ALERT: Stay healthy this cold and flu season! Learn more
ALERTA: ¡Mantente sano durante esta temporada de influenza y resfriados! Más información
Alerts
Stay healthy this cold and flu season!
During the fall and winter, flu and other respiratory viruses spread around the United States, making millions of people sick.
Protect yourself and your family from the cold and flu by staying healthy, getting enough sleep, keep good respiratory hygiene and get the flu vaccine. In fact, the flu vaccine is a covered benefit for Texas Children’s Health Plan members.
Visit texaschildrenshealthplan.org/flu to make an appointment today!
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!
Shortage of Enfamil products until October 31, 2024
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has informed us that the Enfamil Gentlease, Enfamil A.R and Enfamil Reguline may have a shortage in some retail stores.
Through October 31, 2024. Texas WIC will allow other Enfamil products, including different types, larger can sizes, and the ready-to-feed form of certain formulas. To ensure WIC clients can access infant formula.
In addition, Texas WIC has made available similar brand formulas when Enfamil Gentlease is not available at the store.
WIC clients who are issued Enfamil Gentlease 12.4 oz and unable to find it may:
- Return to the clinic to have their benefits updated to a larger size product similar to Enfamil Gentlease. Options include both Enfamil and other similar brand products.
- Select one of the available similar brand formulas at the store, without needing to return to the clinic.
WIC clients who are unable to find Enfamil A.R. or Enfamil Reguline in the standard WIC-can sizes may return to the WIC clinic to have their benefits updated to the larger sizes of these formulas. Contact your local WIC clinic to change your formula benefits to another available WIC contract formula. You can also contact your health care provider to discuss therapeutic formula options.
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.
Alert for members in Tyler, Texas!
If you need help due to the recent storms, power outages, and/or flooding in, visit findhelp.org. You can find free or reduced-cost resources including food, housing, healthcare and more.
Postpartum Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Extension
Starting March 1, 2024. The Texas Health and Human Services (HSS) is extending its postpartum coverage from 2 to 12 months for eligible women. The 12 months of postpartum coverage begins the month after pregnancy has ended. Members don’t need to apply to extend coverage.
Coverage will be reinstated for those members who lost coverage and still fall in the eligibility period.
You should receive a notice from the state through mail or you can log into your Texas Benefits account to check your coverage.
Click here for the FAQ.
To learn more, visit the HHS Medicaid for Pregnant Women and CHIP Perinatal webpage.
Members: The annual CAHPS Survey might be coming your way! The Consumer Assessment
(CAHPS) survey is an annual review to gather feedback on the quality of care you and your family receive from our network of healthcare providers.
The survey is mailed via a third party, is completely anonymous and is sent at random. Please note that not all members will receive the survey.
If you receive, or have received, the survey, please make sure to complete it. The data collected will help us improve your care!
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Services Update:
Texas Children’s Health Plan’s Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) services have a new partnership. Starting 01/01/2024, Medicaid Transport Management (MTM) will be handling all NEMT services. If you have questions about this change, please call Texas Children’s Health Plan Transportation line at 346-232-4130.
If you would like Member Services to arrange no-cost transportation to your next appointment, call our team toll-free at 888-401-0170. You can also visit our website to learn more about member Transportation Assistance.
Voluntary Nutramigen LGG Powdered Infant Formula Recall
Texas Children's Health Plan (TCHP) received notice of an important recall from The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for certain Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Infant Formula Powder products due to possible Cronobacter sakazakii contamination.
The FDA is alerting members not to use the recalled products. These recalled powdered infant formulas may be contaminated with Cronobacter sakazakii, a bacterium that can cause severe illness caused by food contamination. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this recall, and it is likely most of the product that was distributed in the U.S. has already been consumed.
Which formulas are included in the recall?
Consumers who have Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Infant Formula Powder with batch codes below should stop using it and throw it away or contact Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition for a refund:
- ZL3FHG (12.6 oz cans)
- ZL3FMH (12.6 oz cans)
- ZL3FPE (12.6 oz cans)
- ZL3FQD (12.6 oz cans)
- ZL3FRW (19.8 oz cans)
- ZL3FXJ (12.6 oz cans)
The products have a UPC Code of 300871239418 or 300871239456 and a "Use by Date" of 1 Jan 2025.
If your lot number is not in this range, your lot is safe and you can continue to use the formula.
Please contact Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition at 866-534-9986 or by email at consumer.relations@rb.com and they will help verify if this product was impacted and offer a total refund.
How this impacts members
Based on the guidance, members should not use the affected products and should take them to the store for refund and exchange.
Cronobacter bacteria can cause severe, life-threatening infections (sepsis) or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that protect the brain and spine). It may also cause bowel damage and spread through the blood to other parts of the body.
Symptoms to watch for: Poor feeding, irritability, temperature changes, jaundice (yellow skin and whites of the eyes), grunting breaths, and abnormal movements.
Resources:
- Find more about the recall at the Food and Drug Administration
- Find more about the recall from Enfamil
- To learn more about Cronobacter, please visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Learn more on the recall from Texas WIC
2023-2024 Covid-19 vaccine now available under pharmacy benefit
Effective November 30, 2023, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) now covers Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved COVID-19 vaccines for Medicaid and CHIP members. Visit your local pharmacy if you would like to get the vaccine.
If you have any questions, call Member Services at 1-800-990-8247.