Alternatives to Healthy Texas insurance

Healthy Texas helps some small businesses but doesn't work for all

Texans searching for health coverage have quickly developed strong opinions of the Healthy Texas insurance program that leverages public and private funds for the payment of health insurance claims, rather than providing a premium subsidy. It is a great program for some but inappropriate for others. Another article titles "Pros and Cons of Health Texas" covers these issues in more detail. This article is meant for those who need an alternative coverage for one of the following reasons:

• The business has only one employee
• The employer has more than 50 employees
• Immediate coverage is required for pre-existing condition
• Individual, not business, coverage is required
• Eligible employees earn more than 300% of poverty level
• The employer does not wish to pay at least half of the premium cost
• More than 40% of eligible employees decline to enroll
• Coverage is required for 12 months or less
• Coverage is required for non-participating doctors and hospitals
• Coverage is required out-of-state or overseas
• A 12 month rate guarantee is required
• Applicant wants a lower premium due to preferred risk status
• Healthy Texas premiums are still not affordable

If any of these situations apply, then the Healthy Texas program is not appropriate. The listings below link to reliable options in each of the named categories.

Individual Coverage for healthy applicants (preferred and standard rates)

• Celtic individual medical insurance
• UnitedHealthOne Golden Rule insurance

Short term coverage 12 months or less

• American Health Shield
• Smart Short Term Medical (Markel Insurance)
• Secure Short Term Medical
• Celtic Insurance STM

High risk health insurance / Guaranteed issue insurance

• Texas Health Insurance Pool
• (missing information on Pre-existing condition insurance plan)

Limited benefit, mini-med and supplemental insurance

• Core Health Insurance (United States Fire Insurance Company) (* preferred)
• Value Access Guarantee
• Smart Accident Insurance (Markel Insurance)
• Basic Health Insurance (Markel Insurance)
• Value Med

Alternatives to the Healthy Texas should be considered in cases where one or more of the disadvantages poses an obstacle. We anticipate the program will be attractive to small firms with high risk employees but more affluent, healthy individuals will continue to find better insurance values in traditional health insurance.