Texas Medigap Plans: 2026 Comparison Guide

Last verified: March 2026. Rates and rules can change. Check the Medicare.gov Medigap page and the Texas Department of Insurance for the latest details.

Key Takeaways

• Texas offers all 10 standardized Medigap plan letters (A through N), and every plan with the same letter covers the same things regardless of which company sells it
• Plan G is the most popular choice for new enrollees, covering everything except the $283 Part B deductible
• According to industry rate data, Texas Medigap premiums range from approximately $39 to $549/month at age 65, depending on plan, carrier, and ZIP code
• Your best enrollment window is the one-time, 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period that starts when you get Part B at age 65
• Texas HB 2516 (effective September 2025) created a second-chance enrollment window for ages 65-70 and new protections for people with ESRD or ALS

In This Guide

• What Texas Medigap Plans Cover
• 2026 Medicare Costs That Medigap Pays
• Which Plan Should You Pick?
• What Medigap Costs in Texas
• When to Sign Up
• Texas-Only Protections
• What Medigap Doesn't Cover
• How to Compare Plans
• FAQ

Texas medigap plans fill the gaps Original Medicare leaves behind: copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Every plan with the same letter covers the same things, no matter which company sells it. The only difference between carriers is the price. This guide breaks down all 10 plans available in Texas for 2026, what they cost, and how to sign up at the right time. You can chat with Brevy to check your options in a few minutes.

Important: The figures and rules described here are based on current data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Texas Department of Insurance. Medigap rates change annually. Contact Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 or the Texas Department of Insurance at 800-252-3439 to verify current requirements for your situation.

What Texas Medigap Plans Cover

Texas sells all 10 standardized Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan letters: A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N. Plans C and F are only available if you became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. Plans E, H, I, and J are discontinued, but existing policyholders keep their coverage.

Here's what each plan covers:

*Plan N covers 100% of Part B coinsurance except for copayments of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for ER visits that don't result in admission.

Plans F and G also come in high-deductible versions with a $2,950 deductible for 2026. You pay that amount in Medicare-covered costs before the policy kicks in. The tradeoff: much lower monthly premiums.

2026 Medicare Costs That Medigap Pays

These are the out-of-pocket costs Original Medicare leaves you with. A Medigap plan fills some or all of these gaps.

Without Medigap, a 10-day hospital stay past day 60 would cost you $4,340 in coinsurance alone. That's the kind of bill these plans are built to prevent.

Which Plan Should You Pick?

Most new enrollees in Texas pick Plan G or Plan N. Here's why.

Plan G covers everything except the $283 annual Part B deductible. After you pay that $283, you're covered for the rest of the year. It's the closest thing to full gap coverage for anyone who became Medicare-eligible after January 1, 2020.

Plan N costs less per month but adds small copayments: up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for ER visits that don't lead to admission. It also doesn't cover Part B excess charges. If your doctors all accept Medicare assignment, those excess charges won't apply to you.

Plans K and L work for people who want the lowest premium and can handle some cost-sharing. Plan K covers 50% of most benefits with an $8,000 annual out-of-pocket cap. Plan L covers 75% with a $4,000 cap.

Plan F covers everything, including the Part B deductible. But it's only available if you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.

If you're trying to find the best medigap plan in Texas for 2026, it comes down to this: Plan G gives you the most predictable costs. Plan N saves you money if you don't visit the doctor often.

What Medigap Costs in Texas

Every insurance company sets its own price, so rates vary widely even for the same plan letter. Here are the lowest available monthly premiums for a 65-year-old nonsmoker in Texas, according to industry rate data as of early 2026:

Overall, Texas Medigap premiums range from approximately $39 to $549 per month for 65-year-olds, depending on plan type, carrier, ZIP code, and tobacco use.

Plan G and N Premium Ranges

Premiums increase with age. According to industry rate data, approximate Plan G ranges in Texas:

Texas falls in the "mid-low" pricing tier nationally for Plan G. The national average is about $220/month at age 65.

Plan N premiums in Texas range from approximately $80 to $170 per month at age 65.

How Pricing Works

Texas insurers use one of three pricing methods:

• Community-rated: Same premium for everyone, regardless of age. Premiums go up with inflation, not with birthdays.
• Issue-age-rated: Premium based on your age when you buy. Doesn't increase as you age, though inflation adjustments apply.
• Attained-age-rated: Premium based on your current age. Cheapest at purchase, but rises every year.

Ask every carrier which method they use before you buy. A community-rated plan costs more upfront but can save you thousands over 20 years compared to an attained-age plan that starts cheap and climbs.

