If you are pregnant in San Antonio and you do not have insurance, you do not have to skip checkups because of the cost. Texas has two programs that cover prenatal care for women who qualify — Medicaid for Pregnant Women and CHIP Perinatal — and San Antonio has clinics and support programs built around them.
This guide explains who qualifies for each program, what each one covers, how to apply with one application, and where to get care in San Antonio while your application is being decided. Help applying and guidance are free. Each program checks eligibility when you apply — nothing here is automatic, and this site does not submit government applications for you.
The two programs, in plain words
Medicaid for Pregnant Women is the fuller coverage. Texas Health and Human Services rules put the income limit at 198% of the federal poverty level. Your unborn baby counts in your household size, so a pregnant woman applying on her own counts as a household of two. For 2026, that limit is $3,571 a month for a household of two, $4,508 for three, and $5,445 for four, under the Texas Works Handbook limits effective March 1, 2026.
CHIP Perinatal is the backup. It covers the unborn child of a pregnant woman who does not qualify for Medicaid — either because household income is above the Medicaid limit but at or below 202% of the federal poverty level, or because of immigration status. One application checks you for Medicaid first, then for CHIP Perinatal — you do not apply twice.
One hard rule for CHIP Perinatal: a pregnant woman who has any private health insurance is not eligible for it, even if that insurance does not cover maternity care.
What each program covers
Medicaid for Pregnant Women covers:
- Doctor visits before your baby is born
- Lab tests and ultrasounds
- Prescription drugs and prenatal vitamins
- Hospital care, labor, and delivery
- Care for 12 months after your pregnancy ends — Texas extended postpartum Medicaid and CHIP coverage from two months to 12 months on March 1, 2024, and that extension applies even if a pregnancy does not go to term
CHIP Perinatal covers your unborn baby, including:
- Prenatal visits — up to 20 visits, or more depending on your health plan
- Lab work and ultrasounds
- Prenatal vitamins and pregnancy-related prescriptions
- Labor and delivery
- Two postpartum checkups within 60 days after delivery
- Coverage for your baby for 12 months after birth — after birth, many babies move to Medicaid or CHIP for ongoing care
CHIP Perinatal does not get the 12-month postpartum extension — its coverage for the mother runs through the end of the month the pregnancy ends, plus the two postpartum visits above. That difference is one reason to apply early and let the state check Medicaid first.
How to apply — one application, four ways
You can apply at any point in your pregnancy. Earlier is better, because more of your prenatal care is covered.
- Online: Apply at YourTexasBenefits.com — the same application checks Medicaid for Pregnant Women, CHIP Perinatal, SNAP, and other help.
- By phone: Call 2-1-1 and choose option 2 to apply with Texas Health and Human Services over the phone.
- By mail: Mail a paper application to Texas Health and Human Services Commission, PO Box 149024, Austin, TX 78714-9968.
- In person: Visit a Texas Health and Human Services benefits office — call 2-1-1, option 2, for the San Antonio office nearest you.
Documents to gather first: proof of pregnancy from a provider, proof of U.S. citizenship or immigration status, proof of income from the last 30 days (recent pay stubs, a W-2, or a letter from your employer), and proof that you live in Texas. Texas Children’s Health Plan notes pregnancy coverage decisions are made in about 15 business days — respond quickly if the state mails you a request for more information, because a missing document is the most common reason applications stall.
Once you are approved, call 1-800-964-2777 to choose your health plan and doctor.
Where to get prenatal care in San Antonio
University Health is Bexar County’s public health system and a common first stop. If you think you are pregnant, you can go to a University Health outpatient women’s OB/GYN clinic for a free, same-day pregnancy test, and meet with a provider during that same visit if the test is positive. Its prenatal care includes obstetricians, certified nurse-midwives, family medicine doctors with obstetrics training, and maternal-fetal medicine specialists for high-risk pregnancies. Call 210-358-8255 for prenatal care appointments.
San Antonio Healthy Start, run by the City of San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, supports eligible families through pregnancy with infant health screenings, doula services for high-risk pregnancies, lactation support, and parenthood education. Call 210-207-4725 to see if you qualify.
