State extends health coverage after childbirth

AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission recently announced the approval of the state’s request to extend Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program coverage from two to 12 months after pregnancy.

Last year, Abbott signed House Bill 12, which extended Medicaid and CHIP postpartum coverage from two to 12 months. The law will take effect on March 1, 2024.

The request was approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Under the amended state plan, anyone enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP who is pregnant or becomes pregnant will be automatically enrolled for 12 months of postpartum coverage.