Health Insurance Plans in Bexar County, Texas, 2024

One of the biggest things about Bexar County is that if you come across a non-resident, they will always want to pronounce your county B-ex-ar. Then you will politely correct them that it is like the aspirin, B-ay-er. Bexar. Now that we have that out of the way, we can talk about the county at the heart of Texas. Without one ill-fated event, Texans may not have gotten the drive they needed to fight for the land they now call home. Speaking of the heart, health insurance is just as important to Bexar County residents as remembering the Alamo. We at CoverMile are here to help you find the best health insurance at a price you can afford. Contact us today.

CoverMile is here to help you find the best health insurance coverage in Bexar County, TX, at the lowest prices. Plans exist for as low as $0 per month with subsidies. Let’s show you how.

2023 Health Insurance Facts in Bexar County, Texas

Texas had 2.4 million enroll in the Affordable Care Act health insurance program in 2023. This was the second-highest state, second to Florida. Texas also topped the list with the country’s uninsured rate, at 22.1 percent. The Lone Star State has held that position since the exchange system’s implementation.

Here are additional facts about health insurance in Texas.

• According to a U.S. Census estimate, Bexar County has a population of 2.1 million residents. Of that total, 18.9 percent are uninsured.
• By gender, of those insured, 51.3 percent are women, and 48.7 percent are men.
• Eighty-seven percent of consumers have access to three or more health insurers in 2023. Through the ACA, Bexar County has access to seven insurance providers.
• 84.4 percent of Bexar County has health insurance. 43.2 percent obtain it with their employer, while 13.5 percent have it through non-group plans. 7.79 percent are on Medicare, 15.6 percent have insurance through Medicaid, and 4.24 have insurance through the V.A. or military.
• Fifty-nine percent of consumers have access to a plan from a national insurer; companies like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and UnitedHealthcare are available to more than just a local area.
• According to Niche, Bexar County is one of the Healthiest Counties in Texas for 2023. They are also voted number nine for the best counties for young professionals.
• The average cost for a Silver health insurance plan in Texas is $475
• If you are outside of Open Enrollment, you may qualify for Short Term Health Insurance. Some insurers offer this benefit. UnitedHealthcare is one of them.

Here are a few fun facts about Bexar County itself:

• Bexar County does not get its name from a person but of a municipality. San Antonio de Bexar was originally named Villa de San Fernando de Bexar; it was the first civil government establishment by the Spanish in the Texas province. It was a military outpost charged with protecting the local missions.

• Bexar County is the home of the River Walk. A riverside plaza in downtown San Antonio encompassing a shopping mall, restaurants, and tree-lined paths. The San Antonio River runs through the city’s heart, continuing through the county and eventually into the Guadalupe River and San Antonio Bay of the Gulf of Mexico. It is 240 miles long and runs through five counties.  
• Bexar County is the fourth most populated county in Texas and the 16^th most populated in the country.
• San Antonio is home to six military bases. Lackland and Randolph Air Force Bases, Fort Sam Houston, Camp Bullis, and two now decommissioned bases, Brooks City Base and Kelly Air Force Base.
• The Alamo, one of the famous landmarks in San Antonio, is in the heart of Bexar County. It is the site of one of the most famous battles in the Texas Revolution. Texas lost the battle but would win the following Battle at San Jacinto, thus forming the Republic of Texas. “Remember the Alamo!!”
• Fiesta is a ten-day annual city celebration with food, carnival rides, and parades. Each parade is theme-based from the Battle of Flowers, Fiesta Flambeau, and the Texas Cavaliers Parade.
• Outside of governmental employment, tourism is the number one provider of jobs in Bexar County. These jobs are primarily within San Antonio and are essential to the county’s economy.

• Bexar County is home to the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs and WNBAs Stars. They have an American Hockey League team, the Rampage, but they do not have an NFL or MLB team to root for locally. For baseball, they emphasize their minor league team, The Missions. San Antonio also has a soccer team, the San Antonio FC, which compete in the USL Championship.
• Bexar County has five ghost towns. They are Berg’s Mill, Luxello, San Geronimo, Wetmore, and Van Raub, a once-thriving community that suffered from the advancement of the railroad system and larger communities like Fair Oaks Ranch.

Do I Need Health Insurance in Bexar County, TX?

For the 2024 enrollment period, only four states and D.C. still have state-based penalties for not carrying health insurance. Texas isn’t one of them. And while you aren’t required to carry health insurance, you need to consider the following when you see a doctor or visit a healthcare facility.

