--- title: How to Cut Health Insurance Costs and Reduce Your Stress description: If you are concerned about the rising costs and limited health insurance options for independent physicians in Texas, we may have good news for you. image: https://www.tmait.org/hubfs/November%202017/November_2017_Week_2.jpg --- - [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/November%202017/November_2017_Week_2.jpg) [Open Enrollment](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/open-enrollment) # How to Cut Health Insurance Costs and Reduce Your Stress 11 November 2017 If you are concerned about the rising costs and limited health insurance options for independent physicians in Texas, we may have good news for you. TMA Insurance Trust has discovered some little-known waivers to help you obtain and afford the PPO coverage you prefer. We can help you if you are a solo practitioner or practice owner looking for group health insurance or renewing your current coverage, including: - Group PPO Coverage for You and Your Family - Group PPO Coverage for You and Your Employees. ## Important Waivers to Reduce the Cost of Group PPO Coverage During a special enrollment period, beginning November 1st and ending December 15, 2017, the following waivers could make it easier and more cost-effective for you to afford group PPO health insurance coverage. Call us at **[800-880-8181](tel:8008808181)** to find out the complete details. ## Waiver #1: Group Contribution Requirement Many insurers require employers to pay 50% of their employees’ group premiums. If you would like to offer health insurance to your staff but are uncomfortable with the cost, this waiver will allow you to set your contribution to the percentage you can afford. However, this waiver is only available during the special enrollment period. [Contact us now](https://www.tmait.org/open-enrollment). ## Waiver #2: Group Participation Requirement Normally insurers have minimum requirements for the number of eligible employees that must participate in a group health insurance plan. Usually 75% of full-time employees are required to participate. But if you obtain coverage during Open Enrollment, the minimum number of employees required to participate would be waived and you can enroll as few as one person in a group plan. [Contact us now](https://www.tmait.org/open-enrollment). [![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*** ## Individuals May Qualify for Group PPO coverage Many physicians prefer the flexibility, convenience and coverage of a PPO plan, without restrictive networks or required referrals. Although PPOs are only available to the group market in Texas, you may be able to buy a special “group of one” PPO insurance plan to cover you and your family. To qualify, you must be a practice owner who has a Tax ID number and at least one full-time employee on payroll. This “group of one” PPO option may end up costing less in monthly premiums than some individual HMOs. [Contact us now](https://www.tmait.org/open-enrollment). ## Consult With a Health Insurance Specialist, at no Cost to You Finding the right health insurance for you, your family and your practice staff is more stressful this year because of the shorter enrollment period and the changes in the insurance marketplace. TMA Insurance Trust health insurance specialists can help you select the coverage you want, and make it easy to enroll before the deadline. You won’t have to waste time doing research or dealing with insurance companies. You’ll have access to side-by-side cost comparisons of plans from leading health insurance companies such as Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Humana, United Healthcare, and Aetna. ## Hurry! These Limited-Time Opportunities End Soon Time is running out to select your health insurance coverage and make sure you have coverage in place for January 1, 2018. Remember, if you want to take advantage of the special waivers for obtaining group PPO coverage, you must enroll before the deadline. All your paperwork must be submitted before the special enrollment period ends on December 15, 2017. [![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. ** [ Open Enrollment ](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/open-enrollment) ** [**Previous Entries](https://www.tmait.org/blog/relief-from-health-insurance-open-enrollment-stress) [Next Entries**](https://www.tmait.org/blog/running-out-of-time-to-shop-for-ppo-coverage-we-have-options-open-enrollment) ## Recommended Posts ### [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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