@charlesgaba.com Well, I got a packet from BCBSTX today letting me know that my (employer-subsidized) Blue Advantage Plus Gold 203 plan that costs $1018.96/mth this year will cost $1664.62/mth in 2026. That is not a marketplace plan. That coverage is only for me, no dependents.
November 1, 2025 at 9:44 PM
@charlesgaba.com Well, I got a packet from BCBSTX today letting me know that my (employer-subsidized) Blue Advantage Plus Gold 203 plan that costs $1018.96/mth this year will cost $1664.62/mth in 2026. That is not a marketplace plan. That coverage is only for me, no dependents.
Health Insurance ALERT ‼️
This is a lot to digest, but the Cliff Notes is that health care costs are going up SIGNIFICANTLY under the ACA and Aetna customers will have to find other coverage.
Cigna rate increase of 42.3%
BCBSTX increases of 8.9% to 64.7%
etc.
Demand affordable high quality coverage.
This is a lot to digest, but the Cliff Notes is that health care costs are going up SIGNIFICANTLY under the ACA and Aetna customers will have to find other coverage.
Cigna rate increase of 42.3%
BCBSTX increases of 8.9% to 64.7%
etc.
Demand affordable high quality coverage.
Dropped: bsky.app/profile/char...
🚨🚨🚨 Yesterday I promised I'd post my full analysis of how much gross 2026 #ACA premiums are expected to increase in #TEXAS.
As promised, here it is: 4 MILLION Texans are looking at avg. *gross* rate hikes of 31% starting in January:
acasignups.net/rate_changes...
As promised, here it is: 4 MILLION Texans are looking at avg. *gross* rate hikes of 31% starting in January:
acasignups.net/rate_changes...
August 14, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Health Insurance ALERT ‼️
This is a lot to digest, but the Cliff Notes is that health care costs are going up SIGNIFICANTLY under the ACA and Aetna customers will have to find other coverage.
Cigna rate increase of 42.3%
BCBSTX increases of 8.9% to 64.7%
etc.
Demand affordable high quality coverage.
This is a lot to digest, but the Cliff Notes is that health care costs are going up SIGNIFICANTLY under the ACA and Aetna customers will have to find other coverage.
Cigna rate increase of 42.3%
BCBSTX increases of 8.9% to 64.7%
etc.
Demand affordable high quality coverage.
BCBSTX called the months of negotiation "active."
Ascension, Blue Cross Blue Shield reach agreement on in-network care for Texas patients
Two major players in Texas health care, Blue Cross Blue Shield Texas and Ascension Texas, announced an agreement Wednesday to keep many medical facilities in-network for BCBSTX customers.
www.kxan.com
December 31, 2025 at 6:15 PM
BCBSTX called the months of negotiation "active."
I forgot the part where when I called the ophthalmologist group, they told me they aren't in network for my insurance. But both my own web search and my call to BCBSTX said that they were. The agent had to spend half an hour on the phone to convince them that yes indeed they take my insurance. 🙄
December 28, 2023 at 6:01 PM
I forgot the part where when I called the ophthalmologist group, they told me they aren't in network for my insurance. But both my own web search and my call to BCBSTX said that they were. The agent had to spend half an hour on the phone to convince them that yes indeed they take my insurance. 🙄
BCBSTX finally sent me their rates for 2026. Fortunately, I now have another job with much better health insurance.
November 2, 2025 at 11:01 PM
BCBSTX finally sent me their rates for 2026. Fortunately, I now have another job with much better health insurance.
Highly recommend this. Since we're self-employed, we couldn't get insurance. before AHCA. I found a BCBSTX pool for people w/ pre-existings. VERY high deductibles and didn't want to pay for squat. I appealed three chronic disease denials successfully.
Few patients appeal a health insurance denial, but a little-known process that requires insurers and plans to seek an independent opinion can force insurers to pay for what can be lifesaving treatment.
Here’s what experts say you need to know.
Here’s what experts say you need to know.
How to Fight Your Health Insurance Denial with an External Appeal
When a health insurer refuses to pay for your treatment, you may have the right to have the denial reviewed — and potentially overturned — by an independent provider. Here are six steps experts sugges...
www.propublica.org
October 14, 2025 at 5:25 AM
Highly recommend this. Since we're self-employed, we couldn't get insurance. before AHCA. I found a BCBSTX pool for people w/ pre-existings. VERY high deductibles and didn't want to pay for squat. I appealed three chronic disease denials successfully.
I have been trying for two months now to find a new primary care doctor since Texas health no longer does HMO. All the doctors BCBSTX sends me all say they are not accepting new patients even though BCBCTX system says otherwise.
