Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to live in Nueces County to qualify for Nueces Aid Program benefits?
Yes, you must be a resident of Nueces County to qualify for the Nueces Aid Program.
Where do I go to obtain a Nueces Aid Program application?
The official Nueces Aid Program application (PDF format) can be downloaded by clicking this link.

Official Program applications are also available at our eligibility/enrollment offices; see the locations in the footer labeled 'NCHD Enrollment Services' for these locations. At this time, the Program does not have an application that can be completed online; paper applications are required.
Where are the Nueces Aid Program eligibility/enrollment offices located and when are they open?
Each of our Nueces Aid Program eligibility/enrollment locations are shown on the Primary Care page. Each office's location, operating hours, and telephone number are shown.
Does my spouse need to be present when the Nueces Aid Program application is submitted?
No, but the Nueces Aid Program requires a signature from the actual person/s applying. If both the person applying  and spouse will receive a card, both will have to sign. 
Could I complete the Nueces Aid Program application for a relative?
Yes, but the Nueces Aid Program requires a signature from the actual person/s applying. Patient and spouse signatures needed. 
If I have private insurance will the Nueces Aid Program also cover me?
No. The Nueces Aid Program does not offer services if you have health insurance coverage.
Do you count expenses as part of income when determining eligibility for the Nueces Aid Program?
No, the Nueces Aid Program utilizes gross income only (total income without taking expenses into account) when evaluating the income portion of Program eligibility; additional Program eligibility requirements apply.
Under the Nueces Aid Program, can I see my own private doctor?
No, once you are enrolled in the Nueces Aid Program and seek clinic care under the Program, you are required to go to one of the clinics and the doctors within our network. Our network clinic locations are shown on the Get Care pages.
Under the Nueces Aid Program, are there any co-pays, deductibles, or co-shares I am responsible for?
Yes, there are encounter co-pays under the Nueces Aid Program as follows:
  • Clinic Visit: $5
  • ER Visit: Non-Emergent $50 and Emergent $10
  • Dental Visit: $7
  • Per Prescription: $5
There are no Program deductibles. The co-pays above are subject to change without advance notice being given. 
Additionally, depending on your income level, you may be responsible for co-sharing part of the cost of your Program health care.
Who can I contact to report suspected waste, abuse, or fraud in the Nueces Aid Program?

The Hospital District works to prevent, detect, and reduce waste, abuse, and fraud within the Nueces Aid Program. Anyone can report suspected waste, abuse, or fraud in the Nueces Aid Program; to report, please call (361) 808-3339 (leave a message if your call is not personally answered), or send an email.

Waste generally means to use, consume, spend, or expend thoughtlessly or carelessly. Abuse generally means to use wrongly or improperly; or to misuse. Fraud generally means an intentional misrepresentation of truth in order to induce another to part with something of value or to surrender a legal right to something.

Where can I get information about applying for health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act?

Individuals and families can call the Health Insurance Marketplace's customer service line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (800) 318-2596 or TTY: (855) 889-4325. Information about applying for health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act can be found at Health Insurance Marketplace. A Spanish language counterpart of the Health Insurance Marketplace is available at Mercado de Seguros Médicos. 

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about the interaction between the Nueces Aid Program and Affordable Care Act are available at Nueces Aid Program and Affordable Care Act Frequently Asked Questions and Answers.
Under the Nueces Aid Program, can I choose which hospital I go to?
No, once you are enrolled in the Nueces Aid Program and seek hospital care under the Program, you are required to use one of the hospitals within our network. The information you received during your enrollment lists the local hospitals in our network and shows their locations. Each of our network hospital locations are shown on the Get Care pages. 
Once I am enrolled in the Nueces Aid Program, how often do I have to renew my enrollment?

Most coverages are valid up to six (6) months at a time.  However, there are exceptions. Your coverage and length of time will be explained to you by our enrollment department upon your initial enrollment and at each renewal. You may also contact our office at any time for a status.  

If I am enrolled in the Nueces Aid Program, does the Program provide or pay for all of my health care needs?
No. The Nueces Aid Program provides only those basic health care services required by the State of Texas, and some optional health care services additionally allowed by the State; these Program services may or may not cover all of your health care needs. In addition, Program enrollees are responsible for certain encounter co-pays as described in a previous FAQ above. Finally, depending on your income level, you may be responsible for co-sharing a portion of your Program health care costs; you could be responsible for co-sharing up to 50% of the costs.
Where are the Hospital District's administrative offices located and is public parking available nearby?

