Community Outreach:
Gulf Coast Health Center is active in the community in providing education, program enrollment assistance, point-of-care service, and in obtaining grants and conducting research to better serve our patient population.
Outreach Program:
Gulf Coast Health Center has an intensive Outreach Program that helps families obtain health insurance for their children. The program provides families with education and assistance with the application process. GCHC works closely with the local Department of (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services) Human Services to facilitate easy access to Texas Medicaid, Chips, or Healthy Families Insurance. The goal of the program is to decrease the rate of uninsured children in Southeast Texas.
Program Enrollment Assistance:
Primary Health Care (PHC):
We ensure eligible Texas residents can get comprehensive primary health care services, to prevent, detect and treat health problems. The PHC Services Program serves men, women and children. Services include:
- Health education
- Emergency services
- Family planning services
- Diagnosis and treatment
- Diagnostic testing, such as X-rays and lab services
- Preventive health services, including immunizations
Who Is Eligible for Services?
The program is available to anyone who:
- Is a Texas resident
- Has an income level at or below 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines.
- Isn’t a beneficiary of other non-HHSC programs or benefits that provide the same services
How Do I Apply for Services?
You must apply in person at one of our 5 clinic locations. You may visit or call the clinic to speak to staff who determine eligibility. If you qualify, you might be able to receive services the same day.
Healthy Texas Women (HTW):
Healthy Texas Women is a program dedicated to offering women’s health and family planning at no cost to eligible women in Texas. These services help women plan their families, whether it is to achieve, postpone, or prevent pregnancy. They also can have a positive effect on future pregnancy planning and general health. The program provides a wide variety of women’s health and core family planning services, including:
- Pregnancy testing
- Pelvic examinations
- Sexually transmitted infection services
- Breast and cervical cancer screenings
- Clinical breast examination
- Mammograms
- Screening and treatment for cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure
- HIV screening
- Long-acting reversible contraceptives
- Oral contraceptive pills
- Permanent sterilization
- Other contraceptive methods such as condoms, diaphragm, vaginal spermicide, and injections
- Screening and treatment for postpartum depression
This program pays only for the services listed above. If a health problem such as cancer is found, you will be referred to a doctor or clinic that can treat you. If you are pregnant, you will be referred to a program such as Medicaid for Pregnant Women. You might have to pay for those extra services.
If you are currently enrolled in Medicaid for Pregnant Women, you may be automatically enrolled in the Healthy Texas Women program when your coverage ends. If you are eligible, you will receive a letter from Texas Health and Human Services confirming you have been enrolled in the Healthy Texas Women program. If you have questions about your enrollment, call 2-1-1 or visit YourTexasBenefits.com, where you can manage your account.
Who Can Apply?
You can receive these benefits if you:
- Are a woman between the ages of 18 to 44 years old.
- Women are considered 18 years of age on the day of her 18th birthday and 44 years of age through the last day of the month of her 45th birthday.
- Are a woman between the ages of 15 to 17 years old and have a parent or legal guardian apply, renew, and report changes to your case on your behalf.
- Women are considered 15 years of age the first day of the month of her 15th birthday and 17 years of age through the day before her 18th birthday.
- Are a U.S. citizen or legal immigrant.
- Are a resident of Texas.
- Don’t have health insurance.
- Are not pregnant.
Meet the following income requirements:
How Do I Apply for Services?
We can assist you in applying in person at one of our 5 clinic locations. You may visit or call the clinic to speak to staff who determine eligibility. You can also apply for services here https://www.healthytexaswomen.org/htw-program/how-to-apply
County Indigent programs: (only assist with filling out application)
Medicaid: Our staff assists individuals in enrolling for Texas Medicaid assistance
- Proof of income from your job – Last 3 pay stubs or paychecks, a statement from your employer, or self-employment records.
- Bank accounts (we don’t need this if you are applying only for Medicaid for Pregnant Women) – The most current statement for all accounts.
- Citizenship – U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization, U.S. birth certificate (copies of the front and back), hospital record of birth, or Medicare card. If you were born in Texas, we might be able to look up your birth record.
- Medical costs – Bills or statements from health care providers (doctors, hospitals, drug stores, etc.) from the past 3 months. We only need these items if you haven’t already paid for these services.
- Dependent care expenses – Receipts, canceled checks, or a signed statement from the person you pay. A signed statement must show when and how much you pay.
Healthy Families/Healthy Kids (CHIP): Our staff helps find health insurance assistance for children of low-income parents who may not qualify for no-cost Medicaid.
CHIP/CHIP PERINATAL: CHIP offers health-care benefits for unborn children of a pregnant woman. This is for pregnant women who can’t get Medicaid or other CHIP benefits because: (a) of their immigration status, or (b) they make too much money. There are no fees or co-payments for these benefits.
