--- title: Good News if You Are Still Shopping For Health Insurance description: We understand that shopping for health insurance can be an intimidating process. That's why we're here to help. Call us today with your insurance needs. image: https://www.tmait.org/hubfs/December%202016/Blog%203.png --- - [800-880-8181](tel:800-880-8181) - [CONTACT US](https://www.tmait.org/contact) - [SELF-SERVICE PORTAL](https://tmait.aebsys.com/#/) [![](https://www.tmait.org/hs-fs/hubfs/TMA%20Insurance%20March%202019/Image/logo.png?width=197&name=logo.png)](https://www.tmait.org/) Topics All Accident Insurance Accidental Death and Dismemberment Auto & Home Insurance Auto Insurance Business of Medicine Business Overhead Expense Insurance Comparing Insurance Providers COVID-19 FAQs Critical Illness Insurance Dental Insurance Disability Insurance Employed Physicians Family Featured Financial Advice Group Benefits Group Coverage Health Insurance Homeowners Insurance HSA Independent Contractor Independent Physician Individual Coverage Insurance For Good Insurance for Women Insurance Review Key Person Insurance Life Events Life Insurance Locum Tenens Medevac Insurance Medical Insurance Medical Practice Medicare Medicare Part D Medicare Supplement Medigap Nearing Retirement Office Overhead Expense Insurance Open Enrollment Personal Umbrella Insurance Pet Insurance Practice Management Practice Managers Practice Owners Prescription Drug Coverage Renters Insurance Residents Retired Physicians Retirement Short Term Disability Short-Term Medical Insurance Supplemental Hospital Indemnity Insurance Term Life Insurance Travel Insurance Vision Insurance Women Physicians Young Physicans Young Physicians ![](https://www.tmait.org/hubfs/December%202016/Blog%203.png) [Health Insurance](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/health-insurance) # Good News if You Are Still Shopping For Health Insurance 17 December 2016 The season of open enrollment brings a great deal of stress for some. Though most physicians have secured coverage for the coming year and will be experiencing no lapse in coverage, there are some who did not obtain health insurance by the December 15 deadline. This means that beginning January 1, they will have an interruption in health coverage. However, open enrollment does not end until January 31, and there is still time to obtain coverage, whether it is for the physician, their family, or their practice staff. ## Complexities Lead to Questions We understand that shopping for health insurance can be an intimidating process. A seemingly endless list of questions and factors must be considered when choosing an individual or staff plan. Should you choose the plan with the least expensive premiums, or the plan with the best coverage? Will your health care providers accept the plan you’re considering? What are the out-of-pocket expenses for this plan? How do the deductibles and co-payments impact the overall worth of the plan? What is the quality of the prescription drug coverage? Should you give credence to quality ratings when you consider a policy? There are, of course, many more considerations. [![We're here to help - CLICK HERE or call today](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/400074/1876f7ad-549d-444d-8ad8-d3754e4c0e06.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/400074/1876f7ad-549d-444d-8ad8-d3754e4c0e06) ***[800-880-8181](tel:800-880-8181)*** ***7:30 – 5:30 CST Monday – Friday*** ## Insurance Choices Simplified Happily, you don’t have to sort through these options alone. At TMA Insurance Trust, our fully-licensed health insurance advisors have extensive experience in helping members sift through the options in the Texas health insurance market. You can consider your advisor to be your ‘personal health insurance shopper.’ How will an advisor make your life easier? He or she will discuss your situation, then investigate the market for you. Next, you’ll receive a personal quote and recommendation based on your needs. TMA Insurance Trust’s excellent service continues even after enrollment; if you ever have issues with claim processing, an advisor will be happy to help. If you’re still struggling to understand all the options available to you, the personal assistance of a health insurance advisor can truly be invaluable; and it is available as a free benefit of your TMA membership. ## The High Cost of Delay After January 31, the window of open enrollment will close. At that point, your health insurance options will be severely limited. ACA plans will not be available until November 2017 unless you get married, have a baby, or lose your employer coverage. Is short-term health coverage a suitable option? While it is true that you could use this type of insurance as interim coverage, pause and think about the following drawbacks to short-term health coverage: • Short-term plans do not cover any pre-existing conditions. You will only have coverage for health problems that have not yet arisen. • Unlike ACA coverage, short-term plans do not provide coverage for all federally-designated ‘essential benefits’. Most short-term policies leave you uninsured for regular office visits, maternity care, mental health care, and other preventive care. • Since a short-term plan is not considered ‘minimum essential coverage’, you will likely owe a tax penalty on your next