Christus Health Plan offers the cheapest health insurance in Texas with average monthly rates of $553, saving residents $145 monthly compared to the statewide average. Sendero Health Plans follows at $612 monthly with $86 monthly savings, while Community Health Choice ranks third at $616 monthly with $82 monthly savings.
Cheapest Health Insurance in Texas: Affordable Plans for 2026
Updated: December 11, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Christus Health Plan, Sendero Health Plans and Community Health Choice have the cheapest health insurance in Texas, with average monthly rates ranging from $553 to $616.
Our research found that Christus Health Plan offers the most affordable health insurance in Texas across most demographics (children at $299 monthly average rates, teens at $357, young adults at $400, adults at $500, seniors at $1,061) and HMO plans ($553 monthly), while Wellcare Health leads for POS plans ($712) and Community First for EPO plans ($658).
Cheapest Health Insurance Providers in Texas
Christus Health Plan | $553 | $145 | $6,636 | $1,740 |
Sendero Health Plans, Local Nonprofit | $612 | $86 | $7,344 | $1,032 |
Community Health Choice | $616 | $82 | $7,392 | $984 |
Imperial Insurance Companies | $618 | $80 | $7,416 | $960 |
Community First | $658 | $40 | $7,896 | $480 |
UnitedHealthcare | $662 | $36 | $7,944 | $432 |
Wellcare Health | $666 | $32 | $7,992 | $384 |
* We determine average monthly costs by rounding the mean of all monthly plan rates for each provider in Texas. We calculate average monthly savings by comparing each provider's average rate against the statewide average to demonstrate the cost difference below the state benchmark.
Christus Health Plan
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
4.9/5Affordability
2.5/5Deductible
5/5MOOP
Avg. Monthly Rate
$553Avg. MOOP
$7,456Avg. Deductible
$5,313
Most Affordable Texas Health Insurance By Category
Finding the best health insurance provider involves more than just comparing overall average premiums. Your personal rate varies based on factors including your age, the plan type you select and which metal tier fits your needs. Smart shoppers also consider how monthly costs balance against deductibles and out-of-pocket limits before making a decision.
Christus Health Plan offers the cheapest rates across most demographics in Texas, but that comes with higher deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket costs.
Children | Christus Health Plan | $299 | $3,590 | $7,456 | $5,313 |
Teens | Christus Health Plan | $357 | $4,285 | $7,456 | $5,313 |
Young Adults | Christus Health Plan | $400 | $4,806 | $7,456 | $5,313 |
Adults | Christus Health Plan | $500 | $5,998 | $7,456 | $5,313 |
Seniors | Christus Health Plan | $1,061 | $12,737 | $7,456 | $5,313 |
HMO | Christus Health Plan | $553 | $6,633 | $7,456 | $5,313 |
POS | Wellcare Health | $712 | $8,550 | $6,555 | $2,524 |
EPO | Community First | $658 | $7,892 | $5,815 | $1,150 |
* These are average rates for all plan types and metal levels, with teens at 18 years old, young adults at 26 years old, adults at 40 years old and seniors at 60 years old. For plan type costs, we used average rates for 40-year-olds.
Most Affordable Texas Health Insurance By Metal Level
Christus Health Plan offers the cheapest Catastrophic plans at $347 monthly and Expanded Bronze at $419 monthly for 40-year-olds. Imperial Insurance Companies leads Bronze coverage at $438 per month, while Community First takes Gold at $546 monthly with a low $750 deductible. Sendero Health Plans provides the most affordable Silver coverage at $633 monthly. There are no Platinum tier plans available in Texas.
Catastrophic | Christus Health Plan | $347 | $4,162 | $10,600 | $10,600 |
Expanded Bronze | Christus Health Plan | $419 | $5,031 | $7,575 | $6,493 |
Bronze | Imperial Insurance Companies | $438 | $5,254 | $6,900 | $6,900 |
Gold | Community First | $546 | $6,548 | $5,794 | $750 |
Silver | Sendero Health Plans, Local Nonprofit | $633 | $7,596 | $5,457 | $1,890 |
* These are average rates for 40-year-olds at the given metal tier. Your actual rates will vary by age, location, and plan type.
Cheap Texas Health Insurance: Personalized Picks
When shopping for cheap health insurance, multiple factors affect your rate, including age, plan type, metal level and coverage needs. We've collected statewide data for Texas to help you filter options based on your unique situation and budget.
