Match the plan to the program instructions
DSHS describes TIAP for qualifying employer coverage and COBRA arrangements, and TIAP-PLUS for qualifying Marketplace coverage. Eligibility and plan restrictions still apply. Use the program’s current instructions and ask the agency about your specific plan rather than assuming every insurance product qualifies.
The TIAP page says it cannot enroll someone in COBRA and describes assistance for COBRA premiums already being paid. Keep the employer’s election process separate from the assistance request. If you are considering a coverage change, ask for enrollment guidance before cancelling or replacing a plan.
Sources: DSHS TIAP: employer and COBRA insurance assistance; DSHS TIAP-PLUS: client application instructions
Collect the financial and clinician documents
The THMP application instructions call for income and residency evidence, along with a Medical Certification Form completed by the physician to verify HIV status and current prescriptions. Use the current acceptable-document list to identify what you can supply.
DSHS publishes fallback forms for particular missing-document situations, including income and support records. Read their conditions rather than treating them as automatic substitutes. For TIAP-PLUS, also collect the insurance billing statement and card requested by its application instructions.
Sources: DSHS THMP application questions; DSHS THMP current document index; DSHS TIAP-PLUS: client application instructions
Use the appropriate selection in TakeChargeTexas
TakeChargeTexas, or TCT, supports the THMP application and other Ryan White services. A local agency can help, or you can use the official client portal. TIAP instructions identify TIAP in the My Needs section; TIAP-PLUS instructions identify TIAP-PLUS and ask for both mail and phone contact preferences.
Review the selected program, attached documents and contact details before submitting. Keep the submission information and use the client instructions to check status. For a technical problem, the TCT help desk expressly says not to include private health information such as HIV status in the help request.
Sources: DSHS TIAP: employer and COBRA insurance assistance; DSHS TIAP-PLUS: client application instructions; DSHS TakeChargeTexas client instructions and technical help
Check the approval and visit costs separately
The insurance-assistance pages describe help with specified premiums and medication costs. They expressly exclude medical-visit copays and deductibles. An approved application therefore does not answer what you would owe for a therapy or psychiatry appointment.
Read the approval and any pharmacy instructions, and ask about the specific plan and pharmacy arrangement before relying on assistance. Take appointment cost questions to the health plan and practice. Report employment or insurance changes through the program’s process so the assistance record reflects your current situation.
Sources: DSHS TIAP: employer and COBRA insurance assistance; DSHS TIAP-PLUS: client application instructions
Your next-step checklist
- Identify employer, COBRA or Marketplace coverage accurately.
- Ask the local agency which assistance route applies.
- Collect current income, residency, insurance and billing documents.
- Coordinate the physician’s Medical Certification Form.
- Select the correct TCT program and retain submission details.
- Verify appointment cost sharing separately from program assistance.
Keep personal, insurance and medical information in the appropriate organization’s approved secure channel.
Common questions
Will TIAP or TIAP-PLUS pay my psychiatry visit copay?
The DSHS client pages say these programs do not pay medical-visit copays or deductibles. Ask the health plan and practice about appointment costs even if insurance assistance is approved.
Sources: DSHS TIAP: employer and COBRA insurance assistance; DSHS TIAP-PLUS: client application instructions
Can I include health records in a TCT technical-help email?
The client help instructions say not to send private health information, including HIV status, with a technical support request. Use the official application process for required health documents.
Sources: DSHS TakeChargeTexas client instructions and technical help
Sources and verification
The sources below support the administrative information in this guide. Follow the responsible organization’s current instructions when requirements, forms or contact routes change.
- DSHS TIAP: employer and COBRA insurance assistance — checked .
- DSHS TIAP-PLUS: client application instructions — checked .
- DSHS TakeChargeTexas client instructions and technical help — checked .
- DSHS THMP application questions — checked .
- DSHS THMP current document index — checked .