Immediate Texas Health Insurance
We get these calls daily.
I need health insurance... Today!
Luckily, we have some options available in Texas unlike other States to handle immediate health insurance needs.
We'll look at how short term health plans can address this need, when they work well, and also... when they're a dead end.
First, our credentials:
This is what we'll cover:
- Is there immediate health insurance available in Texas
- Can I get immediate health insurance if I have a sudden health issue
- How quickly can Texas short term start up
- How long can I have Texas immediate coverage
- How to compare Texas immediate health plans
- How to quote enroll in Texas immediate coverage
Let's get started!
Is there immediate health insurance available in Texas
We have short term health insurance available in Texas.
It works best for the following:
- Texans who need coverage to start mid month
- Texans who are waiting for new coverage to start (employer, etc)
- Texans between jobs
- Texans who missed open enrollment
- Texans waiting for exchange plans to start up
It's really two categories.
- People who have a temporary gap in coverage and are just filling in time till new coverage starts.
- People who can enroll outside open enrollment and who don't have a special enrollment period. Check out when can I enroll in Texas health insurance if you're the latter.
For the temporary gaps, that's easy to fix with short term. Most new plans (employer, exchange, etc) can't start til the 1st of the month following enrollment... best case.
Some employer plans will have waiting periods so it may be a few months that we need to cover.
In Texas, we have UnitedHealth for a solid short term carrier and they're one of the top carriers in the State (if not the nation).
There's a big review of Texas short term plans or how to compare short term and Obamacare.
You can quote their plans and rates immediately here:
Can I get immediate health insurance if I have a sudden health issue
The issue with short term in this case is we have to qualify based on health and IF approved, there's a waiting period for pre-existing conditions.
We'll get calls where people are literally at the hospital and asking about getting insurance fast. We're out of luck with short term there.
The only thing that MIGHT go backwards is medicaid but that's only if we qualify based on income and other requirements.
Short term plans will not help much in this situation.
The exchange plans are guaranteed issue but we have to apply during open enrollment or if we have big life changes (moves, marriages, births, etc). See the guide on When can I enroll in Texas exchange plans.
Otherwise, there's not much we can do in this case. You can always apply and see if we can get approved but it will not pay for existing issues.
How quickly can Texas short term start up
Texas short term plans can start as early as midnight the following date. You can pick a later date but the next day is usually what people are after.
"I need coverage now!"
Just be safe till midnight and we should be fine. Again, it won't go backwards or cover pre-existing conditions.
How long can I have Texas immediate coverage
This just changed in terms of the rules but check with us because it might change back. Right now, it's 3 months plus the potential for a 1-month extension.
This was recently shortened from 360 days with 3 potential terms from the White House but that can change back so reach out here if you need longer term care.
We might be able to re-apply after the 3-4 months for another block of short term either with the same carrier or a different one.
How to compare Texas immediate health plans
Our short term Texas health guide has more detail but here's the basic layout of options from UnitedHealth for immediate coverage:
- Hospital and Surgical - catastrophic care for facility-based needs
- Copay Select Max - adds in copays for office and RX; coinsurance up to max after deductible
- Plan 80 Max - you pay up to deductible then plan takes over for covered benefits
You can quote all these options here right below!
How to quote enroll in Texas immediate coverage
This is fast, free, and easy here:
You'll see the different plan options discussed above. We're happy to walk through any questions and we can also compare these plans with Cobra, health sharing, and other options.
There's zero cost for our assistance and we know the plans in and out.
The big takeaway is that we can get coverage as early as tomorrow!
Call 800-320-6269
help@texasplans.com
Chat online here
Pick a time to talk here