Ever wondered what the best health insurance companies in Texas are? Well, you have come to the right place to help you find out!
Here at Cuspide, we will learn about the different plans offered, the costs, how to choose one, and much more with our easy-to-follow article on the best Obamacare companies.
This is perfect for individuals and families who want to shop for a new plan but don’t know which one to choose. Let’s dive in!
Best overall: BlueCross & BlueShield
Best for quality: UnitedHealthcare
Best for affordability: Aetna
Best for tech: Oscar
Best for prizes: Ambetter
List of health insurance companies in Texas marketplace
In the health insurance marketplace of Texas there are currently 15 insurers offering their plans. All of them offer different plans and will have vary in copays, deductibles, and overall costs. Below is a list of all health insurers in Texas:
- Aetna CVS Health
- Oscar
- Ambetter
- UnitedHealthcare
- BlueCross & BlueShield
- Cigna
- Molina Healthcare
- Baylor Scott and White Health Plan
- Imperial Insurance Companies
- Community Health Choice
- Moda Health
- Christus Health Plan
- Sendero Health
- US Health and Life
- Community First Health Plans
There are a lot of health insurance companies to choose from. So, which one is the best? Which one should you go with and why? Let’s break it down with the list of the best.
What are the best health insurance companies in Texas?
The best companies in the Texas marketplace are Ambetter, Aetna, BCBS, UnitedHealthcare, Oscar, Cigna, and Molina for 2024. These are the best choices you can make when it comes to getting health coverage for many reasons. Let’s break it down.
BlueCross & BlueShield
Cuspide Rating: 4.8
Best overall company
AM Best Rating: A+
Plans available: HMO, EPO, PPO, POS
The highest rated company on this list goes to BlueCross & BlueShield of Texas. The best thing about them is that they have all the 4 types of plans available to choose from which no other company offers (HMO, EPO, PPO, and POS) and have all the 4 tiers (Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum).
Texans that choose BCBS will get cool features on their plans like 24/7 virtual visits. On top of that, some of their plans will include dental and vision for adults as well as children. They are the most flexible option out of the companies featured on this list, which is why we gave them a 4.8 out of 5-star rating.
Like many others on this list BCBS is given a 3.5 out of 5 stars in the state of Texas by the NCQA (National Committee for Quality Assurance). They are also given the highest rating by the AM Best, which is an A+. Overall, it may be the best choice for Texans wanting health insurance.
PROS
- All 4 types of plans are offered
- The 4 metal tiers are available
- 24/7 virtual visits
- Dental and visions plans for adults
CONS
- Plans can be slightly costly
UnitedHealthcare
Cuspide Rating: 4.6
Best plan quality
AM Best Rating: A+
Plans available: HMO
Arguably the most popular company (and statically the largest) is UnitedHealthcare. They are known for their quality which they are #1 at. The only real downside is that sometimes their plans can be costly, and they only offer HMO plans. Since they have one of the largest provider networks in the nation, it will be a seamless HMO experience.
Some things to note is that UnitedHealthcare is one of the few companies in the marketplace to offer both vision and dental plans for adults. Also, their plans will most likely include free primary doctor visits starting from day one.
Just like BCBS, UnitedHealthcare also gets an A+ rating as a company from the AM Best rating agency which is the highest score achievable. As for the NCQA, in the state of Texas, UHC gets a 3 out of 5-star rating for their overall customer satisfaction, patient treatment, and experience. It is certainly amongst the best choices for coverage.
PROS
- High AM Best Rating of A+
- Vision and dental plans available
- Most plans include free PCP visits
CONS
- Plans can be expensive
Aetna CVS Health
Cuspide Rating: 4.4
Best for affordability
AM Best Rating: A
Plans available: HMO
Aetna CVS Health is a great choice for Texans looking for health coverage. Aetna has the most affordable health plans in the state of Texas with an average monthly premium of $513 a month (without subsidy). The one downside is that they only offer HMO plans.
They rank as the best for affordability and on top of that have many cool features for their members. One of them is access to 24/7 virtual care and same-day appointments through the CVS MinuteClinic. One of the few health insurance companies to do this.
Aetna receives an “A” rating from AM Best for its financial strength, which is one of the highest grades a company can get. Also, the NCQA gives them a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars for things like customer satisfaction and overall service. Good all-around choice.
PROS
- Free 24/7 virtual care
- Same day appointments (MinuteClinic)
- One of the highest AM Best ratings
- High customer satisfaction
CONS
- Only 1 type of plan is offered
- Adult dental not included
Ambetter
Cuspide Rating: 4.2
Best for prizes
AM Best Rating: B++
Plans available: HMO, EPO
Ambetter is one of the best choices individuals and families from the Lone Star State can make when it comes to health coverage. They have one of the most competitive prices with many affordable plans to choose from. Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan also offers both HMO and EPO plans in the marketplace so their members can choose whichever one fits them best.
