Medicare Supplement Plans in Texas 2026: Which Plan Is Right for You
Original Medicare covers a lot, but it does not cover everything. After the deductible, Medicare Part B pays 80 percent of approved costs, leaving the beneficiary with the remaining 20 percent with no cap. A single serious illness, a hospitalization, or a year with multiple specialist visits can result in thousands of dollars in cost sharing that most seniors are not prepared for.
Medicare Supplement plans, also called Medigap plans, exist to fill those gaps. For Texas seniors turning 65 or reviewing their current coverage, understanding how these plans work and which one makes sense for their situation is one of the most valuable financial decisions they can make.
Linda Clement, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)® and Certified Placement and Referral Specialist (CPRS), is the founder of Peace of Mind Senior Solutions LLC in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.
While Medicare insurance decisions require a licensed insurance broker, Linda regularly helps Dallas-Fort Worth families understand the landscape so they can have more informed conversations with their broker. This guide explains how Medigap plans work in Texas, what the most popular options cost in 2026, and how to decide which plan fits your situation.
How Medicare Supplement Plans Work
Medigap plans are private insurance policies that work alongside Original Medicare, not as a replacement for it. When you receive covered care, Medicare pays its share first, and your Medigap plan pays its portion of the remaining costs according to the plan you have selected.
Here are the key things to understand about how these plans work in Texas.
Plans Are Standardized by Letter
All Medigap plans sold in Texas are standardized by the federal government and labeled by letter from Plan A to Plan N. Every insurer selling Plan G must offer exactly the same benefits as every other insurer selling Plan G. The coverage is identical regardless of the company. The only difference between the same plan letter from two different companies is the monthly premium and the insurer’s pricing history and customer service record.
You Must Have Both Medicare Part A and Part B
To purchase a Medigap plan, you must be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B. You also continue paying your Part B premium, which is $202.90 per month in 2026 for most beneficiaries, in addition to your Medigap premium.
The Open Enrollment Period Is Critical
Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is a six-month window that begins the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Part B. During this window, insurers in Texas cannot deny you coverage or charge you more because of pre-existing health conditions. This is the best and often only time to enroll without medical underwriting. After the period closes, insurers can require medical underwriting and may deny coverage or charge significantly higher premiums based on your health history.
Medigap Does Not Include Drug Coverage
Medigap plans do not cover prescription drugs. If you enroll in a Medigap plan, you need a separate Part D prescription drug plan. Failing to enroll in Part D when first eligible results in a permanent late enrollment penalty.
No Network Restrictions
One of the most significant advantages of Medigap is that it works with any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare anywhere in the United States. There are no provider networks, no referrals required, and no prior authorizations for covered services. This is a meaningful difference from Medicare Advantage, which typically restricts care to a network.
The Three Most Popular Plans in Texas
While there are multiple Medigap plan letters available, three plans account for the vast majority of enrollments among Texas seniors turning 65 today: Plan G, Plan N, and High-Deductible Plan G. Plan F was historically the most comprehensive option, but it is only available to those who became Medicare-eligible before January 1, 2020.
Plan G: The Most Popular Choice for New Enrollees
Plan G is the most popular Medigap plan in Texas for seniors newly eligible for Medicare in 2026. It provides nearly complete coverage, paying the Part A hospital deductible of $1,736 per benefit period, all Part A coinsurance, the Part B 20 percent coinsurance with no cap, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, and Part B excess charges. The only cost Plan G does not cover is the annual Part B deductible, which is $283 in 2026. After paying that deductible once per year, Plan G essentially covers everything else Medicare approves.
For a 65-year-old nonsmoker in Texas in 2026, Plan G monthly premiums typically range from approximately $137 to $225, depending on the insurer, ZIP code, and rating method used. The average Plan G premium in Texas is approximately $163 per month for a 65-year-old. Major carriers active in Texas include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, Cigna, Aetna, Humana, and Mutual of Omaha, with premiums varying meaningfully between them for identical coverage.
