Harris Health System: 33 Common Questions About Harris Health Gold Card
Editor’s note: This is general listing of questions and answers that is meant to give you a basic understanding of how the Harris Health System works. I do not work for Harris Health therefore some questions you will want to verify with them directly and you can do this by calling their eligibility line at 713.566.6509. You can ask any question you like in the comment section at the end of this article, however, if there is a question that I cannot answer or I am uncertain of I will refer you to the Harris Health eligibility line for clarification.
What is the Harris Health System?
Harris Health System (formerly Harris County Hospital District) is a safety-net healthcare system for Houston, TX, and other cities inside of Harris County. The Harris Health System network of healthcare centers, specialty clinics, and hospitals provide medical care to Harris County residents who are considered low-income or do not qualify for other health insurance plans like Medicaid.
One of the reasons that the Harris Health System is so popular in the Houston area is due to a health coverage called the Gold Card.
What is the Harris Health Gold Card?
The Gold Card is a form of health coverage which is offered by the Harris Health System. Despite Harris Health changing the name from Gold Card to the Financial Assistance Plan, many Harris County residents still refer to this coverage as Gold Card.
Individuals in Harris County who are considered to be low-income or uninsured can potentially qualify for the Gold Card.
What is the Harris Health Financial Assistance Plan?
The Financial Assistance Plan is the official name for the Gold Card coverage. The Gold Card is more of a slang term that local residents continue to use.
Any documents that you receive from Harris Health will refer to your coverage as the Financial Assistance Plan, although many Harris County residents still refer to this coverage as the Gold Card.
Long story short, there is no difference in coverage between the Financial Assistance Plan and the Gold Card, just a new name vs. an old name.
What does the Harris Health Gold Card cover?
- Primary care
- Counseling
- Psychiatry
- Specialty care clinics
- Cancer care
- Cardiology
- Geriatric Medicine
- HIV/AIDS care
- Low cost dialysis in Houston
- Stroke and trauma care
- Immunizations
- Prenatal care for women and infants
- Pharmacy services
- Hospital services at Ben Taub and LBJ
Those with the Gold Card will have access to these services via Harris Health health centers, specialty clinics, and hospitals.
What are the Gold Card requirements?
- You must live in Harris County
- For the discounted services you must be considered low-income, meaning your household income is below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
If your household income exceeds 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines you can still receive medical treatment through the Harris Health System, however, you will not qualify for discounted medical services (Financial Assistance Plan).
Who is eligible for the Harris Health System Gold Card?
You must live in Harris County to be eligible for the Gold Card. You can use the “What County Am I In?” tool to determine that you live in Harris County.
Qualifying for the Gold Card means you are eligible for the Harris Health System’s Financial Assistance Program. This program will help you with the cost of co-payments, prescriptions, and other medical bills at Harris Health clinics.
In addition, the Gold Card is provided to individuals who are considered to be low-income. The criteria for low-income is falling under 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. If your income is above 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines you will be considered a “self-pay” resident and not eligible for the Financial Assistance Program.
Again eligibility for the Gold Card is limited to only those individuals who live in Harris County. If you live in a surrounding county simply contact your city’s health department and ask them what is the name of the “safety-net healthcare program” in your area that treats the uninsured.
What are the rules for Gold Card eligibility?
Qualifying for the Gold Card means you are eligible for the Harris Health System’s Financial Assistance Program. This program will help you with the cost of co-payments, prescriptions and other medical bills at Harris Health clinics.
In addition, the Gold Card is provided to individuals who are considered to be low-income. The criteria for low-income is falling under 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. If your income is above 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines you will be considered a “self-pay” resident and not eligible for the Financial Assistance Program.
What does HCHD Self-pay mean?
How do I apply for the Harris Health Gold Card?
- Mailing your application
- Faxing it to Harris Health
- Dropping your application off at a Harris Health eligibility center
What documents are needed for Gold Card?
- Identification for you and your spouse
- Birth Certificates for dependents
- Proof of residency (bills or other documents)
- Proof of income (pay stubs, SSI award letter, unemployment, etc)
- If you are not working a Statement of Support Form will suffice
- If applicable: INS (immigration) documents, Medicaid Letter, Medicare ID, Social Security Award Letter, TANF certification, credit card statements, bank statements
The Harris Health System website will provide you with a complete listing of supporting documents needed for Gold Card.
Where can I find a Harris Health eligibility center?
- Acres Home Health Center – 818 Ringold St., Houston, TX 77088
- MLK Health Center – 3550-A Swingle Road, Houston, TX 77047
- El Franco Lee Health Center – 8901 Boone Road, Houston, TX 77099
- Strawberry Health Center – 927 Shaw Ave, Pasadena, TX 77506
If these Gold Card eligibility centers are open Monday through Friday, however, the times may vary so you are encouraged to call the eligibility line at 713.566.6509 to confirm their hours of operation.