When to Sign Up

Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period

This is the single most important enrollment window. It's a one-time, 6-month period that starts the first month you have Part B and are 65 or older.

During this window, insurers can't turn you down, charge you more for health problems, or impose pre-existing condition waiting periods. This right doesn't come back. Miss it, and you'll face medical underwriting.

Don't wait to enroll. Once your OEP closes, you're at the mercy of underwriting. If you've developed health problems since turning 65, you could be denied outright.

Guaranteed Issue Rights

Even outside the OEP, federal law gives you guaranteed access to certain Medigap plans in specific situations:

• Your Medicare Advantage plan leaves Medicare or stops covering your area
• Your employer or COBRA coverage ends
• You joined Medicare Advantage when first eligible at 65 and want to switch back within the first year
• Your Medigap insurer goes bankrupt

In each case, you typically have 63 days to apply and can't be denied.

Texas-Only Protections

Texas provides several Medigap protections beyond federal law.

30-day free look. You can return a Medigap policy within 30 days for a full refund, no questions asked.

Guaranteed renewal. Companies can't cancel your policy unless you lied on the application or stopped paying premiums.

Disabled under 65. If you're under 65 and qualify for Medicare through disability, Texas gives you a 6-month OEP, but only for Plan A.

Medicaid suspension. If you qualify for Medicaid, you can pause your Medigap policy for up to 2 years and reinstate it within 90 days of losing Medicaid.

Pre-existing conditions. Outside your OEP, insurers can impose a waiting period of up to 6 months for conditions treated or advised within the previous 6 months. But if you had 6 or more months of continuous prior coverage, that waiting period disappears.

Texas HB 2516: New Rules for 2025-2026

Texas passed House Bill 2516, effective September 1, 2025, with two major changes:

ESRD and ALS coverage. Insurers that sell Medigap to people over 65 must now offer policies to people under 65 who qualify for Medicare through end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or ALS. Plans A, B, and D must be offered at the same rate as a 65-year-old. Other plans can't exceed 200% of that rate.

Second-chance enrollment for ages 65-70. If you're between 65 and 70 and missed your initial OEP, you can buy a Medigap policy during the Medicare annual open enrollment period without medical underwriting. This right can only be used once. According to industry analysis, a premium penalty applies: approximately 15% for 2026, increasing 5% per year to a maximum of 35% from 2029 onward.

No birthday rule. Unlike some states, Texas doesn't let you switch Medigap plans annually without underwriting. The plan you pick during your OEP is likely the plan you'll keep.

What Medigap Doesn't Cover

Medigap fills gaps in Original Medicare. It doesn't add new benefits. These aren't covered:

• Long-term care (nursing home custodial care)
• Vision and dental care
• Hearing aids and glasses
• Private-duty nursing
• Prescription drugs (you need a separate Part D plan)

You also can't have a Medigap policy and a Medicare Advantage plan at the same time. If you're currently on Medicare Advantage and want to switch to Original Medicare with a Medigap plan, you'll need to disenroll from your Advantage plan first. Medigap plans sold after 2005 don't include prescription drug coverage, so you'll need a separate Part D plan.

How to Compare Plans

Since benefits are standardized, comparing Medigap plans really means comparing prices. Here's how to do it:

1. Pick your plan letter. Decide between G, N, K, L, or another plan based on the coverage table above.
2. Get quotes from multiple carriers. Use the Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov/medigap-supplemental-insurance-plans to see carriers in your ZIP code.
3. Ask about the pricing method. Community-rated, issue-age, or attained-age? This matters more than the starting premium.
4. Check for discounts. Some carriers offer lower rates for non-smokers, married couples, annual payment, or electronic funds transfer.
5. Get free help. Contact Texas SHIP at shiphelp.org for personalized counseling, or call the TDI at 800-252-3439 with questions.

Each Medigap policy covers one person. If both you and your spouse want coverage, you'll each need your own policy. And if you drop your Medigap plan later, you may not be able to get it back without medical underwriting.

FAQ

Sources

1. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, "2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles," cms.gov
2. Medicare.gov, "Choosing a Medigap Policy: A Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare," medicare.gov
3. Medicare.gov, "How to Compare Medigap Plans," medicare.gov
4. Texas Department of Insurance, "Medicare Supplement Insurance," tdi.texas.gov
5. CMS, "CY 2026 Out-of-Pocket Limits for Medigap Plans K & L," cms.gov

The information on Brevy.com is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, or medical advice. Medicaid rules vary by state and change frequently. Always verify eligibility and benefits with your state Medicaid agency or a qualified professional. Brevy is not a law firm, financial advisor, or healthcare provider.