Health Care Benefits: Texas

Federal law and guidance on this subject should be reviewed together with this section.

Author: Jayne Zanglein, Western Carolina University

Summary

• Texas chose not to establish a state-based Marketplace under the Affordable Care Act. See Health Insurance Marketplaces Under the ACA.
• Same-sex marriage is legal nationwide. See Same-Sex Partner Benefits.
• Texas health mandates apply to group accident, health, or accident and health insurance policies issued by insurance companies, group hospital service corporations, and health maintenance organizations (HMOs). See Scope of Mandates.
• Group health plans that allow dependents to enroll, must include coverage for newborns and certain other dependents. See Dependent Coverage.
• Group health plans must provide basic health care for children. See Basic Health Care Services - Children.
• Group health plans must cover certain women's health benefits. See Women's Health Care Services.
• Group health plans must cover prostate cancer screening and treatment for men. See Prostate Cancer Screening and Treatment.
• Group health plans must provide coverage for chemical dependency. See Chemical Dependency Coverage.
• Group health plans must provide mental health benefits and parity. See Mental Health Benefits and Parity.
• Group health plans must provide coverage for diabetes. See Diabetes-Related Services and Supplies.
• Group health plans must offer coverage for the care and treatment of loss or impairment of speech or hearing. See Speech or Hearing Loss or Impairment.
• Group health plans must provide coverage for certain specified health providers. See Coverage for Specified Providers.
• Group health plans must provide coverage for certain illnesses, services and supplies. See Other Coverage Requirements.