Hidalgo County is in the Rio Grande Valley at the southern tip of Texas, with about 914,820 residents (Census 2024 estimate). Its largest towns are McAllen, Edinburg and Mission.
McAllen, Edinburg and Mission are home to many colonias and, every winter, thousands of Winter Texans from the Midwest and Canada. Bridges to Reynosa are close by; Medicare generally doesn't pay for care in Mexico.
Winter Texans who spend part of the year here keep their home state's coverage: what to check.
2027 plans in Hidalgo County at a glance
What it means if you live in Hidalgo County
- That's 12 plans fewer than in 2026 (47). If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, check your Annual Notice of Change to see whether it continues and what changes. Humana, HealthSpring and Wellcare end some Medicare Advantage plans here while keeping others; at least 2,768 people in Hidalgo County are in one of those plans. Your plan's letter says whether yours is ending; here is what to do. (CMS data)
- 18 are HMOs (you generally use the plan's network) and 17 are PPOs (which also pay out-of-network doctors, usually at a higher cost to you).
- 8 plans have no Part D drug coverage. Those suit people who get drug coverage elsewhere, such as from the VA; otherwise you could owe a late-enrollment penalty for going without it.
- Special needs plans here: 20 for people with both Medicare and Texas Medicaid; 12 for people with certain chronic conditions, such as diabetes or heart failure; 4 for people who live in a nursing home or need that level of care. You can join one only if you qualify.
- Hidalgo County ranks 19th of Texas's 254 counties for plans open to everyone. In the Rio Grande Valley region (4 counties), the count runs from 22 to 35.
- At least 98,575 people in Hidalgo County were in a Medicare Advantage plan in October 2026.
Licensed insurance agents for Hidalgo County
These independent insurance agents are licensed in Texas and work with Benefits Life, the publisher of this site. When they enroll you in a plan, the agent and Benefits Life may be paid by the insurance company. Learn more.
See Medicare plans in Hidalgo County
Enter your ZIP code to compare Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Medigap plans available where you live.
You'll go to PlanMatchMedicare.com, a plan comparison site from Benefits Life, the publisher of this site. Only your ZIP code is sent.
Original Medicare and Medigap
If you'd rather keep any doctor who takes Medicare, Original Medicare with a Medigap policy and a Part D plan works the same in every Texas county. Medigap in Texas.
Nearby counties
You can only join a Medicare Advantage plan sold in the county where you live.
| County | Plans open to everyone, 2027 | Special needs plans |
|---|---|---|
| Starr County | 22 | 22 |
| Willacy County | 34 | 32 |
| Brooks County | 17 | 24 |
| Cameron County | 34 | 34 |
2026 Medicare costs (the same in every county)
| Cost | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Part B premium | $202.90 a month (standard) |
| Part B deductible | $283 a year |
| Part A deductible | $1,736 per benefit period |
| Part D out-of-pocket cap | $2,100 a year |
Other places to get answers
- Medicare: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, or Medicare.gov.
- Social Security (signing up for Parts A and B, Extra Help): 1-800-772-1213, TTY 1-800-325-0778.
- Texas Health and Human Services (Texas Medicaid and help with Medicare costs): YourTexasBenefits.com or dial 2-1-1, option 2. Texas Medicaid and Medicare.
- Texas Department of Insurance (complaints about an insurance company or agent): tdi.texas.gov.
Questions about Medicare in Hidalgo County
How many Medicare Advantage plans are there in Hidalgo County for 2027?
CMS lists 35 open to everyone with Medicare (47 in 2026), plus 36 special needs plans for people who qualify. You still pay your Part B premium.
When can I change my Medicare plan in Hidalgo County?
Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, for coverage starting January 1. If you're in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch plans or go back to Original Medicare once between January 1 and March 31. If your plan leaves your county, you get a Special Enrollment Period.
How do I find a licensed insurance agent in Hidalgo County?
Use the agent search on this page, or call (512) SENIORS (512-736-4677), TTY 711 to compare plans with a licensed insurance agent at no cost to you. Agents listed here are licensed in Texas.
Sources
Plans open to everyone are Medicare Advantage plans with or without drug coverage, not special needs plans. Enrollment counts HMO and PPO plans; CMS hides counts of 10 or fewer, so real numbers are a little higher.