Top Medicaid Benefits for Children and Pregnant Women
September 13, 2021
Is your child ready for eyeglasses? Texas Medicaid covers it.
Do you need a pregnancy checkup? Texas Medicaid covers that, too.
In fact, Medicaid has a long list of services to help you—and your family—stay healthy and well.
Just a few examples of benefits are:
- dental care
- allergy medicine
- vaccinations (shots)
- birth control
- hearing tests
- rides to the doctor
- and more!
Top Medicaid Benefits for Children
Dental care
You should take your child to the dentist every six months, starting when they are six months old.
Your child’s Medicaid coverage includes:
- free dental checkups
- services to prevent tooth decay
- services to fix dental problems
- braces
If you need help finding a dentist for your child, contact your dental plan:
- DentaQuest 1-800-516-0165
- MCNA Dental 1-800-494-6262
- United Healthcare Dental 1-800-822-5353
Eye care
Your child can receive eye care services from birth until age 20.
Services include:
- eye exams
- prescription eyeglasses
- more services if your child’s vision changes. You might need a note from your child’s doctor, teacher, or school nurse.
Be sure to choose an eye doctor and eyeglass store in your Medicaid health plan network.
Need more information? Call Avēsis at 1-866-678-7113 or go to their website.
Well-child checkups
Help your child to be as healthy as possible. Schedule regular well-child checkups with your child’s primary care doctor.
These checkups are provided at no cost to you and include:
- regular physical exams
- growth measurements
- immunizations (shots)
- vision tests
- hearing screenings
- dental screenings
- other important tests and services
- referral for diagnosis and treatment, if necessary
Take your baby for their first checkup within five days after birth.
After that, get the rest within 60 days after each checkup age below.
- 2 weeks
- 2 months
- 4 months
- 6 months
- 9 months
- 12 months
- 15 months
- 18 months
- 24 months
- 30 months
Children 3 years and older need a checkup once a year, on or after each birthday.
Texas Health Steps
Texas Health Steps is a healthcare program for children from birth to age 20 who have Medicaid STAR insurance.
Texas Health Steps can help you to:
- find a doctor or dentist for your child
- schedule appointments
- find out how often your child should see the doctor, dentist, or eye doctor
- get a ride to a medical checkup
- get medical supplies or equipment
- work on school or education issues
- work on other problems
- and more!
For more information, call Texas Health Steps: 877-847-8377
Behavioral Health
Does your child need help with their mental health, also called behavioral health?
Your Medicaid and CHIP insurance includes behavioral health services.
Behavioral health services help your child with:
- ADHD
- depression
- suicide prevention
- anxiety
- bipolar disorder
- substance use (drug addiction)
- conduct disorders
These services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For more information, call: 1-800-945-4644
24-Hour Nurse Line
Need quick answers to your health questions?
Call the 24-Hour Nurse Line to:
- talk to a nurse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- get answers to health questions in English and Spanish
To reach the Nurse Line:
HEALTHfirst Medicaid STAR 1-888-667-7890
KIDSfirst CHIP/CHIP Perinate 1-800-357-3162
Value-Added Services and Paid Rewards
When you have Medicaid and CHIP insurance, you can get many benefits in addition to your regular benefits. These are called Value-Added Services and Paid Rewards. They include:
- For HEALTHfirst (STAR)* and KIDSfirst (CHIP) members:
- Members ages 5 to 19 can get one sports physical exam per school year.
