Texas is the second-largest Medicare market in the country, with more than 4.3 million beneficiaries enrolled in the program. For Texans on Original Medicare, understanding Medicare Supplement plans in Texas is essential to protecting your finances from the gaps that Part A and Part B leave behind. The state’s competitive insurance market means more carrier choices and significant premium variation across the vast Texas geography, from El Paso to Houston to the Panhandle.
How Medigap Works in Texas
Texas follows the federal Medigap standardization framework, offering the same lettered plans (A through N) available in most states. The standardized benefit structure means a Plan G in Dallas covers exactly the same services as a Plan G in San Antonio or Lubbock. The only differences between carriers are premium price, customer service, and financial strength.
Texas is regulated by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), which reviews and approves all Medigap rate filings before they take effect. TDI also handles consumer complaints, monitors carrier solvency, and enforces enrollment protections. If you have a question about your rights or a complaint about a carrier, TDI is your primary resource at tdi.texas.gov.
Most Popular Medigap Plans in Texas
Plan G is the top-selling Medigap plan in Texas, as it is nationally. It covers everything except the annual Part B deductible ($257 in 2026), providing near-complete financial protection for a predictable monthly premium. Plan N follows as the leading budget-friendly option, with lower premiums and modest copays. Plan F remains available to Texans who became Medicare-eligible before January 1, 2020.
Texas’ large and diverse population supports a competitive Medigap market with more than 30 carriers actively selling plans. This competition benefits consumers through lower premiums and more choices. However, the sheer number of options can also be overwhelming, making it important to compare systematically rather than choosing the first plan you encounter.
What Medicare Supplement Plans Cost in Texas
Premiums for Medicare Supplement plans in Texas are generally below the national average, thanks to the state’s competitive market and lower-than-average healthcare costs in many regions. For a 65-year-old non-smoking woman, typical monthly premiums in 2026 include Plan G at $100 to $200, Plan N at $70 to $150, and Plan F at $130 to $260 (for eligible enrollees).
Geography creates significant variation within the state. Premiums in rural West Texas and the Panhandle tend to be among the lowest in the state. The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and Austin fall in the middle range. Houston and the Rio Grande Valley, where healthcare utilization and costs are higher, typically see the highest premiums. A Plan G that costs $110 per month in Amarillo might cost $170 in Houston.
Carriers in Texas use all three federal pricing models. Attained-age-rated plans are the most common, starting with lower premiums that increase as you age. Issue-age-rated plans base your premium on the age at which you enroll. Community-rated plans charge the same rate regardless of age. For long-term cost management, issue-age and community-rated plans generally outperform attained-age plans over a 20-year period.
Texas Medigap Enrollment Rules
Texas follows the standard federal Medigap Open Enrollment Period: a six-month window beginning the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this period, no carrier in Texas can deny you any Medigap plan they sell, apply medical underwriting, or charge higher premiums based on your health history. This is your best and most protected enrollment window.
Outside this window, Texas carriers can use medical underwriting to evaluate your application. Pre-existing conditions may result in higher premiums, a six-month waiting period for coverage of those conditions, or denial. Texas does not have a continuous guaranteed-issue requirement like New York or Connecticut, making the initial Open Enrollment Period critically important.
Texas does provide a guaranteed-issue right for Medicare Advantage enrollees who want to switch to Medigap within 63 days of their MA plan being discontinued or within their first 12 months on an MA plan (the federal trial right). These protections apply in addition to the standard federal guaranteed-issue situations. Check with TDI or review your healthcare policy guide for a complete list of guaranteed-issue triggers.
Top Medigap Carriers in Texas
Several carriers consistently offer competitive rates and strong service in the Texas market. AARP/UnitedHealthcare maintains a dominant market share with competitive pricing across urban and rural areas. Mutual of Omaha offers consistently competitive premiums and carries an A+ AM Best rating. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas is a well-known brand with strong provider relationships. Cigna, Aetna, and United American also compete actively in many Texas markets.
Because premiums vary by zip code, the cheapest carrier in Houston may not be the cheapest in Dallas or El Paso. Always compare at least three to five carriers for your specific zip code. An independent insurance broker licensed in Texas can pull quotes from multiple carriers simultaneously and help you evaluate the trade-offs between price, financial strength, and service reputation.
Texas-Specific Considerations
Texas’ geography and demographics create unique Medigap considerations. The state’s size means many retirees live far from major medical centers. Plan G and Plan N both work with Original Medicare, allowing you to see any Medicare-accepting provider anywhere in Texas or the country without network restrictions. This is a significant advantage over Medicare Advantage plans, which restrict you to provider networks that may be thin in rural areas.
Texas also has a large population of retirees living near the Mexican border who may travel to Mexico for dental or medical care. Medigap plans do not cover healthcare received outside the United States except for foreign travel emergencies. Routine care obtained in Mexico would not be covered by Medicare or your Medigap plan.
The state’s extreme weather events, including hurricanes along the Gulf Coast, can disrupt healthcare access. Having a Medigap policy with Original Medicare means you can seek care at any Medicare-accepting facility, even if you are displaced from your home area. Medicare Advantage enrollees may face network complications during disaster-related relocations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest Medigap plan in Texas?
Plan N typically offers the lowest premiums among plans with comprehensive coverage, ranging from $70 to $150 per month in Texas. Plan A has even lower premiums but covers only basic benefits. The cheapest specific rate depends on your zip code, age, and gender. Use Medicare.gov’s plan finder or contact an independent broker for exact quotes.
Can I buy Medigap in Texas if I am under 65?
Texas law requires Medigap insurers to offer Plans A and F (or C, for those eligible) to disabled Medicare beneficiaries under age 65. Premiums for under-65 enrollees are typically higher than for those 65 and older. Not all carriers participate in the under-65 market, so your options may be more limited. Contact TDI for a list of carriers offering under-65 Medigap coverage.
Does Texas have a birthday rule for Medigap switching?
Texas does not have a birthday-rule provision like California or Oregon. Outside your initial Open Enrollment Period, switching Medigap plans in Texas requires medical underwriting unless you qualify for a federal guaranteed-issue right. This makes it especially important to choose your plan and carrier carefully during your first enrollment window.
How do I file a complaint about my Medigap carrier in Texas?
File a complaint with the Texas Department of Insurance at tdi.texas.gov or by calling 1-800-252-3439. TDI investigates complaints related to claims processing, premium billing, policy cancellations, and other insurance issues. You can also file complaints with the NAIC, which tracks complaint ratios nationally.
Are there any Texas-specific Medigap benefits?
Texas uses the standard federal Medigap plan letters with no state-specific modifications to the benefit structure. However, Texas’ regulatory environment, including TDI’s oversight of rate filings and the competitive carrier market, generally results in favorable pricing for consumers compared to less competitive states.
Getting the Best Medigap Value in Texas
Medicare Supplement plans in Texas benefit from a competitive market, regulatory oversight by TDI, and generally lower-than-national-average premiums. Your best strategy is to enroll during your Open Enrollment Period, compare quotes from at least three carriers for your specific zip code, and choose a plan letter that matches your healthcare usage and budget. Plan G offers the most complete protection, Plan N provides a strong budget alternative, and both work seamlessly across the state’s vast geography. For more on choosing between supplemental options, explore our Medigap plans overview and our healthcare costs guide.