Where to Get Inexpensive Texas Family Health Insurance

Twenty-five percent of Texans do not have health insurance and are risking financial ruin because even minor illnesses like appendicitis can cost thousands of dollars. Here's how to get inexpensive Texas family health insurance so and your family will be protected.

Government-Sponsored Health Insurance Options

Texans have a number of options when it comes to government health insurance programs:

* Medicaid is a state and federal program that provides health insurance coverage for low-income families, people with disabilities, pregnant women, and elderly people who cannot afford private health insurance.

* CHIP, The Children's Health Insurance Program, provides health insurance to families who earn too much money to be eligible for Medicaid, but cannot afford private insurance coverage for their children.

For more information on government-sponsored health insurance, visit the Texas Health and Human Services Commission website at: hhsc.state.tx.us.

Private Health Insurance Options

Private health insurance options for families living in Texas include:

* Indemnity plans, which pay for comprehensive health care - doctor visits, hospital and surgical fees, plus prescription drugs. These plans allow you to use the doctors and hospitals of your choice. You must pay a deductible ($500 to $2,000) before your insurance company will pay for a percentage of your medical expenses, usually 80%. Indemnity plans are the most expensive health insurance plans.

* Managed health care plans such as HMOs and PPOs, which also pay for doctor vistits, hospital and surgical fees, plus prescription drugs. Unlike indemnity plans, you are assigned to a group of doctors and hospitals, and can only use a doctor or hospital of your choosing by paying an extra fee. Managed health care plans are much cheaper than indemnity plans.

by Brian Stevens