Health Insurance Plans in Collin County, Texas, 2024

Collin County is one of the more northern counties in Texas. It is notable that one of its first settlers planted their roots right where their wagon broke a wheel. That town became known as Weston. Not named after a person, but the town in Missouri where they came from. Today, that town still exists with a population of just under 300 at the 2020 census. You could imagine making the trip and having things spoiled by unexpected events. This is just like having health insurance. You never know what could happen, so having health insurance for you and your family protects you against the unexpected. At CoverMile, our job is to help you find the best health insurance in Collin County at a price you can afford. Contact us today.

CoverMile is here to help you find the best health insurance coverage in Collin County, TX, at the lowest prices. Plans exist for as low as $0 per month with subsidies. Read on, and we can show you how.

2023 Health Insurance Facts in Collin County, Texas

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

Here are additional facts about health insurance in Texas.

• According to a U.S. Census estimate, Collin County has a population of 1.1 million residents. Of that total, 10.9 percent are uninsured.
• By gender, of those insured, 50.9 percent are women, and 49.1 percent are men.
• Eighty-seven percent of consumers have access to three or more insurers in 2023. Through the ACA, Collin County has access to eight insurance providers.
• 89.4 percent of Collin County has health insurance. 64.5 percent obtain it with their employer, while 10.9 percent have it through non-group plans. 8.07 percent are on Medicare, 5.04 percent have insurance through Medicaid, and less than one percent 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, Collin County is number two of the Healthiest Counties in Texas for 2023. It was also voted as one of the best counties to live in.
• 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 Collin County itself:

• Collin County got its name from its founder, Collin McKinney. He was also one of the five who drafted and one of the fifty-five who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836.

• Collin County helps the longest river in the U.S. move along. The East Fork of The Trinity River flows into the northern portion of Lavon Lake, then continues into the tip of Lake Ray Hubbard in the county’s southern tip.  
• In May of 1896, in the town of Sherman, an F5 tornado killed and wounded over 200 residents. It was part of an outbreak of 38 tornadoes across twelve states. It produced three F5 tornadoes, including this one. It was labeled as one of the most intense storms of time.
• While McKinney is the county seat, it is not the largest city; it is the third largest. Plano is, and Frisco comes in second.  
• McKinney ISD Stadium in McKinney, TX, is the location for Drum Corps International 2024. Collin County is the home of this annual event of advanced-level marching band competition.  
• The town of Weston is the oldest in the county. It is said to have begun because of a broken wagon wheel. Larkin Adamson was the wagon owner, and he planted roots in the town, naming it after the town he came from. The broken wheel folklore has become the emblem of the county’s logo.
• Collin County has seven ghost towns. Among these are Cottage Hill, Frognot, and Buckner, a town that was supposed to be the county seat, but through miscommunication, when a vote was to be held, it did not meet qualifications. When a second vote was held, McKinney was declared the county seat.

Do I Need Health Insurance in Collin County, TX?

For the current 2024 enrollment period, only four states and D.C. still maintain state-based penalties for not having health insurance. Texas isn’t one of them. Even though you aren’t required to carry health insurance, one must consider the following when seeing a doctor or visiting a healthcare facility.

1. Healthcare costs. When you have a membership card at a retail store, you 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 buy health insurance, you will pay full price.
2. Healthcare networks.Networks are an insurance company’s list of doctors, specialists, and medical facilities that provide medical care. This helps when searching on your own. Especially since seeking advanced medical care may burden an already stressful situation.
3. Healthcare maintenance.Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurance provides free preventive care services such as immunizations and well checkups. When you choose not to carry health insurance, you must pay for these services out of pocket.

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

When shopping for health insurance in Collin County, individuals, and families can find affordable 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 insurance is the Marketplace. When signing up online, you are given the options 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 making a Direct Purchase with an insurance company, you will not have access to ACA subsidies. If you think you may qualify, apply on the Marketplace website before you begin insurance shopping elsewhere. Also, know insurance rates and plans available may vary when making a direct purchase from an insurance company.

Short-term Health Insurance– If your need for health insurance is only temporary, short-term insurance may be an option. You can cover the gap between your hire date and your employer’s benefits package, if you do not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period and it’s too long until Open Enrollment, 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, look for out-of-network fees should your doctor or specialist may not be within your plan’s network. BCBS of Texas, Aetna, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare are all HMOs. Ambetter and Oscar are EPOs.

Top Health Insurance Companies in Collin 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 Collin County based on their 2024 rates compared to their 2023 rates.