Where can I go to apply for a Gold Card?
Below is a listing of the Harris Health eligibility centers where you can apply for Gold Card.
- Acres Home Health Center – 818 Ringold St., Houston, TX 77088
- MLK Health Center – 3550-A Swingle Road, Houston, TX 77047
- El Franco Lee Health Center – 8901 Boone Road, Houston, TX 77099
- Strawberry Health Center – 927 Shaw Ave, Pasadena, TX 77506
How do I download a Harris Health Gold Card application?
You can download a Harris Health Gold Card application by using the links below. The Gold Card application comes in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
- English Harris Health System Gold Card Application
- Spanish Harris Health System Gold Card Application
- Vietnamese Harris Health System Gold Card Application
Once you have completed your Gold Card application (and supporting documents) you will need to either mail it, fax it, or drop it off at one of the Harris Health eligibility centers.
How can I download a Harris Health Gold Card renewal form?
- English Harris Health System Gold Card Application
- Spanish Harris Health System Gold Card Application
- Vietnamese Harris Health System Gold Card Application
Once you have completed your Harris Health Gold Card renewal form (and supporting documents) you will need to either mail it, fax it, or drop it off at one of the Harris Health eligibility centers.
For more information on this process see our guided title How To Renew Your Harris Health Gold Card.
How do I apply for an emergency Gold Card?
- You were discharged from the hospital within the past 30 days and need a follow-up appointment
- Need immediate medical attention
- You need to reschedule a medical appointment
- A specialty clinic appointment is required
- Need to schedule a procedure or visit
- You need prescriptions filled
For more information on this process, you can contact the Harris Health eligibility line at 713.566.6509 or read our guide titled Emergency Gold Care: How To Expedite Your Harris Health Application.
How do I apply for a homeless Gold Card?
You can only apply for a homeless Gold Card by visiting one of the Houston homeless shelters below:
- The Beacon – 1212 Prairie St, Houston, TX 77002 – 713.220.9737
- Lord of the Streets – 3401 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77004 – 713.523.0311
- Search – 2015 Congress St, Houston, TX 77002 – 713.739.7752
To learn more about this coverage see this entry regarding Gold Card Enrollment For Homeless Individuals.
Can undocumented immigrants apply for the Harris Health Gold Card?
To apply you must be able to provide documents or IDs from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Examples of documents that are potentially acceptable are:
- Visa
- U.S. passport
- “Matricula Consular”
You will most likely need official documents or an ID from the U.S. to receive the Gold Card, you are entitled to emergency medical treatment in Harris Health System hospitals like Ben Taub and LBJ. A federal law called the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act or EMTALA mandates that hospitals at least screen you to see if emergency medical care is necessary and if so these hospitals will treat you.
For questions about acceptable documents you are encouraged to call the Harris Health System eligibility line at 713.566.6509. If you are told that you will not qualify for the Gold Card an alternative is seeking treatment through a low cost medical clinic in Houston. These Houston clinics receive federal funds to treat the communities they are in and this includes immigrants and undocumented citizens.
Are medical services through Harris Health System free?
The cost of Harris Health System operates on a “sliding scale” meaning you pay according to your monthly household income and family size. The lower your household income, the less you will pay for medical services. Below is a Harris Health System pay scale that you can use to estimate the cost of services according to your monthly income.
If you make between $0 to $1595 per month below are the potential costs that you would pay at Harris Health clinic.
| Service | Cost |
| Visit to primary care doctor | $3 |
| Lab or x-ray service | $3 |
| Prescription costs (will vary with Medicare coverage) |
|
| Dental visit | $8 |
| Dentures | Price based on payment scale |
| Emergency room visit | $25 |
| Day surgery | $25 |
| Inpatient stay | $50 |
If you make $1596 or more per month these are the prices you will likely pay for Harris Health services.
| Service | Cost |
| Visit to primary care doctor | $95 |
| Lab or x-ray service | $95 |
| Prescription costs (will vary with Medicare coverage) | Must pay full amount before picking up medications. Medicare or private health insurance will impact the cost of prescriptions. |
| Dentures | Operates on payment scale |
| Emergency room visit | $150 |
| Day surgery | $2,500 |
| Inpatient stay | 2,500 |
Where can I use the Harris Health Gold Card?
You can only use your Gold Card at Harris Health System health centers, specialty clinics, and hospitals. Below is a map of each Harris Health facility that accepts the Gold Card.
What is the Harris Health System phone number?
What is the Ben Taub hospital phone number?
Does Ben Taub accept the Gold Card?
What is the LBJ hospital phone number ?
Does LBJ accept the Gold Card?
What is the number to the Harris Health pharmacy refill line?