The Hospital District's administrative offices are located in the Tower II Office Building in downtown Corpus Christi at 555 N. Carancahua Street, Suite 950, Corpus Christi, TX 78401. The main entrance to the Tower II Office Building fronts the intersection of North Carancahua and Mestina Streets (note that some online maps label Mestina Street as William Street). Downloadable driving directions to the Hospital District's administrative offices are available at Driving Directions to NCHD Administrative Offices. Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates for the Tower II Office Building's main entrance are: 27.795382, -97.397626 (latitude, longitude).

Free public parking for the Tower II Office Building is accessible through the drive-in entrance located under the overhead sign titled "Tower II Visitor Parking"; the sign faces and is viewable from North Tancahua Street. The free public parking entrance is adjacent to Wells Fargo Bank's drive-in entrance situated between Leopard and Lipan Streets nearer to the Tancahua and Lipan Streets intersection. GPS coordinates for the Tower II Visitor Parking entrance are: 27.794847, -97.398531.

Additional free public parking is available in the Nueces County Courthouse's East and South parking lots; the East lot is located on North Tancahua Street between Leopard and Lipan Streets and the South lot is located on Lipan Street between Artesian and Carrizo Streets. The County Courthouse is situated one block west of the Tower II Office Building. GPS coordinates for the East parking lot entrance are: 27.794958, -97.398666 and for the South parking lot entrance are: 27.793397, -97.399809.

When are NCHD's Nueces Aid Program Eligibility/Enrollment offices closed?
During 2020, the offices are scheduled to be closed all day for the following Hospital District-recognized holidays:
  • New Year's Day (Jan. 1)
  • Martin Luther King Day (Jan. 20)
  • Good Friday (Apr. 10)
  • Memorial Day (May 25)
  • Independence Day (Jul. 3)
  • Labor Day (Sept. 7)
  • Veteran's Day (Nov. 11)
  • 1/2 Day (Nov. 25)
  • Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 26-27)
  • 1/2 Day (Dec.23) and Christmas Day (Dec. 24-25)

Please note that at any time during the year, local weather or other unexpected events may require unscheduled closures of one or more of these offices for one or more days.

How can additions, changes, and/or updates to this website be suggested? How can new links be suggested or broken links reported?

Our goal is to maintain an accurate, informative, and focused website. Click Website Content to email us any suggested additions, changes, and/or updates to the website. Click New/Useful Links to email us any new or useful links for potential inclusion on our website. Click Broken/Orphan Links to email us notification of any broken or orphan links. The Nueces County Hospital District reserves its right to determine the content shown on this website. 

Finally, the Nueces County Hospital District maintains this website as a way of increasing accessibility to information about the Hospital District's programs, services, and activities, including its Anchor Entity activities. The Hospital District does not endorse any of the agencies, products, services, providers, or vendors referenced. Any mention of the above is solely for informational purposes. The Hospital District is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of any external websites.

I am a social worker/advocate, are there other health care programs available to denied Nueces Aid Program applicants?
We have provided several health care program and provider website links in our Helpful Links section.
Is the Letter of Intent between the Nueces County Hospital District and Christus Spohn Health System regarding the former Memorial Medical Center available to the public?
Click Letter of Intent to view/download the September 10, 2014 Letter of Intent.
How can someone view linked documents and workbooks posted on your web site?
The linked document files shown on this website are in Portable Document Format (PDF); PDF is a universal file format that preserves the look and layout of a printed document. The PDF document files can be opened, viewed, and printed in the web browser Google® Chrome, or by using the free viewer Acrobat Reader published by Adobe®. All linked workbook files are in Microsoft® Excel format. The linked workbook files can be opened, viewed, and printed by using the free Microsoft® Excel Viewer.
What is the intent of the information posted on your website?
The Nueces County Hospital District maintains this website as a way of increasing accessibility to information about the Hospital District's programs, services, and activities, including its Anchor Entity activities. The Hospital District does not endorse any of the agencies, products, services, providers, or vendors referenced. Any mention of the above is solely for informational purposes. The Hospital District is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of any external websites.
How can I contact the Nueces Aid Program?
You may reach a Nueces Aid Program representative by email or by calling the Nueces Aid Program Enrollment Services Office located at the Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Family Health Center: (361) 902-4855; Westside Family Health Center: (361) 814-8448 or  (361) 814-8449; or Robstown Neighbor Care Center: (361) 861-9005 or (361) 861-9006.
What information do you need to apply for the Nueces Aid Program?
You are required to present acceptable proof of residency, resources, and income. You are also required to present personal identification acceptable to the Hospital District. See the Nueces Aid Eligibility page for additional details regarding these requirements. You can also send an email or call the Nueces Aid Program Enrollment Services Office located at the Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Family Health Center: (361) 902-4855; Westside Family Health Center: (361) 814-8448 or (361) 814-8449; or Robstown Neighbor Care Center: (361) 861-9005 or (361) 861-9006 for additional information.