Medicare Supplement

What's changing for Medigap in San Antonio for 2027: a plain-English guide

SAN ANTONIO — If you have a Medigap policy in Bexar County, or you're thinking about buying one, the months ahead are the time to pay attention. Medigap doesn't work on the same October-to-December calendar as Medicare Advantage and Part D, but a few things do shift each year: the federal rules on which plan letters you can buy, the Part B deductible that Plans G and N are built around, and the rate filings insurers submit to the Texas Department of Insurance. Here's how to think about all of it before 2027 arrives.

Medicare SupplementSan Antonio, TX

What Medigap is — and what is not changing

Medigap, also called Medicare Supplement Insurance, is a private policy that helps pay some of the out-of-pocket costs Original Medicare leaves behind, like coinsurance and copays. The plans are standardized by letter, which means a Plan G sold by one company covers the same medical benefits as a Plan G sold by any other company in Texas. What differs between insurers is the price, customer service, and sometimes extra perks — not the core benefits.

That standardization isn't changing for 2027. Neither is the basic rule that Medigap works alongside Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), not with a Medicare Advantage plan.

The plan letters you can — and can't — buy

If you became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, federal law does not allow you to buy Plans C or F. Those two plans covered the Part B deductible, and Congress closed them to newly eligible enrollees.

The standardized letters open to people newly eligible today are:

• Plan A
• Plan B
• Plan D
• Plan G
• Plan G High-Deductible (G-HD)
• Plan K
• Plan L
• Plan M
• Plan N

If you were eligible before 2020 and already have a Plan C or F, you can keep it. You may even be able to switch to another C or F policy — but Texas rules on switching between Medigap plans outside your one-time Open Enrollment window can be strict, so check before you cancel anything.

The Part B deductible reset that matters for Plans G and N

Plans G and N — two of the most common choices for newly eligible enrollees — are built around the Part B deductible. Neither plan pays for Part B services until you have met that deductible for the year. Once you do, the plan picks up its share.

The deductible resets on January 1 each year. That means every January, the first Medicare-covered doctor visits, lab work, or outpatient services you have will go toward meeting it before your Medigap kicks in for Part B costs. It's a predictable expense, but one worth planning for at the start of 2027.

The official Part B deductible amount for 2027 will be announced by CMS; you can find it on medicare.gov once it's released.

Rate-adjustment season: how Texas Medigap prices change

Medigap premiums in Texas are not set by Medicare. They are filed by each insurance company with the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). Companies can adjust rates annually, and increases usually take effect on your policy anniversary or at the start of a new calendar year, depending on how the plan is priced.

Three things drive most rate changes:

1. Age. Many Texas Medigap policies are "attained-age" priced, meaning your premium goes up as you get older. 2. Medical inflation. As the underlying cost of care rises, so do premiums. 3. The insurer's own claims experience.

If you get a renewal notice with a higher premium, that doesn't automatically mean you should switch — but it does mean it's worth shopping. Because Medigap benefits are standardized, a Plan G is a Plan G. You can compare prices for the same letter across companies without giving up coverage.

To compare rates in San Antonio:

• Use the Medicare.gov Medigap policy search by ZIP code.
• Review the Texas Department of Insurance Medigap rate guide at tdi.texas.gov.
• Call the Texas SHIP (HICAP) at 1-800-252-9240 for free, one-on-one help.

Insurers entering or leaving Texas

Medigap insurer participation in Texas can shift from year to year — some companies file to enter, others exit or stop selling certain plan letters to new applicants. There isn't a single public list of every insurer selling Medigap in Bexar County the way there is for Medicare Advantage.

The most reliable, current view is the Medicare.gov Medigap policy search, which shows every company licensed to sell each plan letter in your ZIP code. If a company you have coverage with stops writing new policies, your existing coverage generally continues — but check your renewal paperwork carefully and call your insurer if you have questions.

How to decide what to do before 2027

A short checklist for San Antonio residents:

• If you already have Medigap: Read your renewal notice when it arrives. Note any premium change, and compare the same plan letter with other companies before you decide to stay or switch.
• If you're new to Medicare: Your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period starts the month your Part B begins. During that window, insurers cannot deny you a policy or charge more for health reasons. Miss it, and you may have to answer medical underwriting questions later.
• If you're on Medicare Advantage and considering a switch to Original Medicare + Medigap: Timing matters. Outside of your one-time Open Enrollment window or a guaranteed-issue situation, insurers in Texas can generally use medical underwriting.