Health Insurance Plans in Loving County, Texas 2024

If you have never heard of Loving County, TX, it is no surprise. It is the least populated county in the United States. But if you live here, you know and are most likely proud of the map drop you call home. However, whether you live in Austin or Mentone, you need health insurance. This is where we at CoverMile enter the picture. Living in such a small county, it may be confusing about which health insurance provider is available to you. In Loving County, you have options for you and your family. Even Lee Child couldn’t have written it better.

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

Health Insurance Facts for 2023 in Loving County, Texas

Health insurance in Texas is unique. While Loving County is the smallest county in the U.S., the state has one of the highest exchange enrollments in the country, with 2.4 million for 2023. Only Florida beats us. Texas also holds the highest uninsured rate in the country at 22.1 percent. We have 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, Loving County has a population of 51 residents. Of that total, 11.4 percent are uninsured.
• By gender, of those insured, 73.9 percent were men, and 26.1 percent were female.
• Currently, through the ACA, Eighty-seven percent of Texas insurance shoppers have access to three or more companies in 2023. This is unchanged from 2022. Loving County has access to three insurance providers.
• 88.9 percent of the Loving County population has health coverage. Most through an employer, 41 percent. This study shows that none are on Medicaid or military plans, but 37.3 are on non-group plans, and 10.3 percent are on Medicare.
• Overall, Fifty-nine percent of national consumers have access to coverage from 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 oldest building in Loving County is a church built in 1910 in Porterville; it now resides in Mentone.
• There are three ghost towns in Loving County: Hay Flatt, Porterville, and Woody.
• Loving County is an unincorporated town; however, it is the County Seat.
• Country singer Charlie Robison wrote a song called “Loving County” about oilfield working, lost love, and prison life.
• Author Lee Child of the Jack Reacher series wrote of Loving County in his novel Echo Burning.

Do I Need Health Insurance in Loving County, TX?

In 2019, the federal mandate to carry health insurance was rescinded. Today, only a handful of states still have this law; Texas isn’t one of them. However, when you choose not to purchase health insurance, even in a small county such as Loving, you open the door to issues you may not think about.

1. Healthcare costs. When you do not have health insurance, you pay full price for your health care. Think of health insurance as having a membership card to your favorite shopping locale. When you present your card to the cashier, you receive a discounted rate. Health insurance behaves the same. Insurance companies’ contract with medical facilities to provide care to individuals at a negotiated rate.
2. Healthcare networks. First, you usually receive treatment from your regular doctor or provider. After that initial appointment, should you need advanced medical care, health insurance provides a connected list of doctors and facilities. This can help you locate a doctor fast, easing worries. Especially since looking for a specialist or care facility may add burdens to an already stressful situation.
3. Healthcare maintenance.Having health insurance provides you and those under your plan with preventive care services that are free in most cases due to the Affordable Care Act; they are mandated. When you do not have health insurance, you will have to pay for these services out of pocket.

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

Individuals and families have options for healthcare in Loving County. One can purchase health insurance through the ACA Marketplace or directly from a health insurance company. Each option has its benefits.

Affordable Care Act/Marketplace – When you sign up for ACA insurance, you and your family can select from the best plans available. The site will also inform you if you qualify for premium tax credits and subsidies like cost-sharing reductions.

Direct Purchase – Before purchasing directly from an insurance company, it is always best to check with the ACA website to see if you qualify for tax credits and subsidies. You don’t want to leave money on the table. If you do not qualify, you still have options with a direct purchase from a provider. In some cases, more. However, compare with Marketplace plans as some prices may differ as well as benefits.  

Types of Insurance – When shopping for an insurance plan, whether through the Marketplace or Direct, the insurance company may give you network options. The primary three are HMOs, EPOs, and PPOs. Each insurance company works with one or more of these network types. When you choose your plan, you choose your network type. However, when you find your plan, be cautious of out-of-network fees should your doctor or specialist not be within your plan’s network.

Short-term Health Insurance – When you only need health insurance for a short period of time, Short-Term insurance may be an option for you. It is designed to bridge the gap from today until the ACA Open Enrollment or when your employer’s benefits begin. Short-term insurance covers an initial period of 364 days and can be renewed for an additional 24 months. Short Term Health insurance does have limitations. It does not cover preexisting conditions, maternity care, or prescription medication.

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

If you are searching for health insurance in Loving County, you may wonder which insurance company you should select for your family. You may have questions about how much premiums are, how much they’ve charged in the past, and what your future costs may look like. To answer this concern, we have rated the two companies available in Loving County based on their 2023 rates as compared to their 2022 rates.

• Baylor, Scott, and White – 1.7% increase – Although having an increase in 2022, 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. Covering major city areas such as Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio.

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas – 3.42% increase – Although BCBS of Texas has seen an increase this year, they have shown to be a strong and reliable insurance provider. They have more plans available than other insurers; this gives you and your family more options. They also cover the entire state of Texas.

Top Six Health Insurance Plans for Loving County, TX

Below we’ve selected the best insurance policies for Loving 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	$0 Virtual Care PCP	Adult Dental/ Vision
BCBS of Texas	Blue Advantage Plus Bronze 305 HMO	50%	$6100/ $17400	$9100/ $18200	40%/50%	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 2 sick visits. Copay thereafter. Children: No copay charge.

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

Whether you live in Loving, Orange, Corpus Christi, or Dallas Counties, there is not much difference in the enrollment process. Each is bound by Affordable Care Act standards.

When – The Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment period begins on November 1^st of each year and ends on December 31^st. Your coverage starts on January 1^st. You also have until January 15^th to late enroll. Your coverage date will then be February 1^st.

You can also qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP), where one may enroll anytime during the year. You are eligible for a SEP when:

• There is a change in your household. – This includes getting married or divorced; adding a family member through birth or adoption; or there is a death in the family.
• You have a change of residence. – Moving out of your zip code may require an adjustment to your insurance rate.
• There is a change with your health coverage. – When you or your spouse lose health coverage provided through an employer or from an alternative source, you can apply for health insurance.

How – The most common method is through the ACA Marketplace website. Signing up is quick, and the site guides you through the process. As soon as you complete your application, you will receive an answer. The application also lets you know if you qualify for tax subsidies. If you are eligible, it will factor your savings into your policy’s cost.

If you have any questions when shopping for health insurance in Loving County, TX, contact CoverMile. We’re here to assist you with finding the best coverage for you and your family and guiding you through the health insurance sign-up process.

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

One of the main concerns when you are in a small community such as Loving is whether you can continue to see your regular doctor or if you will need to search for a new one. You can find your answer on the insurance company’s website. Input their name or the facility they are part of into their directory, and it will tell you if they are in-network or out-of-network.

To assist you, we have provided the links below that will take you to each provider’s website and their medical provider’s directory. You can search by location, doctor’s name, and facility type. Keep in mind that 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, 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.