Data filtered by:
HMO
Silver
40
| Sendero Health Plans, Local Nonprofit | Sendero Health Capital Silver / $40 Pcp / $80 Specialist / $20 Generic Drugs | $608 | HMO | Silver | $5,657 | $3,100 | 40 |
| Community Health Choice | Community Ultra Select Silver 020 (No Deductible For Pcp, Specialist, Urgent Care & Generics, $0 Pcp 24/7 Virtual Care Options) | $616 | HMO | Silver | $5,657 | $3,100 | 40 |
| Community Health Choice | Community Ultra Select Silver 019 (No Deductible For Pcp, Specialist, Urgent Care & Generics, $0 Pcp 24/7 Virtual Care Options) | $617 | HMO | Silver | $5,586 | $2,543 | 40 |
| Community Health Choice | Community Select Silver 019 (No Deductible For Pcp, Specialist, Urgent Care & Generics, $0 Pcp 24/7 Virtual Care Options) | $618 | HMO | Silver | $5,586 | $2,543 | 40 |
| Sendero Health Plans, Local Nonprofit | Sendero Health Original Silver / $20 Pcp + 2 $0 Pcp Visits / $10 Generic Drugs | $625 | HMO | Silver | $4,921 | $2,571 | 40 |
| Christus Health Plan | Christus Value Silver 70 ($0 Virtual Urgent Care) | $632 | HMO | Silver | $3,654 | $3,654 | 40 |
| UnitedHealthcare | Uhc Sanitas Silver Value ($0 Virtual Urgent Care) | $636 | HMO | Silver | $4,850 | $1,671 | 40 |
| Christus Health Plan | Christus Value Silver 70 + Dental & Vision ($0 Virtual Urgent Care) | $651 | HMO | Silver | $3,654 | $3,654 | 40 |
| UnitedHealthcare | Uhc Sanitas Silver Copay Focus $0 Indiv Med Ded ($0 Virtual Urgent Care) | $654 | HMO | Silver | $5,643 | No Data | 40 |
| Christus Health Plan | Christus Standard Silver 70 ($0 Virtual Urgent Care) | $658 | HMO | Silver | $5,657 | $3,100 | 40 |
How to Get Cheap Health Insurance in Texas
Shopping for affordable health insurance in Texas feels overwhelming, especially when you're trying to balance monthly costs with coverage quality. These tips can help you get quality coverage without overpaying.
- 1Compare multiple metal tiers
It may be tempting to choose the cheapest Bronze or Catastrophic plan, but this could actually cost you more in the long run. Silver and Gold plans often provide better value when you factor in lower deductibles and out-of-pocket costs, especially if you need regular medical care.
- 2Evaluate your actual healthcare needs
Look at what you spent on healthcare last year. If you only visited the doctor twice and didn't need prescriptions, a high-deductible plan could save you money. For example, if you spent $500 last year on two routine doctor visits and one urgent care trip, a Bronze plan with a $6,000 deductible might save you $150 monthly compared to a Gold plan.
- 3Consider HMO plans
HMO plans offer lower premiums than PPO options in Texas. You'll need to stay within the provider network, but the savings can be substantial if you're comfortable with the restrictions.
- 4Check for subsidies
Premium tax credits from the Health Insurance Marketplace can cut your monthly costs based on your income. Even middle-income families can qualify for assistance, so always check your eligibility before purchasing a plan.
- 5Shop during Open Enrollment
Open enrollment periods offer the widest selection of plans at the best rates. Missing this window means waiting until the next enrollment period unless you qualify for a special enrollment period due to major life changes.
Bottom Line
Christus Health Plan is the most affordable health insurance provider in Texas. Sendero Health Plans and Community Health Choice also offer competitive rates across different coverage tiers. These three insurers consistently have the lowest premiums in the state, but your best rate depends on comparing multiple plan types and metal levels from several companies before making a decision.
Affordable Health Insurance in Texas: FAQ
Get quick answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about health insurance in Texas:
How do I get cheap health insurance in Texas?
Shop during open enrollment and compare plans across multiple metal tiers from providers like Christus Health Plan, Sendero Health Plans and Community Health Choice. Check if you qualify for premium tax credits through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Consider HMO plans for lower rates and balance monthly premiums against deductibles based on your expected healthcare needs.
How much does health insurance cost in Texas?
Health insurance in Texas costs an average of $698 per month or $8,377 annually across all plan types and metal levels. Monthly rates range from $208 to $2,085 depending on your age, coverage tier and plan type.
Does Texas require health insurance?
Texas does not require residents to have health insurance. The federal individual mandate penalty was eliminated in 2019, so you won't face tax penalties for going uninsured. However, having coverage protects you from high medical costs and provides access to preventive care and treatment when needed.
Our Methodology
We gathered and analyzed all health insurance plan data from federal sources for Texas residents at five age points: 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60. We found the most affordable overall options by focusing on monthly premium costs for 40-year-olds, as this age represents the demographic midpoint for most state residents and simplifies comparison. For age-specific affordability rankings, we analyzed rates at each of the five age brackets.
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About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.