Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Offering More Affordable Plans During Open Enrollment

RICHARDSON, TX – Eligible Texans may qualify for a $0 monthly payment on some health plans offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) during the current Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that runs through May 15, 2021.

President Joe Biden issued an Executive Order opening a SEP in response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. No proof of a qualifying life event is required to buy a health plan during this new SEP.

At a time when access to care and affordability are of vital importance to Texans, BCBSTX has several available options, including plans where individuals may be eligible for financial assistance. As in past years, BCBSTX is offering individual and family plans in every zip code in Texas. These plans can be accessed through a robust network of providers and facilities.

In Dallas and Harris counties, BCBSTX is offering plans where nearly half of the on exchange population may qualify for a $0 monthly payment on a Bronze plan after subsidies are applied. In fact, subsidies helped 92% of Texans lower their monthly bill in 2020 for plans purchased on the exchange.

Other important highlights for BCBSTX plans include:

• The lowest-cost Silver level plans in Dallas and Harris counties
• The only on-exchange carrier that offers coverage in all 254 counties in Texas
• The only on-exchange carrier in 37 counties in Texas in 2021

“Our goal is to provide products and services for people to have access to affordable, quality health insurance, especially during these unprecedented times,” said Dr. Leslie Weisberg, market Chief Medical Officer, BCBSTX. “We are committed to helping customers throughout the enrollment process so they can understand their options and choose the coverage that best meets their family’s health care needs and budget.”

BCBSTX is collaborating with the Sanitas Medical Centers in the Houston and Dallas regions in the MyBlue Health HMO network, which allows members to enjoy a $0 copay for primary care in-person and primary care telehealth appointments with their Sanitas primary care physician.

Selecting a health insurance plan that meets your needs can be challenging under normal circumstances but trying to navigate options during the COVID-19 pandemic can compound that anxiety. To help, BCBSTX will be holding virtual seminars throughout the SEP with Think Blue representatives providing help in English and Spanish so Texans can know what health plans are right for them and their families. Multiple tools are available to help people navigate their options such as:

• Schedule a virtual one-on-one appointment
• Register for a virtual educational seminar
• Phone help is offered at 866-427-7497
o Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. CT
o Saturday: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. CT
o Sunday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. CT