Getting regular care is an important way to stay healthy. Parkland Community Health Plan offers several benefits and services that make it easier to access the care you need. Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) NEMT benefits are available to all STAR members. Services include no-cost rides to and from the doctor, dentist, hospital, drugstore, or other Medicaid service providers. If you need a ride, PCHP may be able to help with: Public transportation, like the city bus. Money to buy gas. A taxi ...
How —and Why—to Apply for Texas Medicaid After Losing Your Job Have you lost your job recently? If so, you may have lost your health insurance as well. While you’re searching for a new job – and a new health plan – one option to consider is Medicaid. What is Medicaid? Medicaid is a program for low-income individuals and families that offers healthcare insurance at no cost. All states offer some type of Medicaid program in partnership with the federal government. In Texas, the Medicaid insurance program ...
Parkland Community Health Plan is excited to introduce our new and improved Member Portal . Members now have easier access to details about their coverage, including recent claims, ID cards, forms, member rewards, and more – all in one place, available 24/7. After logging in to the portal, visit your homepage for a quick look at the resources available to you as a member. From the My Health Plan menu, you can view a summary of your current benefits, learn about value-added services, and verify yo...
You applied for Texas Medicaid. Your application was approved. And that’s great news! You are one step closer to better health for yourself and your family. But there are a few more steps you need to take. We’ve listed them here to help you get started. Open your information packet. Check your mailbox. Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) will send you a packet of information. Inside the packet, you’ll find out: if you are assigned to: STAR (State of Texas Access Reform), a Medicaid program that provi...
Is your child ready for eyeglasses? Texas Medicaid covers it. Do you need a pregnancy checkup? Texas Medicaid covers that, too. In fact, Medicaid has a long list of services to help you and your family stay healthy and well. Medicaid benefits include: dental care allergy medicine vaccinations (shots) birth control hearing tests rides to the doctor and more! Top Medicaid Benefits for Children Dental Care You should take your child to the dentist every six months, starting when they are 6 months old. Your...
When you apply for Medicaid or CHIP, you might wait up to 45 days before learning if your application is approved. If you do not get approved, it’s good to have a backup plan. Getting coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace is one way to plan ahead. What is the Marketplace? The Marketplace is a website where you can shop and sign up for health insurance. It was created as part of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Plans cover doctor visits, prescription drugs, hospital stay...
Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders. When someone has sickle cell disease, their red blood cells become hard and sticky. When they travel through small blood vessels, sickle cells get stuck and clog the blood flow. This can cause pain and other health problems such as infection and stroke. PCHP’s STAR (Medicaid) members with sickle cell disease now have access to a treatment called gene therapy, which can help improve their quality of life. The process usually ...
All Medicaid members must submit a renewal application every 12 months to continue receiving benefits. If you are receiving Texas Medicaid benefits, please respond promptly to requests from Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) to avoid a lapse in your coverage. ( Click here to learn how to update your contact information with Texas HHSC.) See below for some common questions and answers about Medicaid renewal. How do I know if I need to renew my Medicaid coverage? Be on the lookout...
Attention, PCHP members! If you have a STAR (Medicaid) or CHIP plan, it’s important to make sure that Texas Health & Human Services (HHSC) has your current contact information on file. If the information is not current, you will miss important updates regarding the expiration of your healthcare coverage. The best way to give them your current information is with a Your Texas Benefits (YTB) account – it’s easy to use and only takes a few minutes to set up. With your YTB account, you can: Up...
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. That’s why PCHP gives members access to providers and resources that help them manage their mental health and get alcohol and drug use under control. On September 1, 2025, PCHP is changing the way your behavioral health services (services aimed at supporting mental health and substance use service needs) are managed. Your benefits aren’t changing. PCHP still has you covered! How will this change affect you...
Redeem Your Parkland Rewards Points by August 31, 2025 If you have a Parkland Rewards account , be sure to redeem your 2024-2025 points before August 31, 2025. You can spend reward points on: games and toys infant care supplies children's clothing sports equipment fitness tools art sets health and beauty products kitchen and nutrition items and many other items from the rewards catalog gift cards Remember: You have to “use them or lose them.” ...
It’s a good idea to review your health insurance needs on a yearly basis. If you’ve had any major life changes recently, you may want to update your coverage. You might be pregnant and need help with doctor bills. Maybe you've lost your job—and your health insurance. Your employer might be raising the amount you have to “pitch in” for insurance, doctor visits or medication. If you want help with health care costs, help is here. You and your family might be able to receive free or low-cost health care th...
You applied for Texas Medicaid. Your application was approved. And that’s great news. You are one step closer to better health for yourself and your family. But there are a few more steps you need to take. We’ve listed them here to help you get started right away. 1. Open your information packet. Check your mailbox. Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) will send a packet of information to you. Inside the packet, you’ll find out: If you are assigned to one of these programs: STAR &n...
Texas Medicaid FAQ: Everything you need to know about applying for Medicaid in Texas Taking care of your physical and mental health is important. Health insurance helps many people stay healthy by making their care more affordable. If you don’t have insurance, you might worry about how you will pay for doctor visits if you or your children get sick. If you have insurance at work, you might wonder how you will afford insurance if you lose your job or if your hours are cut. The good news is you might be a...
