Payer of Last Resort
Funding is specifically for individuals living with HIV and AIDS who need it most-those without any other means of paying for needed care and treatment. This program provides medical and social support services to eligible individuals who do not have adequate financial means to pay for their care and/or whose insurance does not cover the total cost of needed services.

Ryan White HIV/AIDS Services
The CARE Act was created by congress to fund the health and social service needs of people living with HIV/AIDS. The Act was named after Ryan White, an Indiana teenager who was infected with HIV from a blood transfusion. His family fought to educate people about the needs of people with HIV/AIDS. He lived from 12/1971-4/1990, but he was able to address congress before he died. In 2006 the CARE Act was re-authorized and became the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act. In 2009, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act was extended and renamed the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009.

Eligibility Requirements

• You must be HIV positive
• You must live in Texas
• Household income must be below 500% Federal Poverty Level (*Please note that some services and other programs we refer to may have more restrictive income limits)
• You must provide certain documents to qualify for services through Project CHAMPS:
  • Proof of HIV Diagnosis
  • Proof of Living in Texas
  • Proof of Income
  • Proof of Insurance (if you already have insurance coverage)

*Please contact our office should you need assistance with determining acceptable forms of eligibility documents.​​​​​​​

Proof of HIV status (such as a test result)
An individual must have a diagnosis of HIV infection to be eligible for RW medical care. There are a number of different ways to document HIV infection.  Some examples of acceptable forms of documentation are provided below:

• Laboratory Result with a positive result from an HIV screening test (Multi-spot, HIV ½ Combo Ab/Ag enzyme immunoassay [EIA]);
• A positive result from an HIV 1 RNA qualitative virologic test such as an HIV 1 Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT);
• Detectable quantity from an HIV 1 RNA quantitative virologic test (e.g. viral load test);
• A signed statement from a physician, physician’s assistant, advanced practice nurse, or registered nurse attesting to the HIV positive status of the person;
• A completed Medical Certification Form (from the Texas HIV Medication Program application); OR
• A hospital discharge summary documenting HIV infection of the client.