Health coverage Texas is provided through private insurance, public programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, and by community-based organizations. Most insured Texans have private insurance.
Uninsured people often use the emergency room as their primary medical care provider. This type of care is expensive for both patients and hospitals.
Those with low incomes may qualify for health insurance subsidies that reduce the cost of their monthly premium and out-of-pocket costs such as copays, deductibles, and coinsurance. These are also known as premium tax credits.
Costs
The cost of health insurance in Texas can be high, especially for small businesses. However, there are ways to reduce these costs, including tax credits. These credits can be applied to monthly premiums and contributions to a health savings account. They can also be used to cover medical expenses.
A Silver plan with cost-sharing reductions is the cheapest health insurance option for Texas residents. The Community Select Silver 019 (Limited Network, No Deductible for PCP, Specialists & Generics, Free 24/7 Telehealth) from Community Health Choice is one example. Its average annual cost is $445.
You can enroll in private health insurance during the open enrollment period between November 1 and January 15. If you miss this window, you can sign up for a special enrollment period.
Coverage
All health plans in Texas must offer a variety of benefits, including prescription drugs, emergency services, maternity care, and mental health care. These are known as mandated health benefits. All Texas plans also must have a network of doctors, hospitals, and specialists. Seeing in-network doctors typically costs less than seeing out-of-network ones.
Choosing the right plan depends on your county of residence, as well as your budget and needs. A plan with a higher monthly premium usually has a lower deductible, while the opposite is true for a plan with a low monthly premium.
In addition, the average claim rate in your zip code influences your insurance rates. For example, if your neighbors file more claims than others, your rates may go up.
Pre-existing conditions
A health insurance policy can cover a variety of medical needs. For example, a person with asthma can get coverage for inhalers. The plan may also cover cancer treatments and other expensive procedures.
The state of Texas has strict rules on pre-existing conditions. Generally, if you switch to an individual health policy from a group plan or a government or church plan and don’t have a gap in coverage of more than 63 days, you won’t face a new pre-existing condition exclusion period.
In addition, individuals who buy their own insurance through the marketplace can receive financial assistance based on their household income. These subsidies can reduce the cost of the monthly premium.
Deductibles
Health insurance costs vary depending on the type of plan you choose and the deductibles associated with it. These are a key part of your health care expenses and help you determine how much medical coverage you need.
You can choose from several metal tiers when you purchase private individual insurance in Texas. These include Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver and Gold plans. These plans offer different monthly premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. Some plans qualify for cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) to lower your out-of-pocket costs.
You can also find HMO and Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) plans in the Texas marketplace. HMO plans limit your access to care by only covering doctors, hospitals and specialists within their network unless it’s an emergency.
Co-pays
Leon is a forklift operator who has a health plan with copays. He pays $30 for visits to his primary care physician and $50 for visits to a specialist like an orthopedic surgeon. These fixed fees are helpful, because they keep his costs under control.
Health insurance rates and premiums vary by county. The cheapest plans are usually HMOs, but EPO and other plan types are also available on the Marketplace. EPO plans offer a wider network of providers than HMOs and don’t require referrals to see specialists.
If you have a low income, you may be eligible for cost-sharing reductions (CSR). These reduce your deductible and out-of-pocket maximums.
Premiums
The cost of health coverage Texas varies depending on your metal tier, age and county. For example, an 18-year-old can expect to pay more than a 40-year-old for the same plan.
The cheapest marketplace plans in Texas are Silver plans, which have lower premiums and out-of-pocket maximums. Those with low incomes can also qualify for cost-sharing reductions, which help reduce the monthly costs of a plan.
A Silver plan from Community Health Choice, for example, will cost about $445 a month. If you’re eligible for a premium tax credit, the total cost of your plan will be even lower. You can also opt for a Gold or Platinum plan, which have the lowest deductibles and coinsurance payments.