Health insurance in the U.S. is among the most expensive in the world. Therefore, healthcare isn’t accessible to everyone.
The latest national employer survey, conducted by the independent health-policy organization KFF, found that the total premium in 2025 averaged $9,325 per year for one employee and $26,993 for family coverage.
Meanwhile, in a report by the Health System Tracker, researchers estimated that the American population spent $5.28 trillion on healthcare in 2024, up from $4.93 trillion in 2023 and $4.59 trillion in 2022.
Currently, estimates say that around 9.8% of people ages 0 to 64 are uninsured, or around 26.7 million people, even though getting health care without insurance is challenging and expensive.
One nurse living in Texas, however, says a unique program saved her when she did not have health insurance. Now, she is recommending it to others.
Which Program Does She Recommend?
Registered nurse Allisoni (@allisoni333) shared the recommendation on her TikTok account, where the video got over 39,300 views.
“If you live in Travis County, and you do not have health insurance, just listen to me for a second,” she says.
The program is Central Health Austin’s Medical Access Program.
“Type in Central Health Austin, or go directly to their website,” the nurse says, showing the page on her computer screen.
She then explains that users can click on the Medical Access Program link and fill out an application to see whether they are eligible.
“You can scroll down, and you can find out if your income and your family size meets the eligibility requirements,” Allisoni says. “And it also will tell you all the documents that you need to apply.”
According to her, the application takes around 15 minutes.
She says the program helped her a few years ago when she was in nursing school and suddenly needed care.
“I had an emergency situation a few years ago in nursing school, and I desperately needed health insurance immediately,” she says. “This basically saved my life because I did not have coverage.”
The timing also makes the program different from traditional insurance enrollment.
“You can enroll in Medical Access Program at any point in time,” the TikToker says. “There’s not a set number of days that you have in the year to enroll.”
According to Allisoni, applicants need to show their income for the last 30 days.
“Check it out,” she says. “It’s like locally provided health insurance. Heavily underutilized. You can go to the dentist. You can go to the doctor.”
“Community Care centers also do sliding scale payments so if you aren’t eligible, it can still be much more affordable than an urgent care,” she added in the caption. “Lonestar circle of care is also a great option if you need affordable dental services the Austin area, Dr. Yang is a gem.”
How Does the Medical Access Program (MAP) Work?
Central Health Austin is the county’s taxpayer-funded hospital district, offering a care system to low-income Travis County residents.
According to the official site for Central Health Austin, those with low income in Austin may be eligible for MAP or MAP Basic, which gives them access to health services.
However, the organization clarifies that the programs are not health insurance and are not federally funded. The programs are also only available within Travis County.
In order to qualify, applicants must earn at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.
Redditors on r/Austin who have used the programs say they do cover the basics.
“It’s a really great resource,” one user wrote. “Historically hospital care under MAP could be at any Seton hospital, not just Dell Seton downtown which a lot of folks didn’t always know.”
Another person gave more details.
“Under Full MAP (not MAP Basic), hospital emergency services and specialists are covered, although the latter usually has wait-time of weeks or months, depending on what kind it is,” they wrote. “I know that Seton Hospital accepts MAP coverage; don’t know which others might.
I got an MRI and other ER treatments at Seton under Full MAP, as well as a sleep study and CPAP machine for sleep apnea.”
Commenters Also Have Experience With MAP
In the comments, several viewers shared their own experiences with MAP, which varied.
One viewer said they had trouble getting dental care through the program.
“Unfortunately I’ve called in and they weren’t able to offer any dental services for .. I’m assuming the foreseeable future, so I just went without 4 wisdom tooth extractions. I guess I can try again tho,” they wrote.
Another said they were approved but still had to wait for an appointment.
“Signed up for this earlier this year. I had to schedule my appointment for August.. so I’m still waiting. I’d say that’s the only down side so far,” they shared.
But another commenter said the recommendation was helpful, writing, “Oh wow thank you so much. Medicaid and Texas women’s health has been a joke. This is so helpful to this mama and her toddler. Appreciate you.”
@allisoni333 Community Care centers also do sliding scale payments so if you aren’t eligible, it can still be much more affordable than an urgent care. Lonestar circle of care is also a great option if you need affordable dental services the Austin area, Dr. Yang is a gem 🫶🫶🫶
BroBible has reached out to Central Health Austin via email and Allisoni via TikTok messages for info.