When it comes to finding a Texas health insurance quote, persistence is the name of the game. Whether you've been denied for a pre-existing condition or suffered from sticker shock at the prices on the individual market, many Texas residents are looking for any option, any quote that offers reasonable coverage at manageable premiums. Nobody needs to tell you that it's not easy, but it's also not nearly as impossible as it sounds, given media accounts and sensational anecdotes. Here's what you need to know about health insurance in Texas ahead of submitting an online request with NetQuote to be matched with health insurance companies that offer coverage in your area.
Texas Health Insurance and the Uninsured
The Lone Star State has the highest rate of uninsured citizens of any state in the country. According to the latest Gallup poll, 26.9% of people are currently without health insurance in Texas. This rate has gone up nearly 2% over the past year, and while Texas's unemployment rate was a comparatively mild 8.2%, ongoing economic turmoil has the number of uninsured poised to go even higher in the intervening years before health care reform and the individual mandate take full effect. Whether you're shopping for health insurance for the first time or need to find replacement coverage after hitting the unemployment line, a Texas health insurance quote is only a few clicks away.
Availability of Health Insurance Companies and Plans in Texas
The relative lack of accessibility to Texas health insurance is undoubtedly one of the many reasons for this high uninsured rate. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, Texas has an HMO penetration rate of barely more than half the national average (13.2% vs. 21.4%), making these plans risky when it comes to finding health care services that are covered by HMO plans in the state. Moreover, fewer private companies in Texas offer health insurance to their employees with only 32.5% of small businesses offering coverage (compared to 43.2% nationwide) and 91.6% of larger businesses offering coverage (compared to 96.5% nationally). Worse yet, like most states, there is no guaranteed issue for health insurance plans on the individual market nor is there an insurer of last resort, and, unlike some states, individuals in Texas can't apply for small group health insurance as a "group of one," further restricting options.
Other Key Markers for Health Insurance in Texas
Despite the extra work needed to hunt down a reliable health insurer that is willing to offer coverage, the health insurance and health care industries in Texas are remarkably close to national averages in most categories not pertaining to availability of coverage. If you're lucky enough to have access to health insurance through your employer, it's comforting to note that, on average, Texas employers pay 80% of the premium costs, same as the national average. And the rates for rising health care costs per capita are marginally lower in Texas (5.3%) than the national average (5.5%) and much lower than some states.
Finding a Texas Health Insurance Quote
Finding affordable insurance in Texas, or any other state for that matter, starts with soliciting health insurance quotes. The best company for an individual health plan with high deductibles may not be the best company for a family health plan with limited out-of-pocket expenses. Likewise, it's a good idea to talk about particular policy details (HMO vs. PPO, co-pays vs. co-insurance, etc.) with several different health insurance agents to make sure you have a handle on exactly what you're buying. At NetQuote, we make this process as painless as possible. Fill out a brief online form, and we'll match you with the Texas health insurance companies that best fit your health care and insurance needs.
