Texas Pregnancy Medicare Income Limits and Coverage

In Texas, pregnant women who cannot afford healthcare coverage for their pregnancy can apply for medicaid. Medicaid is a joint federal and state program helping those who cannot afford or have limited healthcare resources. Although it’s meant for low-income families, the coverage still rivals similar plans and can offer great coverage.

Texas is one of the strictest states with the highest medicare or medicaid qualifications. Knowing Texas’ medicaid income limits for 2020 can help you plan better for when you do have a baby.

What’s Included in Texas Pregnancy Medicaid 

If you’re pregnant or may become pregnant in the future, you should look into your medical coverage. Texas has some of the strictest qualifications for pregnant women to apply for medicaid coverage.

If you cannot afford healthcare coverage in Texas, there are two ways you can receive coverage. 

Texas Medicaid for Pregnant Women 

Pregnant or soon to be pregnant women can apply for Texas’ pregnancy Medicaid benefits to supplement the costs of pregnancy. Pregnancy Medicaid benefits can cover medical costs throughout the pregnancy including 2 months after the mother gives birth.

Pregnancy and labor is considered an Essential Health Benefit (EHB). This means no matter what medical insurance you have, you will be covered for your pregnancy and labor. Those who do qualify for Texas’ pregnancy medicaid can receive coverage for:

• Doctor visits
• Drugs ordered by a doctor
• Labor and delivery
• Lab tests and X-rays
• Hospital care
• Glasses
• Rides to the doctor

CHIP and Children’s Medicaid

Even after new mother’s have given birth, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) can offer coverage for your child’s various medical needs. 

Texas Medicaid Income Limits for 2020

Pregnancy Medicaid in Texas is based on a person’s income. The chart below outlines what kind of income requirements you must meet before qualifying for Texas’ pregnancy Medicaid.

This chart is based off your monthly income and family size. If your income is too high, you can still apply or you can talk to one of our Quote Purple partners directly so see what options you have.

Family Size	Medicaid for Pregnant Women
1	$2,106
2	$2,875
3	$3,584
4	$4,323
5	$5,063
Each additional dependants	$740

As you can see, the coverage limits for the Texas pregnancy Medicaid benefits has some of the strictest qualifications. 

Medical Coverage Without Medicaid

As mentioned, pregnancy and labor is an Essential Health Benefit. This means you’ll receive coverage even if you were pregnant before you get your medical coverage. Under healthcare national laws, pre-existing conditions, including pregnancy are covered under most medical plans. 

The Dangers of Not Having Health Insurance 

The US has the highest maternal death rate of any developed country. Over 5 million Texans do not have health insurance. This means that 1 in 6 Texans will not have coverage if they end up being pregnant. 

Over the last several years, the number of insurance pregnant women has increased. This could be fatal, as healthcare professionals still lose mothers due to pregnancy-related issues. From 2012 to 2015, almost 382 pregnant women have died from pregnancy-related causes.

Texas has the highest rate of uninsured women in prime reproductive age. Having proper medical coverage both before and after birth can reduce the risk of harm to new mothers. 

Medical Coverage Post-Pregnancy

Pregnant women and new mothers can experience pregnancy-related issues months after having a baby. Unfortunately, due to Texas’ Medicaid coverage limits, most mothers who only qualify for Texas’ pregnancy medicare can only receive 2 months of coverage postpartum. In fact, almost 40% of new mothers do not attend their postpartum visits likely due to this. 

New mothers can still experience a number of health issues, months- even years after giving birth. This means that without proper medical coverage, more and more new mothers in Texas are at-risk for developing:

• Cardiovascular diseases
• Infection or sepsis
• Hemorrhages or excessive bleeding
• Cardiomyopathy or weakened heart muscles 
• Thrombotic pulmonary embolism or increased blood clots 
• Stroke
• High blood pressure 
• Amniotic fluid embolism
• Complications due to unknown pre-existing conditions 

Since many new mothers who do qualify for Texas’ pregnancy medicaid may not have had previous coverage, it’s incredibly likely that they may find another pre-existing condition.