Medicare Plans in Houston County, Texas

Medicare Supplement plans — also called Medigap — are standardized by the federal government and sold by private insurance companies licensed in Texas. Because the benefits of each lettered plan (Plan G, Plan N, etc.) are identical regardless of which company sells them, the primary variable is premium. An independent broker can compare premiums across multiple carriers for the same plan letter.

Texas follows the standard federal Medigap open enrollment framework. Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is a six-month window that begins the month you are both age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this window, insurers cannot use medical underwriting to deny coverage or charge higher premiums based on health status. Outside this window, guaranteed-issue rights may apply in specific qualifying circumstances — such as losing employer coverage or your current plan leaving the market — but underwriting may otherwise apply. Texas does not provide a general annual birthday-based Medigap switching right.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are offered by private insurers approved by Medicare and must cover at least the same benefits as Original Medicare Parts A and B. Many Texas Medicare Advantage plans include additional benefits such as dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drug coverage. Plan availability and network coverage vary by county.

Medicare Advantage plans use provider networks — HMO, PPO, or other structures — that may limit which doctors and hospitals you can use at in-network rates. If you travel frequently or split time between Texas and another state, a Medicare Supplement plan paired with Original Medicare may offer more geographic flexibility.

Medicare Advantage plans can change their premiums, cost-sharing, and covered benefits each year. Reviewing your plan annually during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7) is important to ensure your coverage still fits your needs.

Part D prescription drug plans are sold by private insurers approved by Medicare. If you have Original Medicare and a Medicare Supplement plan, you will typically need a standalone Part D plan for prescription coverage. If you have Medicare Advantage, drug coverage is often included.

Part D plans have formularies — lists of covered drugs — that vary by plan. Premiums, deductibles, and cost-sharing also vary. The Medicare Plan Finder tool at Medicare.gov allows you to compare Part D plans based on your specific medications.

Enrolling in Part D when you first become eligible for Medicare helps you avoid a late enrollment penalty, which is a permanent premium increase applied if you go without creditable drug coverage for 63 or more consecutive days after your initial enrollment window.

Your Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare is a seven-month window centered on your 65th birthday month. Enrolling during this window gives you the broadest access to Medigap plans without medical underwriting and avoids late enrollment penalties for Part B and Part D.

Texas follows the standard federal Medigap open enrollment framework. Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is a six-month window that begins the month you are both age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this window, insurers cannot use medical underwriting to deny coverage or charge higher premiums based on health status. Outside this window, guaranteed-issue rights may apply in specific qualifying circumstances — such as losing employer coverage or your current plan leaving the market — but underwriting may otherwise apply. Texas does not provide a general annual birthday-based Medigap switching right.