CHIP Contract Awarded to Texas Children's Health Plan

The state of Texas has awarded a service-provider contract for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to Texas Children's Health Plan Inc., a subsidiary of Texas Children's Hospital.

The contract for 10 counties in the greater Houston area will benefit children and their families, as well as doctors and other health-care providers. The Houston area has the highest number of uninsured children in Texas, according to state officials.

CHIP is a new national health insurance initiative designed just for children. It is funded by both the federal and state governments. Enrollment in Texas begins April 1, with coverage effective May 1.

"Texas has more than 1 million uninsured yet eligible children who could receive health coverage," says Christopher Born, president of Texas Children's Health Plan. "It is Texas Children's Health Plan's goal to create a community of healthy children by enrolling as many CHIP-eligible children in our area as possible so they can receive the health coverage they need and deserve."

CHIP is designed to help families who earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid, but cannot afford private insurance. The plan covers children 18 years and younger whose families' annual incomes are at, or below, 200 percent of the federal poverty level ($33,400 for a family of four in 1999). The child cannot be eligible for Medicaid or covered by private health insurance for 90 days prior to application.

Parents pay monthly premiums ranging from $15 to $18 or, depending on income, may pay nothing at all. For a low copayment, CHIP covers doctor visits, regular checkups, immunizations, X-rays, hearing and vision tests and dental exams. Hospital stays, surgery and mental health care are covered as well. Some families, depending on their incomes, will not pay copayments.

Texas Children's CHIP service area covers 10 counties: Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Harris, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Waller and Wharton.

For more information about Texas Children's Health Plan or CHIP, call the Member Services Department at (713) 770-2600 or toll free at (800) 990-8247. Information is also available online at www.texaschildrenshospital.org/healthplan.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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