County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP)

Chapter 61, Health and Safety Code, passed by the 1st Called Special Session of the Texas 69th Legislature (1985), is intended to ensure that needy Texas residents, who do not qualify for other state or federal health care assistance programs, receive health care services through the County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP).

Eligibility Criteria

Residence

The applicant must live in McLennan county in which he/she applies and must intend to remain there.

Household

A CIHCP household is a person living alone or 2 or more persons living together where legal responsibility for support exits, excluding disqualified persons. A disqualified person is 1 who received or is categorically eligible to receive Medicaid. 

Resources

A household is eligible if the total countable household resources do not exceed $3,000 when a person who is aged or disabled and who meets relationship requirements lives in the home or $2,000 for all other households.

Income

A household is eligible if its monthly net income does not exceed 21% of the federal poverty guidelines (FPG) as set by the Texas Dept. of State Health Services. Eligible residents qualify to receive basic health care services including, but not limited to, primary care, specialty care, inpatient/outpatient hospital care, diagnostic, and prescriptions.

 

 

Number of Individuals in the CIHCP Household

21% FPG Minimum Standard Income

50% FPG Maximum Income Standard

1

$255

$608

2

$345

$822

3

$435

$1,036

4

$525

$1,250

5

$615

$1,464

6

$705

$1,678

7

$795

$1,893

8

$885

$2,107

9

$975

$2,321

10

$1,065

$2,535

11

$1,155

$2,749

12

$1,245

$2,963

  • Basic Health Care Services

    • Physician services include services ordered and performed by a physician that are within the scope of practice of their profession as defined by state law.
    • Annual physical exams are examinations provided once per calendar year by a physician or a physician assistant associated testing, such as mammograms, can be covered with a physician referral.
    • Immunizations are given when appropriate.
    • Medical screening services include blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol screening.
    • Laboratory and x-ray services are professional and technical services ordered and provided under the personal supervision of a physician in a setting other than a hospital(inpatient or outpatient).
    • Family planning services are preventive health care services that assist an individual in controlling fertility and achieving optimal reproductive and general health.
    • Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) services must be medically necessary, ordered by a physician, and provided in a SNF that provides daily services on an inpatient basis.
    • Prescriptions service includes up to 3 prescription drugs per month. New and refilled prescriptions count equally toward these 3 prescription drugs per month total. A physician or other practitioner within the scope of practice must prescribe drugs under law.
    • Inpatient hospital services must be medically necessary and provided in an acute care hospital to hospital inpatients, by or under the direction of a physician, and for the care and treatment of patients.
    • Outpatient hospital services must be medically necessary and provided in an acute care hospital to hospital outpatients, by or under the direction of a physician, and must be diagnostic, therapeutic, or rehabilitative. Outpatient hospital services include hospital-based ambulatory surgical center (HASC) services.

  • Optional Health Care Services

  • The county may require prior authorization from the provider.
     
      • Dental services must be medically necessary and provided by a DDS, DMD, or DDM. Items covered are: an annual routine exam, annual routine cleaning, 1 set of annual x-rays, and the least costly service for emergency dental conditions for the removal or filling of a tooth due to abscess, infection, or extreme pain.
      • Diabetic medical supplies and equipment must be prescribed by a physician and include test strips, alcohol prep pads, glucometers, insulin syringes, humulin pens, and needles required for the humulin pens.

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    How to Apply for the McLennan County Indigent Health Care Program

    The Application for Health Care Assistance (PDF) needs to be printed, signed and dated to be considered a complete application. If you do not have a printer, please fill out this form and we will mail an application to you.
     
    Mail signed or bring applications to:
    McLennan County Health Services
    824 Washington Avenue
    Waco, Texas 76701

    Fax: 254-755-6128
     
    Additionally, you can upload your documents via     our online portal. Call 254-757-5174 to obtain login credentials.

Primary Care Providers

  1. PCP Pamphlet