Best Health Insurance Companies in Texas for 2026

Wellpoint has the best health insurance in Texas overall, but Ambetter may be better for diabetes care

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Key takeaways
  • Affordable costs and good customer service help make Wellpoint the best health insurance company in Texas.
  • Health insurance in Texas costs an average of $733 a month for Silver marketplace plans.
  • In Texas, Gold plans are cheaper than Silver, but financial aid can make Silver a better deal.

Best health insurance in Texas

Wellpoint’s low rates and deductibles help make it the best health insurance company for most people in Texas. The company also has a very low complaint rating from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) of Texas, Ambetter and Imperial Insurance Companies stand out for other reasons. It’s good to compare health insurance quotes from a few companies when you shop.

Best overall: Wellpoint

Wellpoint

Average monthly rate (Silver plans): $678

Why we chose it: Wellpoint’s low rates and deductibles help keep your overall healthcare costs affordable. With lower deductibles, you spend less before your insurer starts helping pay for your care.

The company offers health maintenance organization (HMO) and point of service (POS) plans. HMOs are cheaper but only cover providers in your plan’s network. POS plans allow you to go out of network for care, although staying in network usually costs less.

Who it’s good for: Wellpoint is best for most health insurance shoppers. Wellpoint’s 0.4 complaint score means it had less than half as many complaints compared to other companies of the same size in 2025. This indicates good customer service. Several of its plans offer select medications at no cost, which lowers your out-of-pocket costs.

PROS

  • Low deductibles reduce out-of-pocket costs
  • Excellent NAIC complaint rating
  • POS plans available for out-of-network care

CONS

  • Only available in and near Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Brownsville

Best plan choices: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas

BlueCross BlueShield of Texas

Average monthly rate (Silver plans): $789

Why we choose it: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBS) tends to offer more plans than other companies and has large physician networks. Its marketplace options include HMO and POS plans. The latter covers visits to out-of-network providers.

Who it’s good for: BCBS is a good choice for a wide range of health insurance shoppers. It gives you more choices over how and where to get care, and it’s available statewide. 

One downside of BCBS is that its premiums, or monthly rates, are higher than average. Also, some of its plans require you to pay full price for specialist visits until you reach your deductible. If you only need a few specialist visits, choosing a BCBS plan with copayments for these visits may save you money in the long run.

PROS

  • Large physician networks
  • POS plans available for out-of-network care
  • Plans available in every Texas county

CONS

  • Other companies have cheaper premiums

Best for cheap rates: Imperial Insurance Companies

Imperial Health

Average monthly rate (Silver plans): $624

Why we chose it: Imperial offers cheaper Bronze and Silver rates than most other widely available health insurance companies in Texas. However, regional companies like Sendero Health Plans, Community First, Harbor Health and Christus Health Plan can be cheaper.

Who it’s best for: Gold plan shoppers. Imperial’s monthly rates and deductibles for Gold plans are relatively low. This helps keep your out-of-pockets costs affordable. Unfortunately, its Bronze and Silver plan deductibles are high compared to other plans on the market.

PROS

  • Cheaper rates than most other widely available companies
  • Low Gold plan deductibles reduce out-of-pocket costs
  • Available in most large Texas metros

CONS

  • High deductibles for Bronze and Silver plans

Best for diabetes care: Ambetter

Ambetter Health

Average monthly rate (Silver plans): $700

Why we chose it: Ambetter’s Enhanced Diabetes Care Silver plan is particularly noteworthy. It covers medications and devices like insulin and glucometers at no extra cost.

Who it’s best for: Shoppers who need specialist care. Ambetter offers a wide variety of Silver and Gold marketplace plans for any health history. The plans include HMOs and exclusive provider organizations (EPOs). EPOs usually cover specialist visits without a referral from your primary doctor. 

Ambetter offers Bronze plans through its own website, but not on the Healthcare.gov exchange.

