Austin News

Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) have announced that Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage for postpartum women will be extended from two to 12 months. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved Texas' request for this extension.

Governor Abbott expressed his pride in signing the bipartisan law that made this extension possible. He stated, "This postpartum extension will help Texas mothers receive high-quality healthcare across our great state." He also thanked the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Senator Lois Kolkhorst, and Representative Toni Rose for their work in ensuring that this critical postpartum extension is available to new mothers in need across Texas.

HHS Executive Commissioner Cecile Erwin Young expressed her gratitude to Governor Abbott and the Texas Legislature for standing by Texas families. She emphasized that 12 months of postpartum coverage will enable mothers across the state to access high-quality healthcare.

The extension of postpartum coverage from two to 12 months was made possible through House Bill 12, which Governor Abbott signed into law last year. This law will take effect on March 1, 2024. Under the state plan amendments, anyone enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP who is pregnant or becomes pregnant will be automatically enrolled for 12 months of postpartum coverage. This coverage includes prenatal doctor visits, prenatal vitamins, labor and delivery, and postpartum checkups.

Individuals who were enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP in Texas while pregnant and are still within their 12-month postpartum period will have their coverage automatically reinstated, as long as they are still residents of Texas. This reinstated coverage will last for the remainder of their 12-month postpartum period.

Women 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.

It is estimated that approximately 137,000 women in Texas will benefit from the 12-month postpartum coverage in fiscal year 2025.

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

This extension of postpartum coverage is a significant step towards ensuring that Texas mothers have access to the healthcare they need during this critical time.