What are Medicaid (STAR) and CHIP?

Texas Health Insurance Plans

HEALTHfirst STAR Medicaid

State of Texas Access Reform (STAR) is a Medicaid program. It provides no-cost health care insurance for low-income children, pregnant women, and families.

HEALTHfirst STAR Medicaid

KIDSfirst CHIP

KIDSfirst CHIP

The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides healthcare for children 0-18 years. CHIP is for families who earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford to buy private health coverage.

KIDSfirst CHIP

KIDSfirst CHIP Perinate

KIDSfirst CHIP Perinate

CHIP perinatal coverage provides care to unborn children of pregnant women who are not eligible for Medicaid. Once born, the child will receive Medicaid or CHIP benefits, depending on their income.

KIDSfirst CHIP Perinate

Two young Hispanic girls smiling.

Who can qualify?

To qualify for STAR, CHIP, or CHIP Perinate, you must also be the following:

  1. Age 18 or younger (CHIP)
  2. Under age 20 for some types of Medicaid
  3. Pregnant
  4. Under a certain income level
  5. A Texas resident
  6. A US citizen or legal permanent resident
African American father smiling with daughters.

Who can apply?

  1. Any adult who lives more than half the time with an uninsured child
  2. This includes parents, stepparents, grandparents, other relatives, legal guardians or adult brothers or sisters
  3. Anyone age 19 or younger who lives on their own
  4. A pregnant woman of any age

Family Income Table

You might qualify for CHIP or Medicaid. You must have a monthly household income - before taxes - that is less than or equal to the following amounts:

Family Members

(Adults plus children)

Medicaid

 

Medicaid Pregnant

 

CHIP

 

CHIP Perinate

 

1

$1,616

$2,406

$2,443

$2,455

2

$2,186

$3,254

$3,304

$3,320

3

$2,756

$4,102

$4,165

$4,815

4

$3,325

$4,950

$5,025

$5,050

5

$3,895

$5,799

$5,886

$5,916

6

$4,465

$ -

$6,747

$ -

7

$5,035

$ -

$7,608

$ -

8

$5,604

$ -

$ -

$ -

For each additional
person, add:

$570

$849

$861

$866

How do I apply for benefits?

Fill out your application and submit the form online.
Apply Online

Download the form and submit it by Mail.
Download Form

Have someone help you fill out an application on the phone.
Call 2-1-1

The Texas HHSC will send a packet to you. This packet will include facts about each health plan, and you will choose your health plan.
Call 2-1-1.

 

If you do not choose a health plan, HHSC will choose one for you.

Wait to hear from Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC). Within 45 days, they will let you know if they have approved your application.
Call 2-1-1.

 

You can check the status of your application at yourtexasbenefits.com.

Application submissions can take up to 45 days for approval. You can check the status of your application online at YourTexasBenefits.com.

If approved, Texas HHSC will send a packet to you that includes facts about each health plan and how to choose your health plan. If you do not choose a health plan, HHSC will choose one for you.