Health Insurance Plans in Briscoe County, Texas 2024

Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roams; well, in the case of Briscoe County, it would be a bison. One local state park sees to the preservation of the Southern bison. Their health and well-being were a concern of a cattleman named Charles Goodnight in 1878. Today, your health and wellbeing are also a concern, and you don’t need to live on the open range or be endangered to obtain it. CoverMile is here to help you find the best insurance at a price you can afford. Let’s take a look.

CoverMile can help you find the best health insurance in Briscoe County at the lowest prices. Coverage exists for as low as $0 per month with subsidies. We can show you how.

2023 Health Insurance Facts in Briscoe County, Texas

Texas has 2.4 million exchange enrollments for 2023. This is the second-highest state for individual enrollees; only Florida has seen more. We have also checked the box for the highest uninsured rate of 22.1 percent. We’ve 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, Briscoe County has a population of 1,431 residents. Of that total, 27 percent are uninsured.
• By gender, of those insured, 57.4 percent were men, and 42.6 percent were female.
• Eighty-seven percent of consumers have access to three or more insurers in 2023. Through the ACA, Briscoe County has access to three insurance providers.
• Fifty-nine percent of consumers have access to health plans from a national insurer; companies like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas are available to more than just a local area.
• 73.9 percent of Briscoe County has health coverage. 30.2 percent obtain it with their employer, while 5.29 percent have it through non-group plans. 17.2 percent have Medicare insurance, 17.3 percent have insurance through Medicaid, and 3.95 percent are through the V.A. or military.
• The average cost of a Silver health insurance plan in Texas is $454

Here are a few fun facts about Briscoe County itself:

• Briscoe County was named after Andrew Briscoe. He was a Texas Revolutionary soldier and an infantry captain at the Battle of San Jacinto. He served as chief justice of Harrisburg and was a railroad planner who secured a charter for the Republic of Texas for the Harrisburg Railroad and Trading Company—envisioning transcontinental railroad travel.

• The Prairie Dog Town Fork Red River cuts across the county’s northeastern corner. It is the main tributary, flowing east along the Texas and Oklahoma border, ending at the Red River.
• Briscoe County’s worst disaster was a tornado in May of 1957. It caused over $1 million in damage and killed 21 people.
• Caprock Canyons State Park is a campground with 90 miles of trails for hiking and Lake Theo for fishing. It is said bison roam the plains.
• Speaking of bison, the town of Quitaque holds Bison Fest, an annual Bison Music festival, each September.
• Briscoe County has one ghost town: Gasoline. It was believed to be due to the cotton gin running on gasoline. That gin burned down in 1938, and the town dwindled from there.

Do I Need Health Insurance in Briscoe County, TX?

Not many states still carry health insurance mandates. However, if you remain uninsured, you may forget why individuals purchase health coverage.

1. Healthcare costs.Without health insurance, you must pay full price at a doctor’s office or health care facility. Health insurance is like having a membership card for your local big box store. When you show your card, you receive a discounted price. Health insurance is the same. Insurance companies contract with medical providers to treat individuals at a negotiated rate.
2. Healthcare networks.Health insurance lists medical providers when you require additional treatment after seeing your Primary Care Physician (PCP). This eases the concern of searching for the nearest or least costly on your own. Especially since seeking advanced medical care may burden an already stressful situation.
3. Healthcare maintenance.Health insurance provides preventive care benefits under the Affordable Care Act; these services are mandated. These benefits include well-checkups and immunizations. Without health insurance, you are required to pay out of pocket.

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

Affordable health insurance for individuals and families has many options in Briscoe County. You can find insurance through the ACA Marketplace or a direct purchase from a health insurance company.

Affordable Care Act/Marketplace – When you apply through the Marketplace website, you select the best metal plan for you and your family. The ACA website will inform you if you qualify for premium tax credits and subsidies like cost-sharing reductions.