- Proof of income from your job – One pay stub or paycheck from the last 60 days, a statement from your employer, or self-employment records.
- Citizenship – U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization, U.S. birth certificate (copies of the front and back), hospital record of birth, or Medicare card. If you were born in Texas, we might be able to look up your birth record.
- Dependent care expenses – Receipts, canceled checks, or a signed statement from the person you pay. A signed statement must show when and how much you pay.
- Medical costs – Bills or statements from health care providers (doctors, hospitals, drug stores, etc.) from the past 3 months. We only need these items if you haven’t already paid for these services.
SNAP-Food Benefits: Helps buy food for good health. Some people might get help the next work day.
- Proof of income from your job – Last 3 pay stubs or paychecks, a statement from your employer, or self-employment records.
- Bank accounts – The most current statement for all accounts.
- Medical costs – Bills, receipts, or statements from health care providers (doctors, hospitals, drug stores, etc.). These items should show costs you have now and costs you expect in the future.
- Rent or mortgage costs – Recent checks, check stubs, or statement from the mortgage bank or landlord. Renters also need to give the landlord’s name, address, and phone number.
- Dependent care expenses – Receipts, canceled checks, or a signed statement from the person you pay. A signed statement must show when and how much you pay.
TANF-Temporary Assistance Needy Families: Helps pay for things like food, clothing, and housing.
- Proof of income from your job – Last 3 pay stubs or paychecks, a statement from your employer, or self-employment records.
- Proof a child is related to you – Legal birth, hospital, or baptismal certificate.
- Proof a child lives with you – A signed statement from your landlord or a non-relative neighbor that includes his or her name, address, and phone number.
- Citizenship – U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization, U.S. birth certificate (copies of the front and back), hospital record of birth, or Medicare card. If you were born in Texas, we might be able to look up your birth record.
- Bank accounts – Most current statement for all accounts.
- Health insurance – Copy of the front and back of the insurance card or policy.
- Child’s vaccines – Vaccine records for each child.
Medicare: Our staff assists patients in determining eligiblity for Medicare or SSDI.
PHC program (Primary Health Care): Serves women, children, and men whose income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and who are unable to access the same care through insurance or other programs.
Medication Assistance Program (MAP): We assist qualified individuals in obtaining affordable prescription medications. Photo ID for all LYRICA prescriptions
- Current proof of income for HOUSEHOLD (ALL of the following)
- Tax Return (include copies of w2)
- Social Security Award letter (MUST include initial date of entitlement and current monthly benefit amount)
- SSI Disability award letter (MUST include initial date of entitlement and current monthly benefit amount)
- W2’s (for all household)
- Pension Statement
- Retirement statement (MUST include initial date of entitlement, type of benefits and current monthly benefit amount)
- Un-employment benefits Form 1099-G & current statement
- Child Support
- Medicare Card Copy
- Medicare Part D Denial letter
• Identity (proof of who you are) – Current driver’s license or Department of Public Safety ID card. If a person has the right to act for you (as your authorized representative), that person also needs to give proof of identity.
• Immigration status – Resident card (I-551), arrival/departure form (I-94). Or papers from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. We need copies of the front and back of these forms.
• Legal representative (a person who has the right to act for you on legal issues) – Power of attorney papers, guardianship order, court order, or similar court documents.
• Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or pension benefits – Award letter or pay stubs.
• Military service – Current Military ID (Form DD-2), military orders, or separation papers (Form DD-214).
• Child support anyone pays – Court papers that show what you must pay for child support. For example: divorce decree, court order, or district clerk record.
• Child support anyone gets – District clerk record. Or letter from the parent who pays showing how much, how often and the date it is usually paid. The letter must have the name, address, phone number, and signature of the parent who pays.
• Veterans benefits, workers’ compensation, or unemployment– Award letter or pay stubs.
• Loans and gifts (includes someone paying bills for you) – Loan agreements or statement from the person giving you money or paying your bills. Must show that person’s name, address, phone number, and signature.
Documents that you need to bring when applying for Health Insurance:
- Proof of Identity (I.D., birth certificate, Hospital temporary Birth certificate)
- Recent check stubs (last month) from everyone working at home over 19 years or taxes from last year (1040 Forms)
- Social Security Numbers (if applying for Medicaid/Chips)
- Birth Certificates for Children born in the United States or other countries.
- Permanent Resident Cards “Green Cards” for Children born in another country. (Medicaid/Chips)
If you would like assistance with any of the programs, please contact our Patient Eligibility Specialists by calling 877-983-1161 or complete our eligibility questionnaire.
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