Historically, Texas has one of the lowest healthcare enrollment rates in the nation, which negatively impacts our neighbors’ health outcomes, financial stability, success in school and at work, and more. 

At United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, we recognize that access to healthcare coverage enables North Texans to live longer, healthier lives. As we work to improve access to education, income and health, we lead and invest in programs that improve access to health coverage—because good health affects everything from how well a student does in school to how successful an adult is in their career.  

One of our Aspire United 2030 community goals is to increase to 96% the number of North Texans with access to affordable healthcare insurance. In our region, health insurance coverage stands around 83%, which underscores the importance of programs that ensure equitable access to health insurance. 

With open enrollment for 2025 insurance plans now through Jan. 15, this is the perfect time to take a look at the impact of our Healthcare Navigators program and how, together, we can continue to expand access to health coverage.  

A History of Low Enrollment 

Historically, about 20% of Texas’ population lacks health insurance in a given year. Even as the average cost of premiums through the Health Insurance Marketplace has fallen due to subsidies, many Texans have opted to not sign up. For example, only 30% of those in our state who were eligible for a subsidized plan in 2020 signed up. 

Luckily, those numbers have increased in recent years. In 2022 and 2023, our state led the nation in the number of new signups through the Marketplace. Then, nearly 3.4 million Texans enrolled in a 2024 plan through the Marketplace.  

This upswell of signups is due to a variety of factors. Notably, the federal government has continually increased subsidies for coverage through the Marketplace, which has brought health insurance within reach for many of our neighbors with a low income.  

Daniel Bouton, vice president of family and community health at United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, said the new subsidies—and greater public awareness of the lower cost of health insurance—is driving more interest in health insurance. And people are saving significant amounts of money each month. 

Last year, 97% of Texans signing up through the Marketplace received subsidies for their premiums. The average premium was $60 a month, but many people paid $10 or less after tax credits. 

When more people have health insurance, individuals, communities and our state as a whole will benefit. In fact, Texas’ economy tends to benefit from higher rates of insurance coverage. A study by the Texas Alliance for Health Care found that uninsured employees tend to have worse health, which limits their earning potential, increases absenteeism and sidelines skilled workers, which hurts both workers and employers. In our state, workers of color are disproportionately affected by a lack of insurance coverage, which negatively impacts their health, financial stability and more. 

Healthcare Navigators Make Enrolling Easy 

In North Texas, another factor in this increased enrollment has been the support of United Way’s Healthcare Navigators initiative.  

United Way of Metropolitan Dallas leads the North Texas Consortium, a network of local community organizations dedicated to increasing health insurance coverage in our community. Through this program, our Healthcare Navigators assist uninsured North Texans as they compare and enroll in plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace, CHIP or Medicaid. Navigators also work with individuals to get them signed up for all eligible subsidies, saving many North Texans hundreds of dollars every month. 

Through this free program, an individual can work with a certified Healthcare Navigator to compare health plans, understand their benefits options, select the best qualified health plan for their needs and apply for subsidies to lower their monthly premiums. Navigators can also assist people who are looking to transition from CHIP or Medicaid to the Health Insurance Marketplace. 

Last year, our Healthcare Navigators assisted tens of thousands of North Texans, helping more people access the health coverage necessary to thrive. The Navigators had a significant impact on our community, fielding 52,133 client inquiries, assisting 8,175 individuals as they signed up for CHIP/Medicaid and supporting 1,460 consumers as they enrolled in a qualified health plan. 

For clients like Diana, who has a heart condition, working with a Healthcare Navigator took the stress out of the enrollment process, and having insurance has removed a big source of worry.  

“My experience signing up was not hard at all,” she says. “To me it was like a load lifted off, knowing that I was covered in case anything happens or just for my routine visits.”  

Open Enrollment Runs Through January 15 

If you need health insurance for 2025, you can enroll in a plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace now through January 15, 2025. There are two important deadlines to keep in mind depending on when you want your coverage to start: 

• For coverage to start Jan. 1: Enroll by Dec. 15, 2024. 

• For coverage to start Feb. 1: Enroll by Jan. 15, 2025, the last day of open enrollment.  

Visit HealthCare.gov to get started. 

If you’re interested in working with a Healthcare Navigator (at no cost to you), our team is available to assist you: 

• Compare health plans 

• Understand your benefits options 

• Select the best qualified health plan for your needs 

• Apply for subsidies to lower your monthly premiums 

• Connect to additional resources and services 

Visit unitedwaydallas.org/enroll or call 214-978-0042 to sign up for free assistance today. 

Support Expanded Healthcare Access in North Texas 

By improving access to affordable, high-quality health insurance, we can support North Texans in every area of their lives—ensuring children can succeed in school, workers can excel in their careers and individuals of all ages can access the resources necessary to live longer, healthier lives.  

Ready to invest in lasting change? Here are three ways you can get involved today: 

1. Make a one-time donation. Your investment in United Way of Metropolitan Dallas supports our work to improve access to education, income and health, creating a stronger, more equitable community. Click here to make a donation. 
2. Sign up to become a recurring donor. With a recurring gift to United Way, you can help ensure our programs and partnerships are funded over time, which creates an impact that can last for generations. Click here and select “monthly” to make your pledge. 
3. Join a United Way Giving Society. Signing up for a Giving Society is a powerful way to expand your impact while connecting with other change-seekers who share a common goal of improving education, income and health in our community. Click here to learn more about our Giving Societies. 

Together with supporters like you, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas ensures more of our neighbors benefit from the support of Healthcare Navigators, which significantly increases the chances they will enroll in health insurance. With an investment in United Way, you can help fund programs like Healthcare Navigators and expand health access across our region.