Are you a new or expecting mom? If so, you may have heard about the benefits of breastfeeding . Breast milk is a good source of nutrition and can help build your baby’s immune system. It has health benefits for mothers, too – moms who breastfeed can reduce their risk of high blood pressure, breast cancer, and other diseases. A breast pump can be a helpful tool for new moms who are breastfeeding. It allows you to collect your breast milk at any time of day and store it for later use. If you are a member ...
Parkland Community Health Plan offers Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to STAR members diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This benefit is available through the Texas Health Steps-Comprehensive Care Program. See below for some common questions about these services. What is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)? ABA is a treatment that can improve social, communication, and self-regulation skills in patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? A...
Are there times when you want to take your child to the doctor, but struggle to find a time that fits your schedule? Maybe you’re nervous about being near other sick people at the doctor’s office, so you’ve put off a visit for a non-urgent medical issue. If you’re looking for help with a minor health issue, telehealth may be the answer. Parkland Community Health Plan (PCHP) offers telehealth services at no cost for all STAR and CHIP members age 0-21. This includes easy and convenient access to pediatric...
Are you a current Medicaid or CHIP member? If so, you must renew your coverage every 12 months to keep your benefits. Renewing takes less time than submitting a new application – but it’s still important to be prepared. Take action now – and save time later! Make sure that Texas Health & Human Services (HHSC) has your current mailing address, phone number, and email address so you can get important updates about your coverage. The easiest way to do this is by setting up an account with Your Texas Be...
Health insurance is an important tool for staying healthy – but sometimes, it can be challenging to make sense of your coverage. You may need help understanding your benefits, but you’re not sure where to start. If you’re a PCHP member, you can get help from one of our Member Advocates. What does a Member Advocate do? PCHP’s Member Advocates help members with: Writing and filing complaints and appeals. Understanding their rights and responsibilities. Locating community resources and specialists. E...
Just like adults in your family, babies and children can have problems with their vision. The good news is that most of these problems can be treated. Paying close attention to your child’s eyesight is the first step. The second step is to schedule vision screenings and eye exams. A vision screening is: A basic test. Often provided by school nurses, family doctors, or other healthcare professionals. Able to find signs of eye or vision problems. Is not used to diagnose the exact problem. An eye exam is: ...
Staying healthy is important – but sometimes, managing your family’s care can be a challenge, especially when you’re dealing with several health issues. PCHP offers a service coordination program to help members manage their care. Our Service Coordination team explains the program below. What is service coordination, and why would someone need it? Service coordination is a specialized care management service that is performed by a Service Coordinator. It includes, but is not limited to: Identifying need...
Sometimes, we all need a little extra help to get by. PCHP is excited to offer more support to our members through the Findhelp platform. Findhelp is a social service organization that directly connects people to local programs and organizations offering assistance. Use the Findhelp directory to find free help near you. It’s convenient and easy to use, and all searches are anonymous – you don’t need to log in or sign up before using the site. Here are just a few of the ways you can use Findhelp to get t...
You probably already know that Texas law requires children to ride in a car seat. But did you know you can get a car seat for free? Free car seats are just one of many Value-Added Services for pregnant women and new moms enrolled in a STAR Medicaid or CHIP insurance plan. Keep reading to learn more about: Types of car seats for babies, toddlers, and older children How to get a free car seat How to get help installing your car seat Types of car seats Car seats are made by many different companies, or bra...
Accidents, injuries and illnesses are a part of life—for you and your children. Most cuts, scratches, bumps and bruises are minor. You can recover at home, without seeing a doctor. But what if the cut is deep? What if the pain doesn’t go away? Should you call your primary care doctor, or should you call 911 and go straight to the emergency room? North Texas Pediatrician Dr. Mariel Silva is here to help. In the short videos below, Dr. Silva gives easy step-by-step instructions on how to make this importa...
Do you need no-cost birth control pills, diaphragms, condoms, or other family planning services? If you live in Texas, here are two options to consider. You might be able to get birth control through: Parkland HEALTH first , a health plan for people on STAR (Medicaid) The Healthy Texas Women Program Parkland HEALTH first family planning services help you to: not get pregnant plan ahead of time for a healthy pregnancy and baby get and stay healthy for any children you already have What does the HEALTH fi...
Have you ever missed a doctor visit because you didn’t have a way to get there? Do you worry about how you’ll get to the drugstore to fill a prescription? Parkland Community Health Plan may be able to help. PCHP offers non-emergency medical transportation to all STAR members. You or your child may be able to get free rides to and from the doctor, dentist, hospital, drugstore, or other Medicaid service providers. If you need a ride, we may be able to help with: Public transportation, like the city bus. M...
You may be receiving Medicaid benefits through the State of Texas. But did you know that you can also get help buying healthy food when you need it? “Food insecurity” describes what happens when someone is not able to get enough affordable, nutritious food. Families may worry that they will run out of food or won’t be able to afford a balanced meal. They may skip meals or eat less than they feel they should. SNAP Benefits For many, it can be hard to pay for rent, utilities, transportation, and childcare...
Why should I get the COVID-19 vaccine? A COVID-19 vaccine helps protect you from getting sick. That’s important because, if you get sick with COVID-19: there’s no way to know how it will affect you you might get very sick—or even die you could spread it to other people, even if you don’t feel sick Can my children get the COVID1-19 vaccine? It depends on their age. To get the Pfizer vaccine – you must be at least 16 years old. To get the Moderna vaccine – you must be at least 18 years old. Is the COVID-1...