Alerts

ByHeart Recalls Whole Nutrition Infant Formula.

ByHeart has recalled all ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula.

This recall is due to the formula being linked to cases of infant botulism. This is a rare but serious illness. Babies with botulism may have constipation, weak sucking, trouble feeding, less facial movement, and/or trouble holding up their head.

Please check any ByHeart formula you may have at home. This includes cans and single-serve packets. If you have ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula at home, stop using it immediately.

NOTE: No other ByHeart products (or other formula brands) are part of this recall.

If your baby shows any of the symptoms listed above, please get medical help right away.

For suspected infant botulism cases, please contact the Infant Botulism Treatment & Prevention Program (IBTPP) at 510-231-7600. Click here to read more from the Centers for Disease Control about infant botulism outbreak link to infant formula.

If you have questions, please call Member Services:

CHIP: 1-866-959-6555
STAR: 1-866-959-2555
STAR Kids: 1-800-659-5764

Vendor Change for Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT)

Beginning December 15, 2025, SafeRide Health will provide all Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) rides to doctor’s appointments and pharmacy visits. After this date, Texas Children’s Health Plan will no longer use Medical Transportation Management (MTM) for NEMT services.

Depending on your needs, rides may include wheelchair-lift-equipped vehicles, stretcher vans, minivans, or ambulatory vans. Please let Texas Children’s Health Plan know what type of ride you need when scheduling.

Ways to schedule a ride:

By phone: Call: 888-583-0110, Monday–Friday: 7 a.m.–9 p.m.

Members must schedule a ride through the call center if it is their first ride request or if traveling to a new location.

Online: Download the MySafeRide app on your phone, tablet, or computer to schedule rides.

Flu Season Alert:

Don’t let germs win this season – protect yourself and your family!

The flu vaccine is your best defense against flu and related complications – PLUS, it is a covered benefit for Texas Children’s Health Plan members!

Here are some other ways that can also help you and your family stay strong this season:

Wash your hands and clean surfaces
Exercise
Eat nutritious food
Get plenty of sleep

Have questions? Talk to your or your child’s primary care provider today.

CMS Announces Resources to Assist with Texas Flooding Health Emergency

From July 2, 2025, through September 29, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering resources and flexibilities to support individuals affected by the recent devastating floods, severe storms, and straight-line winds in Texas.

These flexibilities are available only upon request. Members must specify that their request is related to the 2025 Texas flooding in order to receive an extension.

Health Insurance Coverage for Disaster Victims:
For more information, visit: FEMA SEP Guidance or Call 1-800-318-2596 and indicate FEMA disaster impact.
Medicaid and CHIP Toolkit:
For more information, visit: Medicaid Disaster Response Toolkit.
Dialysis Services:
CMS has activated the Kidney Community Emergency Response (KCER) program. The ESRD Network 14 (Texas) toll-free hotline is 1-877-886-4435. Additional information is available on the KCER website.
Medication Access (Part D plans):
Part D plans must ensure enrollees have access to needed drugs, including from out-of-network pharmacies. "Refill-too-soon" restrictions should be lifted during this emergency. See Chapter 5, Sections 50.12 and 60.1 of the Part D Manual.

We encourage members who have been impacted to seek help by visiting CMS’ Emergency Preparedness Webpage. To find additional health sector resources, visit: PHE.gov Emergency Tools.

In-Lieu-of Services

In December 2022, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission amended its contracts with all managed care organizations (MCOs).

This revision allows Texas Children’s Health Plan to include two new Mental Health and Substance-Use Disorder services: Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) Services and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) Services.

Each service is an alternative to inpatient hospitalization. This will allow our members to receive treatment and care while at home and help reduce inpatient hospitalization. However, there may be cases where hospitalization is necessary. Please work with your healthcare provider to decide if in-lieu-of services are right for you and your family’s needs.

If you have any questions, please call your provider or Member Services using the number on the back of your Member ID card.

Resources for Members During Severe Weather

If you are Texas Children’s Health Plan Member, we have tips that can help you deal with the severe weather. If you have a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 for help.

If you need help with disaster assistance, you can call 2-1-1. This will connect you with the State Emergency Assistance Registry.

Our Member Services team can also help you if you need to:

Replace medications or need an emergency refill
Replace your medical equipment or supplies
Get a new Member ID card
Arrange transportation
Find a doctor or get help for behavioral health issues

Member Service Phone Numbers

CHIP: 832-828-1002 (local), 1-866-959-6555, TTY 800-735-2989 (Texas Relay) or 7-1-1
STAR: 832-828-1001 (local), 1-866-959-2555, TTY 800-735-2989 (Texas Relay) or 7-1-1
STAR Kids: 832-828-1003 (local), 1-800-659-5764, TTY 800-735-2989 (Texas Relay) or 7-1-1
STAR Kids members can reach their service coordinator 800-659-5764.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program(SNAP) beneficiaries who have suffered food losses due to Hurricane Beryl can now get replacement benefits.

SNAP benefits can be replaced if food bought with electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards was destroyed due to power outages, flooding, property destruction and/or other effects of natural disasters.

To apply for a replacement, recipients can call Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) at 2-1-1 (select Option 2) OR

Download and complete Form H1855 (Affidavit for Nonreceipt or Destroyed SNAP Benefits).
Mail the completed form to HHSC at: P.O. Box 149027 Austin, TX 78714-9027
You may also fax the completed form to 877-447-2839.

We are excited to launch some great updates to our website.

Streamlined navigation: We have updated the design to make it easier to find what you need, especially when you are on your phone.
New “Find a Provider” page: The new page design will make it easier for you to find and choose a new doctor.
Simplified benefits information: We have created easier access to information about benefits for children and pregnant women.

This is part of our ongoing work to make it easier for you to get the care you need. Take a moment to explore our new website design—we hope you enjoy it!