State extends health coverage after childbirth

AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission recently announced the approval of the state’s request to extend Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program coverage from two to 12 months after pregnancy.

Last year, Abbott signed House Bill 12, which extended Medicaid and CHIP postpartum coverage from two to 12 months. The law will take effect on March 1, 2024.

The request was approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Under the amended state plan, anyone enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP who is pregnant or becomes pregnant will be automatically enrolled for 12 months of postpartum coverage.

Services covered by Medicaid and CHIP include prenatal doctor visits, prenatal vitamins, labor and delivery, and postpartum checkups.

Texas projects approximately 137,000 women will benefit from 12-months postpartum coverage in fiscal year 2025.

“This past regular legislative session, I was proud to sign a crucial bipartisan law that extends postpartum coverage for Texas mothers from two to 12 months,” Abbott said. “With Texas’ application approved by CMS, this postpartum extension will help Texas mothers receive high-quality healthcare across our great state.”

Coverage will be automatically reinstated for individuals who are not current Medicaid or CHIP recipients, but who were enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP in Texas while pregnant and are still within their 12-month postpartum period, as long as they are still residents of Texas. Their coverage will be reinstated for the remainder of their 12-month postpartum period.

“Twelve months of postpartum coverage will help mothers across this state gain access to high-quality healthcare,” HHS Executive Commissioner Cecile Erwin Young said.

Women who are enrolled in Healthy Texas Women who are still within their 12-month postpartum period will be transitioned back to full-coverage Medicaid or CHIP for the remainder of their 12-month postpartum period.

To apply for Medicaid or CHIP, call 2-1-1 and choose Option 2 or visit: YourTexasBenefits.com.