Medicaid in the following ways:
Toll-free hotline: 1-800-252-8263 (TDD users can call 512-424-6597)
Email: medicaid@hhsc.state.tx.us