Note: These are StretchDollar's two cents. Have a tricky health situation? Best to consult a broker.
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The marketplace, also known as a health insurance exchange, allows individuals and families to shop for health insurance. Established by the federal government, it mandates that listed health plans provide comprehensive benefits.
In 2019, the government introduced ICHRA (Individual Health Reimbursement Arrangement), a unique way for small businesses to offer health benefits. Through ICHRA, business owners can give pre-tax money to employees for purchasing their own health plans from the marketplace. More employees than ever before are shopping the marketplace. Let's explore the options.
Healthcare is local, and options vary based on what county you live in. There are a lot of health insurance choices in Austin, Texas. That’s a good thing! Here are a few of our top picks, based on cost and network coverage.
Best if you like telemedicine + $0 deductibles.
Oscar’s Bronze Elite + PCP Saver Plus offers
Best if you must have Austin Regional Clinic in network.
Ascension Personalized Care No Medical Deductible Bronze - EPO
Best general all-around option for price and network
MyBlue Health Gold℠ 403 - HMO
If cost is an issue, we’ve got you covered. These are some of the cheapest health plans (that are still pretty good) in Austin, Texas.
*Based on 30-year-old male
Some health plans give you better coverage for mental health needs than others. (And yep, some don’t cover it at all.) If mental health coverage is important, consider these health plans.
Note: If you have a particular therapist you love (and we hope you do), we recommend double checking with them that they accept these plans before purchasing one.
If you like racking up credit card reward points while paying for your health insurance premiums, you have lots of options. The following health insurance carriers in Austin, Texas accept credit cards:
Certain health insurance plans offer additional benefits beyond the standard coverage. Below are some examples.
An app you’ll actually use with integrated telemedicine
A $3 prescription medicine program
Super low cost fitness access
Shopping on the marketplace offers you the advantage of choice. The marketplace in Austin has 130+ plans from ten different health insurance carriers.
Health insurance has a lot of terms and jargon that are important to know. Here’s some of the main ones you’ll come across. You can find more here.
Seeing out-of-network doctors or taking medicines that aren’t covered by your health plan can become quite costly. If you have complicated health needs or take specialty medicines, you should consult a broker to make sure your doctors and prescriptions are covered.
Health insurance is complicated and costly, especially for small businesses. High participation rates and contribution requirements make it out of reach for many. Not to mention, traditional group health insurance plans often require 60+ hours of administrative work. That’s where ICHRA comes in. Small business owners finally can control their benefits budget and setup takes just ten minutes. Learn more.
