Government Health Insurance in Texas

Government health insurance in Texas provides coverage to a variety of low- to moderate-income residents, including children, pregnant women, families, the elderly, and the blind and disabled. Some of these programs are not available in all parts of the state.

Types

• Government health insurance programs in Texas include the Children's Health Insurance Program, the Health Insurance Premium Payment Program (HIPP), the Medicaid Buy-In Program, the Medicaid Enhance Care Program, STAR Medicaid Managed Care and the Women's Health Program.

Considerations

• Some of these programs are cost-free, while others entail a small premium and copayment. Still other programs help the recipient make his health insurance payments on a plan that may include a premium, copay and a deductible.

Benefits

• The STAR Medicaid Managed Care program is Texas' main Medicaid program. With this program, beneficiaries select their own plan out of the options provided and then choose their own primary care physician (PCP) from within the network. The PCP must make referrals to specialists within the network.