A Medicare Supplement (Medigap) premium increase is a good reason to review your coverage—not automatically a good reason to cancel it. In Texas, your ability to buy a replacement policy may depend on your health, timing, and any guaranteed-issue protections. The most important step is to find out whether you can obtain suitable replacement coverage before ending your current policy.
Why did my Medigap premium go up?
Medigap premiums can increase because of an insurer’s approved rate changes and, depending on how the policy is priced, changes associated with age. Insurers may price policies using attained-age, issue-age or other allowed approaches. The premium you see today is not necessarily the premium you will pay years from now.
The Texas Department of Insurance explains that Medicare supplement policies are generally guaranteed renewable as long as you pay premiums and meet the contract’s requirements. Guaranteed renewable does not mean that your premium is frozen. Read the company’s rate-increase notice and your policy documents to see what changed. See Texas Department of Insurance: Medicare supplement guide.
A six-step review before making a change
- Read the actual notice. Identify the current premium, new premium, effective date and any explanation the company gives. Check whether a household discount or payment discount changed.
- Confirm what you own. Note your plan letter (such as G or N), insurer, issue date, any riders and whether the policy is a standard Medigap policy or Medicare SELECT.
- Compare like with like. For example, compare Plan G with Plan G first. Standardized Medigap policies with the same letter generally provide the same basic benefits, but premiums, service and future rate experience may differ.
- Ask about eligibility before you cancel. A different insurer may use medical underwriting outside protected enrollment periods. Find out if a guaranteed-issue right applies to your situation.
- Consider the total trade-off. Don’t focus only on one month’s savings. Review age-based pricing, discounts, affordability over time, complaints and financial information.
- Keep continuous coverage. Do not cancel your existing policy until you know the new policy has been issued, its effective date, and your right to keep it.
Can I change Medigap insurers whenever I want?
You can apply to another insurer, but that is not the same as having a right to be accepted. Under federal law, the one-time Medigap Open Enrollment Period lasts six months, beginning in the first month you are at least 65 and enrolled in Part B. Other specific guaranteed-issue rights may apply. Outside such protections, the company may deny your application or charge more based on underwriting where allowed. Medicare.gov: Changing Medigap policies explains the basic federal rules.
Texas does not provide a general yearly birthday-based opportunity for every Medigap policyholder to move to an equal or lesser plan without underwriting. Don’t confuse an age-related premium increase on your birthday with a special right to switch policies. Read the companion guide: Does Texas Have a Medigap Birthday Rule?
What if the new policy is approved?
Coordinate effective dates. Medicare.gov describes a 30-day free-look period when you replace a Medigap policy. You may need to pay both premiums while you decide whether to keep the new coverage. Ask the insurers what happens during the transition; do not assume that an application or verbal quote guarantees acceptance.
When staying put may be reasonable
Your current policy could still be the better option if replacement coverage is unavailable, a new policy would cost more after underwriting, the savings are minor, or the switch creates risks you do not understand. A large premium increase deserves investigation, but it is not proof that a policy was a mistake.
Practical questions to ask
- What type of rating method does my current policy use?
- Is this increase company-wide, age-related, or both?
- Will the insurer explain future rate-change practices and available discounts?
- Do I have a specific protected right to buy a replacement policy?
- Has a replacement policy actually been issued, and when does it begin?
Primary references: Texas Department of Insurance: Medicare supplement guide; Medicare.gov: Changing Medigap policies; Medicare.gov: Medigap enrollment and shopping. Related guide: Plan G vs. Plan N.
Official sources and editorial information
This guide is general education, not a personal recommendation or a promise of eligibility. Insurance protections vary by situation. Confirm the rules that apply to you directly with Medicare or the Texas Department of Insurance.
Research sources checked November 10, 2026. Publisher: Casey Pattison, Texas Insurance License #1215622; NPN #7619490. To report an error, email contact@txpolicy.com. Please do not send private health or insurance information.