February 19, 2026 at 6:54 PM
I have been trying for two months now to find a new primary care doctor since Texas health no longer does HMO. All the doctors BCBSTX sends me all say they are not accepting new patients even though BCBCTX system says otherwise.
Omg BCBSTX is a huge pile of shit. If you are private pay you can only purchase hmo plan. Last year I hit max out pocket. Getting referrals became increasingly harder once that happened. GI dr took 5 months to get in. Now new year still waiting. #healthcareinanerica
January 13, 2025 at 3:30 PM
And of course PCP: "What in the hell? No you shouldn't need a referral for ROUTINE VACCINATIONS THAT ARE COVERED BY YOUR INSURANCE"
So now I am attempting to get BCBSTX and my PCP on the phone simultaneously to sort this out. Because I would like to not die from an infection, thanks.
So now I am attempting to get BCBSTX and my PCP on the phone simultaneously to sort this out. Because I would like to not die from an infection, thanks.
October 4, 2023 at 6:14 PM
And of course PCP: "What in the hell? No you shouldn't need a referral for ROUTINE VACCINATIONS THAT ARE COVERED BY YOUR INSURANCE"
So now I am attempting to get BCBSTX and my PCP on the phone simultaneously to sort this out. Because I would like to not die from an infection, thanks.
So now I am attempting to get BCBSTX and my PCP on the phone simultaneously to sort this out. Because I would like to not die from an infection, thanks.
Bluecross says good luck if you're getting cancer treatment at MD Anderson
www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/new...
www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/new...
Blue Cross Blue Shield Texas terminates Medicare Advantage agreement with MD Anderson | Houston Public Media
MD Anderson said it was notified via a letter from BCBSTX earlier this year.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
December 8, 2024 at 5:04 PM
Bluecross says good luck if you're getting cancer treatment at MD Anderson
www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/new...
www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/new...
BCBSTX is a shit show.
January 31, 2025 at 9:32 PM
BCBSTX is a shit show.
ugh.. sorry to hear that
BCBSTX covers that
i take it
BCBSTX covers that
i take it
January 20, 2025 at 5:16 AM
ugh.. sorry to hear that
BCBSTX covers that
i take it
BCBSTX covers that
i take it
@erininthemorning.com Just a heads up. I'm a member of Blue Cross Blue Shield Texas through the City of Austin retirement program and BCBSTX sent out an updated Non-Discrimination policy today where they dropped "gender identity" from the policy. Pretty clear they're about to drop GAC for adults...
July 2, 2025 at 6:38 PM
@erininthemorning.com Just a heads up. I'm a member of Blue Cross Blue Shield Texas through the City of Austin retirement program and BCBSTX sent out an updated Non-Discrimination policy today where they dropped "gender identity" from the policy. Pretty clear they're about to drop GAC for adults...
Memorial Hermann Health System and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas have reached a new agreement after months of negotiations, the Houston-based hospital system announced Saturday morning.
Memorial Hermann and BCBSTX reach a new deal, restoring in-network coverage, hospital says
The Houston-based health system and the insurance giant had previously let an April 1 deadline pass without a new agreement, meaning many patients across the region were forced to pay higher medical costs or find new doctors.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
April 11, 2026 at 2:58 PM
Memorial Hermann Health System and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas have reached a new agreement after months of negotiations, the Houston-based hospital system announced Saturday morning.
Ours is still BCBSTX, and while they did raise their rates it was only like $10 a pay period.
November 24, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Ours is still BCBSTX, and while they did raise their rates it was only like $10 a pay period.
Houston's Memorial Hermann Health System is now considered out of network for some Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas insurance customers after the two companies failed to reach a new agreement before their current contract ended Wednesday.
Contract expires between Memorial Hermann and BCBSTX, affecting insurance coverage for Houston-area patients
According to Memorial Hermann, some patients with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas policies may be eligible for in-network rates if they have certain conditions.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
April 1, 2026 at 8:37 PM
Houston's Memorial Hermann Health System is now considered out of network for some Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas insurance customers after the two companies failed to reach a new agreement before their current contract ended Wednesday.
BCBSTX added a $7500/yr deductible to an entire new group of drugs on their bronze marketplace plans. Now you can ONLY get generics covered from day one. A single med for my spouse now costs us $3000 per year instead of $600.
I pay $1600/mo in premiums for this “coverage”.
I pay $1600/mo in premiums for this “coverage”.
January 29, 2025 at 7:25 AM
BCBSTX added a $7500/yr deductible to an entire new group of drugs on their bronze marketplace plans. Now you can ONLY get generics covered from day one. A single med for my spouse now costs us $3000 per year instead of $600.
