Uninsured Children's Healthcare in Denton County: PediPlace, Medicaid & CHIP (2026)

Your kid needs a doctor, and you don't have insurance. The question that follows is always the same one: where can you go without ending up with a bill you can't pay? That worry hits harder when a child is running a fever, overdue for shots, or dealing with something that won't quite go away.

Denton County families aren't actually short on options. There's PediPlace, a nonprofit pediatric clinic built specifically for uninsured kids. There's Texas Medicaid and CHIP, which cover a lot more households than most parents assume. And there's Denton County Public Health, which handles certain services like immunizations on its own. Picking the right one comes down to your child's age, your insurance status, and what kind of care you actually need.

By the time you finish reading, you'll know who to call first, what to bring, and which of these programs fits your family's situation.

Quick Answer: Where Can Uninsured Kids Get Care in Denton County?

  • PediPlace: Nonprofit pediatric clinic in Lewisville for uninsured, underinsured, Medicaid, and CHIP children.
  • Children's Medicaid: State health coverage for eligible low-income kids, no monthly premium.
  • CHIP: Coverage for kids whose household earns a bit too much for Medicaid but still can't afford private insurance.
  • Denton County Public Health: Handles select public health services, including childhood immunizations.
  • Medical emergency: Don't wait on insurance status. Call 911 or go straight to an ER.

Why PediPlace Is the First Call for a Lot of Denton County Families

PediPlace isn't a walk-in clinic that happens to also treat kids. Its whole model is pediatric primary care, built around one child, over years, not one illness at a time.

Founded in Lewisville back in 1993, the nonprofit describes itself as a medical home for uninsured and underinsured families, and it also treats kids on Medicaid or CHIP. Services run from preventive checkups and sick visits to chronic-condition management, mental health screening, hearing and vision checks, and referrals when a child needs a specialist.

Here's why that distinction actually matters: a child with recurring ear infections or asthma flare-ups doesn't need a different urgent care doctor every time. They need someone who already knows the history and can catch a pattern the fifth ER visit alone never would.

💡 EasySmart Tip for Denton County Families: Don't wait for the next bad flu season to look for a regular pediatric provider. Setting one up now, while your child is healthy, makes sick visits, referrals, and school paperwork far easier down the road.

Who Actually Qualifies for PediPlace?

PediPlace treats children birth through 18 who are uninsured, or who are covered by Medicaid or CHIP. That's the whole list. There's a detail that catches a lot of parents off guard, though: PediPlace does not accept private health insurance, even a bare-bones employer plan. If your child has coverage through a parent's job, this isn't the right clinic. Check your plan's own pediatric network instead.

If your child already has Medicaid or CHIP, PediPlace can still be an option, but there's a catch. The Primary Care Provider listed on your child's plan has to match one of PediPlace's actual providers before you're seen. If it's still set to your old pediatrician, expect delays at check-in. Fixing this through your managed care plan or YourTexasBenefits.com before the visit saves everyone a headache.

Coverage Status Accepted at PediPlace?
Uninsured, no coverage at all Yes
Texas Medicaid (STAR, Amerigroup, Molina, Superior, etc.) Yes, once PediPlace is listed as the PCP
CHIP Yes
Employer-sponsored or marketplace private plan No

What Kind of Care Can Your Child Actually Get?

PediPlace goes well past treating a sore throat. It combines routine well-child visits with acute care and ongoing management for conditions that don't resolve in a single appointment.

Care Need What PediPlace Offers Why It Matters
Well-child care Routine physicals and developmental monitoring Catches problems early, before they turn into ER visits
Vaccinations Full childhood immunization schedule, AAP-aligned Keeps kids on track for school enrollment requirements
Sick visits Flu, ear infections, viruses, sore throats A real alternative to sitting in an ER waiting room for a routine illness
Chronic conditions Ongoing management of asthma, ADHD, obesity Continuity beats a one-off visit for conditions that need tracking
Mental health Screening plus in-clinic counseling from Licensed Professional Counselors Treats behavioral and emotional health as part of primary care, not an afterthought
Referrals Specialist referrals when needed Gives families a path from primary care to specialty care that isn't a dead end

The Healthy Babies Program: What's Actually Free

Parents of newborns should pay close attention here. PediPlace runs a Healthy Babies Program, and for uninsured infants ages 0 to 15 months, wellness visits and vaccines come at no charge. Recommended checkups start just days after birth and continue through 15 months, covering the stretch when babies need the most frequent monitoring and the bulk of their vaccine schedule.

But there's a line worth drawing carefully: "uninsured" doesn't mean every single service is free. PediPlace's own patient FAQ is specific about this. Wellness visits and vaccines for babies 0 to 15 months carry no cost. Lab tests, sick visits, and recheck appointments, even for that same age group, can involve a fee.

⚠️ Important: Being uninsured doesn't automatically mean a visit is free. Ask about the expected cost for a specific test, sick visit, or follow-up before it happens, not after the bill shows up.

What Happens When Your Child Needs a Prescription or Lab Work?

