Texas Senior Health Insurance

Explore Your Options

Whether you were born and raised in Texas or moved there later in life, it’s a place that many call home. In fact, Texas has the second largest population in the United States. Like most states, once you become eligible for Medicare in Texas you can purchase a Medicare Supplement Plan (also known as Medigap), Prescription Drug Plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan. Within these three plan types there are multiple options; luckily a Specialist at MySeniorHealthPlan.com can help you with questions and help you pick a plan that best fits your needs.

Medicare Supplements Plans (Medigap) are standardized by the government. This type of plan allows you to see any doctor that accepts Medicare without a referral. This plan typically has higher premiums with lower out of pocket costs. These plans are statewide and allow you to use its benefits nationwide. Medicare Supplement Plans do not include prescription drug coverage so you may need to purchase a separate policy for your prescriptions.

This leads us to your Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) options. Similarly, these are statewide policies obtained through private carriers. Each carrier’s drug coverage differs and are organized into different tier levels. Tier levels and covered prescriptions are found in the plan’s formulary. Not taking any prescriptions? Most people still enroll into a Prescription Drug Plan to avoid getting the Part D penalty. To learn more about the penalty click here. Another reason that it is important to have a Prescription Drug Plan is to ensure you are covered should you need prescriptions in the future. If you need Extra Help paying for your prescriptions, please visit http://www.socialsecurity.gov/medicare/prescriptionhelp/.

Medicare Advantage Plans are also available. These plans are county specific. One county may have several options where others only offer one or two. This plan will provide your Medicare Parts A and B benefits through private carriers. Medicare Advantage Plans decide annually whether to renew their contract with Medicare, therefore it’s important to get a yearly analysis of your plan options. Texas offers HMOs, PPOs and PFFSs. The difference between these plan types is significant so please reach out to a specialist at MySeniorHealthPlan.com for further explanation.

Some of Texas’ Medicare eligible population also receives benefits through Indian Health Services. The relationship between the federal government and Native American tribes constitutes various rules to follow. However, CMS has made Medicare and Medicaid healthcare services accessible to all Native Americans who are eligible. For more information visit http://www.ihs.gov

There are also resources to see if you qualify for programs to help you pay for your Medicare costs. The Texas Medicare Saving Program offer special saving to beneficiaries with low income. Visit here to see if you qualify: https://www.hhs.texas.gov/resources/medicare-savings-programs 

Senior Resources:
Medicare: www.medicare.gov
Native American Health Services: http://www.ihs.gov
Texas Department of Human Services: https://www.hhs.texas.gov/