Types of Health Insurance Coverage

At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, we have health plan options to meet the needs of you and your family.

When you’re looking for a new plan, you may come across different options like Individual and Family, Group, Dental and Vision, Medicare and Medicaid. If you’d like additional coverage, like dental or vision coverage, check out the plan details before enrolling.

Individual and Family Health Insurance

If you don’t get health insurance through your job, this might be the type of plan you and your family have. Individual and Family plans can help you stay covered if you’re a freelancer, small business owner or self-employed. You enroll in on your own during the Open Enrollment Period, from November 1 – January 15, or with a qualifying event during the Special Enrollment Period. These plans cover a wide range of services and:

  • Last a year or longer, and can usually be renewed
  • Offer different levels of coverage to meet your cost and health care needs
  • Meet the essential requirements set by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). ACA requirements include:
    • Emergency services, hospitalization, and preventive care
    • Maternity, newborn and pediatric care
    • Mental health care and substance abuse treatment
    • Lab services, prescription drugs, and disease management
    • Rehabilitative services and devices

You may be able to get help paying for it with a premium tax credit, also known as a subsidy. When you’re ready to enroll, start your application to find out if you could save.  When you’re ready to enroll, start your application to find out if you could save.

Group Health Insurance Plan

If you get your health plan through your job, this is called a group health insurance plan. It's also known as group coverage or a group plan. Most of the time, your employer will give you the info you need for any plan updates or changes.

Dental and Vision

Living a healthy life means taking care of yourself – including your teeth, mouth and eyes. Dental and vision plans:

  • Can cover a wide range of dental and vision services, including routine care like annual vists.
  • Can be bought as part of your Individual and Family health plan or as stand-alone plans.
  • Please note that dental coverage is required for children 18 or younger under the Affordable Care Act.

Medicare

Medicare is for people 65 or older, or people under 65 with certain disabilities or illnesses.

You can add to your Original Medicare Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical) to help strengthen your health insurance safety net:

  • Part C – Medicare Advantage Plans can be seen as all-in-one coverage, some with built-in prescription drug coverage.
  • Part D – Prescription drug coverage that pays for approved drugs not covered by Original Medicare Part A and B
  • Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans – May help pay for health care costs not covered by Original Medicare

Need more information? Attend an event with us.

Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

Medicaid and CHIP are types of low- or no-cost health insurance offered by the government. Your eligibility is based on your household size and income, and you can apply any time of year.

Last Updated: Oct. 30, 2024