1. Healthcare costs.Having a membership card at a retail store allows you to receive a discounted price for the items you purchase. Health insurance is somewhat the same. Insurance companies contract with medical facilities to provide care at a negotiated rate. When you choose not to carry health insurance, you will pay full price.
2. Healthcare networks.A network is an insurance company’s list of doctors, specialists, and medical facilities that provide members with medical care. This is to help ease the concern of having to search on your own. Especially since seeking advanced medical care may burden an already stressful situation.
3. Healthcare maintenance.Health insurance mandates under the Affordable Care Act include free preventive care services such as immunizations and well checkups. When you elect not to carry health insurance, you must pay for these services out of pocket.

What are My Health Insurance Options in Bexar County, Texas?

When shopping for affordable health insurance in Bexar County, individuals and families can find health coverage through the ACA Marketplace or purchase directly from a health insurance company like Oscar Insurance. Each option has its benefits.

Affordable Care Act/Marketplace – The most common place individuals find their health coverage is through the Marketplace. When you shop online, you are given a variety of private health insurance choices available to you and your family. The Affordable Care Act website also informs you if you qualify for premium tax credits and subsidies like cost-sharing reductions.

Direct Purchase – When going the Direct Purchase route, if you choose to purchase your health insurance from a company, you will not have access to tax credits or cost-sharing reductions, even if you qualify for them. If you think you may be eligible, apply on the Marketplace website. Also, know that insurance rates and plans available may vary when you make a direct purchase from an insurance company.

Short-term Health Insurance – If you need a temporary health insurance option, Short-term insurance may be worth looking into. It can help cover the gap between your hire date and your employer’s benefits package, if it’s too early for Open Enrollment and you don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment period, or if you are nearing Medicare. Short-term insurance covers an initial period of 364 days and can be renewed for an additional 24 months. Understand that Short-term health insurance has limitations. It does not cover preexisting conditions, maternity care, or prescription medication.

Types of Insurance – Health insurance has three primary network types: HMOs, EPOs, and PPOs. The difference is the network structure. EPOs are the strictest. PPOs are the most lenient on which doctors you can see and when. When shopping for a plan, read your schedule of benefits carefully. Watch for out-of-network fees should the healthcare provider you use not be within your plan’s network. BCBS of Texas, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare are all HMOs. Ambetter and Oscar are EPOs.

Top Five Health Insurance Companies in Bexar County, TX*

What a customer is willing to pay for their policy over time is one of the main details top insurance ratings evaluate. Health insurance shoppers then use reviews to consider which insurance companies are best and purchase based on this research.

To address this concern, we’ve rated the top companies available in Bexar County based on their 2024 rates compared to their 2023 rates.

• Aetna – 14.94 % rate increase – In 2023, Aetna had a rate decrease. This year, they top the list of insurance companies that have an increase. Aetna is known for their $0 preventive care, 24/7 $0 Virtual Care, and in-network $0 walk-in clinics available seven days a week.
• Ambetter – 4.39% rate increase.  –  Ambetter does not offer a Bronze Metal tier. However, they offer an Adult Dental and Vision benefit with some EPO network plans. Other insurance companies only provide the ACA 10 Essential Benefits mandated Children’s Dental and Vision. 
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas – 0.24% rate decrease – Last year, BCBS of Texas had a three percent increase. For 2024, a decrease is a welcome sight for members. They have more plans available than most insurers, giving shoppers options. They are also one of the few companies that is available nationwide.
• Oscar – 3.39% rate increase. – In 2023, Oscar had a double-digit increase. While they still have an uptick, it is not as dramatic. Oscar Insurance offers benefits other companies lack. First is a $3 copay for prescriptions on some plans. Second, they offer $0 Virtual Specialist Visits. Most companies only include Virtual Visits for a Primary Care Physician.

• UnitedHealthcare – 13.46 % rate increase. – This year, UnitedHealthcare again sees a double digit rate increase. While UnitedHealthcare for Bexar County has the second largest premium increase of those surveyed, they offer benefits that other companies on our list don’t. One is Short Term Insurance. If you are without insurance, it’s between Open Enrollment, and you don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, UnitedHealthcare may be your only option.

Top Ten Health Insurance Plans for Bexar County, TX*

Below, is our selection of the best health insurance plans from each company for Bexar County, TX. They are listed in order as they reflect the current 2024 cost of a standard Silver policy without premium tax credits or cost-sharing reductions.

