Email, Peter Clark, communications director, Texans Care for Children, Nov. 29, 2017

4:54 p.m.

Here's a written response from Adriana:

Texas has not expanded the coverage period for postpartum doctor visits for the mother under CHIP Perinatal from 60 days to up to one year.

During the last session, HB 2135 by Rep. Garnet Coleman would have required the CHIP Perinatal program to cover postpartum depression screening and treatment services for up to a year after a child’s birth. It would have done the same for Medicaid for Pregnant Women. The bill passed committee but was not scheduled for a vote of the full House.

Rep. Jessica Farrar also filed a bill, HB 2599, to extend Medicaid coverage for mothers to cover a full year after delivering a baby rather than the current two months of postpartum coverage. The bill would have covered postpartum depression screening as well as other medical services covered by Medicaid. The bill did not address CHIP Perinatal. The bill did not have a hearing.

This year the Legislature did pass, and the Governor signed, an important bill on postpartum depression. HB 2466 by Rep. Sarah Davis provides more mothers with the option to be screened for maternal depression during their baby’s well-check visit with a pediatrician or other health provider by covering the screening through the baby’s CHIP or Medicaid insurance. This new law is in the process of being implemented, meaning rules must be set out for Medicaid/CHIP reimbursement rates and for how pediatric providers would start operationalizing this benefit.

I hope that's helpful!

- Adriana Kohler, Senior Health Policy Associate, Texans Care for Children