Medicaid is a state run and funded health care program that provides health care assistance for low income individuals and families. Medicaid pays for health care services such as doctor visits (including pediatrics), hospital services, prenatal care, vaccinations, and home health care. To qualify for Medicaid in Texas, you must meet one of the following stipulations: you have children and a low income, you receive Supplemental Security Income or are eligible for benefits, your family has less than $2,000.00 in assets, you are pregnant and have a low income, or you receive adoption or foster care assistance. If you need assistance in covering your health care needs and you have one of the conditions stated above, then follow the steps below to help you apply for Medicaid assistance.
Instructions
1. Gather all of your income and expense information, as it all must be claimed on your Medicaid application. This information includes any secondary health insurance information, Medicare information, disability and/or social security benefits, all household expenses, child daycare expenses, and alimony or child support payments.
2. Fill out a Medicaid application. To do so, either dial 2-1-1 on your touch tone phone to fill out your application over the phone, or visit the link below to fill out and submit an application online, or visit your local Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Benefits Office. If you need help finding an office in your area, click the corresponding link below.
3. Submit your application. If you didn't fill out your application over the phone or submit it online, you can either mail it or fax it in to the main HHSC office.
4. Visit a HHSC Benefits Office. Everyone who applies for Medicaid benefits in Texas must meet with a representative at an HHSC Benefits Office to go over the application and discuss any benefits to potentially be received. However, a representative can meet with you over the phone or visit you at your home if you live more than 30 miles away from the closest HHSC Benefits Office, you cannot travel to one due to bad weather, you are sick, you do not have transportation, work will not allow you time to visit, you are taking care of someone who lives with you, you are over 60 or have a disability, or you are a victim of domestic violence.
5. Wait and hear for approval or rejection from the HHSC. As it is a governmental program, it may take them months to process your application and determine approval. However, if you are approved for Medicaid benefits, your benefits could be applied retroactively from the time of application or even prior to the application.
