Texas Medicare Plans

You can find all the Medicare information you need right here. Start by comparing Medicare Supplement plans and Medicare Advantage plans. Not sure which type is right for you? Give us a call. We can discuss the pros and cons of each type. Once we know which type of plan is right for you, we can compare your options to find the most cost-effective plan in your area.

Medicare is a national health insurance program that offers coverage for certain health care expenses. Most U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents are eligible for Medicare if they are age 65 or older or younger than age 65 with a qualifying disability or illness.

TX Medicare Eligibility & Enrollment

In order to sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan in Texas, you must enroll in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B).

To be eligible for Original Medicare at age 65, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident who has lived in the U.S. for five continuous years.
• You or your spouse must be eligible to receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits.
• You or your spouse must be government employees or retirees who have not paid into Social Security, but you’ve paid Medicare payroll taxes.

You could potentially be eligible for Medicare under 65 if:

• You receive Social Security disability benefits or certain Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits for at least 24 months.
• You have ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also called Lou Gehrig’s disease).
• You have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), and you or your spouse have paid Social Security taxes for the required period of time.

If you have ESRD, you may be able to sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan or a Texas Medicare Special Needs Plan (SNP) that is specifically designed to help meet your health care needs.

How to sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan in Texas

The first time most Medicare beneficiaries can enroll in a Texas Medicare Part C plan is during their Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP).

Your Initial Enrollment Period beings three months before your 65^th birthday, includes the month of your 65^th birthday, and continues for another three months after your birth month.

You may also be able to enroll in Medicare Advantage (or switch your Medicare plan) during other Medicare enrollment periods, which include:

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: January 1 – March 31

If you’re already enrolled in a Part C plan, you may switch Medicare Advantage plans or drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare from January 1 to March 31 each year.

If you switch to Original Medicare during this period, you’ll also have a chance to sign up for a Medicare standalone prescription drug plan (Medicare Part D).

Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15 – December 7

You may enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan or switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another during Medicare AEP, which lasts from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 every year.

You may also drop your existing Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare.

You may also join, switch or drop a Medicare Part D plan during AEP. This period is also sometimes called the Annual Election Period.

Medicare Special Enrollment Periods (SEP)

Depending on your circumstances, you may be granted a Medicare Special Enrollment Period (SEP) at any time throughout the year.

Find out if you qualify for a Medicare Special Enrollment Period by calling to speak to a licensed insurance agent.