Do you or someone in your family need health insurance? HealthCare.gov is open for enrollment right now, but only until August 15, so act fast.
Insurance plans on HealthCare.Gov must include key benefits like mental health care, maternity care, prescription drug coverage, hospitalization services, and coverage for pre-existing conditions. (Plans outside HealthCare.Gov do not have to offer the same protections or financial help.)
Community organizations are standing by to offer Texans free, expert help with the sign-up process in the following areas:
- Austin: Call 2-1-1 or (512) 381-4520, or visit ProsperHealthCoverage.org or https://www.centralhealth.net/enroll-atx/. Organizations providing assistance include Foundation Communities, CommUnityCare, Light and Salt, Lonestar Circle of Care, and United Way of Williamson County.
- Dallas: Visit https://bit.ly/2P5JAUj and click on “Local Marketplace Assistance.” Organizations providing assistance include Parkland Health and Hospital System, Mission East Dallas, Los Barrios Unidos Clinic, and more.
- El Paso: Call Centro San Vicente at 915-858-2932; Project Vida at 915-533- 7057, ext. 340 or 381; or MHP Salud at (956) 246-4125
- Gulf Coast/Houston: Visit https://widget.getcoveredamerica.org/ to search for assistance by zip code. Organizations providing assistance include Legacy Community Health, Change Happens, Light and Salt and Avenue360.
- Rio Grande Valley: Call MHP Salud at (956) 246-4125 or visit https://mhpsalud.org/mhp-salud-navigator-program/.
- San Antonio: Visit enrollsa.com or call 210-9777997. Organizations providing assistance include CentroMed.
Options for Texans living outside of the areas listed above:
- Use MyTexasMyHealth.org to search for in-person assistance at your local community health center.
- HealthCare.Gov has a tool to Find Local Help. You can filter results to see the certified assisters from local community-based organizations who can help with enrollment at HealthCare.gov, Medicaid, and CHIP (remove the “Agent or Broker” box under “Filter,” so that only the “Assisters” box is showing).
- Foundation Communities’ Prosper Health Coverage Program provides enrollment assistance over the phone by appointment for Texas residents that have no community-based assisters in their area. Call (512) 381-4520 or visit ProsperHealthCoverage.org.
HealthCare.gov coverage is more affordable than ever before. Congress’ American Rescue Plan boosted financial help to lower monthly costs. These new savings are available to both people who are uninsured and people who currently have a HealthCare.gov plan. Even if you were priced out in the past, you should look again, because plans are more affordable and financial help is now available to more people than in the past. For example:
- 4 out of 5 shoppers can find a plan for $10/month or less;
- Millions of people now qualify for $0/month plans; and
- As of July, people who receive unemployment benefits at any time in 2021 are eligible for $0/month plans with low out-of-pocket costs, like low deductibles and copays.
For most people, August 15 is the last chance to enroll for 2021 coverage. To sign up any later, people have to qualify based on a special circumstance like losing job-based health insurance, having a baby, or other life changes.
High-quality, affordable, and accessible health care is more important than ever. Healthcare.gov has been a lifeline for many, extending health insurance coverage to millions of uninsured Americans. Take some time before the deadline to find a plan that works for you.