Transferring Medicaid from Georgia to Texas
The short answer is no. Medicaid eligibility is decided by the state you live in, so leaving Georgia closes that coverage. Your move to Texas means qualifying again under Texas income rules, through Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Apply immediately — there is no new-resident waiting period.
Official Texas Medicaid agency: Texas Health and Human Services Commission ↗ (application page)
Your step-by-step checklist
Before you move
- 1
Gather your documents before the move
You will reapply from scratch: proof of identity, income (pay stubs or award letters), your new address, and immigration documents if applicable.
- 2
Tell Georgia Department of Community Health you are leaving
Report changes, including a move, through your Georgia Gateway account (the portal's stated features include reporting changes).
Georgia Department of Community Health ↗
Moving week
- 3
Time the closure to the end of your move month
Keep coverage through the month you travel. Your old state's coverage generally ends the month you stop being a resident.
After you arrive
- 4
Apply with Texas Health and Human Services Commission as soon as you arrive
There is no waiting period based on how long you have lived there — apply immediately. Processing: up to 45 days.
Online application ↗ - 5
Ask about retroactive coverage
Most states can cover eligible medical bills up to 3 months before your application date — ask when you apply if you had care during the gap.
Georgia vs Texas: the numbers that decide it
| Georgia (old state) | Texas (new state) | |
|---|---|---|
| Program name | Georgia Medicaid | Texas Medicaid |
| Agency | Georgia Department of Community Health | Texas Health and Human Services Commission |
| ACA Medicaid expansion | No — adults need a category | No — adults need a category |
| Adult income limit | not published as % FPL | not published as % FPL |
Verified 2026-08-08 (Georgia) and 2026-08-08 (Texas) against the official sources cited below.
Moving with more than one benefit?
The checklist generator merges Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, unemployment, and TANF into one ordered to-do list for this exact move.
Build the full Georgia → Texas checklistCommon questions
Can I use my Georgia Medicaid in Texas while I wait?
Generally no. Georgia Medicaid only pays providers for Georgia residents, and out-of-state care is limited to emergencies. Once you live in Texas, you need Texas coverage — apply immediately and ask about retroactive coverage for bills in the gap.
Is there a waiting period for Medicaid in Texas?
No. States cannot impose a minimum-residency waiting period. You qualify (or not) on Texas's income and category rules from the day you become a resident. The application itself takes up to 45 days.
Can I have Medicaid in two states at once?
No. You can only receive Medicaid from the state where you live. Keeping an old case open while opening a new one can create repayment problems — close the Georgia case effective your move month.
Where do I actually apply in Texas?
Through Texas Health and Human Services Commission (online application linked above). Official Medicaid pages for both states are cited at the bottom of this page.
Related guides
Official sources
Every fact above was checked against these official pages. Last verified.
- Georgia Medicaid (DCH) — accessed 2026-08-08
- Georgia Medicaid — How to Apply — accessed 2026-08-08
- Your Texas Benefits — apply online and report changes — accessed 2026-08-08
- Texas HHS — Medicaid and CHIP — accessed 2026-08-08