Insurance company	Insurance Plan	Co-insurance	Deductible	Out-of-Pocket Max	Copay PCP/ Specialist	$0 Virtual Care PCP	Adult Dental/ Vision
United Healthcare	Silver-E Standard HMO	40%	$5700/ $11400	$7200/ $14400	$30/$60	$30 Copay	Dental/ Vision as separate policies
Aetna	Aetna Silver S HMO	40%	$5700/ $11400	$7200/ $14400	$40/ $80	Yes	No
United Healthcare	UHC Silver-E Advantage+ HMO	30%	$2500 $5000	$7100/ $14300	$0/$100	Yes	Yes
Aetna	Aetna Silve 1 HMO	40%	$4250/ $8500	$7325 $14650	$20/$40	Yes	No
BCBS of Texas	MyBlue Health Silver 807 HMO	40%	$5700/ $11400	$7200/ $14400	$40/$80	Fee Applies	Dental/ Vision as separate policies
Oscar	Simple PCP Saver 250	40%	$4750/ $9500	$7200/ $14400	$20/$80	Yes	No
Oscar	Simple Specialist Saver EPO 250	50%	$4500/ $9000	$7200/ $14400	$40/$40	Yes	No
Ambetter	Focused Silver EPO	50%	$5100/ $10200	$6700/ $13400	$35/$85	Yes	Dental as separate policy
Ambetter	Complete EPO Silver+ Vison+ Adult Dental	40%	$5000/ $10000	$7500/ $10000	$20/$50	Cost sharing applies	Yes
BCBS Of Texas	Blue Advantage Silver 705 HMO	40%	$5700/ $11400	$7200/ $14400	$40/$80	Fee Applies	Dental/ Vision as separate policies

*In our review, we have listed five health insurance companies. Other insurance providers may be available.

** No charge for the first two sick visits, $25 copayment per visit for subsequent visits in that plan year; deductible does not apply.

How to Enroll in Health Insurance in Bexar County, TX?

The enrollment process doesn’t differ much whether you live in Dallas, El Paso, Corpus Christi, or Bexar Counties. Each must follow the Affordable Care Act standards.

When – The Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment period starts on November 1^st  and ends on December 31^st each year. Your health insurance begins on January 1^st. The ACA allows late enrollment until January 15^th, but your start date will be February 1^st.

The Affordable Care Act also allows a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) where one can enroll anytime during the year. You qualify for a SEP when:

• There is a change in your household. – Changes include getting married or divorced, having a birth or adoption, or a death in the family.
• You have a change in your residence. – If you move and change your zip code, this may trigger an insurance rate adjustment.
• There is a change to your health coverage. – You can apply for health insurance when you or your spouse lose an employer-sponsored health plan or insurance from an alternative source.

How – The Marketplace is the way most apply. You begin by creating an account with your name, location, and email address. Then, enter personal information like family size and income. Finally, you review and select a plan. The process is simple; you will know your status as soon as you complete your application. Based on your situation, you will know if you qualify for tax subsidies and how they will apply toward your policy’s cost.

If you have any questions when searching for health insurance in Bexar County, TX, contact CoverMile. We can help you find the best coverage that fits your current situation and guide you through the sign-up process.

How to Find Doctors Near Me in Bexar County, TX?

One primary concern when purchasing insurance is whether a doctor is within an insurance company’s network. You can find out easily by visiting the insurance company’s website and searching for your doctor or the facility’s name to see if they are in-network or out-of-network.

The links below will take you to each provider’s website and directory. You can search by location, doctor’s name, and facility type. Each website is different, and some offer more information than others.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of TX

After entering your location, you can search Medical Care, Urgent Care, Behavior Health, and Cost Estimates. You can also search for pharmacy information, as well as for Dental and Vision care.

Oscar

Once you select your plan, you can find Primary Care Providers (PCPs), hospitals, pharmacies, and urgent care centers in your area.

Ambetter

Enter your plan information and location, and you can find doctors and facilities in your area. You are also given the option to connect with Telehealth or to talk with a nurse directly.

UnitedHealthcare

Begin by selecting the type of provider you are searching for, then your plan type, and finally, the plan you are on. Then, you can search by doctor, facility, specialty, or condition. You can also view a cost estimate.

Aetna

After providing your zip code and the search parameters, select your health plan. Then, you can search for doctors, facilities, and pharmacies in your selected area.