University Health programs worth asking about: Baby Bexar adds nurse case management and community support if you are 16 to 32 weeks pregnant, receiving care at a University Health clinic, and planning to deliver at University Health Women’s & Children’s Hospital. CareforMom covers medical services for 12 months for women who gave birth at University Health, with automatic enrollment through CareLink and no financial obligation. If cost is still a barrier, ask University Health about CareLink, its financial assistance program for Bexar County residents — call 210-358-3350.
Not sure where to start? Our guide to free health clinics in San Antonio for people without insurance lists more low-cost care options across the city.
Other free help during pregnancy
- WIC food support: The Texas WIC program gives pregnant women a monthly food package, nutrition help, and breastfeeding support. The Texas Department of State Health Services pregnancy page points pregnant Texans to WIC alongside Medicaid and CHIP Perinatal — ask about WIC when you call 2-1-1, or see the DSHS page linked below.
- After the baby arrives: Diapers add up fast. See where to get free diapers in San Antonio for diaper banks and giveaways.
- Coverage after pregnancy: When pregnancy coverage ends, Healthy Texas Women offers free exams, screenings, and family planning for low-income women ages 15 to 44.
- The bigger picture: Our step-by-step guide to how to apply for Medicaid in Texas from San Antonio walks through the full application in more detail.
Not sure what else you may qualify for?
A new baby changes what a household may qualify for — food help, coverage for other children, and more. Our free Apply for Me review looks at your situation and points you to potential matches. We do not submit government applications or complete paperwork for you — we help you see what you may qualify for and where to apply.
Start the free Apply for Me review →
Helpful links & phone numbers
- YourTexasBenefits.com — apply online for Medicaid for Pregnant Women and CHIP Perinatal with one application. Phone: dial 2-1-1, option 2, to apply by phone or check your case.
- Texas Health and Human Services — Texas Works Handbook, General Policy — the official income limits: 198% of poverty for Medicaid for Pregnant Women and 202% for CHIP Perinatal.
- Texas Department of State Health Services — During Your Pregnancy — state guide to WIC, Medicaid for pregnant women, CHIP, and CHIP Perinatal during pregnancy.
- Texas Children’s Health Plan — How to Apply, Pregnant Moms — documents to submit, mail and phone options, and decision timelines for pregnancy coverage.
- University Health — Prenatal Care & Pregnancy Testing — free same-day pregnancy tests and prenatal providers in San Antonio. Phone: 210-358-8255 for prenatal care.
- University Health — CareLink — financial assistance for Bexar County residents. Phone: 210-358-3350 for CareLink.
- San Antonio Healthy Start (Metro Health) — prenatal support, doulas for high-risk pregnancies, and lactation help. Phone: 210-207-4725 to check eligibility.
- CHIP / Medicaid health plan choice — Phone: 1-800-964-2777 to choose a health plan and doctor after approval.
- 211 Texas — Phone: dial 2-1-1 for a free, confidential referral to pregnancy help near you.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get prenatal care in Texas if I have no insurance?
Yes, if you qualify. Medicaid for Pregnant Women covers women up to 198% of the federal poverty level, and CHIP Perinatal covers the unborn child of an uninsured woman who does not qualify for Medicaid, up to 202% of poverty or when immigration status is the reason Medicaid was denied. Apply at YourTexasBenefits.com or call 2-1-1, option 2.
Does CHIP Perinatal cover women regardless of immigration status?
CHIP Perinatal is for pregnant women who are ineligible for Medicaid because of income or immigration status, and Texas rules list immigration status as one of the reasons a woman can be tested for it. It covers the unborn child — prenatal visits, labor and delivery, and two postpartum checkups — not full coverage for the mother.
How long does coverage last after I give birth?
With Medicaid or regular CHIP, coverage continues for 12 months after your pregnancy ends, a Texas extension that took effect March 1, 2024. With CHIP Perinatal, coverage runs through the end of the month your pregnancy ends plus two postpartum visits, and your baby is covered for 12 months after birth.
When should I apply for pregnancy coverage?
As soon as you know you are pregnant. You can apply at any point in pregnancy, there is no special enrollment window, and applying early means more prenatal visits are covered. If you need a pregnancy test first, University Health outpatient women’s clinics offer free same-day tests.
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