Texas Children's Health Plan will be closed on Friday, July 4th, in observance of Independence Day. In our absence, you can reach our after-hours nurse help line at 1-800-686-3831. We will resume normal business hours on Monday, July 7th. Wishing you a safe and happy Independence Day!
El Plan de Salud Infantil de Texas estará cerrado el viernes 4 de julio por el Día de la Independencia. Durante nuestra ausencia, puede comunicarse con nuestra línea de ayuda disponible las 24 horas, los 7 días de la semana, al 1-800-686-3831. Reanudaremos nuestro horario habitual el lunes 7 de julio. ¡Le deseamos un feliz y seguro 4 de julio!
Cold and flu seasonTemporada de influenza y resfriados
ALERT:Stay healthy this cold and flu season!Learn more
ALERTA: ¡Mantente sano durante esta temporada de influenza y resfriados!Más información
Call to action: Texas Children’s Health Plan (TCHP) would like to remind OB-Gyn providers about the availability of dental benefits for pregnant Medicaid members. The CDC and ACOG both recommend routine dental care during pregnancy, but TCHP has noted a limited number of pregnant women are familiar with dental benefits. Routine dental care during pregnancy is safe and can improve maternal oral health, decreasing future dental issues for the mother and improving oral health for the baby.
Dental Care is covered for Pregnant TCHP members on STAR, CHIP and STAR Kids:
STAR Adult members (21+)
Texas Children’s Health Plan provides preventive and comprehensive dental care for STAR adult members through Texas Children’s Health Plan’s Healthy Rewards Program
Healthy Rewards dental services are fulfilled through FCL Dental
Benefits include 2 routine exams and cleanings, plus routine extractions, x-rays, fillings, and emergency exams
Medicaid non-emergency transportation also covers rides to visit the dentist, as well as medical visits
STAR, CHIP and STAR Kids Pediatric members (birth – 20 years)
Dental services are available to members from birth through 20 years as part of the benefit for comprehensive wellness care.
Dental services are available through a managed care model with one of three Dental Maintenance Organizations (DMOs), DentaQuest, MCNA Dental or UnitedHealthcare Dental.
Members can find their DMO on the back of their ‘Your Texas Benefits Medicaid Card.’
Medicaid non-emergency transportation also covers rides to visit the dentist, as well as medical visits
How this impacts providers: OB-Gyn providers are encouraged to screen pregnant women for oral health. OB-Gyn providers should provide education on the importance of dental care during pregnancy and refer members to the appropriate dental provider:
For routine dental care if it has been more than six months since the last dental visit
For acute dental care if any oral health problems are identified
Next step for Providers: OB-Gyn providers should share this reminder with their staff and encourage pregnant members to obtain dental care to maintain oral health and to treat disease early. Coordination of care for dental referral and transportation is essential to remove barriers to care.
TCHP can also assist providers with coordinating dental services for members in need of routine or acute dental care. For TCHP assistance, please refer members to our Care Coordination team by calling 832-828-1430 or emailing casemanagementphysicianreferral@texaschildrens.org.
Additional Resources for Providers:
Below are some additional resources for more information on the importance of routine dental care during pregnancy:
