Texas MedicaidMedium ImpactPrior Auth

Expanded Drug List and New Prior Authorizations for HTW Effective July 1, 2026

Published April 13, 2026Effective July 1, 2026

AI Summary

Starting July 1, 2026, Texas Medicaid's Healthy Texas Women (HTW) program will expand drug coverage to include all Medicaid-eligible drugs in currently covered health categories, applying the same prior authorization and preferred drug list rules as regular Medicaid. This change aligns HTW with federal Medicaid requirements as the program transitions from state to federal funding.

Action Required

Before July 1, 2026: Billing team must update prior authorization procedures for HTW patients to match Medicaid requirements. Update workflow to check preferred drug list (PDL) for HTW pharmacy claims and obtain clinical prior authorizations using same process as regular Medicaid. Contact vdp-policy@hhs.texas.gov for specific formulary updates and visit HTW website for program details.

Plan Types

Medicaid

States

TX

Specialties

ob-gyn, family-medicine, internal-medicine