Value-Added Services for CHIP

We have a 24-hour Nurse Advice Line to answer your health care questions any time you need it. The 24 Hour Nurseline has highly trained nurses that can help you decide what to do to get your family feeling better fast. Our Nurseline can also help you after hours to access emergency medicines or durable medical equipment.

If an unexpected medical situation arises, a nurse can help you decide if you should call your doctor, visit the ER or urgent care, or treat the problem yourself. A nurse can also let you know if you can wait to see the doctor the next day. You can talk to a nurse in your own language about any health problem.
Teens may also call the Nurseline and speak to a nurse in private about teen health issues.

You can also listen to audio tapes on hundreds of health topics, such as:

• Pregnancy
• Diabetes
• Children’s health
• High blood pressure
• Sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS

They will help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call the 24/7 Nurseline at: 1-844-971-8906 (TTY 711)

Note: This Value Added Service has no limitations. Members may access the Nurseline at any time.

BCBSTX offers a $75 gift card to CHIP members ages birth through 15 months who complete their Well-Child checkups.

To get the gift card, members must be active on the plan at the time of the checkup, and checkups must be completed by an in-network PCP (Primary Care Provider). Gift card awards are based on claims your doctor will send to BCBSTX after the checkup is completed. Once your doctor sends BCBSTX the claim, it could take up to two months for you to get the gift card.

To receive the gift card, the member/parent/guardian must register through the Healthmine portal. After your provider submits a claim to BCBSTX, you will get a letter in the mail that will tell you how to register with Healthmine where you can choose your gift card award.

If you have received a notice that you have earned a reward for getting your child a well-child visit, go to bcbstx.com/wellnessrewards to register to receive your gift card reward in the mail. 

Note: Value-Added Services may have restrictions and limitations. For a complete list of limitations, please refer to the Member Handbook or the Value-Added Services brochure.

Adolescents should see their PCP or OB/GYN once a year. CHIP members ages 12 to 18 who get their yearly Well-Child checkup are eligible to get a $25 gift card.

To get the gift card, members must be active on the plan at the time of the checkup, and checkups must be completed by an in-network PCP or OB/GYN. Gift card awards are based on claims your doctor will send to BCBSTX after the checkup is completed. Once your doctor sends BCBSTX the claim, it could take up to two months for you to get the gift card.

To receive the gift card, the member/parent/guardian must register through the Healthmine portal. After your provider submits a claim to BCBSTX, you will get a letter in the mail that will tell you how to register with Healthmine where you can choose your gift card award.

If you have received a notice that you have earned a reward for getting your child a well-child visit, go to bcbstx.com/wellnessrewards to register to receive your gift card reward in the mail. 

Note: Value-Added Services may have restrictions and limitations. For a complete list of limitations, please refer to the Member Handbook or the Value-Added Services brochure.

BCBSTX offers dental services to adult CHIP Perinate members ages 19 and older as a Value-Added Service. Adult CHIP Members are eligible to receive up to $250 per year in preventative, diagnostic, and dental care treatment. These services may include:

• Dental exams and cleanings
• Dental x-rays
• Cavity fillings
• Tooth extractions

Eligible CHIP Perinate members needing dental services should contact BCBSTX’s dental partner, DentaQuest, directly for assistance. DentaQuest can help members to identify in-network providers and obtain authorizations for dental services. Call DentaQuest's Customer Service toll-free to find out if you are eligible at 1-800-205-4715, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Central Time, Monday through Friday.

View the Dental Provider Directory (adult CHIP Perinate members only)

Note: Value-Added Services may have restrictions and limitations. For a complete list of limitations, please refer to the Member Handbook or the Value-Added Services brochure.

CHIP members ages 18 and under can get one upgrade to eyewear such as:

•  one pair of stylish frames (upgraded from basic frames), 
• upgraded lenses, 
• or an extra pair of glasses.

Children must complete an eye exam before using this VAS. The value of the upgrade cannot be over $150. The VAS must be fulfilled by a Davis Vision provider.

For more information on our enhanced eyewear for kids, call our customer service at: 1-888-657-6061. Members with hearing or speech loss may call the TTY line at 711. Customer service can also help you schedule an appointment with Davis Vision.

Note: Value-Added Services may have restrictions and limitations. For a complete list of limitations, please refer to the Member Handbook or the Value-Added Services brochure.

CHIP members over the age of 19 are eligible to receive up to $100 of fresh fruits and vegetables per year.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) recognizes that nutrition is an important factor in your child’s overall health. That’s why we offer a meal benefit that includes frozen meal delivery to qualifying members after leaving the hospital.

CHIP members who go home after a hospital stay will be offered the chance to order up to 14 meals from the meal services provider.

This will allow you and your family to focus on your child’s health and safety instead of worrying about grocery shopping and meal preparation. The meals will include breakfast, lunch and dinner options. The meals can be chosen from a menu. Specialized options include but are not limited to:

• Heart-friendly meals
• Diabetic-friendly meals
• Cancer-support meals based on nutritional guidelines from the American Institute for Cancer Research
• Gluten-free meals
• Vegetarian meals
• Meals with low sodium
  

Note: Value-Added Services may have restrictions and limitations. For a complete list of limitations, please see the Member Handbook or the Value-Added Services brochure.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) can help you get a ride to your health care appointments as part of our Value-Added Services. You can also get rides to your health classes or therapy. We will send a wheelchair van if you need it. Non-emergency medical transportation is provided by ModivCare.

