Texas Medicare Supplements: What They Cover and How They Work

Texas Medicare Supplement plans are the same from company to company. Because they are Federally-standardized, all companies are required to go by the Federally-mandated chart that indicates what each plan must cover. You can view the chart here Medigap coverage chart.

While there are 10 different plan designs, some of the plans are more common and advantageous than others: Medigap Plan F, Plan G, and Plan N. These plans all provide comprehensive coverage on filling in the “gaps” in “original” Medicare (Medicare Parts A & B). Plan F is the most comprehensive option – it pays both Medicare deductibles (Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B), as well as the 20% that Medicare itself doesn’t cover at the doctor and hospital.

Regardless of who you buy your Medigap plan from, the plan will work the same way:

  • First and foremost, there are no restrictive networks that you must go to in order to receive coverage. You will not receive a several-hundred page “provider directory” to sort through because, quite simply, there is not one. You can go to any doctor or hospital, nationwide, that accepts Medicare.
  • Secondly, you do not have to file the claims yourself or have any involvement in the claim-filing process. All companies pay claims through the Medicare “crossover” system, which insures a timely and efficient payment to the providers, without you having to be concerned about it or keep up with it yourself.

Texas Medigap Comparison

Since coverage, doctor acceptance, and claims payments are standardized across the board with all Medicare Supplement companies, it is essential to do a thorough comparison based on the only two factors that do matter – premium and company reputation.

Comparing the price of Medicare Supplements is easy to do and does not require the time-consuming task of calling all of the insurance companies directly. It is always advisable, no matter which agent/agency it is, to work with an independent agent. This does not cost you anything and allows you to compare all of the options in a centralized, unbiased place. An independent agent can also give you information about plan customer service, rate increase history, and other factors that you are not able to obtain from the companies themselves.

Medicare-Supplement.US can help you compare plans by providing a customized rate quote analysis by email. This allows you to see rates and company ratings in a centralized place and will greatly assist in your understanding of the options. To have a rate quote analysis emailed to you, just request a Texas Medigap quote.

Special State-Specific Implications for Texas

Even though the coverage for Medigap plans is the same in all states, there are some state-specific guidelines and factors that should be known when comparing Medicare Supplement plans in Texas:

  • TX DOES use tobacco usage as an underwriting criteria when you are turning 65 or in open enrollment or “guaranteed issue” period (many states do not).
  • Many companies that do business in TX do NOT have gender-specific rates – for companies that do it this way, this just means that rates are the based on your age and zip code, not age/gender/zip as they are in other places. This is not a state regulation, just a choice that some of the more prominent companies have made.
  • TX does permit household discounts to be applied on the plans. This is something to consider, if you are applying with a Medicare-eligible spouse. There are some companies (Mutual of Omaha, Family Life, to name a few) that do offer household discounts. This can definitely mean the difference in one company over another when comparing costs.
  • There are several rating areas in TX. This just means that your rate is determined by your zip code, and some zip codes will have higher/lower rates based on the claims that the company has received, or expects to receive, in that certain area.

Obtaining a Texas Medigap Plan

Getting your Texas Medicare Supplement plan lined up is easy to do, particularly if you are in a special enrollment period, such as open enrollment (turning 65 or signing up for Medicare Part B) or “guaranteed issue” (losing employer coverage, losing Advantage plan coverage, moving to a new state, etc.)

If you are ready to sign up for a plan, simply compare the options, including rates and company ratings, select a plan and sign up. To get a rate quote comparison from us, which will include the top-priced options for your age and zip code and company ratings, simply request the information online using: Texas Medicare Supplement Quotes. We can provide the information you are seeking so you can compare multiple quotes in a centralized place and make an informed decision.

Texas Medigap: Competitively-Priced Companies Available Here

NOTE: There are many more companies that offer plans in TX. This is a partial list of some of the companies that are currently priced competitively here.