About Us

What is TexHealth Central Texas?

TexHealth Central Texas is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Austin, Texas that helps small businesses in Texas provide affordable health benefits to their employees.

As the 8th largest economy globally, Texas ranks last among U.S. states for the number of insured residents—giving the state a unique chance to demonstrate its commitment to the well-being of its people. By collaborating with small employers and using non-tax funds, we aim to expand health insurance coverage for more working Texans.
Our mission is about more than just providing access to health insurance. By empowering small businesses to offer health benefits, we help create a healthier workforce and bolster the local economy.

The TexHealth Story

TexHealth was first launched in 2010 with the vital support of Central Health, Hays County, Williamson County, Burnet County, and the Austin Community Foundation. Initially providing comprehensive health plans to over 1600 members, TexHealth adapted its model in 2013 to focus on premium assistance, ensuring affordability for lower-wage employees at small businesses, regardless of their insurer. As we continue to expand our services and refine our approach, we remain dedicated to fulfilling our mission of increasing the number of Texans enrolled in health insurance.

The Impact of TexHealth: See the Difference

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$ 0 Million+
Lives Impacted
Non-Tax Subsidy Reimbursed Through Our Premium Assistance Program
Small Businesses Served
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Partnered Insurance Agents
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Our Mission

Our mission is to provide access to affordable healthcare coverage and improved health outcomes for small employers and their employees within Texas.
To achieve this, we partner with licensed insurance agents who can help businesses navigate the complexities of the health insurance market, including both the open market and the Marketplace Exchange. This ensures that businesses and their employees have access to the best possible plans at the most affordable prices.

Discover More

Want to learn how to offer affordable health benefits to your employees? Visit our Premium Assistance Program page to see if your small business qualifies for financial assistance.
Premium Assistance Program

The TexHealth Team

Founder/ CEO

James (Jim) Rodriguez, FACHE

Jim Rodriguez is a healthcare leader with extensive experience in managed care, physician-hospital relations, and health plan administration. He has held senior leadership positions in various healthcare organizations, including UTMB Galveston and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Jim is a recognized expert in 3-Share health plans, having successfully launched and grown TexHealth Central Texas into one of the largest Multi-Share plans in the country. He is a frequent speaker at national conferences and has been featured in publications such as the Wall Street Journal and the American College of Healthcare Executives Journal.

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Kim Carte

Kim Carte is an experienced HR professional with over 30 years of experience in employee relations and benefits. Passionate about supporting employees, she joined TexHealth Central Texas in 2022 to help small businesses address their employees' needs, particularly in the area of insurance and benefits.

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Client Relations Representative

Data Analyst

Jair Navarrete

Jair is a public health graduate and data analyst passionate about improving healthcare access. He uses data-driven strategies to identify trends and develop innovative solutions that promote health equity. He's excited to contribute to TexHealth Central Texas' mission of making healthcare more affordable for everyone.

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Margo Wickersham

Margo is a growth strategist with a passion for increasing access to affordable healthcare. She brings extensive experience in building strategic partnerships and a deep commitment to community service, particularly in supporting women and raising awareness for bladder cancer.

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Marketing Intern

Tiffany Phu

Tiffany is a marketing student at Texas A&M University with a passion for analytics and helping companies optimize their strategies. She's excited to be part of the TexHealth Central Texas team, where she promotes their mission of accessible healthcare across social media and contributes to the community.

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Board Of Directors

Dr. James Brown, MD

Received his MD from The University of Texas at Houston Medical School and is the former medical director of Texas Universities Health Plan. He is a member of the Travis County Medical Society, Texas Medical Association, American Medical Association and numerous other organizations.

Gus Cardenas

The former President and Co-Founder of the Austin Healthcare Council. The Austin Healthcare Council is leading the charge towards innovation and collaboration in the Austin healthcare ecosystem. Currently he is working as a consultant with clients all over Texas.

Joyce McDonald

The Executive Director of Frameworks Community Development Corporation and a TexHealth client member. McDonald has a wealth of experience working with low-to-moderate income households and minorities and is pivotal to provide information that enables TexHealth to serve those populations.

Ron Buffum

Board Chair
Has a distinguished career in the health insurance business. Not only does he actively participate in the legislative efforts of TexHealth, but he also helps to lead the organization’s marketing strategies and practices. He is the go-to person for all things health insurance related and serves as the legislative director for the Austin Chapter of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals.

Andy Martinez

Vice Chair
The President of the Texas European Chamber of Commerce and former President and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He has myriad experience serving the Hispanic community and tackling issues associated with health care. His 30+ years of experience in management and executive positions is crucial to guiding the direction of THCT.

Margo Wickersham

A Seasoned growth strategist and business development executive, focused on the healthcare sector. Bladder cancer survivor, advocate, author, speaker, podcast guest using her story to inspire hope and improve lives.

Dominic Castillo, JD

A Husch Blackwell healthcare attorney helping providers navigate a highly regulated landscape so they can focus on patient care. As part of the firm’s Healthcare Regulatory & Compliance Counseling team, Dominic guides a wide range of clients from individual practitioners to large national healthcare systems.

James (Jay) Snyder III, CPA

Has a deep understanding of accounting and finance from his experiences working with nonprofit and for-profit organizations as well as having his own accounting firm. His experience includes preparing and reviewing individual, business, non-profit and trusts returns for clients in various industries.