Texas HIV Medication Program

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The Texas HIV Medication Program (THMP) provides medications for the treatment of HIV and its related complications for low-income Texans. To qualify for medications, potential clients who meet eligibility criteria complete an application for assistance. Once approved, a client receives medications at an assigned pharmacy in their community.

To learn more about the THMP and find out if you are eligible, see the Frequently Asked Questions. You can apply for the program by visiting TakeChargeTexas (TCT) or downloading and completing the client application. Be sure and review the specific “application instructions” when completing the application. The application and its instructions are located on the THMP document page. If you have more questions or need assistance completing your application, call the THMP toll-free at 800-255-1090.


The THMP is the official AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) for the State of Texas. The THMP started in 1987 and provides medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of illnesses caused by HIV and other opportunistic infections in people living with HIV as prescribed by their doctor. THMP also operates the Texas HIV State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program (SPAP), which helps people living with HIV who do not qualify for the full Low-Income Subsidy (extra help) with their out-of-pocket costs associated with Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, including co-payments, deductibles, coinsurance, and during the coverage gap (the "donut hole").


Next THMP Medication Advisory Committee Meeting April 12, 2024

Date and Time: April 12, 2024, 1:30 p.m. CST
Location: Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Robert D. Moreton Building, Room M-100, 1100 W 49th Street, Austin, TX 78756

This meeting will be webcast. Members of the public may attend the meeting in person at the address above or access a live stream of the meeting at texashhsmeetings.org/HHSWebcast. Select the tab for the Moreton M-100 Live on the date and time for this meeting. Please email Webcasting@hhsc.state.tx.us if you have any problems with the webcasting function.

This meeting will also be conducted via videoconference call in accordance with the requirements of Section 551.127, Government Code. The member of the Committee presiding over the meeting will be physically present at the location specified above.

Attendees who would like to provide public comment should see the Public Comment section below.

  1. Call to order, welcome, logistical announcements, and opening remarks
  2. MAC appointment update
  3. Consideration of January 12, 2024, draft meeting minutes
  4. Public comment
  5. DSHS updates
    1. Agency
    2. HIV/STD Section
    3. Medication cost analysis
    4. Formulary
    5. Budget report
  6. Texas HIV Medication Program (THMP) updates
    1. TakeChargeTexas
    2. Projections and demographic information
    3. Staffing
    4. Application processing
    5. Standard deduction
  7. Sub-Committee reports and recommendations
    1. Eligibility
    2. Governance/Data
    3. Formulary
  8. Review of action items and agenda topics for next meeting
  9. Adjourn 

The committee may take any action on any agenda item.

Public Comment: DSHS welcomes public comments pertaining to topics related to the Texas HIV Medication Program. Members of the public who would like to provide public comment may choose from the following options:

  1. Oral comments provided virtually: Members of the public must pre-register to provide oral comments virtually during the meeting by completing a Public Comment Registration form at texashhsmeetings.org/THMP-MAC_PCReg_Apr2024 no later than 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, 2024. Please mark the correct box on the Public Comment Registration form and provide your name, either the organization you are representing or that you are speaking as a private citizen, and your direct phone number. If you have completed the Public Comment Registration form, you will receive an email the day before the meeting with instructions for providing virtual public comment. Public comment is limited to three minutes. Each speaker providing oral public comments virtually must ensure their face is visible and their voice audible to the other participants while they are speaking. Each speaker must state their name and on whose behalf they are speaking (if anyone). If you pre-register to speak and wish to provide a handout before the meeting, please submit an electronic copy in accessible PDF format that will be distributed by HHS staff to THMP-MAC members and State staff. Handouts are limited to two pages (paper size: 8.5” by 11”, one side only). Handouts must be emailed to Jasmine.King@dshs.texas.gov immediately after pre-registering, but no later than 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, 2024, and include the name of the person who will be commenting. Do not include health or other confidential information in your comments or handouts. Staff will not read handouts aloud during the meeting, but handouts will be provided to THMP-MAC members and State staff.
     