Plan G is the right choice for seniors who want maximum predictability, no surprises, and the freedom to see any Medicare provider in the country without managing networks or prior authorizations.
Plan N: Lower Premiums with Modest Cost Sharing
Plan N offers coverage that is nearly as comprehensive as Plan G but at a lower monthly premium in exchange for a small amount of cost sharing when you use services. With Plan N, you pay up to a $20 copay for doctor office visits and up to a $50 copay for emergency room visits if you are not admitted as an inpatient. Plan N also does not cover Part B excess charges, which are additional amounts above Medicare’s approved rate that some providers may charge.
In Texas in 2026, Plan N premiums for a 65-year-old nonsmoker typically range from approximately $99 to $170 per month, depending on the insurer. The average Plan N premium in Texas is approximately $120 per month. The monthly savings compared to Plan G are typically $30 to $50, totaling $360 to $600 per year.
Plan N makes sense for seniors who are generally healthy, do not see specialists frequently, and are comfortable with the small copays in exchange for lower monthly premiums. It is worth knowing that if you use providers who charge excess charges, Plan N leaves that cost to you.
High-Deductible Plan G: Lower Premiums with a Deductible
High-Deductible Plan G offers the same benefits as standard Plan G but requires you to pay the first $2,950 in Medicare-covered costs out of pocket each year before the plan begins paying. In exchange, monthly premiums are significantly lower, often in the range of $40 to $80 per month for a 65-year-old in Texas.
This option works well for seniors who are in good health, have savings available to cover the deductible if needed, and want to keep monthly costs low while still having comprehensive coverage in the event of a serious illness or hospitalization. It functions somewhat like a high-deductible health plan paired with a health savings account, though HSA contributions are no longer allowed once enrolled in Medicare.
How Premiums Are Priced: Why It Matters for the Long Run
Texas insurers use different methods to price Medigap premiums, and the method used has a significant impact on what you pay over time. Understanding this before you choose a plan can save you thousands of dollars over the years.
Attained-age pricing: Your premium is based on your current age and increases each year as you get older. Most Medigap plans in Texas use attained-age pricing. Premiums start lower at 65 but rise steadily over time.
Issue-age pricing: Your premium is based on your age when you first purchase the policy and does not increase solely because you get older, though it may increase due to inflation. This method tends to cost more initially but can be more economical over a long period.
Community rating: Everyone in a geographic area pays the same premium regardless of age. Texas does not commonly offer community-rated plans.
When comparing plans, it is worth asking each insurer about their historical rate increases, not just their current premium. An insurer with a lower starting premium but aggressive annual increases may cost more over a decade than one with a slightly higher starting premium and more stable increases.
Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage: Understanding the Trade-Off
Many seniors in Texas face the choice between a Medigap plan paired with Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan. These are fundamentally different approaches to managing Medicare costs, and the right choice depends on individual priorities.
Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurers and replace Original Medicare. They cap your annual out-of-pocket costs at a maximum of $9,350 in-network in 2026, which Original Medicare alone does not offer. Many Advantage plans have $0 monthly premiums beyond the Part B premium, and most include drug, dental, vision, and hearing benefits. The tradeoffs are provider networks, prior authorization requirements, and the fact that coverage rules can change each year at open enrollment.
Medigap plans work with Original Medicare and help fill cost-sharing gaps. There are no networks, no prior authorizations, and no annual changes to your benefit structure as long as you keep paying your premium. The tradeoff is a monthly premium that adds to the Part B premium you already pay, plus a separate Part D drug plan.
Seniors who travel frequently, have established relationships with specific physicians they want to keep, or have chronic conditions requiring predictable access to specialists often prefer the Medigap route. Seniors who are generally healthy, want to minimize monthly premiums, and are comfortable working within a network often find Medicare Advantage a reasonable fit.