Below are the numbers to each Harris Health clinic’s pharmacy refill line:
- Acres Home -713-842-4310
- Aldine Clinic pharmacy refill line – 713-842-4314
- Baytown Harris Health pharmacy refill line -713-842-4321
- Casa De Amigos pharmacy refill line – 713-842-4312
- El Franco Lee Clinic pharmacy refill line -713-842-4326
- Gulfgate Clinic pharmacy refill line- 713-842-4319
- LBJ Hospital pharmacy refill line – 713-842-4322
- Swingle Clinic pharmacy refill line -713-842-4316
- Northwest pharmacy refill line – 713-842-4324
- Settegast pharmacy refill line – 713-842-4320
- Smith Clinic pharmacy refill line – 713-842-4328
- Squatty Lyons pharmacy refill line – 713-842-4323
- Strawberry Clinic pharmacy refill line – 713-842-4325
- Thomas Street pharmacy refill line – 713-842-4315
- Vallbona pharmacy refill line- 713-842-4313
What Harris Health dental services are covered?
- Regular exams
- Cleanings
- Fillings
- Extractions
- Full and partial dentures
What is the Harris Health Thomas Street Clinic?
How do I make a Harris Health appointment?
Can I use the Harris Health System Gold Card at Houston hospitals like Methodist or Memorial Hermann?
Will the Gold Card cover my old hospital bills?
What is the Harris Health Smith Clinic?
- Oncology
- Allergy
- Asthma
- Dermatology
- Diabetes and Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
- Genetics
- Gynecology
- Hematology
- Infectious Disease
- Infusion Center
- Neurology
- PICC Line Clinic
- Pulmonary
- Renal/Nephrology
- Rheumatology
- Tropical Medicine
- Lab services
The Harris Health Smith Clinic is located in the Texas Medical Center at 2525-A Holly Hall, Houston, TX 77054. You can call them at 713.566.3600 for more information.
Does the Gold Card cover dialysis?
Does Harris Health System have same day clinics?
Harris Health System offers 5 same-day clinics in Houston. Those clinics are:
- Margo Hillard Alford Clinic (near LBJ in north Houston) – 5550 Kelly Street, Houston, TX 77026
- Monroe Clinic (Monroe and Gulf Freeway, South Houston)– 8539 Gulf Freeway, Houston, TX 77017
- Robindell Clinic (Chimney Rock and Bellaire, SW Houston) – 5420 Dashwood, Suite 200, Houston, TX 77081
- Sareen Clinic at India House (West Bellfort and 59, SW Houston) – 8888 W. Bellfort Ave, Houston, TX 77031
- Sunset Heights Clinic (Airline and Cavalcade, The Heights) – 1623 Airline Dr, Suite 100-B, Houston, TX 77009
Conclusion
I completely understand how frustrating it can be to navigate our healthcare system. There is paperwork, intake forms, eligibility requirements, some workers aren’t so nice, and the list goes on.
That being said the more effort you put in to educate yourself about healthcare and the medical services you are entitled to will definitely help to ease some of that frustration.
Hopefully, this question and answer guide about the Harris Health System has cleared up any questions that you may have had regarding their process. As I told you earlier if you still have questions you can leave them in the comment section below. For any questions that I am not qualified to answer, I will refer you to the Harris Health eligibility line (713.566.6509).
If you want to learn more about the Harris Health System and the medical services they offer visit the Harris Health website for more information.
Nick Bryant is the author of Understanding Healthcare Is Half The Battle and a Senior Counselor with 13+ years of experience working in community health and mental health. He enjoys spending time with his family, watching WWE on Friday nights, and working toward a Google Data Analytics certification. If you have additional questions about community resources or government assistance programs, simply leave a comment below and he will follow up as soon as possible.
This may be off topic for you, but I’d like to find out. A current patient at LBJ that holds a gold card would like to seek treatment outside of Harris Health. She has been diagnosed with colon cancer.
Will having a Gold Card come up & prevent her from being able to receive services at hospitals outside the network? Could she possibly be treated as an indigent patient or would she be refused treatment due to inability to pay & referred back to Harris Health?. Thanks in advance.
Hi Roslyn hope all is well.
The Gold Card is only accepted at Harris Health clinics and hospitals. Hospitals like St Lukes or MD Anderson do not accept Gold Card.
If she had an emergency situation of course any hospital would treat her in that moment, but if she were to call MD Anderson to try and schedule treatment, you’re right they may refer her back to Harris Health. I don’t know the process but I have heard of clients being treated at places like MD Anderson and St Lukes as an indigent patient. It’s possible, but it’s not common to my knowledge.
She may be able to find alternatives on a website called Texas Cancer Information. Her best bet may be to contact cancer non-profits to speak with someone because I would think those agencies can better explain what steps she needs to take to get care at a hospital outside of Harris Health.
All that being said Harris Health does have an oncology department, I think its at Smith Clinic off Holly Hall. If she wants alternatives again I would encourage her to contact cancer non-profits to learn about her options.
I hope she is able to find what she needs. If you have any other questions, let me know I’m happy to try and help.
Nick