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Texas Health Insurance Companies
Texas Health Insurance Resources
How to Get the Most Savings
Texas Health Insurance FAQS
How to Enroll in Health Insurance in Texas
Texas Health Insurance Companies
Finding affordable health insurance is simple in your state, since there are over a dozen insurance companies offering a large variety of plans. We’ve highlighted a few of the more popular companies to help you start your search:
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas
For those looking for affordable healthcare coverage, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas is a great choice. Numerous individual and family healthcare plans are available, all of which offer the coverage required in accordance with the Affordable Care Act.
CHRISTUS
CHRISTUS offers individual and family plans, Medicare plans, and US Health Plans. If you are nearing retirement, you can get some of the best healthcare packages available with CHRISTUS Health Plan Generations and Generations Plus (HMO). In addition, their Medicare Advantage plan will cover your doctor visits and prescriptions during our retirement.
Sendero
In 2012, Sendero began as a basic Medicaid plan provider for low-income families, but it is now one of Austin’s largest nonprofit healthcare providers. The company offers some of the lowest-priced health insurance plans in the area. This is a great option for low-income families and individuals.
Health Insurance Marketplace Plans in Texas
If you’re looking for health insurance in Texas, the health insurance Marketplace is a good place to start. Every year during the Open Enrollment Period (OEP), you can purchase Marketplace health insurance, which was created by the Affordable Care Act, offers certain consumer protections, guarantees coverage for pre-existing conditions, and includes coverage for what are known as the “10 essential health benefits”:
- Ambulatory patient services (outpatient care)
- Emergency services
- Hospitalization
- Pregnancy, maternity, and newborn care (both before and after birth)
- Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment (including counseling and psychotherapy)
- Prescription drugs
- Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices
- Laboratory services
- Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management
- Pediatric services, including oral and vision care (but adult dental and vision coverage aren’t essential health benefits)
The ACA-compliant plans offered on the Marketplace are divided into different types, known as metal tiers: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. These tiers do not signal a difference in quality of care, though. The tiers differ in your out-of-pocket costs versus what your plan covers.
It’s important to remember that the Marketplace only offers the plans of participating providers. So unfortunately, while the Marketplace is a great tool, you may not be able to compare every plan available to you.
Whether you want a Marketplace plan, or a plan from a private insurer, an EZ agent can help. We work with all carriers in your state to compare all options available.
Over half of the uninsured in Texas who qualify for Marketplace insurance coverage could get a Bronze plan for FREE.
Texas’ Short Term Health Insurance
If you’ve missed the health insurance Open Enrollment Period (OEP), or if you need health insurance for a short amount of time, short-term plans are a great option. It’s important to note, though, that these policies tend to only cover the basics, and you can be denied one of these plans if you have a pre-existing condition.
There are some rules around short-term plans, both at the federal and the state level. Some states choose to have their own guidelines separate from federal guidelines, or to not offer short-term plans at all, Texas follows the federal guidelines for short-term plans. That means you can purchase a plan for up to 364 days and renew that plan up to 3 times for just under 3 years of coverage.
Texas Health Insurance Resources
There are resources available to you in Texas that can help you get some excellent health coverage. Your employer is actually one resource, so speak to your employer about your group healthcare options. Because your employer gets discounts for purchasing group coverage, these plans are typically less expensive than individual plans.
You can also look into government-funded programs to see if you are eligible for low or no-cost plans. Medicare provides medical insurance to people over the age of 65 and those with certain disabilities. Medicaid provides low-income families with affordable or free health insurance programs.
Your best resource, though, is an insurance agent. With the help of an EZ agent, you can see all of the options available to you, both on and off the Marketplace. They can ensure that you get the coverage you need.
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How to Get the Most Savings
Texas ranks 27th out of the 50 states when it comes to per capita healthcare, with an average annual cost of healthcare of $8,048 per person. Finding ways to lower your health insurance prices is important, even if you live in a state that is on the more affordable end of the spectrum.
Consider this: your rates can be influenced by your health, especially if your body mass index (BMI) is considered high (or even too low). The obesity rate is 34% in Texas, and if you’re in this group, you could end up paying more for your health insurance. Maintaining a healthy BMI will help you save money on health insurance premiums.
Smoking is a big red flag for insurance companies. In fact, premiums for smokers can be up to 50% higher than for nonsmokers. 13.2% of adults in Texas smoke, meaning there are a lot of people in your state paying a lot for insurance. If you’re one of them, consider quitting: in addition to saving on tobacco products, you’ll also get better insurance rates and lower healthcare costs in general.
But there’s an even easier way to save money: working with an EZ agent! They can compare all local plans in your price range, as well as find any discounts you might be eligible for. Thanks to the professionals at EZ, you could save hundreds per year on health insurance – and our services are always free!
Texas Health Insurance FAQS
Does Texas require you to have health insurance?
No, there is no requirement in Texas to have a health insurance plan, and there is no longer a federal mandate, either.
What is the cheapest health insurance in Texas?
The cheapest health plan will be a Bronze plan, which can start as low as $350 a month. Remember, though, health insurance plan prices can vary depending on age, zip code, gender, and other factors. More than half of Texas residents who qualify for a Marketplace plan can actually get a Bronze plan for free.
How much does health insurance cost in Texas?
The average monthly health insurance premium in Texas is $400, or $4,800 per year, with plans as low as $350 a month to as high as $1,300. But do not let these numbers scare you. More than half of uninsured people in Texas qualify for a $0 Bronze plan and don’t even know it.
Which companies offer health insurance in Texas?
The top 14 insurers in the state are Aetna CVS Health, Celtic/Ambetter, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, Bright Healthcare, CHRISTUS, Friday Health Plan, Moda Health Plan, Molina, Oscar, Sendero, SHA/FirstCare, Community Health Choice, Scott & White Health Plan, and UnitedHealthcare of Texas.
How to Enroll in Health Insurance in Texas
There are a few ways to enroll in a health insurance plan in your state. You can enroll directly through your chosen insurance company, either by speaking with them directly or on their website. Alternatively, you can shop and compare plans from participating providers using the federal Health Insurance Marketplace. You can also speak to your employer about enrolling in a group plan, if they offer one.
An EZ agent can walk you through the process no matter which enrollment method you choose. We will compare all plans available to you using the information you supply, and then give you your best options for the coverage you need at the right price.
If you still have questions, feel free to give us a call at 877-670-3557. When you call, you will be directly connected to a local insurance agent who can answer all of your questions and help you find the health insurance plan that works best for you.