CHIP members can get help finding a ride, a place to stay and meals for doctor visits that are at least 75 miles away from home. Non-emergency rides, hotels and meals need to be scheduled at least three days ahead of time. You need prior approval.

As part of this out-of-area transportation service, there is a $50 a day limit on food and $120 a night limit on lodging. There is a $1,000 a year limit on these costs. BCBSTX can help with scheduling affordable lodging.

Please call the Customer Service number at 1-888-657-6061 before your appointment to schedule a ride. Members with hearing or speech loss may call the TTY line at 711.

Call 911 if you need emergency transport. (You do not need an OK from BCBSTX in the event of an emergency.)

To learn more about transportation services, see the Value-Added Services brochure.

Note: Value-Added Services may have restrictions and limitations. For a complete list of limitations, please see the Member Handbook or the Value-Added Services brochure.

We help CHIP kids take part in sports and fitness activities by giving free physicals for kids 18 and under who are going to camp or playing sports.

Make an appointment with your child's Primary Care Provider (PCP) to get the physical. No authorization is needed. If you have questions, call our customer service at 1-888-657-6061. Members with hearing or speech loss may call the TTY line at 711.

Note: Value-Added Services may have restrictions and limitations. For a complete list of limitations, please see the Member Handbook or the Value-Added Services brochure.

BCBSTX offers online prenatal classes to pregnant CHIP members, at no cost. You can take an online class at any time in English and 15 other languages. You will get a diaper bag filled with new baby items when you finish your online BCBSTX prenatal class. After you complete the prenatal class, fill out the certificate of completion found at the end of the lesson and fax it to 1-512-349-4867. The diaper bag reward will be shipped to the address you write on the certificate. Call Member Outreach to register for an online class.

Limitations: You must be an active BCBSTX CHIP member, be pregnant and take at least one prenatal class to get the diaper bag reward. Only one diaper bag per member will be awarded.

Pregnant members who register for the Special Beginnings maternity program will have access to breastfeeding education information provided by Special Beginnings nurses. The Special Beginnings maternity program can help you better understand and manage your pregnancy. When you register for Special Beginnings, you will get a Special Beginnings Service Manager. Your Service Manager is a specially trained nurse that will talk to you about how you and your baby are doing and will continue to call you up to six weeks after your baby is born.

If you are pregnant and would like to register for Special Beginnings, please call us toll-free at 1-888-421-7781 (TTY 711) or email Special Beginnings at TXSBMedicaid@bcbstx.com.

Ask your Special Beginnings Service Manager how you can qualify for your choice of a free infant car seat or pack and play playard and other VAS for pregnant women.

Breastfeeding Support Kit

BCBSTX offers a breastfeeding support kit to CHIP Perinate members who have delivered a newborn while on our plan. The Breastfeeding support kit can be requested through our Special Beginning pregnancy program nurses. Members may receive breastfeeding information through our online Special Beginnings member website, through the online prenatal class page, upon request or by recommendation from Special Beginnings nurses. The breastfeeding support kit Includes: nursing pillow, bra, milk collectors, nursing pads.

This program encourages pregnant women to get timely prenatal care. Pregnant CHIP members who complete a timely prenatal visit and register for our Special Beginnings program can choose an infant car seat or a pack and play playard.

Prenatal Care Incentive Options form

Take the form to your doctor to sign during your prenatal visit and fax it to Member Outreach at 1-512-349-4867. The car seat or pack and play playard will be sent to the address you put on the form.

CHIP members ages 18 or younger can receive up to $100 value ($50 per school semester) for Boys and Girls Club membership.

Limitations: Parents/guardians of members 18 or younger may request membership to the Boys and Girls Club by contacting your local Boys and Girls Club. For questions about this VAS, call Member Outreach Representatives at 1-877-375-9097.

CHIP members can access online Behavioral Health tools where they can login to get information that may help members get a better understanding of their specific behavioral health concerns. These online tools are extra services available to members 24/7.

Limitations: Members must have login information to utilize this service as provided by Case Management.

Members who have been discharged from inpatient care after a behavioral health visit are eligible to get a $25 gift card when they follow-up with their provider within seven days after a behavioral health hospitalization.

Limitations: Members must attend a follow-up visit with a behavioral health provider within seven days following a discharge for mental illness or intentional self-harm diagnoses. Members must be enrolled in the plan to receive the gift card.

If you have received a notice that you have earned a reward for going to your behavioral health follow-up visit, go to bcbstx.com/wellnessrewards to register to receive your gift card reward in the mail. 

Our Blue365 program offers discounts on various pharmacy over the counter (OTC) and health and wellness related services and items. The program is available to all CHIP members. You can get access to health and wellness items and offerings at a lower cost, as well as take advantage of some free/no cost services. This VAS excludes benefits covered by CHIP.

Limitations: Members must register on the Blue365deals.com site for Texas. The information required for the registration process includes Name, Email, Password, ZIP Code, and alpha prefix. This alpha prefix for CHIP members is TXS.