• Aetna – 14.94 % rate increase – In 2023, Aetna had a significant decrease. For 2024, they top the list of insurance companies with a rate 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.  – While Ambetter does not have a Bronze Metal tier, they offer Adult Dental and Vision with some EPO network plans. Most insurance companies only provide Children’s Dental and Vision that is mandated by the ACA 10 Essential Benefits.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas – 0.24% rate decrease – Last year, BCBS of Texas saw a three percent increase. For 2024, a rate decrease is a welcome sight for subscribers. They have more plans available than most insurers, giving shoppers options. They are also one of the few that are available nationwide.
• Cigna – 12.4% rate increase. – This is our first year reviewing Cigna. While we don’t have a number for last year, they offer benefits like $3 generic prescriptions on some of their plans.
• Oscar – 3.39% rate increase. – In 2023, Oscar had a double-digit increase, still climbing, but not as bad. 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 repeats last year’s performance with a 13.46 percent rate increase. While UnitedHealthcare for Colling 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, in between Open Enrollment, and you don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, UnitedHealthcare may be your only option.

Top Twelve Health Insurance Plans for Collin County, TX*

Below, we’ve selected the best health insurance plans from each company for Collin County, TX. They are in order as they reflect the cost of a standard Silver policy without Cost Saving reductions.

Insurance company	Insurance Plan	Co-insurance	Deductible	Out-of-Pocket Max	Copay PCP/ Specialist	$0 Virtual Care PCP	Adult Dental/ Vision
Baylor, Scott, and White	Prime Silver HMO 008	40%	$3800/ $7600	$7550/ $15100	$25**/$35	Fee Applies	No
Baylor, Scott, and White	Prime Silver HMO 005	0%	$1200/ $2400	$7500/ $15100	$45*** /$85	Fee Applies	No
BCBS of Texas	MyBlue Health Silver 807 HMO	40%	$5700/ $11400	$7200/ $14400	$40/$80	Fee Applies	Dental/ Vision as separate policies
Aetna	Aetna Silver S	40%	$5700/ $11400	$7200/ $14400	$40/ $80	Yes	No
Ambetter	Complete VALUE Silver HMO	40%	$5000/ $10000	$7550/ $15100	$20/$50	Yes	Dental as separate policy
United Healthcare	Silver-E Standard HMO	40%	$5700/ $11400	$7200/ $14400	$30/$60	$3 Copay	Dental/ Vision as separate policies
Oscar	Simple PCP Saver EPO 250	40%	$4750/ $9500	$7200/ $14400	$20/$80	Yes	No
Cigna	Connect Silver-2 3000	50%	$3300/ $6600	$7300/ $14600	$25/ $45	Fee applies	Dental/ Vision as separate policies
United Healthcare	UHC Silver-E Advantage+ HMO	30%	$2500 $5000	$7100/ $14300	$0/$100	Yes	Yes
Oscar	Simple Specialist Saver 250 EPO	50%	$4500/ $9000	$7200/ $14000	$40/$40	Yes	No
BCBS Of Texas	Blue Advantage Silver 801 HMO	40%	$2500/ $5000	$7550/ $15100	$45/$80	Fee Applies	Dental/ Vision as separate policies
Ambetter	Complete EPO Silver+ Vison+ Adult Dental	40%	$5000/ $10000	$7500/ $10000	$20/$50	Cost sharing applies	Yes

*In our review, we have listed seven 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.

***No charge for the first sick visit, $45 copay for subsequent visits in that plan year; deductible does not apply.

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

There isn’t much difference in the enrollment process whether you live in Collin, El Paso, Corpus Christi, or Harris Counties. Each county must follow Affordable Care Act standards.

When – Open Enrollment for the Affordable Care Act begins on November 1^st and ends on January 15^th. When you enroll between November 1^st and December 31^st, your health insurance starts on January 1^st. If you wait until after January 1^st, you have until January 15^th to enroll; your start date will then be February 1^st.

The ACA 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. – This includes 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 zip codes, this may require an insurance rate adjustment.
• You have a change to your health coverage. – When you or your spouse lose an employer-sponsored health coverage plan or from an alternative source, you can apply for health insurance.

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 Collin County, TX, contact CoverMile. We can help you find the best coverage that fits your family situation and guide you through the sign-up process.

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

One primary concern when purchasing insurance is if your new insurance company’s network covers your doctor. 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.

Cigna

Search the doctor’s type, name, or facility through an address, city, or zip code. Then, you can find your doctor’s name or facility through the drop-down menu.