Welcome to CHIP

CHIP is a health plan for children 18 years and younger. CHIP is for families when their income is too high for Medicaid but they can't afford other insurance. CHIP covers health services like checkups, lab tests, xrays, hospital stays, medicines, dental care, and more.

CHIP Perinatal Members - The purpose of the CHIP Perinatal benefit is to extend CHIP services to the unborn child of a pregnant woman who does not qualify for other Medicaid programs or traditional CHIP. The program will also continue services for some newborn children after delivery.

Is there a cost to join CHIP?

CHIP Members - There may be a cost to join.The cost is based on the family income, assets and size.The cost may have an enrollment fee and co-payments. Enrollment fees are $50 or less for each six-month enrollment. Most co-payments for doctor visits and medicines drugs are from $3 to $20.

CHIP Perinatal Members - There is no cost to join the program and no cost for care.

What are the Key Features of CHIP Perinatal?

• 12-month coverage from the time eligibility is decided.
• The 90-day waiting period that applies in traditional CHIP does not apply.
• The costs that apply to traditional CHIP do not apply.

How does CHIP work?

CHIP Members - When you join CHIP, you will pick a doctor for your children. The doctor you pick will be the primary care physician, also called the PCP. This doctor will help when medical care is needed. You will be sent a CHIP ID card. The doctor (PCP) you choose will be listed on the CHIP ID card. You will need to show the CHIP ID card at each doctor visit.

CHIP Perinatal Members – When the mother of the unborn child joins the program, she will pick a doctor for care while she is pregnant. Once the baby is born, the mother will pick a doctor to be the baby's primary care physician, also called the PCP. This doctor will help when the baby needs medical care. The mother will be sent a CHIP Perinatal ID card to use before the baby is born. The baby will be sent a CHIP Perinatal ID card once the baby is born. The baby's doctor (PCP) will be listed on the baby's CHIP Perinatal ID card. Show the doctor the card each visit.

What are the Benefits of FirstCare CHIP?

CHIP and CHIP Perinate Newborn Member benefits:

• No limit on RX
• Hospital care as long as medically needed
• Doctor Visits

CHIP Perinatal Member Benefits:

• One visit every four weeks for the first 28 weeks of pregnancy
• One visit every two to three weeks from 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy
• One visit per week from 36 weeks to delivery. (Limited to 20 prenatal visits)
• 2 postpartum visits
• Pharmacy, limited lab tests, planning services, and education and counseling
• For women that qualify, inpatient services related to labor with delivery
• Preterm labor that does not result in a birth and false labor are not covered benefits

Value Added Services

"Value-added" services

CHIP Perinatal Members get Value-Added Services marked with an asterisks (*)

• Help getting a ride to doctor visits.*
• Up to $150 above basic benefit for frames every 2 years.
• One school/sports physical each year.
• Free 500 minute pre-paid phone card to call doctor or FirstCare.
• One allergy-free pillow cover every 2 years for those with an asthma-related illness within the last 18 months.
• One air purifier every 2 years for members in the Asthma Disease Management Program.
• Free pregnancy/birthing classes and education for pregnant members.*
• Home visits for members enrolled in the Diabetes Disease Management Program.
• Free diaper bag for pregnant members.*
• Free pregnancy pandbook and pregnancy calendar for pregnant members.*
• Free car seat for pregnant members who complete a pregnancy visit within 30 days of enrollment.*
• Gift of health items for members age 20 and under who get a timely well-child checkup.
• $50 gift card for members with an obesity diagnosis who come within a normal body mass index while enrolled with FirstCare.
• Two free movie tickets for members with diabetes who have 6 continuous months of a normal HbA1c.

You get free "extra" benefits in the Lubbock area

• 3 Free meals a day for one parent of a child in the hospital (Covenant hospitals only).
• A 10% discount at Covenant cafeterias in Lubbock, Plainview and Levelland. Must show your FirstCare CHIP ID Card.
• Free Daycare at Covenant Child Care Center (with doctor visits only)
• Free inpatient parking (Covenant Hospital and Covenant Lakeside)
• Free out-patient parking (Special parking lot on southeast corner of Covenant Hospital)
• Gifts for completing prenatal classes

Keep your Benefits!

CHIP enrollment will need to be renewed every 12 months. If you have questions, call FirstCare at 1-866-787-0663 extension 4466.