Best Healthcare Options in Texas

Healthcare helps protect you from high and unexpected medical expenses. Finding a way to get healthcare coverage or pay for your medical expenses is vital to maintain your health and well-being. To find the best option in Texas, you need to evaluate your budget and the type of coverage you need. Some of the best health insurance options Texas'sinclude MyBlue Health Silver 405, Friday Catastrophic, and Golden Rule Supplemental Insurance. 

No one should avoid medical care because of the cost. Healthcare can be a significant expense for many people, and Mira can help you out. For as little as $45 per month, Mira members get access to low-cost urgent care visits, up to 80% off over 1,000 different medications, and same-day lab testing. Put your health first - sign up for Mira today. 

Best Healthcare Options in Texas

Texas has an extensive list of healthcare options and resources. Some things you may want to consider when picking your plan are the health conditions it covers, the cost of the deductible and copays, and how long the plan lasts. 

We looked at all of these factors for you and came up with a list of the best healthcare options available in Texas. We broke this list down by the type of plan you may be looking for:

• Best for Families: MyBlue Health Silver 405
• Best for Individuals: Friday Catastrophic
• Best for Freelancers: Mira
• Best for Short-Term: Golden Rule Supplemental Insurance
• Best for High Expected Costs: Blue Advantage Gold HMO 206

MyBlue Health Silver 405: Best for Families

Health insurance plans can be categorized into different metal tiers depending on the level of coverage they offer and the monthly premium cost. Buying health insurance for your entire family can be difficult because of the cost, but luckily silver plans provide more affordable prices than other tiers. Specifically, we found that the Silver 405 plan from BlueCross BlueShield of Texas is the best option for families looking for health insurance. 

Based on our research, a family of three would have a total monthly premium of approximately $1,105.51. The deductible for each family member is $3,550. Note that these numbers may change depending on the number of dependents, the age of you and your partner, and any preexisting medical conditions. In addition, there is a $0 copay for primary care physician (PCP) visits and other medical services, which is especially beneficial for families. 

Silver plans are the only available plans that come with a cost-sharing reduction variation, making them an excellent and affordable choice. According to ValuePenguin, this MyBlue Health plan is the cheapest silver plan option on the Texas health insurance market. It provides excellent benefits for your family at an affordable cost. 

Friday Catastrophic Plan: Best for Healthy Individuals Under 30

Individuals typically have different health needs than a family looking for insurance. Especially if you are young and healthy, a catastrophic health insurance plan is an excellent option for you. These plans come with low monthly premiums, but there can be high out-of-pocket costs if you run into a medical emergency. If you have pre-existing medical conditions or visit doctors frequently, this may not be the best plan for you. 

We found that the best catastrophic plan available in Texas was Friday Catastrophic. This plan is designed for those under the age of 30 who are in relatively good health. Friday offers three primary care visits each year with a $0 copay, and then you must meet a deductible before receiving coverage on other care. An annual eye exam and virtual doctor's visits also have a $0 copay with this plan.

Mira: Best for Freelancers

Since many people get health coverage through their jobs, it can be challenging to find affordable health insurance that provides good coverage as a freelancer. Mira is an affordable alternative to health insurance that is a great fit for freelancers. Mira may be used independently or to supplement a catastrophic health plan. 

Mira members pay $45 a month for their membership, which is a fraction of the cost of most health insurance premiums. As a Mira member, you'll get access to low-cost urgent care and telehealth visits, up to 80% off over 1,000 different prescription medications, and same-day lab testing. All of these benefits can assist you with preventative care, immunizations, routine blood work, and more. 

Golden Rule Supplemental Insurance: Best for Short-Term Health Insurance

Short-term health insurance plans may be used between jobs or waiting to get coverage. Although they most likely won't provide as much coverage as a long-term plan, they are a good option for emergency coverage. We found that the best choice in Texas for short-term health insurance is supplemental insurance from Golden Rule Insurance Company.

Golden Rule is a part of UnitedHealthcare, which has excellent supplemental insurance options. They offer several supplemental plans, including dental, vision, hospitalization, and even bundled plans. They have several tools on their website to help you determine which of their plans is best for you. While the cost varies, the cheapest plan they offer is only $8.00 a month, but it can vary depending on your age, the number of family members, and current health status. Whether you are an employer, individual, or part of a family, an option is available for you with Golden Rule Supplemental Insurance. 

Blue Advantage Gold HMO 206: Best for High Expected Costs

Although gold plans have the most expensive monthly premiums, they provide extensive coverage. If you or your family members have a lot of medical needs, like frequent doctor's visits or routine prescription refills, a gold plan may better suit your needs. We found that Texas's best gold plan option is the Blue Advantage Gold HMO 206 plan from BlueCross BlueShield of Texas. 

This plan has a low deductible for both families and individuals. It is the cheapest gold plan offered in Texas, providing extensive coverage at a lower cost than other gold plans. In addition, some services are entirely covered before even reaching your deductible, including in-network preventive care visits and some prescription drugs. You are also expected to pay less out-of-pocket expenses, which is great if you or your family members have preexisting health conditions. 

Health Insurance Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Health insurance can be confusing, especially if this is your first time purchasing a plan. Below are the answers to some frequently asked questions about health insurance basics. 

What is a health insurance premium?

A premium in health insurance is the amount of money you pay each month for your health insurance. In addition to your premium, you will be responsible for paying for copays, coinsurance, and other out-of-pocket costs. Bronze and catastrophic plans typically have the lowest monthly premiums, while silver, gold, and platinum plans have higher premiums. 

In general, plans that have higher premiums have lower deductibles and copays. These plans are usually best for individuals or families who need more frequent health care. Plans with lower premiums tend to have higher deductibles and copays. These plans are generally a good fit for individuals in good health and who do not seek medical care frequently. 

What is a deductible?

A deductible is the amount of money you pay out-of-pocket before your insurance starts covering medical services. For example, if you have a $3,000 deductible, you must spend $3,000 on medical services before your health insurance covers everything. Even still, the cost of medical care may not be free once you meet your deductible, as every plan is different. Gold insurance plans typically have the lowest deductibles. Some services, such as preventative care, may be covered before you meet your deductible. 

Do I need health insurance?

Technically, health insurance is no longer mandatory under federal law as of January 2019. You will no longer be penalized if you or your family members don't have health insurance. While the cost of paying for health insurance can be stressful and expensive, some health coverage or a payment plan is essential for keeping your costs down and making sure you are healthy. If you do not want insurance, consider a membership with Mira, an alternative to health insurance that can help you access affordable medical care. 

What is a PPO?

A PPO, or a preferred provider organization, is a type of health insurance plan that offers high flexibility in the providers you can see. With a PPO, you can get coverage to see both in-network and out-of-network providers; however, out-of-network providers will likely be more expensive. In addition, you can see a specialist without getting a referral from a primary care provider. For these reasons, PPO plans tend to be more expensive than other plans, such as HMOs. 

What is an HMO?

An HMO, or health maintenance organization, is another type of health insurance plan that tends to have less flexibility in the providers you can see than a PPO. With an HMO, you will only receive coverage for in-network services. If you decide to see an out-of-network provider, you will be responsible for paying for the entire cost of the visit. In addition, you are required to get a referral from a primary care provider before seeing a specialist. HMOs tend to be a less expensive option than PPOs for these reasons.

Bottom Line

Choosing a health insurance plan that is a good fit for you or your family is essential. There are many options to choose from for your health insurance plan in Texas. Whether you're a freelancer, individual, or family, there is a plan out there that is right for you.