What the 12-month postpartum extension covers
Texas Medicaid covers people for 12 months after pregnancy ends (since March 2024).
Federal law requires at least 60 days of coverage after a pregnancy ends and lets each state choose to extend it to 12 months (42 U.S.C. 1396a(e)).
During pregnancy and for a year after, CDC asks you to get medical care right away for urgent warning signs such as a headache that won't go away, changes in vision, trouble breathing, chest pain, extreme swelling of the hands or face, or thoughts of harming yourself or your baby. See the full CDC list.
For Black families
Texas Medicaid covers parents and caretaker relatives only up to $230 a month in income for a one-parent family of three, according to HHSC. Pregnant women qualify with household income up to 198 percent of the federal poverty level (203% counting the 5% income disregard), and under House Bill 12 (2023) their coverage has lasted 12 months after birth since March 1, 2024.
Where to get help in Texas
- The application line Texas Medicaid lists on its own pages: 2-1-1.
- Community health centers in Texas: /clinics/tx/. Federally funded community health centers discount their fees by income, with a full discount at or below the poverty line (42 CFR 51c.303(f)).
- Health profile for Black residents of Texas: /health/texas/.
More Texas Medicaid facets
If you have Medicaid, the coverage on this page is the route to use first: it costs you nothing and it is what these programs exist for. If you are not covered yet, there is still a free option. Our directory of free and charitable clinics lists centers by state. The option below is self-pay and is not billed to Medicaid. It is here for readers who are between coverage or who prefer to pay out of pocket:
Sesame Care
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