Marketplace insurers in the big Texas metros.
| Insurer | Sells in (2026) | Plan types | Best CMS rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oscar Insurance Company | Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston | EPO, HMO | 2 stars |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas | All five metros | HMO, POS | 3 stars |
| Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan | All five metros | HMO, EPO | 3 stars |
| UnitedHealthcare | All five metros | HMO | 2 stars |
| WellPoint | San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston | HMO, POS | Not yet rated |
| Baylor Scott and White Health Plan | Austin, San Antonio, Dallas | HMO | 2 stars |
| Imperial Insurance Companies | All five metros | HMO | Not yet rated |
| Molina Healthcare | Dallas, Fort Worth | HMO | 3 stars |
| Cigna Healthcare | Dallas, Fort Worth | HMO | 2 stars |
| Community Health Choice | Houston (Harris County) | HMO | 3 stars |
| Sendero Health Plans | Austin area (Travis, Williamson) | HMO | 4 stars |
| Community First | San Antonio (Bexar County) | EPO | Not yet rated |
| Moda Health Plan | Austin area | EPO | 3 stars |
| Harbor Health | Austin area | HMO | Not yet rated |
How to judge a plan, in order.
- Network. Are your doctors, hospital and pharmacy in it? With no PPOs in the big Texas counties, this decides more than anything else.
- Drug list. Is each prescription covered, at what tier, and does it need prior approval?
- Total yearly cost. Twelve months of premium after your credit, plus the deductible and copays you expect to use. A plan that is $40 cheaper a month can cost thousands more in a bad year.
- Savings you qualify for. Under 250% of the poverty level, silver plans carry cost-sharing reductions.
- Quality rating. HealthCare.gov's stars reflect member experience and clinical quality. Use them to break ties, not to override your doctors.
Local plans are worth a look.
Several Texas counties have nonprofit plans connected to the local hospital district. In 2026 they were often among the lowest priced silver plans: Sendero in the Austin area ($608 a month at age 40, before credit), Community Health Choice in Harris County ($586) and Community First in Bexar County ($637). Their networks center on local safety-net and community hospitals, so check whether your preferred hospital is included.
Want a licensed advisor to run your numbers?
Get my free optionsWhy the answer is different for every county.
Insurers choose where to sell and which networks to offer, county by county. The Austin area had 9 insurers in 2026 and Dallas County 9, while many rural Texas counties have far fewer. Prices and even the cheapest insurer change every year. That is why we compare the real list for your ZIP code each Open Enrollment rather than recommending one company.
Check your county: Austin, Round Rock, San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston.
Questions people ask.
What is the cheapest health insurance in Texas?
It depends on your county, age and income. For a 40-year-old in 2026, the lowest silver premium before credit ranged from $586 in Harris County to $688 in Tarrant County. After the premium tax credit, many households pay far less.
Is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas on the Marketplace?
Yes. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas sold HMO and POS Marketplace plans in all five major metros we checked for 2026.
Does Texas have PPO plans on HealthCare.gov?
Not in the Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth or Houston area counties for 2026. Plans there were HMO, EPO or POS.
Sources.
- CMS Marketplace API (HealthCare.gov plan data), plan year 2026, queried September 23, 2026. developer.cms.gov
- HealthCare.gov, Health plan quality ratings. healthcare.gov
- HealthCare.gov. healthcare.gov
General information for Texas and Oklahoma residents, not tax or legal advice. Rules and numbers can change; this page is reviewed on the date shown above. Your eligibility and prices are set by HealthCare.gov or the insurer when you apply.
Who wrote this.
RedHealth Advisors LLC is a licensed health insurance agency in Round Rock, Texas (Texas agency license 3449979, NPN 22110493), serving Texas and Oklahoma. Ryan Hutson is a licensed agent (NPN 21321807). Licensing details.