Sendero Health Plans offers the best health insurance options in Texas with a 4.7 out of 5 MoneyGeek score. Its Silver HMO plans average $633 monthly, which is 15% below state averages for this plan type and metal tier. Christus Health Plan, UnitedHealthcare and Wellcare also rank highly among Texas providers.
Best Health Insurance in Texas (2026)
Updated: December 30, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
Sendero Health Plans delivers the best health insurance in Texas, providing HMO plans with an average rate of $633 for Silver-tier coverage.
Sendero Health Plans also provides the cheapest health insurance in Texas, with Silver-tier HMO plans averaging $633 per month.
Before choosing a health plan in Texas, compare multiple insurer quotes, examine coverage details and deductibles, and verify your doctors participate in the network.
Best Health Insurance Companies in Texas
| Sendero Health Plans | $633 | $5,457 | $1,890 | 4.7 | Sendero Health Capital Silver / $40 Pcp / $80 Specialist / $20 Generic Drugs |
| Christus Health Plan | $662 | $4,899 | $3,659 | 4.5 | Christus Value Silver 70 ($0 Virtual Urgent Care) |
| UnitedHealthcare | $732 | $5,542 | $2,237 | 4.4 | Uhc Sanitas Silver Value ($0 Virtual Urgent Care) |
| Wellcare Health | $755 | $5,720 | $2,034 | 4.4 | Wellpoint Essential Silver 1850 ($0 Virtual Pcp + $0 Select Drugs + Incentives) |
| Community Health Choice | $672 | $5,757 | $2,580 | 4.3 | Community Ultra Select Silver 019 (No Deductible For Pcp, Specialist, Urgent Care & Generics, $0 Pcp 24/7 Virtual Care Options) |
| Ambetter | $691 | $5,489 | $3,268 | 4.2 | Focused Value Silver |
| Baylor Scott And White Health Plan | $793 | $5,612 | $2,557 | 4.2 | Bsw Prime Silver Hmo 005 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $804 | $5,949 | $2,007 | 4.2 | Myblue Health Silver℠ 405 |
| Imperial Insurance Companies | $696 | $5,764 | $3,818 | 4.0 | Imperial Standard Silver |
| Oscar | $701 | $6,014 | $3,404 | 4.0 | Silver Simple Breathe Easy With Enhanced Copd Benefits Guided Care |
*Our picks reflect the best companies for 40-year-olds seeking Silver-tier HMO plans. Rates vary by age and coverage level.
Sendero Health Plans
MoneyGeek Rating
4.7/ 5
5/5Affordability
5/5Deductible
3.7/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$633Average MOOP
$5,457Average Deductible
$1,890
Christus Health Plan
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
4.9/5Affordability
2.5/5Deductible
5/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$662Average MOOP
$4,899Average Deductible
$3,659
UnitedHealthcare
MoneyGeek Rating
4.4/ 5
4.7/5Affordability
4.5/5Deductible
3.5/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$732Average MOOP
$5,542Average Deductible
$2,237
Best Texas Health Insurance by Category
Silver-tier health insurance in Texas varies based on age and network preference:
- Teens (18): Sendero HMO ($452 monthly), Community First EPO ($460), Wellcare POS ($563)
- Young adults (26): Sendero HMO ($507 monthly), Community First EPO ($516), Wellcare POS ($632)
- Adults (40): Sendero HMO ($633 monthly), Community First EPO ($644), Wellcare POS ($788)
- Seniors (60): Sendero HMO ($1,344 monthly), Community First EPO ($1,367), Wellcare POS ($1,674)
By Network Type (40-year-olds):
- HMO: Sendero offers the best HMO plans at $633 monthly
- EPO: Community First provides the best EPO plans at $644 monthly
- POS: Wellcare delivers the best POS plans in Texas at $788 monthly
Compare Health Insurance Companies in Texas
Health insurance costs in Texas vary widely between providers and metal tiers. We compare plan type, age, coverage level and HSA eligibility to help you find suitable options.