One feature they have for their members is their 24/7 nursing line which lets you speak to a medical professional any time you need to. Also, they have the “MyHealthPays” rewards programs which gives you cash prizes for doing things like preventive screenings, bloodwork, etc.
Ambetter is ranked by the AM Best at a B++ (through Centene Corporation, their parent company). It also has a slightly above average rating on the NCQA which they gave a 3.5 out of 5 stars. Overall, a solid health choice for Texans.
PROS
- Cash rewards program
- 24/7 nurse line
- Affordable plans
CONS
- Some difficulty in finding covered doctors
- Average service for members
Oscar
Cuspide Rating: 4.1
Best technology
AM Best Rating: N/A
Plans available: EPO
Relatively young but already on the top is Oscar Health. In the Texas marketplace, Oscar offers their EPO plans which let you see specialists without needing referrals and have more flexibility than a standard plan. They have competitive prices usually appearing as one of the most affordable options for Texans.
Oscar has the best user experience in terms of their interface (like their website and mobile app). It gives you access to cool features like building your own care team right from the member portal and booking appointments, making payments, and more. On top of that, many of their plans will have $0 virtual care.
While they do have NCQA ratings in 2 other states (NY and California), in the state of Texas, Oscar is not rated. However, in the mentioned states they received a 3.0 and a 2.5 out of 5 stars. Not much is known from them as well by AM Best rating agency. But, overall, we rate them highly based on how they have been operating so far.
PROS
- Best member portal/website
- Can build your dedicated care team
- Many plans with $0 virtual care
CONS
- No adult dental included
- No ratings from NCQA or AM Best
Cigna
Cuspide Rating: 4.0
Low deductibles
AM Best Rating: A
Plans available: HMO
A name that should be mentioned amongst the best companies in the Lone Star State is Cigna. They will usually have the lowest deductible plans in the Texas marketplace and have low premiums on their silver and bronze plans. Great option for both low income and high-income households.
A bonus of Cigna is that they do not only sell health insurance like other companies on this list but offer their members with many other insurance types. From life insurance to supplemental plans, Cigna covers it all. The downside is that they have an average provider network size, and it has been said that their customer service is slightly below average compared to its competitors.
Cigna receives a 2.5 out of 5-star rating from the NCQA overall throughout all the states they offer plans in. However, through the #1 rating agency AM Best, they will get a very high score of “A” for their overall financial strength. It is simply one of the best choices in Texas.
PROS
- Competitive prices on silver and bronze plans
- Offers many other insurance types
- Most plans have low deductibles
CONS
- Weak customer service
- Average provider network
Molina Healthcare
Cuspide Rating: 4.0
Great diversity
AM Best Rating: B
Plans available: HMO
Molina is a top choice for Texans looking for health coverage for many reasons. To start off it has one of the highest customer satisfaction ratings out of all the companies and the least complaints. On top of that, they have great diversity because aside from ACA plans, they also offer both Medicare and Medicaid coverage.
In Texas, Molina Healthcare only offers HMO plans, so you will need referrals from primary doctors to see specialists and cannot get care outside of your plan’s network. They also have an average provider network compared to their competitors.
Molina Healthcare of Texas gets a 3 out of 5-star rating by the NCQA (about average compared to other companies). While not officially, they do get around a “B” score from the AM Best rating agency which is above average. Whichever type of health insurance you are trying to get, Molina will have you covered.
PROS
- Great customer satisfaction
- Strong diversity with other insurance types
CONS
- Only HMO plans available
- Average network of providers
Tips on choosing the best health insurer
For those that want Texas health insurance plans, there is one important questions that arises,…how do you know which one is the best for you? It can be overwhelming, so we have 3 tips to help you choose a health insurance plan:
1. Figure out household income
The first step you should take if you want to find the best health plan for you is to figure out your household income. This means your adjusted gross income and not your pre-tax income. Applying for an ACA plan is based on estimated and projected income for the year, so getting it as accurately as possible is important.
It also depends on how many people are in your tax household. (For example, a wife and husband and their kid are 3 people so on the income limits check to see if the household income is enough to qualify for 3 people, even if some of you may not be getting coverage). After the income is settled, we move on to browsing the plans.
2. Browse the entire marketplace
While this article is based on the best companies, there are still many other companies available in the marketplace. And, since companies offer their plans based on counties, it is possible that some of the mentioned “best companies” may not be in your specific county. It is important to check with a broker (like us at Cuspide) to find out which company and plan is the best for you.
