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    • Aetna Better Health® of Texas

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    Health and wellness

    Do I qualify for Medicaid?

    Understanding Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) can be a challenge. That’s why we’re here to walk you through it. The first step is making sure that you qualify for Medicaid or CHIP — and that you live in one of our service areas. Visit Your Texas Benefits to find out if you qualify.

    What is Medicaid?

    What is Medicaid?

    Medicaid and CHIP provide health coverage for low-income:

     

    • Children 

    • Families

    • Seniors 

    • People with disabilities

    In Texas, it’s called Your Texas Benefits. People who qualify can get coverage for a wide variety of benefits and services.

    The right plan for you

    The right plan for you

    Not sure where to start? Just read these plan descriptions. 

     

    • STAR is Medicaid for children, newborns, pregnant women and some families. 

    • STAR Kids is Medicaid for children and adults ages 20 or younger who have disabilities.

    • CHIP is for families that earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid, but can’t afford to buy private health insurance. 

    • CHIP perinatal coverage is for pregnant women.

     

    Now click on the tab that best describes you:

    Do you qualify for STAR (Medicaid)?

     

    You might qualify because of your income.  Just call 211 (TTY: 711) to find out. Or apply at Your Texas Benefits.

     

    You can join if you qualify for STAR (Medicaid) and live in our service areas (PDF):

     

    • Bexar service areas:  Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina and Wilson 

    • Tarrant service areas: Denton, Hood, Johnson, Parker, Tarrant and Wise

    Need to learn more? You can call us in the:

     

    Do I qualify for STAR Kids?

     

    This program serves youth and children with disabilities. To qualify for all health services, you or your child must be aged 20 or younger and either:

     

    • Receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Medicaid or 

    • Enrolled in the Medically Dependent Children Program (MDCP)

    To qualify for basic health care services (acute care), you or your child must receive services through other 1915(c) waiver programs.

     

    You or your child can join if you qualify for STAR Kids and live in our service areas:

     

    • Tarrant service area: Denton, Hood, Johnson, Parker, Tarrant and Wise
    • Dallas service area:  Collin, Dallas, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro and Rockwall

    Need to learn more? Just call 211 (TTY: 711). Or apply at Your Texas Benefits.

     

    Need to learn more? You can call us at 1-844-STRKIDS (1-844-787-5437) (TTY: 1-800-735-2989).

    Do I qualify for CHIP?

     

    To qualify, you or your child must be: 

     

    • 18 years of age or younger

    • Pregnant (any age)

    • An adult who lives more than half the time with an uninsured child

    • A U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident 

    • Able to meet the income requirements

    You or your child can join if you qualify for CHIP and live in our service areas (PDF):

     

    • Bexar service area:  Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina and Wilson 

    • Tarrant service area: Denton, Hood, Johnson, Parker, Tarrant and Wise

    Learn more about CHIP. Or apply at Your Texas Benefits. You can also call 211 (TTY: 711) for help. 

     

    If you don’t qualify for CHIP coverage, you may qualify for Medicaid. Just give us a call to find out:

     

    Do I qualify for CHIP perinatal? 

     

    To qualify, you must: 

     

    • Be pregnant

    • Not qualify for STAR (Medicaid) 

    • Meet the CHIP Perinatal income requirements

    You can join if you qualify for CHIP Perinatal and live in our service areas (PDF):

     

    • Bexar service area:  Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina and Wilson  

    • Tarrant service area: Denton, Hood, Johnson, Parker, Tarrant and Wise

    Need to learn more? Just go to the CHIP Perinatal coverage page at the Texas Health and Human Services website. Or apply at Your Texas Benefits. You can also call 211 (TTY: 711) for help.

     

    If you don’t qualify for CHIP Perinatal coverage, you may qualify for Medicaid. Just give us a call to find out:

     

    What if I have a disability?

    What if I have a disability?

    People who have disabilities can get more help in the form of monthly payments. The Social Security Administration offers two kinds of benefits: 
     

    For adults with children and little or no work history. To get help, you must meet certain income and asset limits. If you get SSI, you might also be able to get supplemental nutrition assistance (SNAP) and help with housing.

    For people who have a work history but can no longer work. If you have SSDI, you can get Medicare after 2 years. Once you get Medicare, you can also get Part D to help with drug costs. Do you have SSDI and a dependent under age 18? If yes, they may also get benefits.


    We use Centauri Health Solutions to help members apply for SSI and SSDI benefits. They follow HIPAA rules to keep your info private. You can watch a video English | Español about Centauri.

     

    Need help? You can chat online with an agent on the Centauri Health Solutions website. Or call 1-866-263-6608 for help.

     

    How do I get started?

    You can learn more about enrollment and getting started with your application on our “How to join” page.

     

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