AUSTIN, Texas — More than 40,000 pregnant people in Texas waited longer than one month for their Medicaid applications to be processed over the past year, according to data released by Texans Care for Children, raising concerns about delays in access to prenatal care.
The data, obtained from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, showed that between March 2025 and February 2026 nearly 24,000 applicants waited more than 60 days for a decision. Federal guidelines require states to process Medicaid applications within 45 days.
Diana Forester, health policy director at Texans Care for Children, said delayed enrollment can lead to postponed prenatal care and increased risks for both mothers and infants.
Medicaid covers nearly half of all births in Texas, including more than 185,000 in 2023, making timely enrollment critical for access to care.
State data also showed that almost 27,000 pregnant applicants waited longer than the 45-day federal standard for approval or denial of coverage.
In a statement, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission said it is working to process applications as quickly as possible and noted that more than 90% of applications are completed within 45 days.
Advocates said delays in enrollment add to existing barriers, including difficulty finding providers who accept Medicaid and longer wait times for appointments.
A 2025 external quality review of Texas Medicaid found that just over half of patients with low-risk pregnancies were able to secure prenatal appointments within the state’s 15-day standard. Fewer than 20% of patients with high-risk pregnancies obtained appointments within the five-day standard.
Forester said provider shortages and administrative requirements contribute to limited access, particularly for Medicaid patients.
The health commission said managed care organizations that fail to meet access standards may face corrective action plans or financial penalties.
Forester said lawmakers play a role in addressing the issue by setting provider reimbursement rates and allocating resources to improve access to care.
