Best Health Insurance Companies in Dallas
Not every insurance company offers the same thing. Here are the major carriers that serve Dallas County and what makes each one different:
| Carrier | Plan Types Available | Strengths |
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas | HMO, PPO, Group | Largest carrier in Texas. Accepted at nearly every hospital in Dallas. |
United Healthcare | PPO, Group, Individual | Strong nationwide PPO network. Great for people who travel or see out-of-state doctors. |
Cigna | PPO, Group, Individual | Good option for self-employed and small businesses. Solid PPO network. |
Humana | PPO, Group | Wellness-focused plans with preventive care benefits. |
Aetna | Group, Employer Plans | Strong group plan options. Note: Aetna is exiting the individual market after 2025 — group plans still available. |
One thing most people don’t know: The Texas marketplace only offers HMO and EPO plans. There are zero PPO plans on the exchange. If you want a PPO, which lets you see any doctor without a referral you need to go through a broker like Custom Health Plans to access private market options.
Health Insurance Options in Dallas
Individual Health Insurance
If you’re buying coverage just for yourself, a health insurance broker in Dallas can show you more choices than you might think. Private market plans give you access to PPO networks that aren’t available on the marketplace. That means you can see specialists without a referral and choose from a wider range of doctors and hospitals.
Short-term plans are another option if you’re healthy and need coverage fast. They start as low as $114 per month and can last up to 364 days in Texas. Just keep in mind that short-term plans don’t cover pre-existing conditions.
Family Health Insurance
Covering your whole family takes careful planning. You need to think about pediatric care, maternity coverage, and how many doctors your family sees. Private PPO plans let everyone in the family choose their own doctors without worrying about network restrictions.
Association health plans can also work well for families. If you or your spouse is self-employed, you may qualify for group rates through a professional or trade association, which can save you $200 to $400 per month compared to buying individual plans for everyone.
Small Business & Group Health Insurance
If you run a business in Dallas, you know that health benefits help you attract and retain good employees, and working with a Dallas health insurance broker makes it easier to find group plans that fit your budget. Texas requires just 2 enrolled employees to qualify for a small group plan, and that can include you and your spouse.
Dallas has over 100,000 small businesses. Many of them don’t realize how affordable group coverage can be, especially when you combine employer contributions with plans that include HSA options. We help Dallas business owners compare group plans from BCBS, United, Cigna, and more all in one place.
Self-Employed & Freelancer Insurance
Dallas is full of freelancers, consultants, and independent contractors, especially in tech, marketing, and professional services. If you work for yourself, you don’t have to settle for expensive marketplace HMOs.
Association health plans let self-employed workers join together through a trade or professional group to get group rates. This is often the only way for a freelancer to access a PPO plan in Texas. We’ll help you find the right association and the right plan.
Short-Term Health Insurance
Short-term plans are designed to fill gaps. Maybe you just left a job. Maybe you’re waiting for your new employer’s benefits to start. Maybe you’re a recent college grad figuring out your next move.
In Texas, short-term plans can last up to 364 days with one renewal period. They’re medically underwritten, which means if you’re healthy, you’ll pay much less than you would on the marketplace. Plans start as low as $114 per month for a healthy 30-year-old in Dallas.
Keep in mind: Short-term plans do not cover pre-existing conditions, maternity, or mental health services in most cases. They work best as temporary coverage, not a long-term solution.
Top Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities in Dallas
When you’re picking a health insurance plan, the first question most people ask is: “Will my hospital be covered?” Dallas is home to some of the best hospitals in the country. Here are the ones you should know about:
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Ranked the #1 hospital in DFW for 9 years in a row. Known for cancer treatment, neurology, organ transplants, and cutting-edge research. If you or a family member needs specialized care, this is one of the top facilities in the state.
Baylor University Medical Center
Part of Baylor Scott & White Health, the largest not-for-profit health system in Texas, with 52 hospitals. Baylor is a major hub for heart care, transplants, and emergency medicine in downtown Dallas.
Parkland Memorial Hospital
Dallas County’s public hospital is one of the busiest trauma centers in the country. Parkland serves over 1 million patient visits per year and is a critical safety-net hospital for the community.
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas
Part of Texas Health Resources, one of the largest non-profit health systems in the nation. Known for orthopedics, heart care, and women’s health services.
Medical City Dallas
A full-service acute care hospital and part of HCA Healthcare. Medical City has a Level I Trauma Center and is known for its spine, brain, and heart programs.
Before you enroll in any plan, make sure your preferred hospital is in-network.
Hospital networks change a carrier that covers your hospital today might not tomorrow. When you work with a health insurance broker in Dallas like Custom Health Plans, we verify your hospital and doctor coverage before you sign up. No surprises.
How to Get Health Insurance in Dallas
Getting covered is simpler than you think. Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Request a Free QuoteCall us at
(469) 361-4032 or fill out our
online quote form. Tell us a bit about yourself, your age, who you need to cover, and what’s important to you in a plan.
Step 2: Compare Your Options
We do the shopping for you. We’ll show you side-by-side comparisons from multiple carriers so you can see exactly what each plan covers and what it costs. No pressure, no sales pitch.
Step 3: Get Covered
Once you pick a plan, we handle the paperwork and enrollment. If you ever have questions down the road about a claim, a bill, or changing your plan, we’re a phone call away.
No cost to you. Brokers are paid by the insurance companies. You get the same price whether you go through us or buy directly from the carrier, but with us, you get expert guidance and someone in your corner.
Why Dallas Residents Choose Custom Health Plans
We’re local. Our office is in Plano just 20 minutes from downtown Dallas. We know the DFW healthcare landscape because we live and work here, too.
We’ve been doing this for over 30 years. Health insurance in Texas is complicated. The rules change every year. We stay on top of it so you don’t have to.
We’re independent. We don’t work for any one insurance company. That means we can honestly tell you which carrier has the best plan for your situation not the one that pays us the most.
We specialize in alternative plans. If the marketplace doesn’t have what you need like a PPO plan, or affordable coverage without subsidy eligibility we know where to find it. Short-term plans, association health plans, private-market PPOs, and small-group options are our specialty.
We make it personal. You’ll talk to a real person, not a call center. We’ll learn your situation, answer your questions, and help you make a confident decision.
