Health Insurance Plans in Nueces County, Texas 2024

If you don’t recognize the name of Nueces County, you will when we give you the name of one of its most popular cities, Corpus Christi. Corpus is known for its tourist draw, beaches, and oil and gas. This year, so far, Nueces County has produced 42 thousand barrels of oil and 2.2 million cubic feet of natural gas. We get to transport partly over the work along the coast of Texas; well, our vehicles do. And speaking of work, insurance companies also work to keep us healthy. They provide the health care that, like the gas in our cars, keeps us going. We at CoverMile have reviewed the four health insurance companies that cover Nueces County. Below we have ranked them in relation to cost and benefits. Let’s take a look at each.

We at CoverMile are here to help you find the best health insurance plans in Nueces County, TX, at the lowest prices. Coverage exists for as low as $0 per month with subsidies. Read on, and we can show you how.

2023 Health Insurance Facts in Nueces County, Texas

Health insurance in Texas is unique. While Texas houses only the fifth largest port with Nueces County, we have 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 US Census estimate, Nueces County has a population of over 350 thousand residents. Of that total, 19.6 percent are uninsured. That’s just over 69 thousand individuals.
• By gender, of those insured, 48.3 percent were men, and 51.7 percent were female.
• Currently, through the ACA, Eighty-seven percent of consumers have access to three or more insurers in 2023. This is unchanged from 2022. Nueces County has access to five insurance providers.
• Fifty-nine percent of consumers have access to a plan from a national insurer; these are companies like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, that are available to more than just a local area.
• According to Niche, Nueces County is ranked 32^nd on their list of healthiest lists of counties in Texas for 2023. They also voted Corpus Christi as one of the cities with the lowest cost of living in America.
• Primary care physicians in Nueces County, TX, see, on average, 1262 patients per year; dentists, 1877 patients per year; mental health providers, 825 patients per year.
• The national median average of those who smoke is 20.0 percent. Nueces County’s average is 16.0 percent.
• Life expectancy in Nueces County is 78.4 years. The national average is 77.5 years.
• The average cost of a Silver health insurance plan in Texas is $454
• When you are outside of Open Enrollment, you may qualify for Short Term Health Insurance. Some insurers offer this benefit. UnitedHealthcare is one of them.

Do I Need Health Insurance in Travis County, TX?

The federal mandate to carry health insurance no longer exists. Only a handful of states require an individual to have health insurance. Texas isn’t one of them. However, when one chooses not to have insurance, they open the door to many issues you may not consider.

1. Healthcare costs.This is the big one. 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 retail store. When you present your card to the cashier, you receive a discounted price. Health insurance is somewhat like this. Insurance companies contract with medical facilities to provide care to individuals at a negotiated rate.
2. Healthcare networks.First, you receive treatment from your regular doctor or provider. Now, should you need advanced medical care, having insurance provides you with a connected list of doctors and facilities. This can help ease the concern of having to search on your own. Especially since looking for a specialist or care facility may add burdens to an already stressful situation.
3. Healthcare maintenance.When you have health insurance, it provides you and those under your plan with preventive care services that are free in most cases. Under the Affordable Care Act, these services are mandated. Not carrying health insurance places you in a position where you will have to pay for these services out of pocket.

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

There are many options for Individuals and families for healthcare in Nueces County. You can purchase health insurance through the Marketplace or directly from a health insurance company. Each option has its benefits.

Affordable Care Act/Marketplace – This is the most popular option. When you sign up for ACA insurance, you and your family will be given options of 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 – If you believe you qualify for tax credits, begin there because when you purchase from an insurance company directly, you will not have access to ACA subsidies. Plan benefits can also differ depending on the insurance company and metal tier. Also, understand rates may vary between on and off-exchange plans.

Types of Insurance – When you purchase an insurance plan, whether through the Marketplace or Direct, the insurance company may allow you to select your insurance network. The primary three are HMOs, EPOs, and PPOs. While these network types are different, each insurance company chooses which network type or types they make available to their customers. However, when you find your plan, be cautious of out-of-network fees should the doctors or specialists you usually see not be within your plan’s network.

Short-term Health Insurance– Short-Term insurance may be an option if you need temporary insurance to bridge the gap until the ACA Open Enrollment or your employer’s benefits start date. Short-Term Insurance gives the insured temporary basic health coverage for routine care. It 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 Four Health Insurance Companies with the Highest Star Ratings in Nueces County, TX

The number of individuals signing up for health insurance in Nueces County continues to grow. It then becomes a question of which insurance company you should select for your family. But you may wonder how much each company charges enrollees, how much they’ve charged in the past, and what your future costs may be like. To answer this concern, we have rated these four companies on 2023 rates as compared to their 2022 rates.

• Aetna – 6.92 % decrease – We lead off with the only company that has seen a reduction. They are known for their $0 preventive care, 24/7 $0 Virtual Care, and in-network $0 walk-in clinics available seven days a week.
• 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.
• ·      Ambetter – 10.7% increase – One primary benefit of Ambetter is that they offer Adult Dental and Vision options with some of their EPO network plans. Most insurance companies only provide the Children’s dental mandated by the ACA 10 Essential benefits. The one thing Ambetter lacks, however, is they do not offer a Bronze metal plan.

• UnitedHealthcare – 13.46 % increase – While UnitedHealthcare for Nueces County residents has the largest premium increase for 2023, they offer benefits the other companies on our list don’t offer. One is Short Term Insurance. If you are without insurance, and you need it now to get you to Open Enrollment and don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, UnitedHealthcare may be your only option.

Top Four Health Insurance Plans for Nueces County, TX

Below we’ve chosen the best insurance policies for Nueces County, TX, from each of the 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 HMO	50%	$6100/ $17400	$9100/ $18200	40%/50%	Fee Applies	Dental/ Vision as separate policies
Aetna	Aetna Silver 2 HMO	40%	$4000/ $8000	$6800/ $13600	$25/$50	Yes	Dental as separate policy
Ambetter	Focused Silver+Vison+Adult Vision HMO	50%	$5100/ $10200	$6300/ $12600	$35/$85	Yes	Yes
United Healthcare	Silver-E Standard HMO	40%	$5700/ $11400	$7200/ $14400	$30/$60	$30 Copay	Dental/ Vision as separate policies

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

Whether you live in Nueces, El Paso, 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 insurance will then begin on January 1^st. You also have until January 15^th to enroll, but your start date will be February 1^st.

You can also enroll through a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). One can enroll anytime during the year. You qualify for a SEP when:

• There is a change in your household. – This can include getting married or divorced; having a birth or adoption in your family; or there is 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 rate.
• You have a change to 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 way is through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace website. Signing up is quick, and the site guides you through the process. You also receive an answer as soon as your application is completed. The application will also let you know if you qualify for tax subsidies. If you do, it will factor your savings into your policy’s cost.

If you have any questions when shopping for health insurance in Nueces County, TX, contact CoverMile. We can assist you with finding the best coverage that will fit your current situation. We can guide you through the health insurance sign-up process.

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

When you are insurance shopping, one of the main concerns you may have is if your doctor will be on the insurance company’s list or if you will need to look for a new doctor. You can find out simply by visiting the insurance company’s website and searching for your doctor’s name or the facility they are part of. This search will tell you if your doctor is 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 will be able to 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.

Ambetter

Enter your plan information and your 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 within the area you selected.