FAQs

The exchange is an online marketplace where members, and their employees, can compare and purchase products and services from insurance providers that compete for business within the exchange.

Some of benefits of using the Texas Bar Private Insurance Exchange include:

• Concierge-level support and advocacy. Their licensed benefits counselors are available to help with any situation that might arise while applying for coverage.
• One-stop shopping makes it easy to compare benefits and pricing when deciding on the best plan for your needs.
• More choices for carriers and plan options
• Complimentary Telemedicine benefits provided with all health plan. With the Members Health Plan (one of the many group plans available on the Exchange), virtual visit copays are $0. With all other health plans, there is a $10 copay.
• Complimentary Supplemental Health coverage
• Complimentary Health Advocate service provided with all health plans
• Virtual enrollment decision support
• Competitive pricing for individual health insurance and employer group plans in Texas

Health insurance is the main attraction on the private exchange, however other products will be available at specially negotiated pricing, such as dental, vision, term life, disability, accident, telemedicine, identity theft protection, telemedicine, supplemental health, travel, hotel discounts, and more. Insurance plans are provided by leading providers.

Most health insurance plans available on the public exchange (known as ACA Qualified Health Plans) will also be available, at the same rates, through the private exchange. The private exchange has additional plans that will not be available through the public exchange. This is because some insurance providers have chosen to limit the number of plans they offer on the public exchange or have chosen not to participate in the public exchange altogether. Additionally, there are many more insurance plans available through the private exchange that are not sold on the public exchange including Non-ACA health plans, dental, vision, term life, disability, AD&D, telemedicine, supplemental medical expense health plans, and more.

Beginning with new coverage effective dates of January 1, 2014, ACA qualified health insurance plans can’t refuse to cover you or charge you a higher premium because of a pre-existing health condition. This will be the case regardless of whether you purchase your plan on the public or private exchange.

Visit the Health Insurance page on this site to begin shopping. If you are currently insured for health insurance through the private exchange, you should click on the “Log-in” link to first log-in to your existing account to begin shopping.

As part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), beginning in October 2013, lower and middle-income people under age 65, who are not eligible for coverage through their employer, Medicaid, or Medicare, can apply for tax credit subsidies available through the public exchange.

Yes. Out-of-state members should simply call the Texas Bar Private Insurance Exchange at 800-282-8626 and speak with a benefits counselor for assistance. There is also a separate link on the health insurance page for Out-of-state members to shop for plans.

Yes. Your spouse can register through this site and purchase a health plan on the exchange even if you do not. He or she will need to register first and will need your Bar Card# to verify their eligibility for the exchange.

Yes, employees both full-time and part-time are eligible to shop for coverage on the exchange. You’ll want to provide them with your bar card number for their use when verifying their eligibility.