The BEST Medicare Plans in Texas: What You Need to Know Before You Enroll

Understanding Your Medicare Options in Texas

When you’re eligible for Medicare, you’ve got two primary paths: Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans. Let’s break down each option and what you can expect here in the Lone Star State.

Medicare Advantage Plans in Texas

Texas offers a wide variety of Medicare Advantage plans through major insurance carriers like Humana, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. These plans are available as HMOs or PPOs, and what you can get depends on where you live—especially if you’re in larger metro areas like Dallas, Houston, Austin, or San Antonio.

In these cities, it’s common to find $0 monthly premium Advantage plans that include extra benefits like:

• Dental, vision, and hearing coverage
• Over-the-counter (OTC) credits
• Gym memberships
• Transportation benefits

These perks are attractive, but you’ll want to keep in mind that Advantage plans use networks. If your doctor or preferred hospital is out-of-network, you could face higher costs—or worse, no coverage at all.

Also, many HMO Advantage plans require referrals from your primary care doctor before you can see a specialist. This can slow things down and limit your flexibility.

And while these plans come with maximum out-of-pocket limits, those limits vary. Some plans cap your annual spending at $3,000–$5,000, but others go as high as $8,000 or more. That’s something to watch closely when comparing plans.

Medigap Plans in Texas: More Freedom, Fewer Surprises

Medigap plans (also called Medicare Supplement plans) help pay for what Original Medicare doesn’t cover—like deductibles, co-pays, and coinsurance. These plans are ideal if you want more predictability and freedom in your healthcare.

In Texas, the most popular Medigap plans are:

• Plan G – Covers nearly everything except the Medicare Part B deductible
• Plan N – Lower premiums than Plan G, but with small co-pays and no coverage for excess charges

The beauty of Medigap? No networks. You can go to any doctor in the U.S. who accepts Medicare—huge for people who travel or live in multiple states throughout the year.

Premiums vary based on age, zip code, and gender. A 65-year-old might pay anywhere from $110 to $170 per month for Plan G in Texas. Some insurance carriers offer household discounts if you live with someone—even if they’re not enrolled.

Which Is Right for You: Medicare Advantage or Medigap?

This is the big question I hear every day: “Which plan is better?” The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer—it really depends on your specific situation.

Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:

Feature	Medicare Advantage	Medigap (Supplement)
Monthly Premium	Often $0	$110–$170+
Network Restrictions	Yes (HMO/PPO)	No—use any Medicare doctor
Referrals Required	Often	No
Out-of-Pocket Limit	$3,000–$8,000+	Low or none (depends on plan)
Extra Benefits	Yes (dental, vision, OTC, gym)	Rarely
Travel Flexibility	Limited to network	Nationwide coverage

Choose Medicare Advantage If:

• You’re healthy and don’t mind staying in-network
• You want lower monthly premiums
• You like extra benefits like dental and gym memberships

Choose Medigap If:

• You want maximum freedom to choose your doctors
• You travel frequently or live in different areas throughout the year
• You want predictable costs and fewer billing surprises

Avoid Common Medicare Mistakes

Over the years, I’ve seen too many people fall into the same traps when choosing Medicare plans in Texas. Here are three major ones to avoid:

1. Choosing a plan without checking your doctors – Always verify that your providers are in-network (Advantage) or accept Medicare (Medigap).
2. Ignoring the drug coverage – Most Advantage plans include drug coverage (Part D), but Medigap does not. You’ll need to buy a separate drug plan if you go the Medigap route.
3. Focusing only on premium costs – That $0 premium Advantage plan might look great, but be sure to look at the potential out-of-pocket expenses in case of a major health event.

Let Us Help You Find the BEST Medicare Plan in Texas

At the end of the day, the best Medicare plan in Texas is the one that fits your needs, your doctors, and your budget. That’s where we come in. At Bluewave Insurance, we offer free, personalized Medicare consultations to help you make the right choice—without the stress.

Whether you’re in Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Houston, or anywhere in between, we’ll help you compare plans, check doctor networks, and understand every detail before you enroll.

Ready to get started? Call us today at 800-208-4974 to book your free consultation. We’re here to guide you every step of the way.