Insurance and Billing Medicaid Coverage Alert
Medicaid rules have changed and you need to be prepared.
Over the next few months, most people with Medicaid will need to renew their plan. If they don’t, they risk losing their coverage and may have to start paying for care themselves.
How will you know if you need to renew your Medicaid coverage?
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is reaching out to people who need to renew their coverage. They will be sending mail correspondence with specific directions and timing for each individual. Keep your eye out for a bright yellow envelope! If you have opted in for electronic communications, HHSC will send you an email instead.
Here’s what you can do today:
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Step 1 – Make sure your contact information is up-to-date!This will ensure HHSC can reach you so that you don’t miss out on the renewal process. Visit YourTexasBenefits.com or call 2-1-1, option 2, to update your mailing address, email address and phone number. |
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Step 2 – Gather your documents.You may need to share documents that prove you and your child’s social security number and your family income within the last 30 days. (Pregnant women may also need to provide their current address.) Being prepared to gather this information for HHSC will save you time later. |
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Step 3 – Watch your mailbox.
Most people will get their communication from HHSC via regular mail. So, check your mail regularly! You don’t want to miss or lose the yellow envelope from HHSC. Remember that if you opted-in for electronic communications, you will get an email with your renewal information. |
If you have any questions or need help with renewing your Medicaid coverage, you can reach out to HHSC at Call 2-1-1 or by calling 1-877-541-7905.
You can also go online to YourTexasBenefits.com and check on your renewal.
Texas Children’s Hospital
PO Box 4494
Houston, TX 77210-4769
832-824-1000 Main
832-824-2300 Customer Service
Texas Children’s Physician Group
DBA Texas Children’s Physician Services Organization
PO Box 4769
Houston, TX 77210-4769
832-824-1000 Main
832-824-2300 Customer Service
Anesthesia Services at the Pavilion for Women
Greater Houston Anesthesiology
PO Box 540008
Houston, Texas 77254
713-620-4040
Pediatric Anesthesia Services
Texas Children’s Physician Services Organization
PO Box 4984
Houston, TX 77210
800-332-8548
Pediatric Pathology Consultants
PO Box 1907
Greenville, TX 75403-1907
877-788-7814
Baylor College of Medicine
PO Box 4758
Houston, TX 77210-4758
713-798-1900
Tips that will help reduce insurance and billing difficulties
- Review your family’s health insurance policy and become familiar with the co-pays, services, tests and treatments covered, as well as the steps required to get referrals.
- If your insurance company requires a referral for testing or future visits, you must contact your primary care physician (PCP) to get the required referral and make sure it is processed before your appointment.
- Remember that referral fees and co-pays are your responsibility.
- Families receiving Medicaid should monitor all changes in their coverage.
- Check your coverage every 6 months to make sure your provider is still accepted by Texas Children’s Hospital.
- Here is a list of insurance plans accepted by Texas Children’s Hospital.
No Surprises Act
Starting January 1, 2022, the No Surprises Act will protect patients from receiving surprise medical bills in certain instances. It will also ensure that patients are not involved in reimbursement negotiations between health care providers and insurers.
Transparency in coverage
This link leads to the machine-readable files which are made available in response to the Federal Transparency in Coverage Rule and include negotiated service rates and out-of-network allowed amounts between health plans and health care providers.
The machine-readable files are formatted to allow researchers, regulators and application developers to access and analyze data more easily.
Call Texas Children's billing office at 832-824-2300 if you have questions about your insurance or bill.