Health Insurance Plans in Dallas County, Texas, 2024

A couple of things come to mind when folks hear the name Dallas. One involves twelve men on a lined field, the other a television show surrounding an oilfield family with certain dramatic tendencies. If you are or were a fan of either, you know that injuries bring gasps to many viewers. Health insurance would be one benefit both Dak Prescott and JR Ewing could benefit from. You can, as well. We at CoverMile are here to help you find the best health insurance in Dallas County at a price you can afford. Contact us today; quick convenience items won’t be the only thing you will thank heaven for.

CoverMile is here to help you find the best health insurance coverage in Dallas 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 Dallas County, Texas

Texas had 2.4 million enroll in the Affordable Care Act health insurance program in 2023. This was the second-highest state, second to Florida. Texas topped the list with the country’s uninsured rate, at 22.1 percent. The Lone Star State has 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, Harris County has a population of 2.6 million residents. Of that total, 24.2 percent are uninsured.
• By gender, of those insured, 51.6 percent were men, and 48.4 percent were female.
• Eighty-seven percent of consumers have access to three or more insurers in 2023. This will remain unchanged in 2024. Through the ACA, Dallas County has access to nine insurance providers.
• 78.6 percent of Dallas County has health insurance. 44.1 percent obtain it with their employer, while 9.2 percent have it through non-group plans. 8.08 percent are on Medicare, 16.4 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, Dallas County is one of the Healthiest Counties in Texas for 2023. They are also voted number two for the best counties for young professionals.
• The average cost for a Silver health insurance plan in Texas is $454
• 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 Dallas County itself:

• Dallas County’s name origin is a bit cloudy. Some say it was named after George Muffin Dallas, vice president under James Polk from 1845-49; others say Commodore Alexander J. Dallas, his brother, or possibly Joseph Dallas, an early settler to the area.   

• Dallas County has the longest river in the U.S., that has a watershed feeding it. The Trinity River begins in Archer County and flows through Dallas County and down to the Gulf of Mexico. Two of the four forks in Dallas County are the East Trinity and Elm.
• November 22, 1963, was the counties, cities, states, and one of the country’s most historic days—the assassination of John F. Kennedy in Dallas, TX.
• Fair Park is a 277-acre entertainment venue that opened in 1886. It began as the Dallas State Fair. It became famous when it hosted the World’s Fair in 1936, honoring the 100th anniversary of the Texas Republic.
• The stop-and-shop chain 7-Eleven was born in Dallas, Texas. The first store opened in 1927.

• Dallas County is home to the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, basketball’s Dallas Mavericks, hockey’s Dallas Stars, and Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas. Dallas also has a WNBA team, Dallas Wins. (while they claim the World Champion Rangers, they actually play in Arlington, a city between Dallas and Ft. Worth, in Tarrant County.)
• Even with a major area like Dallas County, they still have seven ghost towns. Among these are Sowers, Oasis, and Twin Wells, a farming community that was an area between the West Fork and Elm Fork of the Trinity River.

Do I Need Health Insurance in Dallas County, TX?

As we enter the 2024 enrollment period, only five states still carry a mandate to have health insurance. Not to worry, Texas isn’t one of them. And while you aren’t required to carry health insurance to see a doctor or visit a health care facility, when you don’t have health insurance, you will face issues you may not consider.

1. Healthcare costs.When you have a membership card at a big box store, you receive a discounted price for what 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 carry health insurance, you will pay full price.
2. Healthcare networks.Networks are an insurance company’s list of specialists and medical facilities that provide medical care. This is an effort to ease the concern of 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 mandates include free preventive care services such as immunizations and well checkups. When you elect not to carry health insurance, you must pay for these services out of pocket.

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

When shopping for affordable health insurance, individuals and families can find health coverage in Dallas County 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 option individuals select is the Marketplace. When you sign up online, you are given options available for 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 going the Direct Purchase route, it is important to understand that you will not have access to ACA subsidies. If you think you may qualify, apply on the Marketplace website before you begin insurance shopping. Also, know that insurance rates and plans available may vary when you make a direct purchase from an insurance company.

Short-term Health Insurance – Short-term insurance may be an option if you need temporary health insurance. You can cover the gap between your hire date and your employer’s benefits package, if it’s too long until Open Enrollment and you don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment period, 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 the doctors or specialists you may use not be within your plan’s network. BCBS of Texas, Aetna, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare are all HMOs. Ambetter and Oscar are EPOs.

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

• Aetna – 14.94 % rate increase – last year, Aetna had a significant decrease. This year, we see they top the list of insurance companies that have an 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 offer a Bronze Metal tier, they offer an Adult Dental and Vision option with some EPO network plans. Other insurance companies only provide the ACA 10 Essential Benefits mandated Children’s Dental and Vision. 
• Baylor, Scott, and White – 1.8% rate increase – Although having an increase for 2024, Baylor, Scott, and White have 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 – 0.24% rate decrease – Last year, BCBS of Texas saw a three percent increase. For 2024, a 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 is 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 do 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 Dallas 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, it’s between Open Enrollment, and you don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, UnitedHealthcare may be your only option.

Top Ten Health Insurance Plans for Dallas County, TX*

Below, we’ve selected the best health insurance plans from each company for Dallas 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
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
Oscar	Simple Specialist Saver EPO 250	50%	$4500/ $9000	$7200/ $14400	$40/$40	Yes	No
United Healthcare	Silver-E Standard HMO	40%	$5700/ $11400	$7200/ $14400	$30/$60	$30 Copay	Dental/ Vision as separate policies
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
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.

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

There isn’t much difference in the enrollment process whether you live in Dallas, 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 December 31^st. Your health insurance starts on January 1^st. You also have an opportunity to enroll late. If you miss the first date, you have until January 15^th to enroll, but your start date will 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 can include getting married or divorced, having a birth or adoption, or there is a death in the family.
• You have a change in your residence. – If you change zip codes when you move, 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 easiest way to apply is through the Marketplace. As you begin, the site guides you through the process. It is quick and easy, and you will know your status as soon as you complete your application. You will also 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 Dallas County, TX, contact CoverMile. We can help you find the best coverage that fits your current situation and guide you through the sign-up process.

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

One primary concern is if a doctor will be on your insurance’s network. 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 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.