Medicare in Texas serves about 4.8 million beneficiaries, with 51% enrolled in Medicare Advantage and the remainder on Original Medicare + Medigap. Average Medigap Plan G premium for a new 65-year-old enrollee: $143/mo. Stand-alone Part D plans average $45/mo.
Medicare Beneficiaries
4.8 million
Age 65+ and disabled
MA Enrollment
51%
% on Medicare Advantage
Avg Medigap Plan G
$143/mo
New enrollee, age 65
| Topic | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare Advantage plans available | 100+ | Varies by county; check medicare.gov plan finder |
| Top MA carriers | UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Aetna/CVS | Networks differ by county |
| Stand-alone Part D | $45/mo | Required if you have Original Medicare + Medigap |
| Annual guaranteed-issue Medigap switching | No (one-time 6-month window at 65) | No state annual GI rights; Texas is the second largest Medicare market nationally; Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston are among the most competitive MA markets in the country. |
Medigap premiums vary by carrier, age, and ZIP code. The 2026 Part B premium is $202.90/month and Part B deductible is $283. Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 in 2026.
Texas is the second largest Medicare market in the country with nearly 4.8 million beneficiaries, and its four major metropolitan areas — Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin — are among the most competitive Medicare Advantage markets in the nation. UnitedHealthcare and Humana hold dominant statewide positions, while Aetna, Molina, WellCare, and Devoted Health compete actively in the large metro markets. Baylor Scott & White Health, HCA Houston Healthcare, CHRISTUS Health, Ascension Seton, and UT Southwestern Medical Center are among the major hospital systems participating in MA networks. Texas's large and growing senior population — fueled by in-migration from California and the Northeast — continues to drive enrollment growth.
Texas has no state-level annual Medigap switching protections, making the 6-month open enrollment window at 65 the critical guaranteed-issue opportunity. Medigap Plan G averages about $143/month in Texas — reasonable for such a large and diverse state. San Antonio's large military retiree population means many beneficiaries also have TRICARE For Life as secondary coverage, which can function alongside Original Medicare. Rural Texas — the Trans-Pecos, the Panhandle, and deep South Texas along the Rio Grande — has significant MA network adequacy challenges, where Original Medicare with Medigap remains the dominant coverage type. Texas Medicare beneficiaries can access free counseling through the SHIP program operated by the Texas Department on Aging (HHS).
In Texas, traditional Medicare combined with a Medigap supplement (typically Plan G or N) plus a stand-alone Part D plan provides nationwide access with predictable costs. Plan G covers everything except the $283 Part B deductible.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans bundle Medicare Parts A, B, and usually D into one private plan, often with $0 premium beyond Part B. Trade-offs include network restrictions and prior authorization. 51% of Texas beneficiaries currently choose MA.
No state annual GI rights; Texas is the second largest Medicare market nationally; Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston are among the most competitive MA markets in the country.
💡 Texas Pro Tip
Texas beneficiaries in Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin typically have access to 100 or more Medicare Advantage plans — among the highest plan counts in the country. Mid-sized cities like El Paso, Lubbock, and Amarillo generally offer 30 to 50 options. Rural Texas counties may have 10 to 25 plans, with network adequacy varying significantly.
The average Medigap Plan G premium for a 65-year-old in Texas is approximately $143 per month. Texas's large insurer market keeps premiums competitive, and carriers including UnitedHealthcare/AARP, Cigna, Mutual of Omaha, and Aetna all actively compete for Texas Medigap enrollment.
Texas does not have a birthday rule or annual guaranteed-issue protections for Medigap. Outside your 6-month initial open enrollment at 65 or qualifying federal guaranteed-issue events, insurers can use medical underwriting. Military retirees with TRICARE For Life should understand how that coverage interacts with both Medicare Advantage and Medigap before making a plan choice.
Beneficiary counts and MA enrollment percentages from CMS state-level Medicare data; premium averages from 2026 carrier rate filings for Texas. Verify current plan costs at medicare.gov before enrolling.
Jennifer Walsh
Editorial Lead, Health & Medicare
This article was researched and written by the Cover Forge USA editorial team against federal sources (NAIC, CMS, FEMA, DOL, SSA, state DOIs) and standard policy forms. Bylines organize content by topic — they do not assert individual licensure. See our editorial-policy for details.
Reviewed May 2026
We monitor rate filings in all 50 states. Get notified when rates change in your area — and discover new ways to save.
Free forever. Unsubscribe with one click. No spam, ever.
Important Disclaimer
This site provides general educational information only and is not a substitute for professional insurance advice. All rates, data, and coverage details are estimates and may not reflect your actual premiums. Insurance availability and pricing vary by state, insurer, and individual risk factors. Always consult a licensed insurance professional in your state before making coverage decisions.