Health Insurance in Texas

Texas is ranked 39th among the 50 states of US in the list of healthiest states provided by the United Health Foundation is 2009. This does not throw a shining example for health status but going figures, around 1 resident among 4 in Texas is without health insurance. Though there could be lots of reasons behind not having a health insurance policy, but health status often declines if consumers do not have financial security during the event of illness or injury. It is clear that health insurance often helps in making consumers healthier than if they are uninsured.
 
There are some starting points from where consumers start looking to buy health insurance:

1.    Losing a job that provided health insurance policy.

2.    Change in status due to divorce, legal separation or death of spouse.

3.    Consumers who are early retirees and lose their health insurance policies through the employers.

4.    Consumers having some sort of medical condition or disability.

5.    First time buyers of health insurance who lost dependents’ status in the family health insurance.

There are many private insurers in Texas that provide health insurance policies according to the needs and requirements of consumers. Aetna, American Community, American National, AMS, Assurant, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Celtic, Cigna, Companion, Companion Life, Coventry, FirstCare, Golden Rule, Great American, Humana One, IAC, Imerica, Patriot Health, Scott & White Health Plan, Solera Dental, Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool, and UniCare are some of the major carriers.

The health insurance plans in Texas vary from individual, family, group, business, student, to disability and short term insurance. The terms and conditions could vary for different types.

Tips for buying health insurance plans in Texas

1.    Try to shop around and get multiple quotes from different companies. Sometimes, the cheapest health insurance policy might not be ideal to buy.

2.    Before signing on any health insurance policy in Texas, make sure you read it completely and understand the terms and conditions. Properly understanding the policy makes it really helpful to get health cover when required.

3.    Check the costs against the level of coverage offered—your stipulated budget should match with these costs including premiums, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance, etc.

4.    Check how good are the services of the insurer—customer feedback, testimonials and referrals, etc.

5.    Health insurance companies have a warranty period in which consumers can return the policy. The companies need to pay the premium back. Make sure when you buy a policy, it has this clause.