Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Medicare Supplement Review
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) sells Medicare Supplement insurance statewide, including Plan G, Plan N and High-Deductible Plan G.
When someone asks me whether BCBSTX's Plan G is "better," I tell them the coverage is identical at every company. The real question is whether BCBSTX is the right company to buy that standardized coverage from.
To answer that, I pulled 2027 quotes for BCBSTX and its main Texas competitors, then went through its plans, extras, discounts and financial ratings.
Female, age 65, Katy (77494)
Female, age 65
Female, age 65, Austin (78701)
BCBSTX premiums from Texas Medigap quotes I pulled. Non-tobacco rates.
Key takeaways
- Competitive on Plan G: BCBSTX was the second-lowest of six insurers in my Plan G quotes for a 65-year-old woman in Katy.
- Not the cheapest High-Deductible Plan G: It priced fourth of four insurers in my Austin quotes.
- Extras are modest but real: Most plans include a routine eye exam. Blue365 and hearing programs are discounts, not insurance.
- Strong parent company: HCSC holds A+ ratings from AM Best and S&P. Those measure financial strength, not customer service.
- Same coverage as anyone else: A BCBSTX Plan G pays the same Medicare-covered benefits as every other company's Plan G.
Is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas a Good Medicare Supplement Company?
My assessment: BCBSTX is a strong company to compare for Plan G in Texas, but it isn't necessarily the best value for every Medigap plan.
In my Plan G comparison for a 65-year-old woman in Katy, BCBSTX was the second-lowest-priced of six insurers.
Its $191.59 monthly premium was about $20 less than UnitedHealthcare's and $24 less than Mutual of Omaha's.
The picture changes with High-Deductible Plan G. In my Austin comparison, BCBSTX was the highest-priced of four insurers, although the gap between lowest and highest was only about $9 a month.
BCBSTX also includes a routine eye exam on most plans, offers Blue365 wellness discounts and has three premium discount programs for those who qualify.
Who should consider it? Texans looking for competitively priced Plan G, particularly those who qualify for a household or former Blue Cross member discount.
My approach with every client is the same: choose the plan letter first, then compare companies that sell that same plan.
What Medicare Supplement Plans Does BCBSTX Offer?
BCBSTX sells six standardized Medigap plans in Texas, plus lower-cost Medicare Select versions of three of them.
| Plan | Best for | Routine eye exam | Select version |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan G | Broad coverage after the Part B deductible | Included | Yes |
| Plan N | Lower premium in exchange for small copays | Included | Yes |
| High-Deductible Plan G | People who can comfortably pay the deductible in a high-cost year | Included | No |
| Plan F | People eligible for Medicare before 2020 | Included | Yes |
| High-Deductible Plan F | Pre-2020 eligibles who want a lower premium | Included | No |
| Plan A | Basic coverage, often relevant under 65 with a disability | Not included | No |
Plan lineup, eye exam and Select availability per BCBSTX's Medicare Supplement plan chart.
BCBSTX Plan G
Plan G covers the Part A deductible and coinsurance, skilled nursing coinsurance, Part B coinsurance and Part B excess charges.
It also includes foreign travel emergency coverage.
After meeting the annual Part B deductible, Plan G covers most remaining Medicare-approved out-of-pocket expenses. Services Medicare doesn't cover generally remain your responsibility.
For a deeper look, see our Medicare Supplement Plan G in Texas guide.
BCBSTX Plan N
Plan N works like Plan G, but you pay up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for ER visits that don't lead to admission.
It also doesn't cover Part B excess charges. In exchange, the premium is usually lower.
For costs and coverage details, see our Medicare Supplement Plan N in Texas guide.
Not sure which fits? Compare them in our Plan G vs. Plan N in Texas guide.
BCBSTX High-Deductible Plan G
High-Deductible Plan G pays the same benefits as Plan G once you meet a $3,050 deductible in 2027.
The premium is far lower. The deciding factor is whether you could pay the full deductible in a year with major medical bills.
Ongoing medical needs don't automatically rule it out. Compare the yearly premium savings with the out-of-pocket costs you expect.
Our High-Deductible Plan G in Texas guide walks through the break-even math.
BCBSTX Plan F and High-Deductible Plan F
Plan F adds the Part B deductible on top of Plan G's benefits. It's only available if you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.
If you qualify, the question is whether the extra premium costs more than the deductible it covers.
BCBSTX Plan A
Plan A covers the core benefits only: Part A coinsurance, Part B coinsurance, blood and hospice coinsurance.
It leaves the Part A deductible and several other costs to you, and it doesn't include the routine eye exam.
If you're on Medicare before 65 because of a disability, our guide to Medigap for people under 65 in Texas explains your options.
