Children’s Health Care

Learn more about children's health care programs to decide what's right for your family. 

Children’s health care programs in Texas include:

• Children’s Medicaid & CHIP
• Children with Special Health Care Needs Program
• Title V Maternal and Child Health Program
• Primary Health Care Program
• Texas Vaccines for Children

Children’s Medicaid and CHIP

Children in Texas might qualify for low-cost or free health care coverage through Children’s Medicaid or CHIP. These programs cover regular checkups, hospital services, dental care, vision and hearing services, and more.

For more details, including income guidelines, visit the HHSC Children’s Medicaid and CHIP page.

Texas Health Steps

Texas Health Steps provides comprehensive medical and dental checkups and case management for children from birth through age 20 who have Medicaid. It ensures children receive regular preventive health checkups. 

Call Texas Health Steps if you:

• Need help finding a doctor or dentist.
• Need help setting up a checkup.
• Have questions about checkups or Texas Health Steps.
• Need help getting a ride to a checkup.
• Need a case manager to help you find and get other services.

Call Texas Health Steps toll-free at 877-847-8377 (877-THSTEPS).

To learn more, visit Texas Health Steps.

Children with Special Health Care Needs Program

The Children with Special Health Care Needs Services Program helps children 20 and younger who have special health care needs and people with cystic fibrosis of any age improve their health, well-being and quality of life.

All services must be medically necessary. These include:

• Medical
• Mental health
• Dental
• Vision
• Special medical equipment and supplies
• Family support services
• Community services
• Case management

To learn more about this program, including who is eligible and how to apply, visit the Children with Special Health Care Needs Program page.

Title V Maternal and Child Health Program

The Title V Maternal and Child Health Program is for women, children, and young adults who can't get Medicaid, CHIP or CHIP-Perinatal. It helps them get the medical services they need to stay healthy. Children and young adults who qualify can get medical and dental care from when they are born until they are 21 years old.

To learn more about services available through Title V, see visit the Title V Maternal and Child Health Fee-for-Service Program page.

Primary Health Care Program

The Primary Health Care program provides preventive and primary care services to eligible Texas residents, including children. Children can get services like diagnosis and treatment of common health problems, emergency services, preventive health services and diagnostic testing.

To learn more, visit the HHSC Primary Health Care Program page.

Texas Vaccines for Children

Texas makes it easy for children to get the immunizations they need. Through Texas Vaccines for Children, children 0-18 years can get low-cost vaccines. Eligible children include those who are uninsured, underinsured, covered by CHIP, Medicaid-eligible, or American Indian or Alaskan Native in accordance with Title 25, Section 1603 of the United States Code.

To learn more about Texas Vaccines for Children, visit the visit the Texas Department of State Health Services.