  2. Written comments: Members of the public may provide written public comments by completing a Public Comment Registration form at texashhsmeetings.org/THMP-MAC_PCReg_Apr2024. A member of the public who wishes to provide written public comments must email the comments to Jasmine.King@dshs.texas.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, 2024. Please include your name and the organization you are representing or that you are speaking as a private citizen. Written comments must be emailed to DSHS immediately after pre-registering and include the name of the person who will be commenting. Written comments are limited to two pages (paper size: 8.5” by 11”, one side only). Do not include health or other confidential information in your comments. Staff will not read written comments aloud during the meeting, but comments will be provided to THMP-MAC members and State staff.
     
  3. Oral comments provided in-person at the meeting location: Members of the public may provide oral public comment during the meeting in person at the meeting location either by pre-registering using the form above or without pre-registering by completing a form at the entrance to the meeting room. Do not include health or other confidential information in your comments.

Note: These procedures may be revised at the discretion of HHSC.

Contact: Questions regarding agenda items, content, or meeting arrangements should be directed to Jasmine King, Program Specialist, HIV Medications, DSHS, at Jasmine.King@dshs.texas.gov or via phone at 1-800-255-1090.

This meeting is open to the public. No reservations are required, and there is no cost to attend this meeting.

People with disabilities who wish to attend the meeting and require assistive technology or services should contact Jasmine King at Jasmine.King@dshs.texas.gov, or 800-255-1090 at least 72 hours prior to the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made.


Attention TCT Users: IAMOnline is Replacing the Enterprise Portal

What is IAMOnline?

IAMOnline is the new HHS Identity Management Solution, replacing the HHS Enterprise Portal. It includes a simplified log-in experience with single sign-on (SSO) and streamlined access management processes. The transition to IAMOnline is scheduled for March 27, 2024.

Why do you need to know?

HHS will discontinue the HHS Enterprise Portal. TCT will transition to a new portal, IAMOnline, for access management. All TCT users, including third-party vendors, partners, providers, and non-HHS staff, must have an IAMOnline account to TCT.

HHS is preparing resources for this transition.

HHS will send out an email notification with login instructions closer to the March 27, 2024, transition date.

If you need further assistance, please email tcthelpdesk@dshs.texas.gov.


THMP Notification Regarding Standard Deduction

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has an important notification for participants of the Texas HIV Medication Program (THMP). Please review the information provided and contact us at 1-800-255-1090 or hivstd@dshs.texas.gov if you have any questions. Please do not include personal identifying information about a THMP applicant or participant via email.

THMP uses a standard deduction to adjust the household income for applicants, new applicants and recertifications, for eligibility purposes. THMP recalculates the standard deduction amount each year. The annual standard deduction amount for April 16, 2024, to March 31, 2025 will be $11,177, which is a decrease from the previous year's amount of $12,240.

To calculate the annualized average per-client expenditure, THMP uses the previous state fiscal year's expended amount to determine the average amount spent on each client, which is then annualized on a per-client basis to determine the standard deduction.

Existing program participants will have their income eligibility reviewed at the next scheduled program recertification. Participants are required to submit recertification applications by the last day of their birth month, and their eligibility will be based on their income at the time of recertification.

Case managers should update impacted clients.


Register for the TakeChargeTexas (TCT) Pharmacy Portal

The TakeChargeTexas (TCT) Pharmacy Portal rollout is scheduled for March 11, 2024.

Participating pharmacies are required to complete a security and confidentiality training before registering for TCT access in the Enterprise Portal. The training is available at the HHS Learning Portal at learningportal.hhs.texas.gov/login/

Pharmacies will begin user training on January 11, 2024. Training can be found on the TCT website at dshs.texas.gov/hivstd/tct.

After March 6, 2024, pharmacies can request TCT access at hhsportal.hhs.state.tx.us. You can find instructions to register as a pharmacy on page 7 of the Register for an HHS Enterprise Portal Account guide.