PROS

  • Diabetes plan covers medicines and devices at no extra cost
  • EPO plans usually cover specialist visits without a referral
  • Available in most parts of the state

CONS

  • Bronze and Catastrophic plans not available on the marketplace

Compare Texas health insurance plans

CompanyAverage monthly rateNAIC ratingCMS score
Sendero Health$562 30.54
Community First$572 NANA
Christus$600 4.53
Harbor Health$615 NANA
Imperial$624 37.3NA
Community Health$649 5.93
Oscar$664 2.52
Molina$670 0.33
Wellpoint$678 0.4NA
Ambetter$700 23
United Healthcare$729 5.62
BCBS Texas$789 0.93
Moda Health$817 2.93
Cigna$871 46.92
Rates are for a 30-year-old nonsmoker with a Silver marketplace HMO. NAIC and CMS ratings not available (NA) for all companies and plans. Sources: NAIC 2025 Complaint Index (lower is better 1.0 is average); CMS overall quality ratings (higher is better).

LendingTree analyzed companies on the Health Insurance Marketplace to find the best options for you and your family.

Our team evaluated the costs of marketplace plans and customer service ratings from reliable industry and government sources.

See our full methodology.

How much is health insurance in Texas?

Health insurance costs an average of $733 a month for Silver marketplace plans.


Health insurance costs an average of $733 a month for Silver marketplace plans. Your actual rate depends on factors like your location and age. You’ll pay less if you qualify for subsidies, which is financial aid.

The plan tier you choose also affects your rate. Silver plans are the most expensive ones in Texas. Catastrophic plans are cheapest, but you can only get them if you’re under 30 or qualify for a hardship exemption. 

Health insurance rates by plan tier

Plan tierMonthly rateAverage deductibleAverage maximum limit
Silver$733 $4,308 $9,202
Gold$636 $1,440 $8,418
Bronze$474 $7,337 $10,142
Catastrophic$442 $10,600 $10,600

In addition to your monthly rate, health plans usually make you pay a portion of costs for doctor visits, lab tests and other services. The amounts you pay out of your own pocket depend on these plan features:

  • Your deductible: This is the amount you pay before your plan starts covering some of your costs.
  • Coinsurance: This is the percentage of costs you cover after you’ve met your deductible. If your plan has 30% coinsurance, your insurer covers 70% of your eligible expenses. You’re responsible for the rest.
  • Copayments: These flat fees help keep your out-of-pocket costs affordable for some services. Copayments usually don’t count toward your deductible.
  • Maximum out-of-pocket limit: This is the most you have to pay out of your own pocket for the year. Your insurer covers eligible expenses above this amount. This protects you from larger expenses if you need extensive care for an injury, illness or something else.

How does financial aid work for Texas health insurance?

Premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions are the most common forms of financial aid for marketplace health insurance. You can only get them for marketplace plans if you meet each program’s income limit.

Premium tax credits (PTCs)

PTCs lower your monthly health insurance payments for a plan in any marketplace tier. For example, if a Silver plan in your area costs $375 a month, a $225 PTC would bring your rate down to $150 a month. You can use a PTC for a plan in any tier.

The income limits for 2026 range from $63,840 a year for an individual to $132,000 for a family of four. Larger families get higher limits. You have to make at least $15,960 as an individual and $33,000 as a family of four.

Cost-sharing reductions (CSRs)

CSRs lower your deductibles, coinsurance and copayments for Silver plans. If your plan has a $750 deductible, a CSR can bring this down to $300 or $500. This means you’ll pay less out of pocket.

The income limit for CSRs is $39,990 a year for individuals and goes up by family size.

Which health insurance plan tier should I choose?

The best metal tier for you depends on the amount of care you usually need and the financial aid you can get.

  • A Bronze plan is a good choice if you usually only need a wellness visit and basic screenings each year. These make you pay more of your own money for additional care than Gold and Silver plans. Expanded Bronze plans have lower out-of-pocket costs for some medical services.
  • Silver and Gold plans have lower out-of-pocket expenses than Bronze plans, but you usually pay higher monthly rates. These are good if you think you’ll need several doctor visits or other medical services each year.

