How to Renew Texas Medicaid
Updated August 2026
Texas Medicaid coverage must be renewed once per year, or more frequently for some programs. HHSC first attempts ex parte renewal — checking your eligibility automatically using data from the Texas Integrated Eligibility Redesign System (TIERS) and federal data sources such as the Social Security Administration and IRS — without requiring you to do anything. If HHSC can confirm you are still eligible from existing data, your coverage is renewed automatically.
Annual
Renewal frequency
YourTexasBenefits.com
Online renewal portal
90 days
Reconsideration window after termination
Texas had the highest Medicaid unwinding disenrollment rate in the country
During the 2023–2024 Medicaid unwinding, Texas disenrolled approximately 2.5 million people — a 32% reduction from the pandemic-era peak, per KFF's Medicaid Enrollment and Unwinding Tracker (updated May 2026). Texas also had one of the lowest ex parte (automatic) renewal rates in the nation, at just 11%, compared to a national average of around 61%, meaning most members had to complete a full manual renewal. If you lost Texas Medicaid coverage during the unwinding and believe you were wrongly disenrolled, you can reapply at any time.
How Texas Medicaid renewal works
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.
Read every notice from HHSC carefully — missing the renewal deadline typically results in coverage loss. Update your address at YourTexasBenefits.com as soon as you move; an outdated address is the most common reason people miss renewals and lose coverage.
How to renew
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.
Texas and the 2023–2024 Medicaid unwinding
During the COVID-19 public health emergency, 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, Texas conducted redeterminations from April 2023 through mid-2024, resulting in the largest absolute disenrollment of any state — approximately 2.5 million people lost coverage.
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.
If you or a family member lost Texas Medicaid during 2023–2024 and believe you were still eligible, you can reapply at any time at YourTexasBenefits.com or by calling 2-1-1. There is no waiting period after a previous disenrollment, and coverage can be retroactive up to three months if you were eligible during that period.
What to have ready for renewal
HHSC may ask you to verify current information at renewal. Have these ready.
- Current mailing address, phone number, and email address on file with HHSC
- Proof of current income — recent pay stubs, unemployment letter, or Social Security statement (past 30 days)
- Household composition — any changes to who lives in your home since last renewal (new baby, someone moved in or out)
- Current health insurance — whether anyone in your household gained employer-sponsored or other coverage
- Social Security or disability benefit award letters if amounts changed
- 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. During any gap in coverage, you are responsible for any medical costs incurred, so renewing on time avoids this gap entirely.
Step-by-step: completing your Texas Medicaid renewal
Follow these steps once you receive a renewal notice from HHSC.
-
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.
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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.
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3
Submit renewal and upload documents
Attach current pay stubs or benefit letters if requested. Submit before the deadline and keep your confirmation number.
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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.
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.
Texas Medicaid
- YourTexasBenefits.com renewal portal: yourtexasbenefits.com
- HHSC renewal help line: 2-1-1 (TTY 711)
- Texas Health and Human Services Commission: hhs.texas.gov
- Texas Legal Services Center: tlsc.org