3. Choose the right tier and plan type
Inside the marketplace there are different tiers and plans. To put it short, the cheapest plan available is the HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) and the cheapest tier is the bronze tier. Depending on what your specific needs are, you will choose any of the 4 tiers and any of the 4 available plan types.
For example, a “balanced” plan would either be a silver HMO or a silver EPO plan. Silver tier has a nice balance between premiums and medical costs while HMO and EPO plans are the most bought. If you need help and want to know more, contact us here at Cuspide and we will gladly help!
Comparison of the best health insurance in Texas
Below is the comparison of the health insurance companies in Texas by plan type (HMO, EPO, PPO, POS) and by plan tiers (catastrophic, bronze, silver, gold, and platinum).
| Company | Plan Types | Plan Tiers |
|---|---|---|
| Ambetter | HMO, EPO | Bronze, Silver, Gold |
| BlueCross & BlueShield | HMO, EPO, PPO, POS | Catastrophic, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum |
| Aetna | HMO | Bronze, Silver, Gold |
| Oscar | EPO | Catastrophic, Bronze, Silver, Gold |
| UnitedHealthcare | HMO | Bronze, Silver, Gold |
| Cigna | HMO | Bronze, Silver |
| Molina Healthcare | HMO | Silver, Gold |
Best health insurance companies in Texas by cost
We categorized the best health plans in the Lone Star State by how much they cost based on an unsubsidized plan. The average cheapest health plans in Texas go to Aetna, while the most expensive go to Oscar. Keep in mind that these are just averages and depending on your circumstances, what you end up paying will be completely different.
| Company | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Aetna | $513 |
| Oscar | $571 |
| Ambetter | $544 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $515 |
| BlueCross & BlueShield | $543 |
| Molina Healthcare | $554 |
| Cigna | $560 |
The statistics are based on a 40-year-old buying a silver plan in TX.
The Texas health insurance companies by size
Compare health insurance companies in Texas by revenue and overall size. Keep in mind these figures are only in the state of Texas.
| Company | Market Share | Revenue |
|---|---|---|
| BlueCross & BlueShield | 24.50% | $14.1 billion |
| Ambetter | 12.06% | $7.6 billion |
| UnitedHealthcare | 10.10% | $5.8 billion |
| Molina Healthcare | 7.75% | $4.9 billion |
| Aetna CVS Health | 4.73% | $2.7 billion |
| Cigna | 3.43% | $1.9 billion |
| Moda Health | N/A | $1.3 billion |
| Community First Health Plans | 1.54% | $977 million |
| Baylor Scott & White Health Plan | 1.49% | $942 million |
| Community Health Choice | 1.42% | $897 million |
| Oscar | 1.13% | $653 million |
| Christus Health Plan | 0.37% | $235 million |
| Sendero Health | 0.16% | $98 million |
Figures listed are by the Texas Department of Insurance.
Get access to all the health insurance companies available in the state of Texas with Cuspide! Save money, compare plans, find doctors, and more with our team! Reach out to us at (305) 970-8583 today!
Frequently asked questions
Did we miss a question or have you a specific one? Contact Cuspide at (305) 970-8583 for any help!
What is the best health insurance in Texas for families?
The best health insurance in TX for families is a BlueCross & BlueShield plan. BCBS has all the 4 tiers and plan types available for families to choose from. They also have the biggest network of providers in the lone star state which means you and your family should have no problem finding a doctor or hospital that accepts BCBS. It also has many affordable plans for those households with lower incomes.
How do I get Texas health insurance?
To get health coverage in Texas, you must apply through the official healthcare marketplace. This is where everyone compares and buys plans. However, it can be tricky to navigate so we recommend getting help from an insurance broker like us here at Cuspide. We will walk you through the entire process and save you money on your plan.
What are the top 5 health insurance companies in Texas?
The top 5 health insurance companies in the state of Texas are BlueCross & BlueShield, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Oscar, and Ambetter. These companies offer the best plans at the best prices. Plans are offered per county, so some of these may not be available in your area. Contact an insurance broker and compare all the companies to see which one may be best suited for you.
The next steps...
Now that you are familiar with all the top health insurance companies in Texas, you are ready to go to the next step which is deciding which one to buy.
Remember, plans are based on the county, so check in your area to find out all the available companies and then go from there to choose the best one. There are many great ones to pick like BlueCross & BlueShield, UnitedHealthcare, Oscar, Aetna, Ambetter, etc.
Make sure to look at things like deductibles, copays, and premiums. Your goal should be a balance of affordability and effectiveness. In the end, the best health insurance companies in Texas are based on you and your needs.
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