2027 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Medicare Supplement Rates
These are monthly premiums from Texas quotes I pulled. Rates vary by ZIP code, age, sex and tobacco use.
Plan G and High-Deductible Plan G by age
| Age | Plan G Female | Plan G Male | HD Plan G Female | HD Plan G Male |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | $191.59 | $214.57 | $54.65 | $60.48 |
| 70 | $242.16 | $270.60 | $67.49 | $74.70 |
| 75 | $292.72 | $326.64 | $80.32 | $88.92 |
Plan G quotes are for Katy (ZIP 77494). High-Deductible Plan G quotes are for Austin (ZIP 78701). Non-tobacco rates.
Because the two plans were quoted in different ZIP codes, don't read the gap between them as an exact savings figure.
How BCBSTX Plan G compares
Rounded to the nearest dollar. BCBSTX's exact quote was $191.59.
BCBSTX came in second of six, about $19 a month above HealthSpring and about $20 a month below UnitedHealthcare.
How BCBSTX High-Deductible Plan G compares
Rounded to the nearest dollar. BCBSTX's exact quote was $54.65.
Here BCBSTX was the highest of four, about $9 a month more than Humana.
Sample premiums across three plans
| Plan | Monthly premium | Quote details |
|---|---|---|
| Plan G | $191.59 | Female, age 65, ZIP 77494 |
| Plan N | $175.00 | Female, age 65 |
| High-Deductible Plan G | $54.65 | Female, age 65, ZIP 78701 |
What these rates tell us
BCBSTX was competitive for regular Plan G in my Katy comparison, ranking second-lowest of six insurers.
For High-Deductible Plan G, it was the highest-priced of four companies in my Austin comparison.
These results don't establish where BCBSTX ranks statewide. Premiums vary by age, location, tobacco status and discounts.
These are sample quotes, not the price you'll be offered. Your ZIP code, age, tobacco use and any discount can move your premium meaningfully.
Use them to see where BCBSTX tends to land, then get quotes for your ZIP code.
Additional Benefits and Perks
These extras don't change the standardized medical coverage. Some are built into the policy, and others are discount programs you'd still pay to use.
| Benefit | Type | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Routine eye exam | Included | On every plan except Plan A. Uses EyeMed providers. |
| Hearing | Varies | Some plans may include hearing exams plus hearing aid allowances or discounts through TruHearing. |
| Blue365 | Discount only | Free member program with deals on gym memberships, fitness gear, eyewear and hearing aids. Not insurance. |
| Free gym membership | Not included | No SilverSneakers-style benefit on Medigap. Gym access through Blue365 is discounted, not free. |
| Dental | Not included | No Medigap plan covers routine dental. You'd need a separate dental policy. |
Benefit details per BCBSTX's Medicare Supplement member benefits page.
The eye exam is the one extra most members will actually use, since Original Medicare generally doesn't cover routine exams for glasses.
If you want dental coverage alongside your Medigap plan, see our guide to the best dental insurance for seniors on Medicare in Texas.
BCBSTX Medicare Supplement Premium Discounts
BCBSTX offers three premium discounts. You can receive only one, and it lasts as long as you keep the plan.
| Discount | Savings | Who qualifies | Savings on a $191.59 premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Household | 10% | You live with a spouse or domestic partner, or have lived with up to three adults age 60+ for the past 12 months | $19.16/mo $229.91/yr |
| Continue with Blue | 7% | You had Blue Cross commercial group or individual coverage within one year of your Medigap start date | $13.41/mo $160.94/yr |
| Blue Family | 12% | You meet both the household and Continue with Blue criteria | $22.99/mo $275.89/yr |
Discount rules per BCBSTX. Dollar figures apply to each discount for the age-65 female Plan G sample above.
Most applicants won't qualify for every discount, and none add insurance coverage. They only lower the premium.
For illustration, a $191.59 base premium would fall to about $168.60 with the 12% Blue Family discount. That assumes the original quote doesn't already include a discount.
BCBSTX has told agents that its Medicare Supplement rate letters show base rates only, while discounts appear on members' billing statements. If you're a member, I'd check your actual bill, not just the rate letter.
When comparing companies, confirm whether each quote already includes a discount so you're comparing like with like.
Does BCBSTX Offer Medicare Select Plans?
Yes. BCBSTX sells Medicare Select versions of Plans F, G, and N for a reduced premium.
To qualify, you must live within 30 miles of a participating Select hospital.
In exchange, you agree to use a Select hospital for non-emergency inpatient care. If you don't, you pay the Part A deductible yourself.
Emergencies are covered at any hospital, and you can still see any doctor who accepts Medicare.
Before choosing Select, check the BCBSTX Select hospital list and confirm your doctors have admitting privileges there.
