NEWS RELEASE
Albert
Hawkins
Executive Commissioner
Date: March 30, 2006
Contact:
Stephanie Goodman or Gail Randall (512) 424-6951
Dental Benefits Now Available to Children in CHIP
AUSTIN – Young Texans in the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) now have an even bigger reason to smile. Starting April 1, CHIP is expanding to include dental benefits, including regular check-ups and other critical dental services.
“CHIP is a great program that has just been made better with the addition of dental benefits,” says Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Albert Hawkins. “For families who are struggling to make ends meet, CHIP can make a big difference.”
Dental benefits for children in CHIP include routine check-ups, cleanings, X-rays, sealants, fillings, tooth removal, crowns/caps and root canals.
Families with children enrolled in CHIP will receive a letter and handbook explaining the dental benefits, a member ID card and a directory of participating dentists.
CHIP provides health care coverage for children in families who earn up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. That's $40,000 a year for a family of four. In addition to dental services, CHIP covers doctor visits; immunizations; hospital care; behavioral health services; surgery; X-rays; physical, speech and occupational therapies; prescription drugs; vision services; emergency services; and, transplants.
To start an application or get more information about CHIP, call 800-647-6558. Assistance is available in English and Spanish from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday.
[More information about CHIP dental benefits]
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