CHIPRA
Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Offer Free Or Low-Cost Health Coverage To Children And Families
If you are eligible for health coverage from your employer, but are unable to afford the premiums, some States have premium assistance programs that can help pay for coverage. These States use funds from their Medicaid or CHIP programs to help people who are eligible for employer-sponsored health coverage, but need assistance in paying their health premiums.
If you or your dependents are already enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, you can contact your State Medicaid or CHIP office to find out if premium assistance is available.
Medicaid/CHIP Contact information
Medicaid
- Phone: (800) 252-8263
- Website: www.hhsc.state.tx.us/medicaid
CHIP
- Phone: 1-877-543-7669 (that’s 1-877-KIDS-NOW)
- Website: www.chipmedicaid.org
Medicaid/CHIP enrollment
If you or your dependents are NOT currently enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, and you think you or any of your dependents might be eligible for either of these programs, you can contact your State Medicaid or CHIP office.
Application Information for Medicaid/CHIP
Medicaid
- Website: www.hhsc.state.tx.us/Help/index.html
- Application for Assistance (English)
- Solicitud de asistencia (Spanish)
CHIP
- Apply Online: www.texkid.org/CISS
- Apply By Phone: 1-877-543-7669 (that’s 1-877-KIDS-NOW)
- Website: www.insurekidsnow.gov
If you qualify, you can ask the State if it has a program that might help with payment of premiums for an employer-sponsored plan.
Medicaid/CHIP Elgibility
Once it is determined that you or your dependents are eligible for premium assistance under Medicaid or CHIP, your employer’s health plan is required to permit you and your dependents to enroll in the plan – as long as you and your dependents are eligible, but not already enrolled in the employer’s plan.
This is called a “special enrollment” opportunity, and you must request coverage within 60 days of being determined eligible for premium assistance.
Premium Assistance Programs
If you live in one of the States listed in the document provided below, Premium Assistance Program - State Information, you may be eligible for assistance with paying your employer health plan premiums. You should contact your State for further information on eligibility.
Texas Premium Assistance Program
Texas currenlty offers premium assistance for Medicaid.
Contact Medicaid for Premium Assistance
- Phone: 1-800-440-0493
- Website: www.gethipptexas.com
Premium Assistance Program Information & Updates
To see if any more States have added a premium assistance program since April 16, 2010, or for more information on special enrollment rights, you can contact either:
| U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration Phone: 1-866-444-EBSA (3272) Website: www.dol.gov/ebsa |
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Phone: 1-877-267-2323, Ext. 61565 Website: www.cms.hhs.gov |
Information as a PDF document (English)
Información en formato PDF (Spanish)