Health Insurance

6 Free or Low-Cost Health Insurance Options in Texas

Talor Bianchini
Talor Bianchini23 Aug 2022
Reviewed and Fact Checked ✔️

Health insurance helps to protect you from high and unexpected medical costs. This can tend to be very expensive, so it's important to know all of the available options that are at your disposal. In Texas alone, 6 affordable healthcare options could save both you and your family money. 

Deciding what kind of health coverage you need can be confusing, but Mira can make it easier. By signing up today, you’ll receive discounted urgent care visits, up to 80% savings on prescriptions, and same-day lab testing for only $45/month. Don’t make sacrifices for your healthcare needs. Sign up for Mira to get care at an affordable cost. 

Best Low-Cost Health Insurance Options in Texas

Starting the process of looking for health insurance can be difficult, especially with the number of available choices. First, it is good to understand how health insurance works and what kind of coverage you need to get. After determining your basic needs, compare the costs and what is feasible for you. Below is a list of the most affordable options currently in the state of Texas:

  1. Texas Medicaid
  2. Texas Children’s Health Insurance Program (TCHIP)
  3. Health Insurance Premium Payment Program
  4. STAR Managed Care Program
  5. Texas Marketplace Health Insurance
  6. Mira

Let’s review each of these more in-depth to determine which is right for your needs. 

Texas Medicaid 

Medicaid is a program that provides free or low-cost healthcare coverage to people by the combined efforts of the state and federal governments. This care has set guidelines, but the programs vary from state to state. Texas Medicaid’s goal is to improve the health of those who otherwise would go without health insurance and most likely wouldn’t seek out care for themselves or their family due to high costs. 

There are certain basic criteria that one must meet to apply for the program. To be eligible for Medicaid in Texas, you must be a low or very low-income resident of the state, a U.S. citizen, a national, a legal alien, or a permanent resident who needs insurance assistance. In addition, you must be:

  • 65 years or older
  • Blind
  • Have a disability/household family member with a disability
  • Pregnant
  • Responsible for a child under the age of 18

Annual Household Income Limits Before Taxes to Qualify 

Household Size

Maximum Income Level (Per Year)

1

$25,503

2

$34,492

3

$43,481

4

$52,470

5

$61,460

6

$70,449

7

$79,438

8

$88,427

Source: benefits.gov

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Talor Bianchini

Talor graduated from Penn State University with a B.S. in Biobehavioral Health, and minors in Spanish and Diversity & Inclusion in May of 2022. She has a passion for health equity and diversity in health. In the future, Talor hopes to work in public health policy reform to help eliminate health disparities. She enjoys reading, cooking, and listening to podcasts in her free time.

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