FirstCare CHIP Plans
CHIP
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (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, x-rays, hospital stays, medicines, dental care, and more.
CHIP Perinatal
CHIP Perinatal benefits are 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. To learn more about the program and other benefits for pregnant women, visit our
Healthy Pregnancy page.
CHIP Perinatal Newborn
Chip Perinatal Newborn coverage begins the day the child is born. Your baby will receive the CHIP Perinatal Newborn benefits. Coverage will end at the end of the 12 months of coverage from the month eligibility was determined.
Is there a cost to join CHIP?
There may be a cost to join FirstCare CHIP. The cost is based on the family income, assets and size. The cost may have an enrollment fee and co-payments. Most co-payments for doctor visits and medicines drugs are from $3 to $20 for lower-income families and $20 to $35 for higher-income families.
Enrollment fees are $50 or less per family, per year. For more info, see the
CHIP Yearly Enrollment Fees Chart.There is no cost to join the CHIP Perinatal program and no cost for care.
For more information on cost-sharing, see the
CHIP Cost-Sharing Table.
How to Choose a Primary Care Provider
Your Primary Care Provider (PCP) must be a FirstCare CHIP provider: To find a participating provider, you can do one of the following:
When you fill out your Enrollment Form, list the PCP you have chosen. There is a space on the form for the name and provider number. Your PCP will be the doctor in charge of your health care. Visiting the same doctor for checkups and when you are sick can help your doctor keep an eye on your health. You can go to a family planning, OB/GYN, behavioral health, and/or other health care provider. You do not need a referral by a PCP.
How does CHIP work?
CHIP Members - When you join CHIP, you will pick a doctor (PCP) for your child. Your child will be sent a CHIP ID card. The PCP you choose will be listed on your child's ID card. You will need to show your child's CHIP ID card at each doctor visit.
CHIP Perinatal Members - When you are a pregnant mother of an unborn child, you will pick a doctor (PCP) for care while you are pregnant. You will be sent a CHIP Perinatal ID card to use before your baby is born. You will need to show your CHIP Perinatal ID card at each doctor visit.
CHIP Perinatal Newborn Members - Once your baby is born, you will pick a doctor (PCP) for your baby. Your baby will be sent a CHIP Perinatal ID card. The PCP you choose will be listed on your baby’s ID card. You will need to show your baby’s CHIP Perinatal Newborn ID card at each doctor visit.
What are the benefits of FirstCare CHIP?
CHIP and CHIP Perinatal Newborn Benefits:
- No limit on RX
- Hospital care as long as medically needed
- Doctor Visits
CHIP Perinatal (Mother) 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
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How do I access covered services?
What should I do if I have an emergency?
To access covered services, call FirstCare CHIP or CHIP Perinatal Customer Service at 1-877-639-2447. If you are having an emergency and need immediate medical care, go to the nearest Emergency Room (ER) or call 9-1-1. If you do not have life threatening injuries or symptoms or do not need immediate medical care, call your PCP first. Your doctor can help you and give you advice.
How do I replace my ID card if it is lost or stolen?
If you need to replace your ID cards, call FirstCare Customer Service tollfree at 1-877-639-2447 and we can assist you.
Member Portal
FirstCare members have access to our online Member Portal. Here, you can look up your claims, view your benefits and find important plan documents.To log in/register, click here.
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
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Keep your benefits!
CHIP enrollment will need to be renewed every 12 months. If you have questions, call FirstCare at 1-866-787-0663.