Best Health Insurance Companies in San Antonio
Not every insurance company offers the same thing. Here are the major carriers that serve Bexar 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 San Antonio, including University Health and Methodist. |
United Healthcare | PPO, Group, Individual | Strong nationwide PPO network. Great for military families who move frequently or see out-of-state doctors. |
Cigna | PPO, Group, Individual | Good option for self-employed and small businesses. Solid PPO network across South Texas. |
Humana | PPO, Group | Wellness-focused plans with preventive care benefits. Strong presence in San Antonio. |
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 San Antonio, TX
Individual Health Insurance
If you’re buying coverage just for yourself, a health insurance broker in San Antonio can show you more choices than the marketplace alone. Private market plans give you access to PPO networks that aren’t available on the exchange. That means you can see specialists at the South Texas Medical Center, one of the largest medical complexes in the world, without needing a referral first.
San Antonio has a large population of service members transitioning out of TRICARE, hospitality workers between positions, and self-employed professionals in real estate, construction, and tech. Short-term plans are a strong 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 hundreds per month compared to buying individual plans for everyone. For military families transitioning from TRICARE to civilian coverage, this is often the most affordable path.
Small Business & Group Health Insurance
San Antonio’s economy runs on small businesses, from restaurants and shops along the River Walk to the growing number of cybersecurity firms and tech startups. If you run a business here, you know that health benefits help you attract and keep good employees. Texas requires just 2 enrolled employees to qualify for a small group plan, and that can include you and your spouse.
We help San Antonio business owners compare group plans from BCBS, United, Cigna, and more, all in one place. With major employers like USAA, H-E-B, and Toyota setting a high bar for benefits, competitive health coverage helps smaller businesses hold onto their best people.
Self-Employed & Freelancer Insurance
San Antonio has a large and growing self-employed population. Real estate agents, general contractors, independent consultants, rideshare drivers, and the many entrepreneurs serving the city’s tourism industry all need coverage but don’t have an employer plan to fall back on.
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 separated from the military, and your TRICARE coverage ended. Maybe you’re between jobs. Maybe you’re a recent graduate from UTSA or another San Antonio university, figuring out your next step.
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.
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 San Antonio
When you’re picking a health insurance plan, the first question most people ask is: “Will my hospital be covered?” San Antonio is home to the South Texas Medical Center, one of the largest medical complexes in the world. Here are the hospitals you should know about:
University Health System
Bexar County’s public hospital system includes a Level I Trauma Center. University Health is the teaching hospital for UT Health San Antonio and handles over 1 million patient visits per year. It’s the region’s safety-net hospital and a critical resource for uninsured and underinsured residents.
Methodist Hospital
Part of Methodist Healthcare, the largest private hospital system in South Texas. Methodist’s main campus in the Medical Center is known for transplant surgery, cardiac care, and cancer treatment. Their network includes multiple hospitals across San Antonio.
Baptist Medical Center
One of the oldest hospitals in San Antonio and part of Tenet Healthcare. Baptist Medical Center downtown serves as a major hub for emergency medicine, surgery, and specialty care. Their network includes facilities across the city.
Christus Santa Rosa Hospital
Part of the Christus Health system, with multiple locations across San Antonio, including the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio. Christus Santa Rosa has deep roots in the community and is known for women’s health, pediatric care, and rehabilitation services.
Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC)
Located at Joint Base San Antonio – Fort Sam Houston, BAMC is the U.S. military’s largest and most important medical facility. While primarily serving active-duty military, veterans, and their families, many San Antonio residents have connections to this world-class trauma and burn center.
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 San Antonio like Custom Health Plans, we verify your hospital and doctor coverage before you sign up. No surprises.
How to Get Health Insurance in San Antonio, TX
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 San Antonio Residents Choose Custom Health Plans
We know Texas insurance inside and out. Our office is in Plano, and we serve clients across every major Texas city. We understand how Bexar County’s rating area differs from other parts of the state and how that affects your options and pricing.
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 understand military transitions. San Antonio has one of the largest military and veteran populations in the country. We’ve helped many service members and their families navigate the shift from TRICARE to civilian health coverage.
