Medicare Supplement (Medigap) in Texas

How Medicare Supplement generally works

Medicare Supplement policies are sold by private insurance companies and are designed to help pay for some of the costs that Original Medicare Parts A and B don't fully cover, such as certain coinsurance or copayment amounts. These policies are standardized into lettered plans, and a given lettered plan generally offers the same basic benefits regardless of which company sells it, though premiums and company-specific factors can differ. Medicare Supplement policies only work alongside Original Medicare and cannot be paired with a Medicare Advantage plan. Because these policies are medically underwritten outside of certain guaranteed-issue windows, the timing of when you apply can matter.

Comparing Medigap with Medicare Advantage

One of the most common questions is how Medigap differs from Medicare Advantage. With Medicare Supplement, you generally keep Original Medicare and can see any provider nationwide who accepts Medicare, without a plan-specific network. With Medicare Advantage, you generally receive your benefits through a private plan's network and cost-sharing structure, which may include additional benefits but with more restrictions on providers. Neither approach is inherently better for everyone; the right fit depends on your health situation, travel patterns and how you prefer to manage potential costs.

Why network flexibility can matter in Texas

Because Medicare Supplement generally lets you see any provider who accepts Medicare, some Texans value this flexibility if they split time between different parts of the state, or if they live in areas of West Texas, the Panhandle or the Rio Grande Valley where nearby specialist access can be more limited and travel to a larger metro area is sometimes necessary. This flexibility is a genuine consideration but does not by itself make Medicare Supplement the right or most affordable choice for every person, since premiums and personal health needs also factor into the decision.

Enrollment timing considerations

The most straightforward time to apply for a Medicare Supplement policy is often during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, a six-month window that generally starts when you're 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B, during which insurers generally cannot use medical underwriting to deny coverage or charge more based on health status. Outside that window, applying for a policy may involve medical underwriting, and approval is not guaranteed. Certain circumstances may create guaranteed-issue rights at other times, which is worth discussing based on your specific situation.

Who this may help

• People who want to keep broad provider flexibility with Original Medicare
• Texans who travel frequently or split time between regions of the state
• People newly eligible for Medicare within their Medigap Open Enrollment window
• Anyone wanting to better understand out-of-pocket cost exposure under Original Medicare

Potential benefits

• Ability to generally see any provider nationwide who accepts Medicare
• Standardized lettered plans, so benefits are consistent across companies for the same letter
• Help with certain out-of-pocket costs not covered by Original Medicare alone

What to consider

• Medicare Supplement cannot be combined with Medicare Advantage
• Applying outside your Medigap Open Enrollment window may involve medical underwriting
• Premiums vary by company and are separate from your Part B premium
• RGI Group does not offer every Medicare Supplement policy available in Texas

How enrollment works

• Confirm whether you're in your Medigap Open Enrollment window
• Review the standardized lettered plans and what each generally covers
• Compare how Medicare Supplement differs from Medicare Advantage for your needs
• Discuss your questions with us by phone or virtual appointment
• Verify policy details independently before enrolling

Frequently asked questions

• Does RGI Group offer every Medicare Supplement plan available in Texas? No. We do not offer every policy or company available in every part of Texas. Medicare.gov and the Texas Department of Insurance can provide broader information on available options.
• Can I have both Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage? No. These two types of coverage cannot be combined. You generally choose one path or the other alongside your Original Medicare benefits.
• Do all Medicare Supplement plans cost the same? No. While the benefits of a given lettered plan are standardized, premiums vary by insurance company and other factors, so comparing quotes from different companies for the same lettered plan can be worthwhile.
• What is the Medigap Open Enrollment Period? It's generally a six-month window starting when you're 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B, during which insurers generally cannot deny you coverage or charge more due to health status. Applying outside this window may involve medical underwriting.
• Will I be guaranteed approval for a Medicare Supplement policy? No. Outside of your Medigap Open Enrollment window or certain guaranteed-issue situations, approval is not guaranteed and may depend on medical underwriting.
• Does RGI Group have an office in my city? No. RGI Group has one office, in Austin, and serves Texas residents statewide by phone and virtual appointment. Paperwork can usually be completed electronically, so you do not need to travel to meet with us.
• Is there a cost to review my options with RGI Group? You do not pay RGI Group a separate fee to review coverage options. You are also free to enroll on your own through the official government resources linked on this page.
• Can we talk in Spanish? Yes. Appointments and follow-up can be handled in English or Spanish, whichever you prefer.
• Which plans and carriers are available to me? Availability depends on your county, eligibility, and the product you are looking at, and it can change from year to year. We can tell you what we are able to offer for your situation rather than promise a specific plan or price.
• What should I have ready for a first conversation? Your ZIP code, who needs coverage, the doctors or prescriptions that matter to you, and a general sense of your budget. Please do not send Social Security numbers, Medicare ID numbers, date of birth, income, diagnoses, or prescription details through this website.

Official resources

• Medicare.gov — https://www.medicare.gov (Official information on how Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policies work alongside Original Medicare.)
• Texas Department of Insurance — https://www.tdi.texas.gov (Consumer guides on Medicare Supplement policies sold and regulated in Texas.)
• 1-800-MEDICARE — https://www.medicare.gov/talk-to-someone (Ask questions about how Medicare Supplement interacts with Original Medicare.)

Talk with a licensed Texas agent

Call or text (346) 888-8811. Office: 5900 Balcones Drive, Ste 100, Austin, TX 78731. Open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Licensed in Texas. Guidance available in English and Spanish.