Data filtered by:
HMO
Silver
40
No
| Sendero Health Plans | $633 | HMO | Silver | $5,457 | $1,890 | 40 | No |
| Christus Health Plan | $662 | HMO | Silver | $4,899 | $3,659 | 40 | No |
| Community Health Choice | $672 | HMO | Silver | $5,757 | $2,580 | 40 | No |
| Ambetter | $691 | HMO | Silver | $5,489 | $3,268 | 40 | No |
| Imperial Insurance Companies | $696 | HMO | Silver | $5,764 | $3,818 | 40 | No |
| Oscar | $701 | HMO | Silver | $6,014 | $3,404 | 40 | No |
| UnitedHealthcare | $732 | HMO | Silver | $5,542 | $2,237 | 40 | No |
| Molina Healthcare | $746 | HMO | Silver | $5,800 | $3,368 | 40 | No |
| Wellcare Health | $755 | HMO | Silver | $5,720 | $2,034 | 40 | No |
| Baylor Scott And White Health Plan | $793 | HMO | Silver | $5,612 | $2,557 | 40 | No |
*Some providers offer multiple plans of the same type and tier. Rates are based on company averages across all available plans for the given age, plan type and metal tier.
How to Find the Best Health Insurance in Texas
Finding the right health insurance in Texas involves evaluating your coverage needs, researching insurer reputations and exploring available enrollment options.
Decide on your coverage needs before buying
Compare monthly premiums against out-of-pocket limits before choosing a plan. If you visit doctors frequently, plans with higher monthly costs but lower maximum out-of-pocket limits often save money long-term.
For those rarely needing care, lower-premium plans with higher deductibles may work better. Review HMO, PPO and EPO plan types to understand network flexibility and referral requirements.
Compare company offerings and reputations
Research which plans insurers offer in your area and compare coverage terms, provider networks and benefits. Check company reputations through J.D. Power ratings and state complaint databases to verify claims handling and customer service quality before enrolling.
Shop around
Health insurance rates in Texas vary based on age, plan type and coverage level. Open Enrollment runs from November 1 to January 15.
Special Enrollment applies after qualifying life events like job loss, marriage, divorce, birth of a child or losing existing coverage. Compare quotes from multiple insurers to find the best value.
Take advantage of federal programs and subsidies
Texas residents may qualify for federal subsidies based on income, with some eligible for $0 premium plans.
Seniors 65 and older can access Medicare coverage options. Those meeting income requirements may qualify for reduced-cost marketplace plans. Medicare-eligible residents can explore Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans for additional coverage.
Average Health Insurance Cost in Texas
Health insurance costs in Texas vary based on plan type, metal tier, age and location. HMO plans are the most affordable option, with Bronze coverage averaging $493 monthly and Gold at $650. POS plans cost more, ranging from $548 for Bronze to $720 for Gold. EPO plans fall between these options, with Silver averaging $764 and Gold at $678 monthly.
| EPO | No Data | $764 | $678 |
| HMO | $493 | $745 | $650 |
| POS | $548 | $858 | $720 |
*Average monthly premiums for 40-year-olds in Texas by plan type. Rates vary by age and location.
Best Health Insurance in Texas: Bottom Line
Sendero Health Plans, Christus Health Plan and UnitedHealthcare are the best health insurance companies in Texas for the 2026 plan year. The best plan for you depends on your age, health needs, network preferences and budget. Get quotes from multiple insurers and compare premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums.
Best Texas Health Insurance: FAQ
Answers about the best health insurance in Texas:
Is health insurance required in Texas?
No, Texas does not require residents to have health insurance. The state has no mandate or penalty for being uninsured. Residents can still access federal subsidies through the health insurance marketplace to make coverage more affordable if they qualify based on income.
When is open enrollment in Texas?
Texas's open enrollment for 2026 health coverage begins November 1, 2025, and ends January 31, 2026. You must select a plan by December 31, 2025, to start coverage January 1, 2026. After this deadline, coverage begins the following month.
Can you get free health insurance in Texas?
Yes, Texas residents can access free health insurance through Medicaid if they meet income requirements. Others qualify for marketplace subsidies that reduce or eliminate monthly premiums, making coverage affordable or free based on household income.
How We Chose the Best Health Insurance in Texas
Our ranking system evaluates health insurance plans based on three cost factors: monthly premiums, deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket limits.
Scoring breakdown:
- Monthly premium (60%): Plans with the cheapest average monthly costs receive the top ratings.
- Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) score (20%): This is the annual spending cap for healthcare costs beyond your premium. Insurers with lower MOOP limits earn better scores.
- Deductible (20%): This amount must be paid before insurance begins covering costs. Plans with smaller deductibles get higher ratings.
We standardized all scores within each filter group. The best-performing Silver-tier HMO plan earns a 5 out of 5 rating, with other plans scored relative to this top performer.
MoneyGeek examined every 2026 health plan offered in Texas for people ages 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60. Premium costs shown reflect 40-year-old rates unless stated otherwise. Our analysis covers all available tiers: Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
Related Pages
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in 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.