To cancel Medicaid in Texas, contact the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) online, by phone, by mail, by fax, or in person and ask to voluntarily withdraw from coverage. A signed written request is the cleanest option because HHSC can end your coverage without waiting through the standard 13-day advance-notice period that applies to other terminations.1eCFR. 42 CFR 431.2112Texas Health and Human Services. Texas Works Handbook A-2340 – Adverse Action
Written Withdrawal vs. Reporting a Change
There is no dedicated “cancel my Medicaid” form. HHSC handles voluntary cancellations through its change-reporting system, and you have two ways in.
The first is a signed written statement saying you no longer want coverage. Under federal rules, this kind of clear signed request lets the state end coverage and mail your notice on the effective date rather than 13 days ahead.1eCFR. 42 CFR 431.2112Texas Health and Human Services. Texas Works Handbook A-2340 – Adverse Action
The second is reporting a change that makes you ineligible, like a new job that comes with health insurance or a bump in household income. HHSC then treats the termination as an adverse action, which triggers a 13-day advance notice before your benefits end.
Both paths get you off Medicaid. If you want speed and a paper trail, the written signed withdrawal is the better route.
Five Ways to Submit Your Request
Online
Log in at YourTexasBenefits.com or open the Your Texas Benefits mobile app, pick your case, and start a change report.3Texas Health and Human Services. Report Changes There is no “cancel coverage” button; you use the change report to say you want to withdraw or to enter the change that ends your eligibility.
By Phone
Call 2-1-1 and pick Option 2 after choosing your language, or call 877-541-7905 and pick Option 2.4Texas Health and Human Services. Contact Have your Medicaid ID, full name, date of birth, and Social Security number ready. Tell the representative you want to voluntarily withdraw. If an advisor processes the withdrawal while you’re on the line, HHSC treats that verbal request in the advisor’s presence as adequate notice.2Texas Health and Human Services. Texas Works Handbook A-2340 – Adverse Action
By Mail
Send a signed letter, or use Form H1019, Report of Change, to:
HHSC
P.O. Box 149024
Austin, TX 78714-90245Texas Health and Human Services. Texas Works Handbook M-2210 – How to Report a Change
Include your full name, date of birth, Social Security number, Medicaid ID, and current contact information. Form H1019 is available on the HHSC website, and HHSC also mails it with a prepaid return envelope at each certification.6Texas Health and Human Services. Form H1019, Report of Change Certified mail with a return receipt gives you proof of delivery.
By Fax
Fax your signed request or Form H1019 to HHSC’s toll-free line at 1-877-447-2839.5Texas Health and Human Services. Texas Works Handbook M-2210 – How to Report a Change Keep the fax confirmation as a receipt.
In Person
Visit a local HHSC benefits office. Find one through the office locator at YourTexasBenefits.com or the HHS Locations page.7Texas Health and Human Services. HHS Locations Bring a photo ID and your Medicaid information, and staff will walk you through the paperwork.
When Your Coverage Actually Ends
Your cancellation does not take effect the moment you call or drop your letter in the mail. For managed care programs like STAR+PLUS, requests processed before the month’s cutoff take effect the first of the following month, and requests processed after roll to the first of the month after that. You could still be enrolled for a few weeks after submitting your request.
Until your official notice arrives, you are still covered and can still use your Medicaid benefits. Don’t cancel a prescription refill or skip a needed appointment on the assumption that coverage already ended.
The Notice of Case Action
HHSC confirms every change with Form TF0001, Notice of Case Action.8Texas Health and Human Services. Texas Works Handbook – M-2000, Case Disposition It states the effective date your coverage ends and the reason for the change, and includes information about appeal rights and free legal services.
If you submitted a signed written withdrawal, the notice may arrive on or after the effective date rather than before.2Texas Health and Human Services. Texas Works Handbook A-2340 – Adverse Action If the cancellation came from a reported change, HHSC must send it at least 13 days before termination.
HHSC mails these notices in a distinctive yellow envelope. If you signed up for paperless communication in your Your Texas Benefits account, the notice comes electronically. Keep a copy; you’ll want it when you enroll in other coverage. If nothing arrives within a few weeks, call 2-1-1 (Option 2) or 877-541-7905 (Option 2) to check your case status.4Texas Health and Human Services. Contact
Household Members Are Not Automatically Canceled
Canceling your own Medicaid does not end coverage for your children or other people on the case. HHSC evaluates eligibility person by person, and children often qualify for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) at higher income levels than adults. If you want the whole household off Medicaid, say so explicitly in your request. Otherwise assume other eligible members stay covered.
Lining Up New Coverage
Losing Medicaid, even by choice, opens special enrollment windows for other health insurance. The deadlines are short.
Through an Employer
Losing Medicaid is a qualifying event for employer plans, and you have 60 days from your Medicaid end date to enroll.9U.S. Department of Labor. FAQs on HIPAA Portability and Nondiscrimination Requirements Contact your HR or benefits office as soon as you know the date. Miss the 60 days and you generally wait until the next open enrollment.
Through the Marketplace
If you don’t have employer coverage, you can enroll at HealthCare.gov. Losing Medicaid or CHIP qualifies you for a special enrollment period of 90 days from the date coverage ended.10HealthCare.gov. Getting Health Coverage Outside Open Enrollment Premium tax credits may lower your monthly cost depending on income. Keep your TF0001 notice on hand as proof of your termination date.