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Medicare Annual Enrollment in South Texas: dates, rules and what to do

AEP runs October 15 to December 7. What the window covers, who it applies to, and how to prepare if you live in Hidalgo, Cameron or Starr county.

Updated August 17, 2026 · 5 min read

When the window opens

Medicare Annual Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7 every year. Coverage you choose during that window starts January 1. It is the main opportunity most people get to change plans, and the majority of plan changes in South Texas happen inside those eight weeks.

If you already have a Medicare Advantage plan, there is a second window from January 1 to March 31. You can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or go back to Original Medicare during that period, but you cannot use it to join a Medicare Advantage plan from Original Medicare.

Who this applies to

Anyone with Medicare can use Annual Enrollment to join, switch or drop a plan. You do not need a qualifying event and you do not need a reason.

Turning 65 is different. That is the Initial Enrollment Period, a seven month window covering the three months before your birthday month, the month itself, and the three months after. If you are still working and covered by an employer plan, you may be able to delay Part B without a penalty. One thing that catches people out: COBRA does not count as active employer coverage for that purpose.

What to have ready

• Your Medicare card and the date your Part A and Part B started
• A current list of your prescriptions, including dosage
• The doctors and clinics you want to keep
• Your Medicaid status if you have one, since it affects which plans you qualify for

The prescription list matters more than people expect. Two plans that look similar can treat the same drug very differently, and that difference usually costs more over a year than the premium does.

If you have both Medicare and Medicaid

Texas Medicaid for adults 65 and over and for people with disabilities runs through STAR+PLUS. If you have both, you may qualify for a Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan, and you generally get more chances to change plans during the year than someone with Medicare alone.

Your exact Medicaid level matters here. Not every dual plan accepts every level, and the level determines what cost sharing Medicaid picks up. It is worth confirming with Texas Health and Human Services before you enroll rather than after.

Getting help locally

We are an independent agency in McAllen and we work with clients across Hidalgo, Cameron and Starr counties. We can go through your prescriptions and your doctors with you and tell you plainly what fits. Call us at (956) 687-3334. Se habla español.