Final Expense in Howard County, Texas. About 5,283 Medicare beneficiaries live here, with roughly 45 percent in Medicare Advantage plans. Top carriers include Humana and UnitedHealthcare. For free help comparing plans, call Giron Agency, a licensed Texas agency, or visit gironagency.com.
Howard County, TX has about 30,440 residents per the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates (14% age 65 or older). The leading insurance carriers serving the county for final expense include Humana, UnitedHealthcare, WellCare. We compare options at no cost to you.
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The Howard County final expense market
Howard County has about 30,440 residents, 14% of them 65 or older. For final expense, the carriers with the strongest local presence include Humana, UnitedHealthcare, WellCare — but the right fit depends on your household size, income, and which doctors you want to keep. We compare Humana against every other carrier serving Howard County at no cost, because the plan with the lowest sticker premium is rarely the one with the lowest total annual cost once subsidies, deductibles, and your prescriptions are factored in. Medicare Advantage enrollment figures reflect the latest CMS data (May 2026).
Howard County at a glance
Population (2024 ACS)
30,440
Medicare beneficiaries
5,283
MA penetration
45%
Age 65 or older
14%
What makes Howard County different: Howard County, with Big Spring as its seat in the Permian Basin, is an oil-and-gas and energy county whose workforce skews younger (about 14% age 65+). Its primary hospital, the 146-bed Scenic Mountain Medical Center, was acquired by Shannon Health and rebranded as Shannon Medical Center Big Spring in a merger finalized April 1, 2026.
Top carriers in Howard County
Humana
4-star CMS rating
UnitedHealthcare
3.5-star CMS rating
WellCare (Centene)
3.5-star CMS rating
Aetna
3.5-star CMS rating
Source: CMS Monthly MA Enrollment by State/County/Contract (latest Q1 2024). Enrollment figures refresh monthly at data.cms.gov.
Before you enroll: verify your hospital + doctor in Howard County
Each Final Expense plan builds its own provider network — a hospital that's in-network
on one plan may be out-of-network on another. Howard County has 1
major hospital systems. Before you enroll, check that your preferred hospital and physicians
participate in the specific plan you're considering.
Major hospitals to verify
â–¸Scenic Mountain Medical Center (Shannon Medical Center Big Spring)
Call each hospital's billing office directly — or use the carrier's
network tool on the right to search by hospital name.
Major hospitals: Scenic Mountain Medical Center (Shannon Medical Center Big Spring)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people live in Howard County?â–¾
Howard County has about 30,440 residents per the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates; 14% are age 65 or older.
Who are the top insurers in Howard County?â–¾
The largest carriers in Howard County are Humana, UnitedHealthcare, WellCare (Centene), Aetna. We work with all of them and a few smaller carriers that often have better rates for specific situations.
What state resources are available in Howard County?â–¾
Texas HICAP (1-800-252-9240) provides free unbiased Medicare counseling. Major hospitals in the county include Scenic Mountain Medical Center (Shannon Medical Center Big Spring).
How does the insurance work with Scenic Mountain Medical Center in Big Spring?â–¾
Our policy covers costs related to funerals and burials, ensuring your needs are met if you need medical care at Scenic Mountain Medical Center (Shannon Medical Center Big Spring).
When is the best time to enroll for final expense insurance in Howard County?â–¾
It's a good idea to enroll during Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) from Oct 15-Dec 7, as it allows you to review your options and plan ahead. Also consider Special Enrollment Periods if there are changes in your life.
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Educational only — not medical or legal advice. We do not offer every plan in your area. Call 1-800-MEDICARE for all options.