- Members can get a cell phone at no cost through the Lifeline program. Plan options include data, talk, and text. *(STAR only)
- $30 value annually for members who receive an annual flu shot
- $20 value annually to new members who complete a PCP visit within 90 days of joining the health plan
- $20 value annually for members receiving initial medications for ADHD and attending a follow-up visit within 30 days of filling the prescription
- $30 value annually for members age 10+ who complete the 3-week Step-Up Challenge
- $20 value to members ages 12 to 18 who complete a timely Texas Health Steps checkup
- $20 value annually for being enrolled in the Be In Control Program for 3 months and then another $50 value annually for being enrolled for 6 months
- Up to $60 value annually for asthma medication refills
- For KIDSfirst (CHIP Perinate) members:
- $30 value annually for members who receive an annual flu shot
- $20 value when you complete a timely Well-Adolescent checkup for ages 12-18
- $20 value for first-time member enrollment into the online Member Portal
- $20 value when you complete a yearly Health Risk Assessment
- $20 value each year when you receive initial medications for ADHD and receive a follow-up visit within 30 days of initiation
Top Medicaid Benefits for Pregnant Women
When you’re pregnant, it’s important to take good care of your health. This will help to protect your baby before birth, during infancy, and throughout childhood.
Your Parkland Community Health Plan Medicaid coverage offers a variety of services to help you take care of you—and your little one.
Large Doctor Network
When you have Texas Medicaid insurance, you can choose from a large number of doctors and clinics.
Use the online provider directory to find doctors who are:
- close to your home
- close to your workplace
- male
- female
- English-speaking
- Spanish-speaking
Click here to find a doctor near you.
24-Hour Nurse Line
Need quick answers to your health questions?
Call the 24-Hour Nurse Line to:
- talk to a nurse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- get answers to health questions in English and Spanish
- hear a reassuring voice during pregnancy and newborn months
To reach the Nurse Line:
HEALTHfirst Medicaid STAR 1-888-667-7890
KIDSfirst CHIP/CHIP Perinate 1-800-357-3162
Meal Service for Pregnant Moms
Whether you are a new or experienced mom, finding time to make healthy meals can be a challenge. That’s why Parkland Community Health Plan now offers a free meal service for pregnant women. The service is open to women in their second trimester through 60 days post-partum. Pregnant members can request one free family-style meal (feeds 4) per month. To sign up, click here.
Value-Added Services and Paid Rewards
There are several Value-Added Services and Paid Rewards that benefit pregnant women. They include:
- For HEALTHfirst (STAR) and KIDSfirst (CHIP Perinate) members:
- $20 value for first-time member enrollment into the online Member Portal at ParklandHealthPlan.com, once per lifetime
- $20 value when you complete Parkland Community Health Plan’s yearly Health Risk Assessment
- $30 value annually for pregnant members who receive a flu shot during their pregnancy
- Free car seat for completion of a prenatal checkup within the 1st trimester or within 42 days of joining
- $60 value annually for members who receive their postpartum checkup within 21-56 days of delivery (STAR only)
Behavioral Health
When you are pregnant, you might need extra support for your behavioral health.
This can include talk therapy or medication for:
- depression
- anxiety
- bipolar disorder
- substance use (drug addiction)
These services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For more information, call: 1-800-945-4644
Free Pyx mobile app
Want a little boost? Try a friendly chat with Pyx!
Pyx is a mobile app designed for pregnant women age 18 and older.
You can use Pyx to:
- find a ride to the doctor
- find out where to get healthy food at no or low cost
- learn about fun activities to help you relax
- read jokes to make you smile
- connect with the 24-Hour Nurse Line
- get in touch with Member Services
To sign up for Pyx and download the app, click here.
Family Planning Services
Family planning services help you to plan or prevent getting pregnant.
Services your Medicaid plan provides to you includes
- help finding family planning doctors near you
- yearly check-ups
- an office or clinic visit for a problem, counseling, or advice
- lab tests
- birth control pills, diaphragms, and condoms
- pregnancy testing
- tubal ligation (for members 21 years and older; you must complete a Federal Sterilization Consent Form)
Want more information?
Call Member Services for help with:
- learning about your health plan
- finding a doctor
- scheduling an appointment
- getting a new ID card
- accessing benefits and services
HEALTHfirst Medicaid STAR 1-888-672-2277
KIDSfirst CHIP/CHIP Perinate 1-888-814-2352
8 am to 5 pm CST
Monday to Friday (except state holidays)
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