WASHINGTON CO. STARTING 38TH YEAR IN INDIGENT CARE PROGRAM
Washington County begins its 38th year under the Texas Indigent Health Care and Treatment Act tomorrow (Friday).
The act defines who is indigent, identifies medical services that those who are eligible can receive and assigns responsibility for the indigent health care.
Washington County is complying through the County Indigent Health Care (CIHC) Program, established by the Texas Department of Health and administered by the Brazos Valley Council of Governments (BVCOG).
The CIHC was established by the Texas legislature in 1985 and requires counties to set aside funding to provide medical assistance for their indigent population. The county sets the limits within the program for BVCOG to oversee.
Applicants must be a resident of the county in which they apply, with the intent to stay. They must also completely fill out applications and provide information needed to verify and document residency, income, resources and family size. Some assistance is available for completing applications.
In addition, the applicant’s net income cannot be more than 21 percent of federal poverty guidelines. Other factors, like household size, may apply. Resources for a family of one cannot exceed $2,000 after exemptions, while resources for a family of two cannot be more than $3,000 after exemptions.
Providers are reimbursed for eligible services according to average Medicaid payment. Clients must use approved physicians.
Applications and more information about the program are available by going to www.bvcog.org or calling 979-595-2800.