Silver plans are the better choice if you qualify for CSRs, because CSRs lower your out-of-pocket costs. Otherwise, Gold plans are likely to have lower monthly rates and out-of-pocket costs.

A Catastrophic plan may be a good choice if you’re young and don’t need much care. These only cover a few doctor visits a year and routine screenings. Bronze plans are slightly more expensive but make you pay less out of pocket if something bad happens.

Texas health insurance costs by county

The cheapest plan for you depends largely on where you live. Many companies only serve a few areas, and most companies’ rates vary by county.

For example, Community Health Choice has the cheapest Silver plan in Harris County. However, Ambetter has the cheapest one in Dallas County. In El Paso County, BCBS of Texas has the cheapest Silver plan.

CountyMonthly rateCheapest companyCheapest rate
Anderson$695 CHRISTUS Health Plan$580
Andrews$648 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$573
Angelina$692 UnitedHealthcare$627
Aransas$689 CHRISTUS Health Plan$583
Archer$839 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$811
Armstrong$751 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$684
Atascosa$696 UnitedHealthcare$622
Austin$700 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$632
Bailey$761 UnitedHealthcare$725
Bandera$696 UnitedHealthcare$622
Bastrop$771 Sendero Health Plans, Local Nonprofit$540
Baylor$839 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$811
Bee$711 CHRISTUS Health Plan$600
Bell$720 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$649
Bexar$644 UnitedHealthcare$565
Blanco$767 UnitedHealthcare$615
Borden$674 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$613
Bosque$728 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$640
Bowie$720 CHRISTUS Health Plan$626
Brazoria$697 UnitedHealthcare$576
Brazos$679 UnitedHealthcare$611
Brewster$732 UnitedHealthcare$658
Briscoe$772 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$707
Brooks$633 CHRISTUS Health Plan$524
Brown$843 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$794
Burleson$675 UnitedHealthcare$611
Burnet$725 Sendero Health Plans, Local Nonprofit$540
Caldwell$708 Sendero Health Plans, Local Nonprofit$540
Calhoun$763 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$698
Callahan$879 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$846
Cameron$682 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$479
Camp$731 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$696
Carson$751 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$684
Cass$720 CHRISTUS Health Plan$626
Castro$751 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$684
Chambers$693 UnitedHealthcare$640
Cherokee$675 CHRISTUS Health Plan$580
Childress$772 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$707
Clay$839 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$811
Cochran$761 UnitedHealthcare$725
Coke$949 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$817
Coleman$853 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$794
Collin$725 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$593
Collingsworth$751 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$684
Colorado$712 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$632
Comal$646 CHRISTUS Health Plan$547
Comanche$853 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$794
Concho$964 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$817
Cooke$753 Molina Healthcare$650
Coryell$743 Baylor Scott and White Health Plan$692
Cottle$726 Baylor Scott and White Health Plan$500
Crane$674 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$613
Crockett$1,032 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$846
Crosby$768 Baylor Scott and White Health Plan$692
Culberson$723 UnitedHealthcare$658
Dallam$751 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$684
Dallas$712 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$593
Dawson$674 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$613
De Witt$763 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$698
Deaf Smith$751 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$684
Delta$731 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$696
Denton$728 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$611
Dickens$746 Baylor Scott and White Health Plan$692
Dimmit$726 UnitedHealthcare$622
Donley$751 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$684
Duval$846 UnitedHealthcare$784
Eastland$879 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$846
Ector$648 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$573
Edwards$704 UnitedHealthcare$622
El Paso$687 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$526
Ellis$726 Molina Healthcare$611
Erath$815 UnitedHealthcare$722
Falls$728 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$640
