WASHINGTON CO. STARTING 35TH YEAR IN INDIGENT CARE PROGRAM
Starting on Tuesday, Washington County will begin another year under the Texas Indigent Health Care and Treatment Act.
The act defines who is indigent, identifies medical services that those eligible can receive, and assigns responsibility for the indigent health care.
This is Washington County’s 35th year of utilizing the program.
The county is complying through the County Indigent Health Care (CIHC) program, outlined by the Texas Department of Health and administered by the Brazos Valley Council of Governments (BVCOG). The county sets the limits within the program for the BVCOG to direct.
Applicants must be a resident of the county where they make the application, with the intent to stay. They also need to completely fill out application forms—some assistance is available—and provide the information required to verify and document residency, income, resources, and size of family.
Applicants must have a net income of less than approximately 21 percent of federal poverty guidelines. Other factors may apply, such as household size. Resources of a family of one cannot exceed $2,000 after exemptions, while assets for a family of two cannot exceed $3,000 after exemptions.
Providers are reimbursed for eligible services according to average Medicaid payment, using Standards and Diagnostic Related Group rates. Clients must use approved physicians.
To apply for the CIHC program, contact the BVCOG by calling 979-595-2800, or visit www.bvcog.org. Program assistance is available on the second Thursday of each month from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Region 7 public health clinic in Brenham at 100 South Chappell Hill Street.