If you live in Texas, the following health insurance contact information may be helpful to you:
Texas Department of Insurance
The Texas Department of Insurance is responsible for regulating all types of insurance sold in the state of Texas, including health insurance policies.
If you are looking for health insurance coverage, the Department of Insurance has a list of insurance companies licensed to sell individual policies in Texas.
If you are having trouble resolving a claims dispute with your insurer, you can file a complaint with the Insurance Division. Complete a complaint form online, or download a form to print and submit when you are ready.
Texas Department of Insurance
P.O. Box 149104
Austin, TX 78714-9104
Phone: 800 252-3439
Email: PIO@tdi.state.tx.us
U.S. Department of Labor
If you get your insurance through your job, your plan is also regulated by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA). They make and enforce the rules that your employer must follow when offering health insurance coverage to employees. For example, your employer cannot single out an individual employee to exclude her from the plan because she (or one of her dependents) has a costly illness. Also, if there are 20 or more employees at your job, you should be offered COBRA continuation coverage when you leave your job. The EBSA works to make sure that all of this happens and your rights are protected.
If you have concerns about your employer's practices in administering your job-based health coverage (for example, if you think you should have been offered COBRA continuation coverage, but were not, or if you feel that you were wrongly terminated from your health plan) contact your regional EBSA office.
U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration
Dallas Regional Office
525 South Griffin Street, Room 900
Dallas, TX 75202-5025
Roger Hilburn - Director
Phone: 972-850-4500
Fax: 214-767-1055
Buying Individual Policies in Texas
As a general rule, insurers in Texas are allowed to reject your application for coverage based on your health status. However, you may qualify for coverage as a "HIPAA-eligible" individual if you:
- had at least 18 months of continuous creditable coverage, the last day of which was under a group plan
AND - you have exhausted all COBRA continuation coverage which was available to you
People who are HIPAA-eligible are guaranteed the right to buy an individual policy from a private insurer. You can also buy insurance through Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool (described below). If you are not sure whether you are a HIPAA-eligible individual, your insurance agent or the Texas Department of Insurance can help you find out.
Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool
The Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool offers coverage to individuals who are unable to purchase an individual health insurance policy because they have pre-existing health conditions. It also covers "HIPAA-eligible" individuals, as described above. For more information about the program, including premium rates and benefit packages, contact the Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool.
Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool
P. O. Box 6089
Abilene, Texas 79608
Phone: 888-398-3927
Fax: 325-793-4134
Email:texasriskpool@bcbstx.com
Texas Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
The CHIP program provides health insurance coverage for children whose family's income meets certain guidelines.
CHIP
Phone: 877-KIDS-NOW
Texas Health Information Counseling and Assistance Program (HICAP)
HICAP provides free one-on-one counseling for Medicare beneficiaries to answer questions about any aspect of Medicare, including the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit, or Medigap coverage.
HICAP
Phone: Contact your local Agency on Aging
Email: ConsumerProtection@tdi.state.tx.us
Texas Medicaid
Medicaid is a government program designed to help the poor and indigent obtain health care services. Pregnant women and children under age 19 who meet certain income requirements may be eligible for Medicaid coverage, along with aged, blind, and disabled individuals.
Texas Medicaid
Health and Human Services Commission
P.O. Box 14600
Midland, TX 79711-4600
Phone: 211
Fax: 877-HHSC-TEX
