Member News

Helpful information and resources for our Members.

Know Your Renewal Date

Changes to Behavioral Health Services

On 9/1/2022, your behavioral health (BH) services will change from Beacon Health Options (Beacon) to Cook Children’s Health Plan. BH services are for drug, alcohol, or mental health needs. Your BH benefits will stay the same.

Is my provider in Cook Children’s Health Plan’s network?

We are doing our best to get every BH provider in our network. If we can’t get yours in our network, we will let you know.

What if my BH Service Coordinator works for Beacon?

We are trying hard to make sure you do not have to change to a new Service Coordinator if you have one now. If you do have to change, we know you will be pleased with our behavioral health experts who are here to help you!

How do I get help if I need BH services?

If you need BH services:

Until 8/31/2022: Call Beacon at 1-855-481-7045, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Starting 9/1/2022: Call Cook Children’s Health Plan at 1-833-391-3733, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Do I need a referral?

You do not need to see your Primary Care Provider (PCP) first. You do not need a referral from your PCP.

Questions?

For STAR or CHIP, call 1-800-964-2247 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For STAR Kids, call 1-844-843-0004 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Baby Formula Recall

Abbott has issued a voluntary recall of specific lots of Similac formula products (including Alimentum, Total Comfort, Spit Up, and Sensitive), and EleCare powdered formulas. Isomil and Neosure are not impacted. The voluntary recall is in response to consumer complaints related to Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella Newport.

Please see the recall notification on the Abbott website for additional information by clicking the button below:

Abbott Voluntarily Recalls Powder Formulas Manufactured at One Plant

If you are currently using one of these recalled formulas, we are available to help connect you with your provider to get a replacement at no cost to you.

For help, please contact our Member Experience department from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

STAR/CHIP: 1 (800) 964-2247
STAR Kids: 1 (844) 843-0004
TTY/TDD: 1 (800) 735-2988

Medicaid/CHIP Renewal

If you or a family member need to renew your Medicaid/CHIP benefits, please contact 211 for a renewal packet or you may call member services at 1-800-964-2247 or our local line at 1-682-885-2247 for assistance from one of our member services representatives. Thank you for being a Cook Children's Health Plan member.

Member Newsletters

CCHP News

Member Annual Notification Letter

Non Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) - Access2Care

Effective June 1st, 2021, Cook Children's Health Plan will work with Access2Care to help provide you with NEMT services. Access2Care will provide transportation to non emergency health care appointments for Members who have no other transportation options. These trips include rides to the doctor, dentist, hospital, pharmacy and other places you get Medicaid services.

You can call Access2Care at 1-844-572-8195 (TTY: 7-1-1) to schedule a ride. Or, if you have questions about this service you may also call our Member Services department at 1-800-964-2247.

COVID-19 Vaccine

January 05, 2021

The COVID-19 vaccine is now a benefit for Medicaid and CHIP. Please call our Member Services department for more information. To find out more about who can get the vaccine please visit dshs.texas.gov.

Protect Yourself from COVID

COVID-19 can spread between people who are in close contact. It spreads through small particles produced when an infected person coughs, talks or breathes. Being indoor with poor circulation increases your risk of getting COVID.

To prevent infection and to slow transmission of COVID-19, do the following:

Wash your hands regularly with soap and water. You can also clean them with alcohol-based hand rub.
Wear a mask.
Practice social distancing.
Avoid touching your face.
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
Stay home if you don’t feel well.
Avoid unnecessary travel.
Stay away from large groups of people.

For more information about COVID-19 visit cookchildrens.org/coronavirus.

Applied Behavioral Analysis Services

CCHP ABA Benefits Flyer

Electronic Visit Verification (EVV)

EVV Policy Training for CDS Employers Now Available in Spanish
The computer-based training course, Initial EVV Policy Training for CDS Employers, is available in Spanish on the HHS Learning Portal.

To translate the HHS Learning Portal to Spanish, select Español from the drop-down menu in the upper left-hand corner of the webpage.

The policy training is tailored to the selection on Form 1722, Employer Selection for Electronic Visit Verification Responsibilities.

Registrants are not required to complete the Form 1722 Pre-Course Survey.

Follow the instructions throughout the course to complete and receive certification.

Email the HHSC EVV Mailbox for questions about EVV policy training.

EVV Policy Training for CDS Employees on Jan. 29

Evaluation of New Technologies

CCHP follows changes and advances in health care by reviewing new treatments, medicines, procedures and devices. This is also called “new technology.” The state (Medicaid and Texas Health and Human Services) also follows advancements and is always making adjustments to Medicaid covered services and communicating this with all Health Plans. CCHP assesses new technology to be sure members have access to safe and effective care but, also, that medical necessity has been shown for the new technology and that alternative, existing technology is not meeting or cannot meet the current medical needs of the member. Requests to review a new technology may come from a member, requesting practitioner or other staff.

Sources for reviews for medical necessity of the new technologies can include literature searches, governmental (including FDA) recommendations, CCHP’s internal specialty consultants and/or outside medical experts, national professional organizations’ guidelines, our accepted medical screening criteria sources, among others.