Texas Health Insurance 2026
Your complete guide to health insurance options in Texas — Medicaid eligibility, ACA Marketplace plans, enrollment deadlines, and key resources.
Texas at a Glance
What You Need to Know
- →Texas has NOT expanded Medicaid — most low-income adults without children do not qualify
- →Texas uses the federal marketplace at healthcare.gov
- →No state individual mandate — no penalty for being uninsured
- →If your income is between 100–400% FPL, you qualify for ACA subsidies on the Marketplace
How to Enroll
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Texas have Medicaid for adults without children?
Generally, no. Texas has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA, so childless adults typically do not qualify for Medicaid regardless of income. Parents may qualify at very low income levels (around 19% FPL, or about $2,900/year for a single parent with one child). If you earn over 100% FPL, the ACA Marketplace with subsidies is likely your best option.
Where do Texans buy health insurance?
Texans use the federal marketplace at healthcare.gov to shop for ACA plans. Open Enrollment runs November 1 through January 15. If you lose job-based coverage, you have a 60-day Special Enrollment Period to enroll outside of Open Enrollment.
Is there a penalty for not having health insurance in Texas?
No. Texas does not have a state individual health insurance mandate. The federal mandate penalty was also eliminated starting in 2019. However, being uninsured means you bear full medical costs — a single ER visit can cost $1,500–$15,000.