Harris County Hospital District Enters into CHIP Contract with Texas Children's Health Plan

The Harris County Hospital District has entered into a contract agreement with Texas Children's Health Plan (TCHP) to provide pediatric services to children enrolled in the state's new CHIP program through TCHP.

"Traditionally, children without health insurance came to the Harris County Hospital District for their medical care, the children either qualified for Medicaid or financial assistance through the HCHD's Gold Card program, which is funded by Harris County taxpayers," says John A. Guest, president and CEO of the Harris County Hospital District. "Now, thanks to CHIP and our partnership with Texas Children's Health Plan, the Harris County Hospital District is able to ensure the continuity of care for these young patients while tapping into an alternative funding resource. This should help lift some of the reimbursement burden from the local taxpayer's shoulders."

The Hospital District is considering a relationship with one other local CHIP administrator to be a provider for their Houston-area CHIP enrollees.

"We expect to have another contract ready this summer to present to the board of managers," says John Montaine, director of managed care development. "We look forward to establishing more provider relationships like this one to help ensure our mission of creating a healthier community."

Enrollment began April 1 for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) providing health-care coverage at low or no cost to the children of Texas.

More than half a million children in Texas go without health insurance every day because their families cannot afford the premiums. According to state officials, Houston has the highest number of uninsured children in Texas. CHIP is designed to help families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but cannot afford private insurance.

CHIP covers children younger than 19 whose families' annual incomes are at, or below, 200 percent of the federal poverty level ($34,100 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 applying for CHIP. Parents might pay an annual enrollment fee of $15 or monthly premiums ranging from $15 to $18 or, depending on income, nothing at all.

For either a low copayment or no copayment, CHIP enrollees now have access to regular doctor visits and checkups, immunizations, X-rays, hearing and vision tests, dental exams, hospital stays and surgery at Harris County Hospital District facilities.

- JOHN MARTINEZ

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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