Health Insurance Plans in Borden County, Texas, 2024

Borden County is known for the individual it is named after. And if you have done any type of baking you know his, Gail Borden. He has the county as well as a town named after him. He was originally a newspaper publisher before he developed a method for condensing milk. Today you may know Borden through Elsie the cow, the brand’s face. When you see Elsie, you think milk. When you need insurance, we want you to think of CoverMile. We are here to assist with finding the cream of the crop for you and your family whether you live in a big city like Austin or the small town of Gail.

CoverMile helps individuals and families find the best health insurance at the lowest prices. You can find coverage in Borden County for as low as $0 per month with subsidies. Read on, and we can show you how.

Health Insurance Facts for 2023 in Borden County, Texas

Texas Health insurance is unique. Overall the state has the second largest exchange enrollment in the nation, with 2.4 million for 2023. Only Florida has more. Texas also has a 22.1 percent uninsured rate. This is the highest in the country. We’ve held this position since the exchange system’s implementation.  

Here are additional facts about health insurance in Texas.

• According to a U.S. Census estimate, Borden County has a population of 585 residents. Of that total, 12.3 percent are uninsured.
• By gender, of those insured, 46.8 percent were men, and 53.2 percent were female.
• Currently, through the ACA, Eighty-seven percent of Texas insurance shoppers have access to three or more companies in 2023. Borden County can sign up with three insurance providers.
• 95.1 percent of Borden County has health coverage. 3.83 percent have insurance through Medicaid. 52.1 percent obtain it with their employer, and 20.1 percent have Medicare insurance. 19.1 are through non-group plans, none are through the V.A., or military plans.
• Overall, Fifty-nine percent of the country has access to coverage through a national insurer; these include companies like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, which is available in every state.
• The average cost of a Silver health insurance plan in Texas is $454
  
  

Here are a few fun facts about the tiny county itself:

• The town of Gail as well as the county are named after Gail Borden, the inventor of condensed milk. He received U.S. and British patents in 1856 and opened a condensery in 1861.
• Gail Borden began a newspaper titled Telegraph and Texas Register in 1835 and was an official organ of The Republic of Texas with a readership between 500-700. The war and many relocations caused the publication to cease in 1877.
• Borden County is a dry county. One cannot purchase alcohol there; you must travel HWY 180 to Dawson or Scurry Counties to buy your booze.
• Mesquite and Plains are unincorporated towns within Borden County; Dunham and Treadway are two towns that no longer exist.
• J.B. Thomas Lake is a reservoir for the Colorado River.
• Borden county is not completely flat as one would think of inland Texas. Features such as: The Caprock, Gail Mountain, and Muchakooga give this county some hilly features amongst its flatlands.

Do I Need Health Insurance in Borden County, TX?

The federal mandate that requires individual health coverage no longer exists. Only a handful of states still have this law; Texas isn’t one of them. However, when you do not have health insurance, even in a small county such as Borden, you may find issues you have not considered.

1. Healthcare costs. When you do not have health insurance, and you visit a medical facility, you pay full price for your health care. Having health insurance is like having a membership to a big-box store. When you show your card to the cashier, you receive a discount. Insurance companies contract with medical providers to treat individuals at a negotiated rate.
2. Healthcare networks. When you receive medical care from your primary doctor or provider, you may need further treatment. When you have health insurance, you have a network of doctors and facilities so you can receive treatment quicker. This can ease your worries, especially since looking for a specialist or advanced care facility on your own may add to an already stressful situation.
3. Healthcare maintenance. Having health insurance provides you and your family with free preventive care. This is due to Affordable Care Act mandates. If you do not have health insurance, you must pay for these services out of pocket.

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

Borden County residents can purchase health insurance for Individuals and families through the ACA Marketplace or directly from a health insurance provider. Each option has its benefits.

Affordable Care Act/Marketplace – When signing up for an insurance plan through the Marketplace, you can search for the best plan available based upon your family dynamic and economic status. The Affordable Care Act site informs you if you qualify for premium tax credits and subsidies like cost-sharing reductions.

Direct Purchase – First, before you commit to purchasing directly from an insurance company, double-check your qualification for tax credits and subsidies. If you don’t, you still have options with a direct purchase from a health insurance provider. In some cases, like with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, you may have additional plan options only available on the insurance company’s website.

Types of Insurance – Insurance companies may offer network options, whether through the Marketplace or a direct purchase. The primary three you will see are HMOs, EPOs, and PPOs. When you are viewing the plans available, insurance companies sometimes allow you to choose your network type based on plans offered. Keep your doctor in mind when searching, they must be within the plan’s network for them to be covered. If they are not, you can incur out-of-network fees.