I pay $1600/mo in premiums for this “coverage”.
I pay $1600/mo in premiums for this “coverage”.
“Chevalier DeShay, senior director of network management for BCBSTX and a Huston-Tillotson alum, said she and her colleagues became interested in exploring this partnership after being repeatedly confronted with dismaying data about pregnancy-related deaths in Texas.”
Huston-Tillotson University wants to improve maternal health outcomes by training more doulas
A new partnership between the university and BlueCross BlueShield of Texas aims to curb maternal deaths, especially among Black women, by adding more culturally informed doulas into the workforce.
www.kut.org
October 1, 2023 at 12:15 PM
“Chevalier DeShay, senior director of network management for BCBSTX and a Huston-Tillotson alum, said she and her colleagues became interested in exploring this partnership after being repeatedly confronted with dismaying data about pregnancy-related deaths in Texas.”
So apparently @BCBSTX has outsourced their mental health functions to @MagellanHealth .
I found this out last month when I spent three hours playing phone tag trying to make progress on a referral. 1/X
I found this out last month when I spent three hours playing phone tag trying to make progress on a referral. 1/X
November 22, 2024 at 10:49 PM
So apparently @BCBSTX has outsourced their mental health functions to @MagellanHealth .
I found this out last month when I spent three hours playing phone tag trying to make progress on a referral. 1/X
I found this out last month when I spent three hours playing phone tag trying to make progress on a referral. 1/X
RESOLVED: BCBS of Texas vs Ascension Texas buff.ly/IO4gVz0 #networkcontractwatch #ascensiontexas #bcbsoftexas #resolvedcontractdisputes #texas
RESOLVED: BCBS of Texas vs Ascension Texas – Making it Make Sense
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) customers will remain in-network at Ascension Texas hospitals and clinics.
buff.ly
December 31, 2025 at 10:00 PM
RESOLVED: BCBS of Texas vs Ascension Texas buff.ly/IO4gVz0 #networkcontractwatch #ascensiontexas #bcbsoftexas #resolvedcontractdisputes #texas
My Orthodontist: She needs surgery.
My TMJ Specialist: She needs surgery.
My SURGEON: She needs surgery.
BCBSTX: ... but does she??? We're just not sure.
(Guess I'm going to be on a government watch list now for publicly criticizing an insurance company. Whatever.)
My TMJ Specialist: She needs surgery.
My SURGEON: She needs surgery.
BCBSTX: ... but does she??? We're just not sure.
(Guess I'm going to be on a government watch list now for publicly criticizing an insurance company. Whatever.)
January 31, 2025 at 4:06 PM
My Orthodontist: She needs surgery.
My TMJ Specialist: She needs surgery.
My SURGEON: She needs surgery.
BCBSTX: ... but does she??? We're just not sure.
(Guess I'm going to be on a government watch list now for publicly criticizing an insurance company. Whatever.)
My TMJ Specialist: She needs surgery.
My SURGEON: She needs surgery.
BCBSTX: ... but does she??? We're just not sure.
(Guess I'm going to be on a government watch list now for publicly criticizing an insurance company. Whatever.)
The case was dismissed with prejudice, meaning the same claims cannot be refiled. However, #BCBSTX notified the court of its decision to appeal. #IDR #Litigation #NoSurprisesAct
Court dismisses BCBS Texas lawsuit against HaloMD
A Texas federal court dismissed a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas lawsuit against the independent dispute resolution group HaloMD May 22.
buff.ly
May 27, 2026 at 7:00 PM
The case was dismissed with prejudice, meaning the same claims cannot be refiled. However, #BCBSTX notified the court of its decision to appeal. #IDR #Litigation #NoSurprisesAct
Mine was as simple as the tech at the lab facility chose BCBS instead of BCBSTX and getting them to correct it was a nightmare.
Now we have these advocates who can deal with this stuff for us. I let them handle it. I think the company is called Allight, or something.
Now we have these advocates who can deal with this stuff for us. I let them handle it. I think the company is called Allight, or something.
October 23, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Mine was as simple as the tech at the lab facility chose BCBS instead of BCBSTX and getting them to correct it was a nightmare.
Now we have these advocates who can deal with this stuff for us. I let them handle it. I think the company is called Allight, or something.
Now we have these advocates who can deal with this stuff for us. I let them handle it. I think the company is called Allight, or something.
Just received this in my inbox. I'm okay, I have another job with better insurance, but many people in Texas will be paying $300-$600 a month for the same crappy insurance they had before.
October 30, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Just received this in my inbox. I'm okay, I have another job with better insurance, but many people in Texas will be paying $300-$600 a month for the same crappy insurance they had before.