Fannin$763 Molina Healthcare$650
Fayette$735 Sendero Health Plans, Local Nonprofit$540
Fisher$853 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$794
Floyd$746 Baylor Scott and White Health Plan$692
Foard$839 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$811
Fort Bend$663 Oscar Insurance Company$575
Franklin$720 CHRISTUS Health Plan$626
Freestone$728 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$640
Frio$704 UnitedHealthcare$622
Gaines$674 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$613
Galveston$752 UnitedHealthcare$605
Garza$746 Baylor Scott and White Health Plan$692
Gillespie$704 UnitedHealthcare$622
Glasscock$674 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$613
Goliad$763 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$698
Gonzales$696 UnitedHealthcare$622
Gray$751 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$684
Grayson$763 Molina Healthcare$650
Gregg$635 CHRISTUS Health Plan$548
Grimes$675 UnitedHealthcare$611
Guadalupe$661 CHRISTUS Health Plan$564
Hale$746 Baylor Scott and White Health Plan$692
Hall$772 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$707
Hamilton$720 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$649
Hansford$772 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$707
Hardeman$839 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$811
Hardin$633 CHRISTUS Health Plan$555
Harris$676 Community Health Choice$521
Harrison$673 CHRISTUS Health Plan$564
Hartley$751 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$684
Haskell$879 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$846
Hays$701 Sendero Health Plans, Local Nonprofit$540
Hemphill$772 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$707
Henderson$696 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$604
Hidalgo$659 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$514
Hill$728 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$640
Hockley$746 Baylor Scott and White Health Plan$692
Hood$793 Molina Healthcare$697
Hopkins$720 CHRISTUS Health Plan$626
Houston$653 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$573
Howard$674 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$613
Hudspeth$709 Oscar Insurance Company$657
Hunt$788 WellPoint$626
Hutchinson$772 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$707
Irion$964 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$817
Jack$704 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$614
Jackson$763 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$698
Jasper$661 CHRISTUS Health Plan$572
Jeff Davis$723 UnitedHealthcare$658
Jefferson$639 CHRISTUS Health Plan$555
Jim Hogg$846 UnitedHealthcare$784
Jim Wells$711 CHRISTUS Health Plan$600
Johnson$778 WellPoint$665
Jones$879 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$846
Karnes$758 CHRISTUS Health Plan$627
Kaufman$771 WellPoint$626
Kendall$668 Oscar Insurance Company$579
Kenedy$663 CHRISTUS Health Plan$592
Kent$879 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$846
Kerr$704 UnitedHealthcare$622
Kimble$964 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$817
King$746 Baylor Scott and White Health Plan$692
Kinney$704 UnitedHealthcare$622
Kleberg$711 CHRISTUS Health Plan$600
Knox$726 Baylor Scott and White Health Plan$500
La Salle$709 UnitedHealthcare$622
Lamar$741 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$710
Lamb$746 Baylor Scott and White Health Plan$692
Lampasas$720 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$649
Lavaca$763 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$698
Lee$739 Sendero Health Plans, Local Nonprofit$540
Leon$675 UnitedHealthcare$611
Liberty$692 UnitedHealthcare$640
Limestone$728 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$640
Lipscomb$772 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$707
Live Oak$711 CHRISTUS Health Plan$600
Llano$747 UnitedHealthcare$615
Loving$674 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$613
Lubbock$768 Baylor Scott and White Health Plan$692
Lynn$752 Baylor Scott and White Health Plan$692
Madison$675 UnitedHealthcare$611
Marion$673 CHRISTUS Health Plan$564
Martin$674 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$613
Mason$964 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$817
Matagorda$709 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$632
Maverick$704 UnitedHealthcare$622
McCulloch$949 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$817
McLennan$720 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$640
McMullen$805 Oscar Insurance Company$649
Medina$676 WellPoint$604
Menard$964 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$817
Midland$648 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$573
Milam$668 Oscar Insurance Company$586
Mills$720 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$649
Mitchell$853 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$794
