Benefits & Services
In this section, you can learn about the health benefits and services MHS offers.
Depending on your income status, pregnancy status, and if you pay a monthly contribution, you may be in one of several HIP plans, including HIP Plus, HIP Basic, HIP State Plan and HIP Pregnancy/HIP Maternity. Your benefits may vary, depending on what plan you have.
In HIP, you have a choice of health plans to help coordinate your care. Members select a health plan or will be assigned to one and will stay with that health plan through the calendar year -- January through December. Even if you leave the program and return during the year, you will stay with the same health plan.
Each fall, November 1-December 15, you will have the chance to change your health plan for the next Benefit Year. You can do this by calling 1-877-GET-HIP-9 and letting them know you want to pick a new health plan for the next year. If you like MHS, do nothing! You will be automatically re-enrolled with us for next year.
This does not change your eligibility period for the program. You still have to go through your redetermination process each 12 months. This will occur based on what month you entered the program. You will get a reminder that it is time for your eligibility redetermination. If you do not respond as directed, you could lose coverage.
Not sure which plan you have or need help understanding these benefits and services? Call us at 1-877-647-4848 (TTY: 1-800-743-3333).
You can find all of your covered services in your MHS Member Handbook. The MHS Member Handbook is available in both English and Spanish. The member handbook is available in paper form at no cost to you. We will send it to you in 5 business days after we receive your request.
Emergency Room: Know When to Go
MHS cares about you and your family. You need to go to the emergency room (ER) if you think your life is in danger. For most other health problems, your MHS doctor knows about your health and is the best person to call.
If you are not sure whether you should go to the ER, please call your MHS doctor or the MHS 24-Hour Nurse Advice line at 1-877-647-4848. For more information about when to go to the ER, check out the Emergency Room: Know When to Go flyer on our Brochures and Guides page.
Self-Referral Services
MHS allows for some self-referral specialist visits. A self-referral means that you do not have to get a referral from your doctor. For a list of self-referral services, please read your MHS Member Handbook or visit the self-referrals page.
Need help with some of the HIP terms? Try this HIP Terminology guide.