Private PPO Health Insurance in Texas
Texas is a big state with several large metro areas, and a lot of Texans earn their living outside a traditional job: contractors, consultants, real estate agents, tradespeople, drivers and small business owners. If that is you, you buy your own coverage, and the choices can feel scattered.
This guide covers how private PPO plans work in Texas, what drives the price, what your options are when a job-based plan ends, and how to check that the agent you talk to is licensed here. When you are ready, you can see an estimate for your household in about a minute.
Who shops for private coverage in Texas
How a private PPO plan works
A PPO (preferred provider organization) plan has a network of providers who agree to set prices. You can usually see in-network providers without a referral, and some PPO plans also pay part of the cost outside the network. Four numbers decide what a plan really costs you:
- Premium: what you pay every month to keep the plan.
- Deductible: what you pay for covered services before the plan starts sharing costs. Some private plans offer $0 deductible options; others trade a higher deductible for a lower premium.
- Copays and coinsurance: your share of each covered service after the deductible.
- Out-of-pocket maximum: the most you pay for covered in-network services in a plan year.
Private plans are offered by insurance carriers, and benefits vary by plan. Applications can include questions about your household and history, so approval is not guaranteed, and some plans limit what they cover based on your answers. Always read the plan documents before you enroll. More detail: how PPO networks work and deductibles, copays and out-of-pocket maximums explained.
Networks across Texas metros
Many Texans live in one metro and work or travel in another, for example Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth, San Antonio or Austin. If you split time between cities, ask whether a plan uses a regional network or a national PPO network, and check the providers you care about in every city you spend time in.
Contract and project work
If your income comes in contracts that start and stop, look for a plan you can keep between contracts. Private individual plans belong to you, not to an employer, so the coverage does not end when a contract does, as long as premiums are paid.
What affects the price of a plan in Texas
Your monthly price depends mainly on the ages of the people covered, the number of people on the plan, where you live, tobacco use, the plan design you pick (deductible and out-of-pocket maximum) and the carrier's underwriting.
| Household | Estimated monthly range |
|---|---|
| One adult, age 30 | $268 to $328 |
| One adult, age 45 | $352 to $428 |
| Two adults age 40 and one child age 9 | $647 to $782 |
These are example estimates from our quote tool, not offers. They assume non-tobacco use and do not include add-ons. Your actual rate depends on your age, household, plan choice and underwriting, and can be higher or lower. Get an estimate for your household.
Leaving a job-based plan in Texas
When you leave a job in Texas, you usually have three paths to compare: federal COBRA, Texas state continuation, and a private plan of your own.
| Option | How it works |
|---|---|
| Federal COBRA | Employers with 20 or more employees. Usually up to 18 months for the employee. You pay the full premium plus up to a 2% fee. You generally have 60 days to elect. |
| Texas state continuation (no COBRA) | Fully insured plans subject to Texas law, usually employers with 2 to 19 employees. Up to 9 months. You must have been covered for the 3 months before coverage ended. |
| Texas extension after COBRA | Fully insured plans of employers with 20 or more employees. An extra 6 months after federal COBRA ends. |
| Private individual plan | Your own plan, not tied to any employer. Price and approval depend on the carrier and underwriting. Many private plans accept applications year round. |
Texas continuation does not apply to self-funded (ERISA) employer plans. The premium for Texas continuation is generally the full group premium plus 2%, and you elect it in writing within 60 days. Compare the monthly cost of continuing your old plan with an estimate for a private plan before the election window closes.
More on this: leaving a job-based plan and COBRA vs a private plan.
Taxes for the self-employed
If you are self-employed and not eligible to join a plan offered by your own or your spouse's employer, you may be able to deduct health insurance premiums for yourself, your spouse and your dependents on your federal return (IRS Form 7206). Texas has no state personal income tax, so the self-employed health insurance deduction matters only on your federal return. Ask your tax preparer whether you qualify. See the self-employed health insurance deduction.
Check the license, know the regulator
Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). TDI licenses insurance agents and companies in Texas and takes consumer questions and complaints. You can look up an agent license on the TDI website before you buy.
Texas health insurance questions
Can I buy a private PPO plan in Texas if I am self-employed?
Do I have to wait for a specific month to enroll in a private plan in Texas?
How long can I keep my old job-based plan in Texas?
How do I check that an agent is licensed in Texas?
Are the prices on this page what I will pay?
Sources
- Texas Department of Insurance: 2026 Texas Health Coverage Guide
- Texas Administrative Code, 28 TAC 21.5310 to 21.5313 (state continuation)
- U.S. Department of Labor: COBRA continuation coverage
General information, not legal or tax advice. Plan availability, benefits and prices vary by carrier and are subject to underwriting. Last reviewed November 2026.
Other state guides: Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, Wisconsin. All 31 states.
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