Montague$707 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$614
Montgomery$665 UnitedHealthcare$580
Moore$772 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$707
Morris$720 CHRISTUS Health Plan$626
Motley$746 Baylor Scott and White Health Plan$692
Nacogdoches$653 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$573
Navarro$804 Baylor Scott and White Health Plan$628
Newton$661 CHRISTUS Health Plan$572
Nolan$879 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$846
Nueces$686 CHRISTUS Health Plan$583
Ochiltree$772 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$707
Oldham$751 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$684
Orange$642 CHRISTUS Health Plan$555
Palo Pinto$820 UnitedHealthcare$722
Panola$654 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$558
Parker$786 Molina Healthcare$697
Parmer$751 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$684
Pecos$674 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$613
Polk$679 Community Health Choice$617
Potter$751 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$684
Presidio$723 UnitedHealthcare$658
Rains$675 CHRISTUS Health Plan$580
Randall$751 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$684
Reagan$997 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$846
Real$704 UnitedHealthcare$622
Red River$720 CHRISTUS Health Plan$626
Reeves$674 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$613
Refugio$689 CHRISTUS Health Plan$583
Roberts$772 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$707
Robertson$675 UnitedHealthcare$611
Rockwall$728 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$593
Runnels$853 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$794
Rusk$654 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$558
Sabine$692 UnitedHealthcare$627
San Augustine$692 UnitedHealthcare$627
San Jacinto$668 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$573
San Patricio$711 CHRISTUS Health Plan$600
San Saba$720 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$649
Schleicher$964 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$817
Scurry$853 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$794
Shackelford$879 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$846
Shelby$692 UnitedHealthcare$627
Sherman$751 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$684
Smith$675 CHRISTUS Health Plan$580
Somervell$795 Baylor Scott and White Health Plan$662
Starr$660 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$576
Stephens$879 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$846
Sterling$964 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$817
Stonewall$853 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$794
Sutton$964 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$817
Swisher$772 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$707
Tarrant$738 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$611
Taylor$879 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$846
Terrell$672 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$613
Terry$752 Baylor Scott and White Health Plan$692
Throckmorton$879 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$846
Titus$720 CHRISTUS Health Plan$626
Tom Green$964 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$817
Travis$699 Sendero Health Plans, Local Nonprofit$540
Trinity$653 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$573
Tyler$633 CHRISTUS Health Plan$555
Upshur$673 CHRISTUS Health Plan$564
Upton$674 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$613
Uvalde$726 UnitedHealthcare$622
Val Verde$704 UnitedHealthcare$622
Van Zandt$675 CHRISTUS Health Plan$580
Victoria$763 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$698
Walker$688 UnitedHealthcare$640
Waller$700 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$632
Ward$674 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$613
Washington$736 Baylor Scott and White Health Plan$703
Webb$756 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$576
Wharton$709 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$632
Wheeler$751 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$684
Wichita$839 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$811
Wilbarger$839 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$811
Willacy$691 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$631
Williamson$699 Sendero Health Plans, Local Nonprofit$540
Wilson$679 WellPoint$604
Winkler$674 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas$613
Wise$786 Molina Healthcare$697
Wood$675 CHRISTUS Health Plan$580
Yoakum$746 Baylor Scott and White Health Plan$692
Young$749 UnitedHealthcare$627
Zapata$756 Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan$576
Zavala$726 UnitedHealthcare$622
Rates are for Silver plans for a 30-year-old nonsmoker.