This is where PediPlace quietly does some of its most useful work. A low-cost office visit can still turn into an expensive prescription or lab bill afterward, and that's exactly the gap a lot of families fall into.

PediPlace runs a Family Care Fund to help uninsured patients cover prescription medications and lab costs tied to their treatment. It's meant to help a family actually finish the care plan their provider recommends, instead of stalling out at the pharmacy counter. Assistance isn't automatic or guaranteed for every case, so ask the clinic directly whether your specific situation qualifies.

Costs You Can Actually Plan For

PediPlace doesn't publish a full public price list online for every visit type, and older cost sheets floating around local resource directories are outdated, so we're not repeating stale numbers here. What is confirmed directly from PediPlace: free wellness visits and vaccines for uninsured babies 0–15 months, fees for other visit types quoted at scheduling, and a few fixed charges for paperwork.

Service Cost for Uninsured Patients
Wellness visits and vaccines, ages 0–15 months No charge (Healthy Babies Program)
Sick visits, lab work, re-checks Fee applies; ask when you schedule
Prescriptions and labs for qualifying uninsured patients Financial assistance possible through the Family Care Fund
Full copy of medical record $25
Copy of shot record only $5
Records transferred to a new doctor's office No charge

Making the Appointment

PediPlace sees patients by appointment only. There's no walking in, not even for a sick child who needs to be seen the same day. Call 972-436-7962 to schedule.

PediPlace — Lewisville

502 S. Old Orchard Lane, #126

Lewisville, TX 75067

Phone: 972-436-7962

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Tuesday: Open until 8:00 p.m. Closed for lunch 12:30–1:30 p.m., and closed weekends.

PediPlace also runs two school-based clinics, at Central Elementary in Lewisville ISD and Fred Moore High School in Denton ISD, but those primarily serve students enrolled at that specific campus. If your child doesn't attend either school, the Lewisville location is where you'll call.

What to Bring

  • A picture ID for the parent or guardian, at every visit, not just the first one
  • Your child's Medicaid or CHIP card or member number, if applicable
  • Any existing vaccination records, medication lists, or specialist paperwork
  • Confirmation that PediPlace is listed as your child's Primary Care Provider, for Medicaid or CHIP patients
📌 Good to Know: If your child gets sick after PediPlace closes, calling 972-436-7962 still connects you to an after-hours on-call nurse line instead of leaving you to guess whether an ER trip is necessary.

Don't Skip Medicaid and CHIP Just Because PediPlace Exists

PediPlace is a strong option when a child is uninsured, but it isn't a substitute for actually getting coverage. Texas Medicaid and CHIP exist for exactly this situation: kids in low-income households who need consistent access to care, not just one nonprofit clinic willing to see them.

Children's Medicaid generally comes with no monthly premium for the family. CHIP can carry modest enrollment fees or co-pays depending on household income, though the exact amount depends on which cost-sharing tier a family falls into. Coverage under either program opens doors beyond PediPlace too, including specialists, dental care, and hospitals that only take insured patients.

EasySmart Tip: Apply Even If You're Not Sure You Qualify

Don't rule yourself out because your income "seems too high" or your child recently lost coverage. Under 2026 federal poverty guidelines, Texas sets Children's Medicaid at roughly 133% of the poverty level for kids ages 1–18, and about 185% for infants under one. CHIP runs up to 200% of the poverty level. For a household of three, that's approximately $36,300 a year for Children's Medicaid and around $54,600 for CHIP, though exact figures shift once standard income disregards apply. Use the official screening tool at YourTexasBenefits.com to check your actual number instead of relying on any chart, including this one.

Texas manages Medicaid and CHIP applications through Your Texas Benefits, where families can apply online, check application status, and upload documents. A paper application is also available for anyone who'd rather not do this online.

PediPlace vs. Medicaid/CHIP vs. County Public Health: How They're Actually Different

These aren't competing options. They solve different problems, and treating them as interchangeable is where a lot of families waste time.

Option Best For Key Point
PediPlace Uninsured, underinsured, Medicaid, and CHIP kids A real pediatric medical home, not a one-off clinic
Children's Medicaid Eligible kids in lower-income households Actual health coverage, not tied to one clinic
CHIP Kids whose family income is too high for Medicaid Low-cost coverage, not free automatically
Denton County Public Health Select public health services, including immunizations Not a substitute for an ongoing pediatric medical home
Emergency Department Serious or life-threatening situations only Never wait on insurance status for a real emergency

If You Can't Get to Lewisville: Denton County Public Health

PediPlace isn't the only option in the county. Denton County Public Health runs public health clinics in both Denton and Lewisville and provides childhood immunizations, including for kids who don't currently have a medical home. 

Appointments are generally required rather than guaranteed walk-in slots, so call 940-349-2900 or check the county's Public Health page before showing up.

This is worth separating clearly from what PediPlace does: a single immunization appointment isn't the same as having an ongoing pediatric provider who tracks your child's full health history. If your child needs regular checkups and not just a shot, PediPlace or a Medicaid/CHIP-enrolled provider is the better long-term fit.

