New Healthy Texas Plans Introduced

Online, February 2, 2012 (Newswire.com) - The Healthy Texas Health Insurance Program has added a two new deductible plans: $2,000 deductible Preferred Provider Plan and $2500 deductible Preferred Provider Plan options. These are in addition to the current $500 deductible Preferred Provider PLan, $1,500 deductible Preferred Provider Plan and $2,500 High Deductible Health Savings Account (HSA) compatible plans.

All Preferred Provider plans have office visit co-payments and a prescription pharmacy card.

Benefits include inpatient hospital services, outpatient hospital services, maternity benefits, doctor visits, prescription drugs, preventive tests and vaccinations.

All Healthy Texas plans are guaranteed issue with no health questions and no rate up for prior medical conditions.

Currently there are two insurance companies offering these health Insurance Plans: United Healthcare and Celtic Life. The rates are generally lower than comparable health insurance plans due to the State of Texas subsidy. The lower rates, no health questions and no rate up for prior medical conditions have made these plans popular to small businesses that have no current coverage.

Healthy Texas was started to help lessen the uninsured burden on our state's medical care system with its high-cost emergency room and hospital visits. Many of these costs could be avoided with preventive care and regular treatment. Because many uninsured Texans work for small businesses, the Texas Legislature created Healthy Texas to help small business owners who want to offer health insurance but haven't been able to. Now, Healthy Texas puts health insurance withinreach for your business.

To qualify:
• Employer must be located in Texas and must qualify as a small business with 2-50 eligible employees.
• Employer must not have provided group insurance 12 months prior to HealthyTexas application.
• At least 30% of employees must receive annual wages at or below 300% of the federal poverty level (FPL) ($32,670 in 2011).
• 60% of eligible employees must enroll (lower participation rate than other small business plans).
• Employer must offer dependent coverage.
• Employer must pay at least 50% of the premium costs for employees.
• Each employee in business is a citizen or national of the United States or is an alien lawfully present in the United States.