Interviews for SNAP and TANF benefits resume June 1. Read information flyer (PDF). Read FAQ (PDF).
Renewing your benefits is easy. We'll send you a letter when it's time to renew your benefits. If you need to sign a renewal form you can:
If the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) sent you a letter saying you need to repay part of your benefits, you can do that online using the HHSC online payment system.
In Texas, there are 5 different types of Medicaid:
The type of Medicaid coverage you get depends on where you live and what kind of health issues you have.
If you don't know what type of Medicaid you have, call toll-free 800-964-2777.
You get traditional Medicaid if you are not in STAR, STAR+PLUS, STAR Kids or STAR Health. To learn more, read the member handbook (PDF).
STAR is the largest managed care program in Texas. Most people who receive Medicaid in Texas are enrolled in STAR. The program primarily provides services to children, pregnant women and some families.
You can see how well some STAR health plans perform by reading STAR health plan report cards. These plans currently provide services in Texas:
STAR Kids is Medicaid managed care program that provides benefits to children and adults 20 and younger who have disabilities. These plans currently provide services in Texas:
In partnership with Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), Medicaid provides a managed care program, STAR Health, for the following groups:
More information about the STAR Health program can be found on the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services website.
STAR+PLUS is a Texas Medicaid managed care program for adults who have disabilities or are age 65 or older. People in STAR+PLUS get Medicaid healthcare and long-term services and supports through a medical plan that they choose. To apply, visit Your Texas Benefits or call 2-1-1.
You can see how well STAR+PLUS health plans perform by accessing the STAR+PLUS health plan report cards. These plans currently provide services in Texas:
Some people get both Medicaid and Medicare. These plans currently provide services in Texas:
The Your Texas Benefits Medicaid card is your permanent card. Take it with you whenever you go to the doctor, dentist or drug store. Protect it the way you would your driver's license or credit card. If you lose or damage your card, you can order a new one by visiting Your Texas Benefits or by calling toll-free at 800-252-8263.
You can access your available Medicaid health information through Your Texas Benefits' Medicaid Client Portal. Legally authorized representatives can see their children's available Medicaid health information.
HHSC gives SNAP food benefits (formerly known as food stamps) and TANF cash help payments through the Lone Star Card. It is a plastic card that is used like a debit card to pay for items.
If your card is lost or stolen, or if you forgot your PIN (password), call us as soon as you can 800-777-7328 (toll-free).
You can use our search tool to find a doctor who gives Medicaid services. There are two types of searches — the Basic Search and the Advanced Search. The Advanced Search gives you more options to help you narrow your search. For example, you can look up a doctor by the language they speak, find doctors who work on the weekends and find a doctor that will see someone your age.
The Basic Search, Advanced Search and text in Spanish options are on the top of these web pages: Start your search.
You can use our search tools to find a drug store that takes Medicaid or CHIP.
Medicaid will cover the costs for some vitamin and mineral products if you have a written doctor's order (a prescription). You now can go to any Medicaid drug store to get them.
Some drugs must be used by 90 percent before you can get a refill. [List of drugs that must be used by 90 percent before refilling.] For all other drugs, you must use 75 percent before refilling. If it looks like you will run out of your drugs sooner, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. If you have questions, call 800-335-8957. When you call, pick a language and then press 6.
Children in CHIP get services through a medical plan in their area. Some CHIP plans also offer services to mothers who are pregnant. This is called CHIP perinatal coverage.
You can see how well some CHIP health plans perform by accessing the CHIP health plan report cards.
You can either pay online or by mail.
You may pay a CHIP enrollment fee online with a credit card. There is a $2 charge to pay online.
If you would like to pay by check or money order, you can send your payment to:
CHIP
P.O. Box 660287
Dallas, TX 75266-9792
To learn more about CHIP, visit CHIP and Children's Medicaid.
Most children and teens with CHIP or Children's Medicaid coverage get their dental services through a managed care dental plan. There are two dental plans to choose from.
Those with Medicaid who do not get their dental services through one of those two plans include:
The Health Insurance Premium Payment program (HIPP) is a Medicaid program that helps families pay for private health insurance. This program is for families who have:
Medicaid will pay the family's private health insurance if the total cost of that insurance is less than the total cost of care with Medicaid. The total cost of the private insurance includes the premium, coinsurance and deductibles.
If approved, Medicaid may pay the private health insurance costs for the entire family and not just for the family members who get Medicaid. The family will get services through the private health insurance plan.
To learn more or to apply, visit the Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) Program or call us toll-free at 800-440-0493. You also can ask us to send you an application. Write to:
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
TMHP-HIPP
P.O. Box 201120
Austin, Texas 78720-1120
