Beginning January 28, Texans enrolled in Medicaid started receiving notice from HHSC informing them of the Medicaid unwinding. The end of continuous Medicaid coverage means millions of Texans who have not had to reapply for Medicaid in the last three years will have to go through the process soon. Members who have not signed up for alerts on YourTexasBenefits.com will receive a letter in the mail.

As the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency approaches, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is actively preparing to complete a large number of eligibility and enrollment actions. Beginning as soon as mid-October, an estimated 3.7 million Texans will need to have their Medicaid eligibility redetermined. For those individuals who found themselves needing Medicaid for the first time during the pandemic, this will be their first experience with the redetermination process. 

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Texans have been tricked into a new type of health care price gouging – outrageous COVID-19 testing.

Starting January 15, individuals with private health insurance will have coverage for up to eight at-home COVID tests per month, per covered family member.

The third special session of the Texas Legislature wrapped up this morning shortly after midnight. This morning, the Legislature voted for the final passage of SB 8, which came out of conference yesterday and appropriates $16 billion in federal COVID relief funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

The 87th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature began in the midst of a pandemic that made health care and health care policy a central part of almost every debate. Not only did we see creation policies responding to the COVID pandemic, but we also saw greater emphasis on all areas of health care policy and what it means for Texans.

In the last decade, Medicaid managed care transformed Texas Medicaid into a more efficient and effective system that helps Texans live healthy and full lives. The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted how managed care can respond to patient and community needs beyond what is available through a fee-for-service model.

Throughout the COVID-19 Crisis, health plans have done their part to help Americans get and stay healthy. Now, they are helping to increase vaccinations, especially for the most vulnerable populations who may have the toughest time getting to vaccine sites.

The COVID-19 crisis poses unprecedented challenges to Texas and our nation, touching every facet of American life. In the face of these challenges, Texas health insurance providers are committed to curbing the virus and helping Texans receive the care they need from the safety of their homes — including waiving out-of-pocket costs for telehealth and expanding telehealth programs.

The COVID-19 crisis poses unprecedented challenges to Texas and our nation, touching every facet of American life. In the face of these challenges, Texas health insurance providers are committed to curbing the virus and helping Texans receive the care they need from the safety of their homes — including waiving out-of-pocket costs for telehealth and expanding telehealth programs.

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges for Texans and our nation, touching every facet of American life. In face of these challenges, TAHP and our members are doing all we can to keep Texans safe while providing continued support to and reducing burdens on patients and health care workers alike. Listed below are some ways health plans are proactively working to care for Texans and help them get access to the services and resources they need to stay healthy during the pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic poses unprecedented challenges for Texas and our nation, touching every facet of American life. During this crisis and into the future, Medicaid Managed Care Plans are connecting Texans to the personalized care and support they need to stay healthy and live their lives to the fullest. Learn more about how Texas Medicaid Managed Care Plans are responding to COVID-19.

The seasonal flu is a serious illness that results in half a million hospitalizations and 30,000-50,000 deaths every year. With the ongoing threat of COVID-19, this flu season is expected to be more severe than usual. Texas health insurance providers are covering the vaccine with no patient cost-sharing and encouraging everyone — particularly older Texans, communities of color, and others who are more vulnerable to the flu’s worst outcomes — to get their flu vaccine.

On Saturday, the national investigative journalism organization ProPublica published its second article in the past month highlighting how freestanding emergency rooms are price gouging Texas patients for COVID-19 tests. This time, Physicians Premier ER in Austin charged one of its own doctors nearly $11,0000 for a test.

Last month Chron.com reporter Alison Medley wrote an article about Laurie Delgatto-Whitten, a woman who received a $3,000 medical bill after visiting a drive-thru COVID-19 test site in Spring operated by United Memorial Medical Center.

touching every facet of American life. Texas health plans are heavily invested in the health of the Texas communities in which we live and serve, and we are doing all we can to keep Texans safe and support our provider partners. Learn more about how Texas health plans are taking action to help Texans get access to the prevention, testing, and treatment they need to stay healthy.

The COVID-19 pandemic poses unprecedented challenges to Texas and our nation, touching every facet of American life. In the face of these challenges, Texas health plans are committed to curbing the virus and helping Texans receive the testing and care they need to stay healthy—including eliminating out-of-pocket costs for Texans by covering COVID treatment and testing at no cost and expanding access to telemedicine. The health and well-being of millions of Texans is our highest priority.

AHP sent a letter to state officials opposing the Texas Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers’ (TAFEC) recent request for a waiver or rule change that would allow them to provide non-emergent care, including COVID-19 testing. Under their current licensure, freestanding emergency rooms (FSERs) may only provide medical care in emergency situations.

Over the weekend, national investigative journalism organization ProPublica published an article demonstrating how freestanding emergency rooms are price gouging Texas patients. In this case—as in hundreds of others around the state—a freestanding ER billed a Houston woman $2,500 for her son’s drive-thru COVID-19 test. The test itself was only $175, but the facility tacked on $2,300 in unnecessarily high facility and physician fees.

HOUSTON — Some consumers who thought they were getting a simple COVID-19 test instead got a surprise bill charging their insurance company thousands of dollars. The Texas Association of Health Plans called it a dangerous new trend from a small number of providers.

TAHP, its member companies, and our employees are heavily invested in the health of the Texas communities in which we live and serve, and we are fully committed to meeting this challenge. Texas health plans are working to help contain the virus, ensure people have coverage for and access to needed testing, and help patients who are infected receive the care and treatment they need.

TAHP Statement on Commitment to Work with Gov. Abbott and State Leaders on Coronavirus Response

The Texas Association of Health Plans, its member companies, and our employees are heavily invested in the health of the Texas communities in which we live and serve, and we are fully committed to meeting this challenge. Texas health plans are working to help contain the virus, ensure people have coverage for and access to needed testing, and help patients who are infected receive the care and treatment they need.