If you split time between Texas and another state, or want to choose any hospital for a planned surgery, a small Select discount may not be worth the restriction.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Reputation and Financial Strength
BCBSTX is a division of Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), a customer-owned mutual company that also runs the Blue Cross plans in Illinois, Montana, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
BCBSTX serves nearly 8 million members across all 254 Texas counties and sells Medicare Supplement plans statewide.
I look at three separate things: financial strength, customer complaints, and premium increases. A strong result in one doesn't tell you much about the others.
Financial strength
AM Best rates HCSC A+ (Superior) with a stable outlook, affirmed January 15, 2026. The company's Texas line of business carries the same rating.
S&P Global also rates HCSC A+ with a stable outlook, lowered from AA- in March 2025.
These ratings measure the company's ability to pay its obligations, not the quality of its customer service.
AM Best also noted a sizable 2025 operating loss driven by higher medical and drug costs.
Customer service and complaints
BCBSTX's size and brand recognition don't automatically mean better service.
The Texas Department of Insurance company lookup links to complaint, licensing and financial reports for every insurer in the state.
When you review those reports, look at Medicare Supplement complaints specifically. BCBSTX also sells Medicare Advantage, employer, and individual plans, and those complaints are counted separately.
Texas also gives Medigap policyholders specific protections, which I cover in our guide to Medicare Supplement rules in Texas.
Medicare Supplement rate increases
BCBSTX adjusted its Medicare Supplement rates effective July 1, 2026.
For how rate increases work and what you can do about them, see Medicare Supplement rate increases in Texas.
I don't have a verified multiyear Texas rate history that would let me rank BCBSTX against competitors for long-term premium stability.
Before you enroll, ask about recent rate changes for the specific plan you're considering. A competitive premium today matters, but future increases can change the policy's long-term value.
Who Should Consider Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas?
- Want Plan G and BCBSTX's quote is competitive in your ZIP code
- Are leaving Blue Cross employer or individual coverage and qualify for a 7% or 12% discount
- Live with a spouse or partner who'd also enroll
- Will use the included routine eye exam
- Live near a Select hospital and want a lower premium
- Want the lowest High-Deductible Plan G premium
- Choose a company mainly on brand name
- Expect a free gym membership or dental coverage
- Don't qualify for any discount and another insurer quotes lower
For High-Deductible Plan G, three competitors quoted lower in my Austin comparison. I wouldn't rule BCBSTX out over a few dollars a month, but I'd want a reason to pay more, such as a discount or the eye exam.
My recommendation: Choose the Medigap plan that fits your medical and financial needs first. Then compare insurers offering that same plan on premium, discounts, service, and financial strength.
Considering BCBSTX against another major insurer? See our BCBS vs. UnitedHealthcare Medigap comparison for Texas.
How to Compare BCBSTX Medicare Supplement Rates in Texas
If you're switching from another Medigap company, don't cancel your current policy until BCBSTX approves your application. Our guide on when you can change Medigap plans in Texas explains the timing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BCBSTX Plan G better than other companies' Plan G?
No. Plan G's Medicare-covered benefits are identical at every company. The differences are premium, rate history, discounts, service and extras like BCBSTX's routine eye exam.
Does BCBSTX Medicare Supplement have a provider network?
Standard Medigap policies don't use a separate provider network. You can generally see any provider nationwide that accepts Medicare. BCBSTX Medicare Select policies add hospital restrictions for non-emergency inpatient care.
Does BCBSTX Medicare Supplement include a gym membership?
No. Members can get discounted gym memberships through Blue365, but there's no free fitness benefit like the ones some Medicare Advantage plans include.
Can I switch to BCBSTX Medicare Supplement anytime?
You can apply anytime, but outside your Medigap open enrollment period or a guaranteed-issue situation, BCBSTX can review your health and may decline your application. Our guide to whether Texas has a Medigap birthday rule covers switching rules here.
Is BCBSTX Medicare Supplement the same as Blue Cross Medicare Advantage?
No. Medicare Supplement works alongside Original Medicare, while Medicare Advantage replaces it with a private plan that usually uses a network. Our Plan G vs. Medicare Advantage guide compares the two. If you're on Medicare Advantage now, see switching from Medicare Advantage to Medigap in Texas.
Is BCBSTX worth considering?
For Plan G, I'd put BCBSTX on your quote list, especially if you qualify for one of its discounts.
For High-Deductible Plan G, I'd compare at least two other insurers before choosing it.
With nearly 15 years of experience in the insurance industry, Matt Kiggins is the Senior Editor at Texas Insurance Guide and a seasoned Health & Life Agent licensed in multiple states, including Texas (#1585860). He is also the co-founder of Policy Guide, an independent insurance agency serving clients in multiple states. Matt has built his career on one simple principle: people deserve clear, honest guidance when making some of life’s most important healthcare decisions.
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