How to renew your Texas Medicaid coverage

Last verified: June 2026

How Texas Medicaid renewal works

Texas Medicaid coverage must be renewed once per year (or more frequently for some programs). HHSC sends a renewal notice before your coverage expires. Read every notice from HHSC carefully — missing the renewal deadline typically results in coverage loss, even if you are still eligible.

HHSC first attempts ex parte renewal — checking your eligibility automatically using data from the Texas Integrated Eligibility Redesign System (TIERS) and federal data sources (Social Security Administration, IRS) without requiring you to do anything. If HHSC can confirm you are still eligible from existing data, your coverage is renewed automatically.

If ex parte renewal is not possible — because HHSC cannot verify income or other eligibility factors automatically — HHSC will mail a renewal packet. You must complete and return it within the deadline stated in the notice (typically 10–30 days). Failure to respond results in termination of coverage, even if you are still eligible.

How to complete your Texas Medicaid renewal

You can renew Texas Medicaid through any of these methods:

• Online at YourTexasBenefits.com — log into your account, click “Manage,” and complete the renewal form. Fastest method.
• By phone — call 2-1-1 (TTY 711) and speak with an HHSC specialist who can complete your renewal over the phone.
• By mail — complete the paper renewal form that HHSC mails to you and return it in the prepaid envelope or to your local HHSC office.
• In person — visit your local HHSC benefits office. Find your office at hhs.texas.gov/about-hhs/find-us.

Keep your contact information current in YourTexasBenefits.com. HHSC sends renewal notices by mail — if your address is wrong, you may miss the renewal deadline and lose coverage without knowing it. Update your address as soon as you move.

Texas and the 2023–2024 Medicaid unwinding: what happened and what to do now

During the COVID-19 public health emergency (March 2020 – March 2023), federal law prohibited states from disenrolling Medicaid members. Texas Medicaid enrollment grew from approximately 4.2 million in February 2020 to a peak of about 5.9 million in early 2023. When continuous enrollment ended, states were required to redetermine eligibility for all enrolled members.

Texas conducted redeterminations from April 2023 through mid-2024. The result was the largest absolute disenrollment of any state: approximately 2.5 million people lost coverage, per KFF data as of May 2026. Texas's ex parte renewal rate — the share of members renewed automatically without having to complete a form — was just 11%, compared to a national average of around 61%. That meant roughly 89% of Texas members who kept coverage had to complete a manual renewal.

Federal and state investigations found that a significant share of Texas disenrollments were procedural — meaning people lost coverage because of returned mail, outdated contact information, or incomplete forms rather than because they were actually ineligible. Texas children were disproportionately affected.

What information you may need for renewal

HHSC may ask you to verify current information at renewal. Have these ready:

• Current address and phone number
• Proof of current income: recent pay stubs, unemployment letter, Social Security statement
• Household composition: any changes to who lives in your home since last renewal
• Current health insurance: whether you or anyone in your household gained employer-sponsored or other coverage
• Immigration status documents if applicable

Renewal timeline and what happens if you miss it

HHSC sends renewal notices approximately 60–90 days before your coverage end date. If you do not respond by the deadline, HHSC will terminate coverage. You have a 90-day reconsideration period after termination — during this window, you can request reinstatement without filing a completely new application if your eligibility has not changed.

After the 90-day reconsideration window closes, you must submit a full new application and go through the standard 45-day processing period (42 CFR 435.912). During any gap in coverage, you are responsible for any medical costs incurred. Renewing on time avoids this gap entirely.

Step-by-step: completing your Texas Medicaid renewal

1. 1

   Read your renewal notice

   HHSC sends a notice 60–90 days before your coverage end date. It states exactly what information is needed and the deadline to respond.

2. 2

   Log in to YourTexasBenefits.com

   Select "Manage" to see your renewal task. Update address, phone number, income, and household size if anything has changed since your last renewal.

3. 3

   Submit renewal and upload documents

   Attach current pay stubs or benefit letters if requested. Submit before the deadline. Keep your confirmation number.

4. 4

   Confirm your coverage continued

   HHSC will mail a renewal confirmation or request additional information. If you do not hear back within a few weeks, call 2-1-1 to check your status.

What to have ready for renewal

• Current mailing address confirmed in YourTexasBenefits.com — the most common renewal failure point
• Current phone number and email address on file with HHSC
• Recent pay stubs or income documentation (past 30 days)
• Any changes to household composition since last renewal (new baby, someone moved in or out)
• Any new health insurance through an employer or other source
• Social Security or disability benefit award letters if amounts changed

If your renewal is denied or coverage is terminated

HHSC must send a written notice stating the reason for termination and your right to appeal. You have 90 days from the denial notice to request a State Fair Hearing. File as quickly as possible — if you appeal before coverage ends, you may be able to continue coverage during the appeal.

There is also a 90-day reconsideration window after termination during which you can request reinstatement without filing a brand-new application. After 90 days, a full new application is required. Free legal help for Medicaid appeals is available through Texas Legal Services Center (tlsc.org) and local legal aid organizations.