New to Medicare · Texas
Turning 65 in Texas? Your 2026 Medicare Checklist
Turning 65 in Texas starts a 7-month window — your Initial Enrollment Period — to sign up for Medicare without penalty. It runs from 3 months before your birthday month through 3 months after. The biggest decisions are when to take Part B and which path to add on top of it (a Medicare Advantage plan, or Original Medicare with a Medigap + Part D plan). Get the timing right and you avoid lifelong late penalties; get the path right and you avoid surprise bills. We help Texans do both — free.
Reviewed for the 2026 plan year by the licensed agents at Giron Agency — Matt Giron, licensed in Texas.
Your enrollment window (don't miss it)
Your Initial Enrollment Period is 7 months long: the 3 months before your birthday month, your birthday month, and the 3 months after. Sign up in the first 3 months for coverage that starts the first day of your birthday month. Miss it without other qualifying coverage and you can owe a lifelong Part B late penalty (10% for every 12 months delayed) plus a Part D penalty.
Two paths to choose between
Original Medicare (Parts A + B) covers about 80% and has no out-of-pocket cap. You close that gap one of two ways — and neither is universally better:
Your Texas turning-65 checklist
- 1About 3 months before your birthday month, enroll in Medicare at SSA.gov/medicare — unless you're keeping creditable employer coverage.
- 2Decide on Part B now, or delay it (only safe if you have qualifying employer coverage from a larger employer).
- 3Choose your path: a Medicare Advantage plan, OR Original Medicare + a Medigap plan + a Part D drug plan.
- 4If you want Medigap, apply during your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment (it starts when Part B begins) — that's your no-health-questions window.
- 5Match the plan to your actual doctors and medications — this is where the right choice saves you the most.
- 6Enroll before your birthday month so coverage starts on time, with no gap and no late penalty.
Texas note: Texas-specific: if you're turning 65 but already on Medicare due to disability, Texas's HB 2516 (the Chris Larkin ALS Act, effective June 2025) opened guaranteed-issue Medigap rights for many under-65 Texans on Medicare — a protection most states don't offer. Texas also has a large, competitive Medicare Advantage market, so $0-premium plans are common in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, and Fort Worth.
Official Texas resources
Turning 65 soon? Let's make it simple.
We'll walk you through the timing and compare every Texas option for your doctors and medications — free, and with no pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I sign up for Medicare if I'm turning 65 in Texas?
Your Initial Enrollment Period is the 7 months around your 65th birthday — 3 months before your birthday month, the month itself, and 3 months after. Enrolling in the 3 months before your birthday means coverage starts the first of your birthday month. If you're still working with employer coverage, you may be able to delay Part B without penalty — we'll confirm your situation.
What happens if I miss my Medicare enrollment window?
If you don't have other qualifying coverage and miss your Initial Enrollment Period, you may pay a Part B late penalty of 10% for each full 12 months you delay — for life — plus a Part D late penalty. That's why timing matters, and why a quick free review before your birthday pays off.
Do I have to take Medicare at 65 if I'm still working?
Not always. If you have creditable coverage through an employer (generally 20+ employees), you can often delay Part B and Part D without penalty and get a Special Enrollment Period when you retire. The rules are specific — we'll check whether your coverage counts.
Is it free to get help choosing a plan in Texas?
Yes. As an independent agent we're paid by the carriers, not by you. There's no fee for our help comparing your Texas options, and no obligation.