When PediPlace Makes the Most Sense

Call PediPlace when your child needs an actual pediatric provider and doesn't have insurance, especially for routine checkups, vaccines, a recurring illness, or an ongoing condition like asthma or ADHD. It's also worth the switch if your family has been treating urgent care like a default pediatrician and wants somewhere that actually keeps a real medical history.

When You Need to Look Past PediPlace

PediPlace is not an emergency room, and it doesn't pretend to be one. If your child has a serious medical emergency, call 911 or go straight to an ER. Don't wait for a clinic appointment to open up.

For anything requiring specialty treatment, PediPlace can issue a referral, but you'll still want Medicaid or CHIP coverage in place to make that referral actually affordable. Check eligibility through Your Texas Benefits if you haven't already.

A Practical Plan If You're Starting From Zero

You don't need to solve everything today. Handle the urgent piece first, then build toward longer-term coverage.

  1. Decide if it's an emergency. If yes, go to the ER or call 911 immediately.
  2. Call PediPlace at 972-436-7962 if your child needs pediatric primary care and is uninsured or underinsured.
  3. Ask about cost upfront for sick visits, labs, and prescriptions before the appointment happens.
  4. Check Medicaid and CHIP eligibility through YourTexasBenefits.com, even if you're not sure you'll qualify.
  5. Gather your records, including vaccination history, medication lists, and prior provider paperwork.
  6. Call Denton County Public Health at 940-349-2900 for immunization-only needs.
  7. Stick with one provider once you find the right fit, instead of bouncing between clinics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can PediPlace see a child who has no health insurance?

A: Yes. That's who PediPlace was built for. Uninsured infants get free wellness visits and vaccines through age 15 months, though sick visits, labs, and rechecks can carry a fee even during that window.

Q: Does PediPlace accept private health insurance?

A: No. PediPlace doesn't take private insurance of any kind. Its focus is uninsured children and kids on Medicaid or CHIP. Families with private coverage should check their own plan's pediatric network instead.

Q: Is PediPlace free for every uninsured child?

A: No, and this trips up more families than almost anything else about the clinic. Free care is specifically wellness visits and vaccines for babies 0–15 months. Sick visits, lab tests, and rechecks can involve a fee at any age. Ask about cost when you schedule.

Q: Can a child with Medicaid or CHIP be seen at PediPlace?

A: Yes, as long as PediPlace is correctly listed as the child's Primary Care Provider on the Medicaid or CHIP plan before the visit.

Q: Does PediPlace offer mental health support?

A: Yes. PediPlace provides mental health screening and in-clinic counseling through Licensed Professional Counselors, including therapy for children and adolescents, plus referrals when more specialized care is needed.

Q: Does Denton County offer vaccines for kids without insurance?

A: Yes. Denton County Public Health provides immunization services, including for children without a current medical home. Appointments are generally required, so call ahead to confirm availability.

Q: How do I apply for Medicaid or CHIP for my child in Texas?

A: Apply through YourTexasBenefits.com, where you can also check application status and upload documents. A paper application option exists too if you'd rather not apply online.

Final Takeaway

Not having insurance doesn't mean your child has to go without real medical care in Denton County. PediPlace fills a gap most private practices don't touch, with services that go past sick visits into preventive care, chronic-condition management, and mental health support.

But don't stop at finding a low-cost clinic and call it done. Check whether your child qualifies for Children's Medicaid or CHIP, since coverage opens up more than any single clinic can offer on its own. And if it's an immunization you need specifically, Denton County Public Health is worth a call too.

The real goal isn't the cheapest appointment you can find today. It's a provider your family can actually stick with, whether your child is healthy, sick, or dealing with something that needs more than one visit to sort out.

Key Takeaways

  • ✔ PediPlace treats kids birth through 18 who are uninsured, on Medicaid, or on CHIP. Private insurance is never accepted.
  • ✔ Free care applies specifically to wellness visits and vaccines for uninsured babies 0–15 months. Other visits and services can carry a fee.
  • ✔ Every visit requires calling 972-436-7962 ahead of time. There's no walking in.
  • ✔ Medicaid and CHIP patients need PediPlace listed as their Primary Care Provider before being seen.
  • ✔ The Family Care Fund can help cover prescriptions and labs for qualifying uninsured patients.
  • ✔ Applying for Medicaid or CHIP is worth doing even if you assume your income is too high. Check the real number at YourTexasBenefits.com.
  • ✔ Denton County Public Health covers immunizations specifically, not ongoing pediatric primary care.
  • ✔ For a real emergency, skip the appointment line entirely and call 911 or go to the ER.

Official Sources

Last checked: August 2026. Clinic hours, fees, and eligibility rules can change, so confirm current details directly with the provider or agency before making a trip or relying on a specific benefit.

Editorial Note

Easy Smart Hub is an independent informational resource. We are not affiliated with PediPlace, Texas Health and Human Services, Denton County Public Health, or any other agency or nonprofit named in this guide. Always confirm current hours, fees, and eligibility directly with the provider before relying on any figure mentioned here.

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