What to know about Texas health insurance marketplace

Affordability and limited choices are among the greatest challenges for health insurance shoppers in Texas. The rollbacks of premium tax credits at the start of 2026 made health insurance more expensive for many Texans.

The health insurance exchange, at Healthcare.gov, helps you find the best options in your area. You can use it to compare plans, apply for financial aid and see how much you can save.

It’s also good to keep money in the bank to cover your out-of-pocket medical expenses. Consider creating a health savings account (HSA) if your plan has a high deductible.

  • You can deposit money tax-free into an HSA and use it for most out-of-pocket medical costs.
  • Bronze and Catastrophic plans are usually HSA-eligible. Direct primary care plans, which aren’t available on the exchange, became eligible for HSAs in 2026.

Low-income health insurance in Texas

If you have a low-income, marketplace subsidies or Medicaid can help make healthcare affordable.

Marketplace subsidies for low-income residents

In addition to income ceiling limits, PTCs and CSRs also have minimum income requirements. You have to make more than the federal poverty level (FPL) to get them. The current FPLs range from $15,960 a year for individuals to $33,000 a year for four-person households.

If you qualify, these subsidies can significantly reduce the amounts you pay for healthcare.

Medicaid and children’s healthcare assistance

Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) offer health services to low-income Texans.

Medicaid offers healthcare to children in low-income families and their parents or caregivers. It also has programs for pregnant women, disabled individuals and senior citizens.

CHIP covers health services for children in families who earn too much for Medicaid.

How to choose a marketplace health insurance plan

All plans sold on the exchange comply with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). They offer essential health benefits and can’t deny coverage or charge you more for a preexisting condition. You have to buy your plan on the exchange to get federal subsidies.

You can bypass the exchange and shop for healthcare on your own or with a broker. The options available off the exchange include:

  • ACA-compliant metal plans similar to those on the exchange
  • Private health insurance plans that don’t meet ACA requirements

Direct primary care , short-term health insurance and health-sharing plans are common alternatives to ACA-compliant plans. These can be good options if you don’t need much care or only temporary coverage. However, they usually don’t have all the protections that ACA plans have.

How LendingTree helps you find the right policy

Shopping for health insurance isn’t always straightforward — especially when availability and pricing can vary widely. LendingTree makes it easier by helping you explore options from multiple insurers and find coverage that fits your needs and budget.

How it works

Tell us about yourself

Answer a few quick questions about you and your family. 

Compare options from insurers

See rates and other coverage details for healthcare providers in your area.

Choose the right policy

Review your options and pick the plan that fits your needs and budget.

Frequently asked questions

No. The federal tax penalty for not having health insurance is no longer in place. Texas does not have a state law requiring health insurance, either.

Open enrollment for health insurance runs from Dec. 1 to Jan. 15 in Texas. Anyone can sign up, change coverages or switch companies during this time.

You can only sign up or change your healthcare at other times under special circumstances. These include getting married, having a child or losing coverage from a job change.

Premium tax credits can help you get free or cheap health insurance in Texas if your income is low enough. You usually still have to pay for doctor visits and other care out of your own pocket. You can lower these latter expenses with cost-sharing reductions, which also have low-income requirements.

Methodology

How we selected the best health insurance companies in Texas

LendingTree evaluated companies with marketplace plans on key factors to identify the best ones for you. 

Rates

Rates are obtained from public use files from the National Health Insurance Marketplace. To compare prices, we use Silver plan rates for a 30-year-old, unless otherwise noted. Your actual cost may vary based on age, location, income, tobacco use, household size and the plan you choose. 

Complaint ratings

Complaint ratings are from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) 2025 Complaint Index for individual accident and health plans. The average rating is 1.0.

A 2.0 rating means a company has twice as many confirmed complaints as average for its size. A 0.5 rating means half as many. A complaint is confirmed if it leads to a finding of fault.

CMS scores

CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid) scores show a plan’s overall quality rating for each company’s plans. CMS rates plans on a 5-point scale, with 5 being the best score. The ratings are based on factors like how easy it is to get care, how well plans are run and member feedback. Some plans aren’t rated, including new ones and those with low enrollment.

Most companies with marketplace plans offer similar coverage options off the exchange. You can shop off the exchange by visiting company websites or with help from a health insurance broker. Just be mindful that some off-exchange plans provide less coverage than those on the exchange.

See our full editorial guidelines for further details.