tax return. At TMA Insurance Trust, we enthusiastically support your success. Therefore, if you are still shopping for health insurance coverage for yourself, your family, or practice staff, we urge you to act quickly! Open enrollment will soon end –– contact our advisors today. [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/400074/ebf3a58c-49d2-407c-bca7-674c38ad7f8f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/400074/ebf3a58c-49d2-407c-bca7-674c38ad7f8f) For over 60 years, TMA Insurance Trust advisors have been serving Texas physicians, their families and staff. TMA Insurance Trust prides itself on offering unbiased information and strategies to members, along with exclusive group rates on a range of the highest-rated plans in the industry. ** [ Health Insurance ](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/health-insurance) ** [Open Enrollment](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/open-enrollment) [**Previous Entries](https://www.tmait.org/blog/help-for-practices-struggling-with-the-cost-of-employee-benefits-group) [Next Entries**](https://www.tmait.org/blog/are-you-getting-the-most-from-your-membership-open-enrollment) ## Recommended Posts ### [A New Alternative for Group Health Insurance](https://www.tmait.org/blog/a-new-alternative-for-group-health-insurance-group-benefits) ### [Why Going It Alone on Group Health Coverage Costs Your Practice](https://www.tmait.org/blog/why-going-it-alone-on-group-health-coverage-costs-your-practice-group-benefits) ### [Practice Owners Share Their Experience Navigating PPO Health Insurance Options](https://www.tmait.org/blog/practice-owners-share-their-experience-navigating-ppo-health-insurance-options-group-benefits) ### [Give Your Group Health Coverage Another Look](https://www.tmait.org/blog/give-your-group-health-coverage-another-look-group-benefits) ### [Group Health Insurance for Today's Independent Physician](https://www.tmait.org/blog/group-health-insurance-for-todays-independent-physician-group-benefits) ### [Final Opportunity to Check If a Group PPO Plan Is Possible for 2026](https://www.tmait.org/blog/final-opportunity-to-check-if-a-group-ppo-plan-is-possible-for-2026-open-enrollment) ### [PPO Access Alert: What Practice Owners Must Know Before 2026](https://www.tmait.org/blog/ppo-access-alert-what-practice-owners-must-know-before-2026-open-enrollment) ### [Don’t Renew Yet! Access Group PPO Coverage Even With No Employees](https://www.tmait.org/blog/dont-renew-yet-access-group-ppo-coverage-even-with-no-employees-open-enrollment) ### [Final Opportunity to Check If a Group PPO Plan Is Possible for 2026](https://www.tmait.org/blog/final-opportunity-to-check-if-a-group-ppo-plan-is-possible-for-2026-open-enrollment) ### [PPO Access Alert: What Practice Owners Must Know Before 2026](https://www.tmait.org/blog/ppo-access-alert-what-practice-owners-must-know-before-2026-open-enrollment) ### [Don’t Renew Yet! Access Group PPO Coverage Even With No Employees](https://www.tmait.org/blog/dont-renew-yet-access-group-ppo-coverage-even-with-no-employees-open-enrollment) ### [Hidden Benefits Now Available for Owners and Independent Physicians](https://www.tmait.org/blog/hidden-benefits-now-available-for-owners-and-independent-physicians-open-enrollment) ### [Tips for Accessing Special Group PPO Options You May Not Know About](https://www.tmait.org/blog/tips-for-accessing-special-group-ppo-options-you-may-not-know-about-open-enrollment) ### [Locum Tenens and Contractors Don’t Miss Out on Your Special Options](https://www.tmait.org/blog/locum-tenens-and-contractors-dont-miss-out-on-your-special-options) ### [Practice Owners, Independents: Help Manage Costs, Get Better Health Insurance For 2026](https://www.tmait.org/blog/practice-owners-independents-help-manage-costs-get-better-health-insurance-for-2026) ### [Open Enrollment: Special Group PPO Options for Owners & Independents](https://www.tmait.org/blog/open-enrollment-special-group-ppo-options-for-practice-owners-independent-physicians) ## Speak with a TMA Insurance Trust Advisor: ### Latest Post ![A New Alternative for Group Health Insurance](https://www.tmait.org/hubfs/July%202026/July%202026%20Week%201%20-%20Group%20Health.png) ### [A New Alternative for Group Health Insurance](https://www.tmait.org/blog/a-new-alternative-for-group-health-insurance-group-benefits) Jul. 04 2026 ![Why Going It Alone on Group Health Coverage Costs Your Practice](https://www.tmait.org/hubfs/June%202026/June%202026%20Week%204%20-%20Group%20Health.png) ### [Why Going It Alone on Group Health Coverage Costs Your Practice](https://www.tmait.org/blog/why-going-it-alone-on-group-health-coverage-costs-your-practice-group-benefits) Jun. 27 2026 ![Dental Insurance and the Habits It Helps Shape](https://www.tmait.org/hubfs/June%202026/June%202026%20Week%203%20-%20Dental.png) ### [Dental Insurance and the Habits It Helps Shape](https://www.tmait.org/blog/dental-insurance-and-the-habits-it-helps-shape) Jun. 20 2026 ![Unexpected Doesn't Have to Mean Unprepared This Summer](https://www.tmait.org/hubfs/June%202026/June%202026%20Week%202%20-%20Accident.png) ### [Unexpected Doesn't Have to Mean Unprepared This Summer](https://www.tmait.org/blog/unexpected-doesnt-have-to-mean-unprepared-this-summer) Jun. 13 2026 ### POPULAR TOPICS - 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