Medicare Advantage in Starr County, Texas. About 10,541 Medicare beneficiaries live here, with roughly 84 percent in Medicare Advantage plans. Top carriers include UnitedHealthcare and Humana. For free help comparing plans, call Giron Agency, a licensed Texas agency, or visit gironagency.com.
Starr County, TX has 10,541 Medicare beneficiaries per CMS Q1 2024 data, with about 84% enrolled in Medicare Advantage. The top medicare advantage carriers are UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Aetna Better Health of Texas. We compare these plans for free and never charge a fee.
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The Starr County medicare advantage market
Starr County posts one of the highest Medicare Advantage adoption rates in Texas — roughly 84% of its 10,541 beneficiaries chose an MA plan over Original Medicare. That level of uptake usually means carriers compete hard locally, so the extra benefits (dental, OTC allowance, transportation, gym) tend to be richer than the Texas average. Only 11% of Starr residents are 65 or older, so it's a younger county where fewer agents specialize in Medicare locally — exactly the gap a dedicated Texas agent fills. UnitedHealthcare currently leads the county by enrollment, but the lowest total-cost plan for your specific drugs and doctors is often a smaller carrier — which is why we run all of them side by side instead of pushing the biggest name. Right now roughly 17 Medicare Advantage plans are available in Starr County, so a side-by-side comparison genuinely matters. Medicare Advantage enrollment figures reflect the latest CMS data (May 2026).
Starr County at a glance
Population (2024 ACS)
66,240
Medicare beneficiaries
10,541
MA penetration
84%
Age 65 or older
11%
What makes Starr County different: Starr County has one of the very highest Medicare Advantage penetration rates in the continental United States: per KFF's 2024 analysis it is one of only three continental U.S. counties at or above 80% MA enrollment (alongside Miami-Dade, FL and Monroe, NY). The county is overwhelmingly Hispanic (about 97%) and is an agricultural producer in the lower Rio Grande Valley.
Top Medicare Advantage plans in Starr County
UnitedHealthcare (Physicians Health Choice of Texas)
3.5-star CMS rating
Humana
4-star CMS rating
Aetna Better Health of Texas
3.5-star CMS rating
WellCare (Centene) of Texas
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 Starr County
Each Medicare Advantage plan builds its own provider network — a hospital that's in-network
on one plan may be out-of-network on another. Starr County has 2
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
▸Starr County Memorial Hospital (Rio Grande City)
▸Starr County Memorial Hospital Rural Health Clinic
Call each hospital's billing office directly — or use the carrier's
network tool on the right to search by hospital name.
WellCare of Texas 3.5★
Search "WellCare (Centene) provider directory" or call the carrier directly.
Free help in Starr County: Texas HICAP — call 1-800-252-9240.
SHIP counselors offer free unbiased Medicare guidance and can run network checks at no cost.
Or skip the cross-checking — we run network checks against your prescriptions and doctors
at no cost during any consult.
Medicare AEP opens in 131 days
131 daysuntil open
Outside the windows, Special Enrollment Periods (SEP) still let you change plans if you moved, lost coverage, qualify for Extra Help / dual eligible, or had a plan terminated. Call to see if you qualify.
Major hospitals: Starr County Memorial Hospital (Rio Grande City), Starr County Memorial Hospital Rural Health Clinic
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Medicare beneficiaries live in Starr County?▾
About 10,541 Texans in Starr County are enrolled in Medicare as of May 2026 CMS data. About 84% are in Medicare Advantage plans; the rest are in Original Medicare (with or without Medigap).
Who are the top Medicare carriers in Starr County?▾
The largest carriers in Starr County are UnitedHealthcare (Physicians Health Choice of Texas), Humana, Aetna Better Health of Texas, WellCare (Centene) of Texas. We work with all of them and a few smaller carriers that often have better rates for specific situations.
What SHIP resources are available in Starr County?▾
Texas HICAP (1-800-252-9240) provides free unbiased Medicare counseling. Major hospitals in the county include Starr County Memorial Hospital (Rio Grande City), Starr County Memorial Hospital Rural Health Clinic.
How many Medicare Advantage plans are available in Starr County?▾
As of May 2026, about 17 Medicare Advantage plans are available to Starr County residents, led by UnitedHealth Group, Inc., Centene Corporation, Universal Health Services, Inc., Humana Inc.. We compare all of them side by side at no cost.
Why is Medicare Advantage so popular in Starr County?▾
In Starr County, nearly 81% of beneficiaries choose Medicare Advantage, which offers comprehensive coverage including hospital and medical services. This high enrollment rate reflects the county's unique demographic and local healthcare needs.
When can I enroll in a Part C plan for Starr County?▾
You can enroll during Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) from October 15 to December 7, or during Special Enrollment Periods if you have a qualifying life event. Check with your local agent at Giron Agency for personalized guidance.
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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.
