Texas Medicare Supplement Plans

Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio each price differently, and the border counties and rural west run higher with fewer carriers. The same plan letter from the same company can differ by several hundred dollars a year between the metro areas alone.

Attained-age rating is standard, and Texas carriers compete hard on first-year price. That combination produces big increases later, so ask for the approved increase history and the rate at 75. A company with steady modest increases usually beats the cheapest quote.

Texas follows the federal guaranteed issue rules and has no annual birthday rule. Once your six-month window closes, medical underwriting applies, and a health change can mean a decline or a permanent surcharge for the same coverage.

The federal exceptions matter enormously in Texas because Advantage is so heavily marketed. Leaving an Advantage plan does not restore an unrestricted right to buy a supplement, so the decision to start with one should be made with that in mind.

Advantage penetration in Texas is above the national average, with extremely heavy enrollment in the Rio Grande Valley, El Paso and rural west Texas. Supplement buyers are concentrated in the suburbs of the four large metros, which keeps that pool large and competitive.

The Texas Department of Insurance publishes complaint data and rate filings, and SHIP counselors compare plans free of charge through the Health and Human Services Commission. Ask them to compare the same letter across every carrier in your county, then verify the rate with the carrier directly.