Medicare Insurance in Texas

Find the best Medicare plan for Texas residents

Texas has nearly 4.5 million Medicare beneficiaries — one of the largest Medicare populations in the country. With a rapidly growing senior population, a wide range of plan options, and significant variation in costs from city to city, navigating Medicare in Texas can feel overwhelming. Whether you live in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, or a rural county in West Texas, understanding your options is the first step toward finding a plan that fits your health needs and your budget.

10 Tips for Finding the Best Medicare Insurance in Texas

  1. Learn the differences between Medicare Advantage and Medigap so you can choose the coverage structure that best fits your lifestyle and healthcare needs.
  2. Compare plans during your Initial Enrollment Period — the seven-month window around your 65th birthday — to lock in the best rates without underwriting in most states.
  3. Use the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7) each year to review your plan and switch if a better option is available.
  4. Check whether your preferred doctors and hospitals are in-network before enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan, since networks vary widely by carrier and county.
  5. Review the plan's formulary (drug list) if you take prescription medications to ensure your drugs are covered at an affordable tier.
  6. Understand that Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans are standardized by letter — Plan G and Plan N are among the most popular — so you can shop by price among carriers offering the same benefits.
  7. Work with a licensed, independent Medicare insurance agent who represents multiple carriers and can objectively compare your options at no cost to you.
  8. Factor in out-of-pocket maximums when comparing Medicare Advantage plans — lower premiums do not always mean lower total costs.
  9. Look into Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy) and Medicare Savings Programs if you have limited income, as these programs can significantly reduce your premiums and cost-sharing.
  10. Re-evaluate your coverage every year — your health needs change, plan benefits change, and new options may be available in your area that could save you money.

How Many Medicare Advantage Plans Are Available in Texas?

Texas is one of the most competitive Medicare Advantage markets in the nation. In 2024, Texas Medicare beneficiaries had access to more than 200 Medicare Advantage plans across the state, with availability varying significantly by county. Beneficiaries in major metropolitan areas like Houston (Harris County), Dallas (Dallas County), and San Antonio (Bexar County) typically have access to 40 or more plans from multiple carriers. Rural counties in West Texas and the Panhandle may have fewer options, sometimes only a handful of plans or primarily Original Medicare. Major carriers offering Medicare Advantage in Texas include UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Aetna, BCBS of Texas, Cigna, and Molina Healthcare, among others. Approximately 55% of Texas Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, reflecting strong and growing adoption across the state.

How Many Medicare Supplement Plans Are Offered in Texas?

Texas is an active Medigap market with dozens of carriers offering standardized Medicare Supplement plans. More than 30 insurance companies are licensed to sell Medigap policies in Texas, giving beneficiaries a wide range of price competition for identical standardized benefits. All ten federally standardized Medigap plan letters — A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N — are available in Texas, though Plan C and Plan F are only available to those who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. Plan G is currently the most popular Medigap plan for new enrollees in Texas, offering comprehensive coverage with only the Part B deductible as an out-of-pocket cost. Plan N is a strong runner-up for those comfortable with small copays in exchange for lower monthly premiums. Leading Medigap carriers in Texas include Mutual of Omaha, Aetna, Cigna, Humana, AARP/UnitedHealthcare, and Globe Life, among many others. Because benefits are identical across carriers for the same plan letter, shopping by premium is straightforward and working with an independent agent can help you find the lowest rate available in your area.

Senior Population Facts (Over 65)

Texas has one of the fastest-growing senior populations in the United States. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, approximately 3.9 million Texans are age 65 or older, representing roughly 13% of the state's total population. That share is projected to grow substantially over the next decade as Baby Boomers continue to age and as retirees from other states relocate to Texas for its warm climate, no state income tax, and relatively lower cost of living in many areas.

  • Healthcare: Texas ranks among the states with the highest rates of uninsured residents historically, making Medicare coverage especially critical for seniors who may have gone without insurance for portions of their working lives. Texas has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA, which affects low-income near-seniors, but once Texans reach 65 they become eligible for Medicare regardless of income. The state has a robust network of hospitals, including major academic medical centers in Houston (Texas Medical Center, the largest in the world), Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin, giving urban seniors access to highly specialized care.
  • Housing: Texas offers a wide range of housing options for seniors, from active adult communities and retirement villages in the Hill Country and Gulf Coast to urban high-rises and suburban neighborhoods in the major metros. The absence of a state income tax and relatively moderate property taxes in many counties make Texas an attractive destination for retirees. Assisted living and skilled nursing facility capacity has expanded steadily across the state, though rural areas continue to face shortages of senior care facilities and home health providers.
  • Economic Security: Texas does not tax Social Security income or any other retirement income, which is a significant financial advantage for seniors on fixed incomes. The median household income for Texas seniors is modestly below the national median, and a meaningful share of Texas Medicare beneficiaries qualify for assistance programs such as Extra Help for Part D costs and Medicare Savings Programs that cover Part B premiums. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission administers the state's Medicare Savings Programs, and eligible seniors are encouraged to apply through their local HHSC office or 2-1-1 Texas.

Find Medicare Help in Texas