Please email medication@dshs.texas.gov if you have any questions about this notification.


Formulary Addition

A medication has been added to the THMP Formulary as a 90-day option:

  • Delstrigo-90 Day (doravirine/lamivudine/tenofovir), 100/300/300 mg tablets, #30 per bottle (to be ordered for 3 bottles)

The Medical Certification Form and THMP Formulary have been updated. Both can be found on the THMP documents page.


Texas HIV Medication Program Notifications

DSHS has three important notifications for clients participating in THMP. Please review the information provided and contact us at 1-800-255-1090 or hivstd@dshs.texas.gov if you have any questions.

First, beginning April 1, 2023, THMP began using a new method to determine eligibility for the program. The new method will create a more equitable and transparent eligibility process.

Currently, THMP determines financial eligibility by subtracting personal HIV drug costs from a person’s income. Beginning April 1, 2023, THMP determined financial eligibility by subtracting $12,240 from a person’s income. This standard deduction is the average drug cost per THMP client. The standard deduction will be $12,240 for this first year, from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024. Each year, THMP will adopt a new standard deduction amount of the average client drug cost.

If you are a new client, THMP began using this new eligibility effective April 1, 2023. If you are an existing client, THMP uses the standard deduction to determine your eligibility during your annual recertification period. If your recertification period was after April 1, 2023, your eligibility remained the same until your next annual recertification. At that time, THMP will use the new method to determine your eligibility.

You should contact your case worker to understand how this change will affect you. You can find the notification at Texas DSHS HIV/STD Program - Texas HIV Medication Program.

Second, THMP reinstated the ten medications below, effective April 1, 2023.

These medications are available to new and existing enrollees. Existing participants will receive a letter by March 1, 2023, informing them that these medications are now available.

Name Brand (Generic) Indications
Amlodipine Hypertension
Atorvastatin Statin
Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) Hypertension
Lisinopril Hypertension
Metformin HCL Diabetes
Metoprolol Tartrate Hypertension
Trazadone Psychiatric
Duloxetine Psychiatric
Gabapentin Psychiatric
Sertraline Psychiatric

Please share this information with those you know this change may impact.

Third, if you are a current Take Charge Texas (TCT) user and would like to provide feedback on future enhancements, contact THMP at hivstd@dshs.texas.gov and include “TCT Feedback” in the subject line.

THMP will invite those who email to see demonstrations of future system enhancements and give you the opportunity to provide feedback upon viewing the demonstration.


New Dosages of Three Medications Used To Treat HIV in Infants and Children Have Been Approved for Addition to the THMP Formulary

New dosages of three medications used to treat HIV in infants and children have been approved by the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Commissioner of Health in addition to the Texas HIV Medication Program (THMP) AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) Formulary:

  • Tivicay PD (dolutegravir) 25 mg
  • Isentress (raltegravir) 25 mg
  • low-dose Biktarvy (bictegravir 30 mg/emtricitabine 120 mg/tenofovir alafenamide 15 mg)

DSHS was able to estimate the fiscal impact of this change with reasonable certainty based on current data related to pediatric client loads and medication usage. The estimated fiscal impact of this change is minimal, with the possibility of a resulting positive fiscal impact when compared with maintaining only the current pediatric options. Consequently, DSHS is able to support these additions within existing monies and has approved adding these pediatric medications to the formulary.

THMP updated its formulary.

Please submit a new THMP Medical Certification Form (MCF) for any infants and children in need of these new medication doses.

Thanks to the Medication Advisory Committee for recommending these changes.


THMP Email List

Sign up to one or more email lists below today to receive timely and relevant news from THMP:

Subscribe to THMP News - News about significant events for the THMP program.

Subscribe to THMP Participating Pharmacies - Updates of interest to THMP participating pharmacies.

Subscribe to THMP Eligibility - Information for ADAP Enrollment Workers (AEW) and others who assist clients in THMP application submission and their supervisors.