Over 1.8 million Texans have lost Medicaid health insurance since March 2023. More than 1 million of them were children.
State officials say most lost coverage for missing paperwork. But families say they never got the notices.
About 65% of those who lost coverage were still eligible. They lost insurance because of state errors, not because they made too much money.
Texas sent renewal forms to old addresses. Families never received them. The state then canceled their coverage without warning.
Others sent forms back with small mistakes. Texas canceled their Medicaid immediately instead of asking for corrections.
The state admitted it wrongly dropped about 100,000 people in the first few months. Officials processed cases too fast, federal health agencies said.
Latino and Black families were hit twice as hard as white families, according to state data.
One Texas mother could not afford her child’s $6,000 monthly medication after losing Medicaid. The child has a serious lung condition.
Families are skipping doctor visits. Kids are not getting vaccines. Emergency rooms are seeing more patients who cannot pay.
If you lost Medicaid, you have 30 days to appeal. This deadline is critical.
Go to YourTexasBenefits.com to check your case status. Look for yellow envelopes from the state. They say “time sensitive” or “action required.”
Your case might only be pending. That means the state is waiting for documents. Sending missing papers can restore coverage right away.
If your coverage was fully canceled, file an appeal within 30 days. Use the form that came with your denial letter. Or call 2-1-1 and choose Option 2.
Send any documents the state asked for. This includes pay stubs or proof of address.
Losing Medicaid gives you 60 days to get new insurance on HealthCare.gov. Many Texas families qualify for plans that cost $0 to $10 per month.
About 58% of Texans on these plans pay less than $10 monthly, according to federal data.
The state will automatically send your information to HealthCare.gov. Someone will contact you by mail, phone, or text to help you enroll.
Free help is available. Call 2-1-1 to find local groups that can help with appeals or new applications.
Do not pay anyone who says you need to pay to keep Medicaid. That is a scam. The state never charges for health coverage or application help.
If your children lost coverage, they may qualify for CHIP. This program covers kids whose families earn too much for Medicaid but still need help.
Community health centers offer care on a sliding fee scale if you have no insurance.
Texas has the highest rate of uninsured residents in the nation. The state never expanded Medicaid to cover low-income adults.
Parents can only get Medicaid if they earn less than $300 per month for a family of four. That is one of the strictest limits in America.
An estimated 1.7 million more Texans could lose coverage in coming years if federal subsidies expire, health policy experts warn.
The clock is ticking. Check your status today. The 30-day appeal window and 60-day enrollment period are your only chance to get coverage back.