Short-term Health Insurance – If you only need health insurance for a short time period, then Short-term Health Insurance may be an option for you.  The primary reasons for STH Insurance would be you are outside of Open Enrollment and you need insurance to bridge the gap, you are waiting for an employer’s benefit package to kick in, or you are waiting for your Medicare benefits and you need health insurance until then. Short Term Health Insurance covers an initial period of 364 days and can be renewed for an additional 24 months. Keep in mind that Short Term Health Insurance has its limits. It does not cover preexisting conditions, maternity care, or prescription medication.

Top Health Insurance Companies with the Highest Star Ratings in Borden County, TX

When insurance shoppers look for health insurance in counties like Borden, they wonder which insurance company is best for their family. The top rating concerns have to do with premiums. Shoppers ask these three questions:

• How much will my premium be?
• How much have they charged in the past?
• How much will my future costs be?

To address these concern, we have rated the top companies available in Borden County based on their 2023 rates as compared to their 2022 rate.

• Baylor, Scott, and White – 1.7% increase – Although having a rise in 2023, Baylor, Scott, and White has one of the lowest price increases in the market. However, they do not have as wide of a coverage area as other insurance carriers. They provide insurance to major cities such as Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio and their surrounding areas.

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas – 3.42% increase – Although BCBS of Texas has seen a premium increase this year, they continue to prove they are a strong and reliable insurance company. They have more plans available than other providers. They also offer coverage to the entire state of Texas.

Top Health Insurance Plans for Borden County, TX

Below we’ve selected the best insurance policies for Borden County, TX. Three from each of the two above companies. They are in order as they reflect the cost of a standard policy without Cost Sharing reductions.

Insurance company	Insurance Plan	Co-insurance	Deductible	Out-of-Pocket Max	Copay PCP/ Specialist	Virtual Care PCP	Adult Dental/ Vision
BCBS of Texas	Blue Advantage Gold 706 HMO	25%	$2000/ $4000	$8700/ $17400	$30/$60	Fee Applies	Dental/ Vision as separate policies
Baylor, Scott, and White	Elite Gold HMO 012	20%	$1500/ $3000	$9100/$18200	$0/$60	Fee Applies	No
Baylor, Scott, and White	Prime Silver HMO 008	40%	$3400/ $6800	$7250/$14500	$30/$70*	Fee Applies	No
BCBS of Texas	Blue Advantage Silver 205 HMO	50%	$1500/ $4500	$7250/$14500	$15/50%	Fee Applies	Dental Vision as separate policies
BCBS of Texas	Blue Advantage Silver 705 HMO	40%	$5700/ $11400	$7200/$14400	$30/$60	Fee Applies	Dental/Vision as separate policies
Baylor, Scott, and White	Prime Silver HMO 005	10%	$0/$0	$7250/$14500	$45/$95**	Fee Applies	No

*Adults: No charge for the first two sick visits. Copay thereafter. Children: No copay chAarge.

**Adults: No charge for first sick visit. Copay thereafter.

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

Whether you live in Borden, Orange, El Paso, or Dallas Counties, there aren’t many differences in the enrollment process. All insurance companies are bound by Affordable Care Act standards.

When – Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment begins on November 1^st and ends on December 31^st. Coverage begins on January 1^st. You are also able to enroll until January 15^th. This late enrollment gives you a start date of February 1^st.

You may enroll at any time if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). You are eligible for a SEP when:

• You have a change in your household. – If you get married or divorced; add a family member through birth or adoption; or if there is a death in the family.
• If there is a change of residence. – If you move into a new zip code this can cause your insurance rate to change as well.
• There is a change in your health coverage. – If you lose your employer-sponsored health insurance or benefit plan through an alternative source, you can apply for ACA health insurance.

How – The easiest way to apply for health coverage is through the ACA Marketplace. Signing up is simple. The website guides you through the process. When you complete your application, you know which plans are available and if you qualify for tax subsidies. If you are eligible, you know how it will apply to your policy’s cost.

If you have questions about health insurance in Borden County, contact CoverMile. We’re here to help you find the best coverage for you and your family, and guide you through the sign-up process.

How to Find Doctors Near Me in Borden County, TX

If you live in a small community like Borden County, one concern you may have is finding a doctor. Maybe you already have a Primary Care Physician (PCP). Will your doctor be covered under your new health insurance plan? It is easy to find doctors near you in Borden County. The best way is to visit your insurance provider’s website and search for the doctor’s name or the facility they are part of. This will let you know if they are in or out of network.

Below are the links that will take you to each insurance company’s website. Their medical provider’s directory allows you to search by location, doctor’s name, and facility type.  

Baylor, Scott, and White

Begin by selecting your plan type. Then, you can choose the type of specialty you are searching for, then your zip code. The search engine will show you all available doctors and facilities in that area based on the parameters you set up.

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.