Lindsey has everything ready to go. She gathered her family’s information, marked her calendar, and even blocked time off to renew their ACA Exchange Health Plan during Open Enrollment. She understands what happens when you don't meet the enrollment window.
Like many self-employed Texans, Lindsey has been keeping an eye on the federal government shutdown. She and other families in Fort Worth are not really sure this will mean for their Gold, Silver, and Bronze plan options that they consider each year. She was anxious but ready.
With the announcement of the government shutdown delaying enrollment in Obamacare plans until at least November 15th, Lindsey felt her feelings of frustration accelerate. The uncertainty about enrollment, combined with rising premium costs, and disappearing premium subsidies makes planning for next year’s coverage harder than ever.
The good news is that Texans still have options. Even though Open Enrollment has been delayed, “window shopping” with carriers is already open. This means you can see proposed 2026 rates and compare your renewal terms to new plan options before the Marketplace officially launches.
What those numbers reveal is eye-opening.
Premiums Are Rising as Enhanced Subsidies Expire
The early window shopping data shows steep premium increases for 2026 Marketplace plans. The reason? Those subsidy enhancements that helped offset ACA plan costs during COVID are disappearing.
For many middle-income Texans who do not qualify for the base federal poverty level subsidy, that means the premium increases of the last few years are being compounded into massive monthly costs jumps.
This effect is compounded as the out-of-pocket costs are also increasing dramatically. Families like Lindsey's are seeing their total cost of risk for a health insurance plan spiral into the absurd.
The timing could not be worse. Texans are facing economic uncertainty with rising costs while also trying to protect their families with quality health insurance. For many, it feels like the walls are closing in financially.
That is why it is so important to understand what options you can take advantage of right now to secure a health insurance plan that limits your out of pocket costs while also making sure you don't have a coverage gap.
What To Look For In Window Shopping
Now that Texans like Lindsey have a few extra weeks to compare their renewal options, it is important to use the delay to evaluate all plan options available. Many of us have been tracked into only comparing Bronze plans and Gold Plans while options have been limited. It is time to think about other Private Health Plans as well.
While you cannot submit your application yet, you can still “window shop” with health insurance carriers on the ACA Exchange. This lets you preview your 2026 pricing and potential plan changes, so you can see how your premiums stack up against last year’s rates.
If you are one of the many Texans like Lindsey who will lose enhanced subsidies that make your inferior ACA plan unaffordable, it is especially important to evaluate alternatives before the window officially opens.
Why Lindsey Is Looking Beyond the ACA Marketplace
Marketplace plans have always been a lifeline for many families, but they also come with limitations. Most ACA plans available in Texas are HMOs, which restrict you to smaller doctor networks and often make it difficult to see specialists or other providers. They also have extremely high out-of-pocket maximums that mean your family budget can take a massive hit during a larger health emergency.
Combine that high cost of risk with rising monthly costs, and many Texans are realizing that the ACA no longer feels like the only path to affordable coverage.
That is where alternative health insurance solutions come in. And it is exactly why Lindsey called Insurance For Texans.
Alternative Health Insurance Options That Work for Texans
Texans are independent. We are people who like to chart our own path and think differently than others. Fortunately for Lindsey and folks just like you, there are several private, verifiable options that can serve as a real replacement for ACA coverage. These plans are often easier to use, more flexible, and more affordable for households that want control over their healthcare choices.
Here are three solutions worth exploring.
1. Catastrophic Coverage for Critical Illnesses, Accidents, and Surgeries
Catastrophic Health Plans provide protection for the big stuff. They are designed to cover major medical events such as big illnesses like cancer, hospitalizations, surgeries, and accidents. These are the things that keep a parent up at night when they think about high-deductible health plans.
The beauty of these plans is how simple they are to use. You get coverage when you need it most, and many come with low deductibles and fast claim turnaround times.
They are ideal for Texans who want peace of mind without paying high monthly premiums for coverage they rarely use.
2. Private Health Plans with Customizable Options
Private health plans typically do require underwriting, which means you will answer some health questions. It also means that some Texans won't qualify due to pre-existing conditions.
The good news is that underwriting allows the plans to be customized to specific needs. You can choose benefits that match your lifestyle rather than being forced into a one-size-fits-all ACA policy. Many Texans previously used Short-Term health insurance plans to fill this role, but these plans are better options as they are not time bound in their use.
These plan options tend to be more transparent, easier to use, and more flexible when it comes to provider choice. For healthy families or small business owners who want control over what they pay for, this can be a very smart option.
3. True PPO Health Plans
Many Texans have missed the freedom of PPO coverage since ACA plans became almost exclusively HMOs. True PPO plans primarily have existed in the group health insurance space for employers.
Texas is finally seeing individual PPO health plans bring that freedom back to people like Lindsey in Fort Worth. She can see any doctor, visit any hospital, and get care outside of Texas if needed.
These plans feel familiar to how health insurance used to work before ACA restrictions, which makes them an attractive option for those who value flexibility and convenience.
Choosing the Right Path for Your Family
The key takeaway for Lindsey is that even with uncertainty in government timelines and rising premiums, she does not have to go without the coverage her family deserves. There are alternatives that are legitimate, effective, and more cost-efficient than what the Marketplace is offering for 2026.
Independent agents like Insurance For Texans can help you compare your total cost of coverage, not just your monthly premium. We help you evaluate the true financial picture, including your deductible, your out-of-pocket max, and your potential risk in the event of a health emergency.
Now is the perfect time to plan ahead for next year and beyond. Texans who act now will have more options and fewer surprises. Who doesn't want that?
The Bottom Line
Health insurance is supposed to protect your family, not confuse you or drain your bank account. While Open Enrollment is on hold, you still have the opportunity to review your options and prepare for the year ahead.
For Texas families there are finally real, verifiable alternatives available that can replace ACA coverage and make healthcare simpler and more affordable. Take control of your options today.
Click the button below to explore health plans that fit your needs, your budget, and your Texas lifestyle.