Texas HHSC Authorized Representative — Applying for MSP on Behalf of a Parent
You can't just call HHSC and ask about your parent's case. Without formal authorization on file, the agency won't share case details, accept your documents, or let you sign anything on your parent's behalf. That's a hard stop that catches a lot of families off guard.
Form H1003: Authorized Representative Designation
To act on your parent's behalf with Texas Health and Human Services Commission, submit Form H1003 (Authorized Representative Designation). Your parent signs the form, naming you as their representative. Once HHSC processes it, you can:
- Submit and sign applications (including Form H1200-EZ for Medicare Savings Programs)
- Receive all case notices and correspondence
- Respond to Form H1020 (Request for Information) with documentation
- Request and attend Fair Hearings on appeal
- Manage the case through YourTexasBenefits.com
Submit Form H1003 alongside the initial MSP application. If you file the application first and the H1003 later, HHSC may send notices and requests to your parent directly — and if your parent doesn't respond to a Form H1020 within the 10-day window because they didn't understand it or didn't open their mail, the application gets denied for failure to furnish information.
Alternatives to Form H1003
If your parent already has a legal Power of Attorney naming you, you can submit a copy of that document instead of Form H1003. HHSC also accepts Form H1008 (Medical Power of Attorney) for health-related case decisions.
The key difference: Form H1003 is specific to HHSC benefits and is straightforward to complete. A legal Power of Attorney is broader but requires proper notarization and may not be accepted if the language doesn't clearly cover government benefits administration.
Authorization Is Agency-Specific
Being your parent's authorized representative with HHSC does not automatically grant you authority with other agencies involved in the MSP process:
| Agency | Form Needed | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Texas HHSC | Form H1003 or POA | MSP application, case management, appeals |
| Social Security (SSA) | Form SSA-1696 | Conditional Part A filings, premium reimbursement inquiries |
| Medicare / CMS | Form CMS-10106 | Claims history, balance billing complaints |
If your parent needs a conditional Part A enrollment at SSA (because they lack the work credits for premium-free Part A), you'll need SSA-1696 filed separately. If a provider is illegally billing your parent after QMB approval and you want to file a complaint with 1-800-MEDICARE, you'll need CMS-10106.
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Out-of-State Adult Children
If you live outside Texas and your parent is in Texas, the authorized representative process works the same way — but the logistics are harder. You can submit Form H1003 by mail or fax. However, creating a YourTexasBenefits.com account to manage your parent's case remotely may require your parent's Texas ID or Social Security number for identity verification.
For rural counties without a local HHSC office, all mail goes to the centralized processing center in Midland (PO Box 14600, Midland, TX 79711; fax: 1-877-447-2839).
The Texas Medicare Savings Programs & Extra Help Guide includes the complete authorized representative setup checklist for all three agencies, with instructions for out-of-state adult children managing the process remotely.
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