How to Get Health Insurance Between Jobs in Texas

The short version

• Losing job-based coverage triggers a 60-day special enrollment period on HealthCare.gov — Texas uses the federal marketplace.
• Income-based subsidies often make a marketplace plan cheaper than COBRA, especially when your income drops between jobs.
• COBRA lets you keep your exact plan and doctors, but you pay the full premium yourself.
• Short-term plans can bridge a gap but skip many protections — use them carefully.
• Don't wait: the clock starts the day your coverage ends.

Your three main paths

When a Houston employer's plan ends, you generally have three ways to stay covered.

Marketplace (HealthCare.gov). Losing coverage is a qualifying life event, so you get a 60-day special enrollment period. Plans are grouped into Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum tiers, and premium tax credits are tied to your household income. Because your income is often lower while you're between jobs, many people qualify for more help than they expect.

COBRA. If your former employer had 20 or more employees, you can usually continue the same plan for up to 18 months. The catch: you pay the entire premium plus up to a 2% administrative fee, so it's often the priciest option. Smaller Texas employers may offer "state continuation" instead.

Short-term coverage. These plans are cheaper but can deny claims for pre-existing conditions and may skip prescriptions or maternity. Treat them as a temporary bridge, not a real safety net.

Watch the deadlines

The 60-day window is firm. You can enroll in a marketplace plan up to 60 days before your coverage ends or 60 days after — enrolling early helps you avoid a gap. COBRA also gives you 60 days to elect, and it can be retroactive, which sometimes lets you "wait and see" before paying. If you have a new job lined up, check when its benefits begin; employers can impose a waiting period of up to 90 days.

A Houston tip

If you rely on a specific system — Houston Methodist, Memorial Hermann, MD Anderson, or a doctor in the Texas Medical Center — check each plan's network before you enroll. Networks change every year, and the cheapest premium isn't a bargain if your doctor is out of network.

Between jobs is stressful enough. Compare the true monthly cost (premium plus likely out-of-pocket) across all three paths, and reach out to a local agent if the choices feel overwhelming — that help usually costs you nothing.