A licensed Medicare insurance broker can compare current Advantage and Medigap options in your specific ZIP code at no cost to you. Getting quotes from multiple sources before deciding is always worthwhile.
When to Enroll and What to Do If You Missed the Window
The ideal time to enroll in a Medigap plan is during your six-month Open Enrollment Period, which starts at age 65. This is when guaranteed issue rights apply, and insurers cannot reject you or charge more based on health conditions. You can compare Medigap plans available in your ZIP code at Medicare.gov
If you missed your Open Enrollment Period and are currently enrolled in Medicare Advantage, you can attempt to switch to a Medigap plan, but Texas insurers are allowed to require medical underwriting and may decline coverage or charge higher premiums based on your health history. There are limited special enrollment periods that provide guaranteed issue rights outside the standard window, including when you lose employer coverage or move out of a Medicare Advantage plan’s service area.
If you are approaching 65 and have not yet begun researching options, the time to start is now. Comparing plans before your Open Enrollment Period begins ensures you are not making a rushed decision during the enrollment window itself.
Ready to Talk Through Your Options?
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There is no obligation and no cost. Just an honest conversation with a Certified Senior Advisor who has helped many DFW families through exactly what you are facing right now.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular Medicare Supplement plan in Texas?
Plan G is the most popular Medigap plan in Texas for seniors new to Medicare. It covers nearly everything Medicare does not pay for, with the only gap being the annual Part B deductible of $283 in 2026. After paying that deductible, Plan G covers all other approved Medicare cost sharing with no copays or coinsurance.
How much does a Medigap plan cost in Texas in 2026?
Monthly premiums vary by plan type, age, insurer, and ZIP code. For a 65-year-old nonsmoker in Texas in 2026, Plan G typically ranges from approximately $137 to $225 per month. Plan N typically ranges from approximately $99 to $170 per month. High-Deductible Plan G can run as low as $40 to $80 per month with a $2,950 annual deductible. Because the same plan letter offers identical coverage across all insurers, comparing quotes is essential to finding the best price.
Can I be denied a Medigap plan in Texas?
During your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period beginning at age 65, insurers cannot deny you coverage or charge more due to pre-existing conditions. Outside of that window, Texas insurers can require medical underwriting and may decline coverage or charge higher premiums based on your health history. This makes enrolling during the open enrollment period critically important.
What is the difference between Plan G and Plan N?
Plan G covers nearly all Medicare cost sharing with no copays after the annual Part B deductible. Plan N has slightly lower monthly premiums but requires copays of up to $20 for doctor visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits, and does not cover Part B excess charges. For seniors who see doctors frequently or want zero cost sharing at point of service, Plan G offers more predictability. For healthier seniors who want lower monthly premiums, Plan N can save $360 to $600 per year.
Do Medigap plans cover dental, vision, and hearing?
No. Standard Medigap plans do not cover dental, vision, or hearing. They cover gaps in Original Medicare’s medical and hospital coverage. Seniors who want dental, vision, and hearing benefits typically need a Medicare Advantage plan that includes those extras or separate standalone policies.
Should I choose Medigap or Medicare Advantage?
The right choice depends on your health, finances, and priorities. Medigap offers complete freedom to see any Medicare-accepting provider with predictable costs and no network restrictions. Medicare Advantage caps your annual out-of-pocket costs, often has lower monthly premiums, and typically includes drug and extra benefits. Seniors with chronic conditions, frequent specialist visits, or strong preferences for specific providers often favor Medigap. A licensed Medicare insurance broker can compare both options in your area at no cost to you.
About the Author
Linda Clement, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)® and Certified Placement and Referral Specialist (CPRS), is the founder of Peace of Mind Senior Solutions LLC, based in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. With 20 years of experience in senior healthcare operations, Linda helps Dallas-Fort Worth and other families nationwide navigate senior housing and care decisions with honest, pressure-free guidance. For personalized assistance, contact Linda at info@peaceofmindseniorsolutions.com