Direct Purchase – If you are unsure if you qualify for tax credits or subsidies, apply on the ACA website first. You won’t receive any penalty for being denied. If you are declined, you can purchase directly from an insurance company. Understand that you will not have access to any ACA subsidies and that rates vary between on and off-exchange plans. However, some insurance companies offer more plan choices than they do on the Marketplace exchange.

Short-term Health Insurance – Short-term insurance may be an option when you only need health insurance temporarily. This type of policy provides coverage for those who only need insurance until Open Enrollment or are waiting for an employment benefits package to begin. It covers an initial period of up to 364 days and can be renewed for an additional 24 months. Short Term Health insurance does have its limitations. It doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, maternity care, or prescription medication.

Types of Insurance – The primary three health insurance network types are HMOs, EPOs, and PPOs. The primary 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, be cautious about out-of-network fees should the doctors or specialists you may use not be within your plan’s network.

Top Health Insurance Companies with the Highest Star Ratings in Briscoe 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 use those reviews to consider which insurance companies are best and purchase based on that research.

Below, we have listed the two primary companies within the Briscoe County coverage area and their price increase over last year. *

• Baylor, Scott, and White – 1.7% rate increase – Although experiencing an increase for 2023, Baylor, Scott, and White had one of the lowest price increases in the market. However, their coverage area is not as wide as other insurance carriers. They cover major cities such as Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, and surrounding areas.

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas – 3.42% rate increase –BCBS of Texas increased in 2023. Still, they continue to prove to be a stronger and more reliable insurance provider. They have more plans available than other insurers; this means you have options for you and your family. They are available statewide.

Top Health Insurance Plans for Briscoe County, TX*

Below, we’ve selected each company’s best insurance policies for Briscoe County, TX. They are in order as they reflect the cost of a standard policy without Cost Saving Reductions (CSR). We have listed Gold and Silver plans but understand that CSRs can only be used with Silver Plans.

Insurance company	Insurance Plan	Co-insurance	Deductible	Out-of-Pocket Max	Copay PCP/ Specialist	$0 Virtual Care PCP	Adult Dental/ Vision
BCBS of Texas	Blue Advantage Gold HMO 706	25%	$2000/$4000	$8700/$17400	$30/$60	Fee Applies	Dental/Vision as separate policies
BCBS of Texas	Blue Advantage Gold 603 HMO	40%	$1500/ $4500	$5000/ $10000	$45/40%	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
Baylor, Scott, and White	Prime Silver HMO 005	10%	$0/$0	$7250/$14500	$45/ $85***	Fee Applies	No

*While we list Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and Baylor, Scott, and White above, other options may be available.

 **No charge for the first two sick Visits, $30 Copay per Visit for subsequent Visits in that plan year

***No charge for the first Sick Visit.

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

Whether you live in Briscoe, El Paso, Corpus Christi, or Orange Counties, the enrollment process is similar. Each is bound by Affordable Care Act standards.

When – Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment starts on November 1^st and concludes on December 31^st; your health insurance will begin on January 1^st. The ACA also allows a late enrollment period that gives you until January 15^th to enroll; however, your start date will then be February 1^st.

You can also enroll anytime through a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). You can sign up if you meet one of these criteria:

• There is a life change in your household. – This includes: getting married or divorced; a birth or adoption; a death in the family.
• You have a change in your residence. – Moving out of your zip code may require an adjustment to your insurance premium.
• You have a change to your health coverage. – If you or your spouse lose employer-sponsored health coverage or through an alternative source, you can apply for ACA health insurance.

How – The easiest way to apply for ACA health insurance is through the Marketplace. It is fast as the website guides you through the process. You will see your options as soon as you complete your application. You will also know if you qualify for tax subsidies and see how it will factor into your policy’s cost.

If you have questions about health insurance in Briscoe County, contact CoverMile. We can assist you with finding the best coverage and guide you through the sign-up process.

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

When considering other insurance companies, one main concern is whether your Primary Care Physician (PCP) will be covered. You can find out by visiting an insurance company’s website and searching for your doctor or the facility’s name. This will tell you 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.

Baylor, Scott, and White

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