Types of health insurance coverage

Whether you’re looking for insurance for yourself or your entire family, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) offers a variety of health insurance coverage options for individuals and families.

Medical expense insurance for individuals and families

We offer a variety of individual health insurance plans, also known as superior or comprehensive medical coverage. These coverages include a wide range of services and meet the following requirements:

• • They can usually be renewed.
  • They last a year or more.
  • They include the following services required by the Affordable Care Act:
  • Maternity, neonatal and pediatric care
  • Emergency services, hospitalization, and preventive care
  • Laboratory services, prescription drugs, and disease management
  • Mental health care and controlled substance abuse treatment
  • Rehabilitation services and devices

You may be eligible for help paying for your individual and family coverage. Learn more about how to access financial aid.

Health insurance through employment (group)

If you have health insurance through your job, this is called group health insurance. It is also known as group coverage or coverage as an employment benefit.

Dental services

Dental health insurance can cover everything from basic care to a wide variety of dental services. You can purchase dental coverage as part of your Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas individual and family health plan or as stand-alone dental coverage. Some individual and family medical coverage include coverage for dental services for people up to age 21, as part of the provisions of the Affordable Care Act.

Medicare

Medicare is a government program designed to provide health insurance for people age 65 and older, as well as people under age 65 with certain disabilities or illnesses. When a person applies for Medicare coverage through the government, you access coverage under Parts A (Hospitals) and B (Medical) of the Original Medicare Program. But you can also purchase additional insurance coverage through Medicare-approved insurance companies, such as BCBSTX, to strengthen your health insurance support network. Additional insurance includes the following:

• Part C – Medicare Advantage coverage is considered all-in-one coverage, and some include prescription drugs.
• Part D – This part of the Medicare Program includes coverage for the costs of approved prescription drugs.
• Medicare Supplement Health Plans – These coverages can help you pay for health care costs that aren’t included in Original Medicare.

Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program

Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are two types of free or low-cost health insurance offered by the government. The government determines eligibility based on family size and income. You can apply for this coverage at any time of the year. You can apply online and if you qualify for Medicaid or CHIP, the appropriate government office will contact you.

Please note that if you apply for Medicaid or CHIP coverage, you will not be able to use the premium tax credit or cost-sharing discount. If you are currently covered by the Medicaid Program, you are considered covered under the health care law and do not have to purchase coverage in the online Marketplace.