Key facts
~9,000
Population — commercial fishing port and gateway to Port Aransas
Counties: San Patricio and Aransas — coastal Corpus Christi area
No Medicaid expansion in Texas — coverage gap for adults below 100% FPL
ACA carriers: BCBS TX, Ambetter, Molina Healthcare
Nearest hospitals: CHRISTUS Spohn in Corpus Christi (20-30 min)
Economy: commercial fishing, port operations, tourism
Aransas Pass is a small coastal city in the Corpus Christi metropolitan area, straddling San Patricio and Aransas counties along the Texas Gulf Coast. Known as the "Shrimping Capital of Texas," the city's economy revolves around commercial fishing, port operations, and tourism — industries characterized by seasonal employment, self-employment, and high rates of workers without employer-sponsored health insurance.
The city sits at the mainland end of the causeway to Port Aransas and Mustang Island. It was heavily damaged by Hurricane Harvey in 2017, and the community continues to navigate recovery and resilience. For health insurance, Aransas Pass residents face the typical challenges of small coastal Texas communities: limited local healthcare infrastructure, dependence on Corpus Christi hospitals for serious care, and a workforce where many fall into the Texas coverage gap due to the state's refusal to expand Medicaid.
The Corpus Christi-area ACA marketplace has fewer carrier options than the Houston or Dallas metros. BCBS of Texas provides the broadest network and is the safest choice for access to CHRISTUS Spohn hospitals — the dominant hospital system in the Corpus Christi region. Ambetter and Molina offer competitive pricing but may have narrower networks — confirm CHRISTUS Spohn access before enrolling.
Health coverage on the Gulf Coast
| Annual Income (Single Adult) | % of FPL (2026) | Subsidy Status | Est. Net Monthly Cost (Silver) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below $15,960 | Below 100% | Texas coverage gap — no subsidy | Full premium (no assistance) |
| $15,960 – $23,940 | 100–150% | Maximum subsidy + Enhanced Silver CSRs | $0 – $30/month |
| $23,941 – $31,920 | 150–200% | Strong subsidy + Silver CSRs | $30 – $95/month |
| $31,921 – $47,880 | 200–300% | Meaningful subsidy | $95 – $210/month |
| $47,881 – $63,840 | 300–400% | Moderate subsidy | $210 – $340/month |
Estimates for a single 40-year-old on a benchmark Silver plan. Not guaranteed quotes.
Aransas Pass sits in one of the most hurricane-vulnerable corridors on the Texas coast. Hurricane Harvey in 2017 caused catastrophic damage to the area. For health insurance purposes, hurricane displacement triggers a Special Enrollment Period — if a storm forces you to relocate, you have 60 days to enroll in or change marketplace coverage. FEMA disaster declarations can extend enrollment deadlines. Maintaining active health insurance coverage before hurricane season is one of the most practical financial preparations a coastal Texas resident can make.
Aransas Pass residents enroll through HealthCare.gov. Open enrollment for 2026–2027 runs November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15 for January 1 coverage. Qualifying life events trigger a 60-day Special Enrollment Period outside open enrollment.
A licensed agent will reach out shortly with plan options.
Also see: Texas Gulf Coast Health Insurance guide · Browse plans at HealthCare.gov.