5 Summer Health Insurance Mistakes Katy, TX Families Make (and How to Avoid Them)
Published June 1, 2027 · By Joseph Stevens
1. Aging off a parent's plan at 26 with no plan B
Coverage under a parent's plan typically ends at the end of the month you turn 26. That loss opens a 60-day Special Enrollment Period — but only if you act. A short call before the birthday beats a gap letter after it.
2. Taking COBRA by default
COBRA keeps your old employer plan but at full price plus a 2% admin fee. Many Katy families leaving a job qualify for an ACA plan with a premium tax credit that costs a fraction of COBRA. Always compare both before electing.
3. Assuming your network survives a move
Moving between Katy, Fulshear, Cypress, Richmond or Brookshire — or into the area from out of state — can change which plans and hospitals are in-network. Houston Methodist West, Memorial Hermann Katy and HCA Katy are not on every plan.
4. Missing the 60-day window after a job change
Losing employer coverage starts a 60-day clock. Miss it and you may wait until November for coverage. Mark the date the day you leave the job.
5. Letting a student's coverage lapse
Before fall semester, confirm whether your plan's network reaches your student's college town — or whether a student plan or their own ACA policy makes more sense.
FAQs
Is COBRA ever the right choice?
Sometimes — if you're mid-treatment with doctors only on your old plan, or you've nearly met your deductible. But always price an ACA plan first; most healthy families save significantly.
How long do I have to enroll after losing job coverage?
60 days from the loss of coverage. The loss itself is the qualifying event — you don't need to wait for COBRA paperwork.
Does a move within the Katy area count as a qualifying event?
A move to a new ZIP code or county generally does. Since Katy spans Harris, Fort Bend and Waller counties, even a local move can change your plan options.
Need help applying this to your situation?
Free, no-pressure call with a licensed Texas agent.