:fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/BlueCross_BlueShield-f8a9781f21aa4ffd8f5cf91425ea3f4c.jpg)
Elizabeth Rivelli is an insurance writer passionate about helping people navigate the complex world of insurance to help them make empowered choices.
Updated August 31, 2024 Fact checked by Fact checked by Betsy PetrickBetsy began her career in international finance and it has since grown into a comprehensive approach to journalism as she's been able to tap into that experience along with her time spent in academia and professional services.
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) stands out as the best health insurance company in Texas overall. BCBS offers a variety of plan types and metal tier plans, including plans with dental coverage for children and adults. BCBS has the highest average rating for quality and customer satisfaction from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), though it fares worse in a J.D. Power survey. Additionally, members get access to unique benefits like the Blue365 discount program.
To find the best health insurance companies in Texas, we reviewed seven providers based on criteria including plan types, financial strength, customer satisfaction, health management program offerings, premiums, and out-of-pocket costs.
Blue Cross Blue Shield provides robust health insurance plans with a variety of benefits, which is why it's our top pick overall. In Texas, BCBS offers plans in every metal tier, including catastrophic. Many plans include dental coverage for adults and children. The company also offers health management programs for a number of conditions, such as heart disease, depression, diabetes, and pregnancy.
What’s more, there’s a 24/7 nurse line, and you can get virtual care from a doctor around the clock. Plus, Blue365 is one of the more extensive discount programs in the industry, offering a variety of discounts on wellness-related products and services. You can even save on gym memberships and weight-loss programs.
But Texans looking for a more affordable plan designed for people who need infrequent doctor visits may be better served by another company, since BCBS premiums in Texas are relatively high for bronze and silver level plans. However, the insurer’s gold plans are a particularly good value, with relatively low deductibles and the lowest estimated annual cost, on average, of available plans.
When it comes to customer satisfaction, BCBS has mixed reviews. Its plans have the highest average rating from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) in our study, with 3.5 out of 5 stars. The NCQA rates plans based on factors including quality of care and patient experience. However, the company is ranked last for customer satisfaction in Texas in the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Commercial Member Health Plan Study.
:fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/aetna-1a894156c45c4091aa46e833dc5c0ae7.jpg)
If you’re looking for an affordable health plan in Texas, Aetna is a good provider to consider. Aetna has the cheapest premiums for bronze plans and silver plans, even compared to other companies’ plans with the same deductible. If you have low health needs, Aetna offers the lowest estimated annual cost plans and is a great value overall.
In addition, Aetna members get access to free virtual care 24/7 and free or low-cost walk-in visits at more than 1,100 CVS MinuteClinic locations for services such as health screenings and care for minor injuries. Taking advantage of these benefits can save you money on healthcare throughout the year.
In the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Commercial Member Health Plan Study, Aetna ranked second out of five companies in Texas, and its score was tied with the regional average of 725 out of 1,000. Aetna’s health insurance plans received an average NCQA rating of 3.46 stars out of 5, which is better than the average rating of all the companies we reviewed.
Another benefit of Aetna is that 100% of its Marketplace plans are eligible for the maximum premium tax credit, landing the company a spot on our lists of the most affordable health insurance companies and the best health insurance for self-employed people.
The main drawback of choosing Aetna is that the company’s gold plans don’t provide the best value. If you expect frequent visits to the doctor or hospital, your overall annual costs may be higher with Aetna than with Blue Cross Blue Shield. Additionally, none of its plans include dental benefits for adults, and plans are only available in three metal tiers.
Research Insights"The Health Insurance Marketplace offers premium tax credits to help eligible people afford coverage. The amount of the credit is based on income level and household size, and can come either in the form of lower premiums, or a lump-sum when you file your taxes." –Shanker Narayan, Investopedia Research Analyst
