Hi, I’m Cindy Kowalski
I’m a licensed, independent Medicare advisor serving clients across Texas. I got into this work because I almost made the wrong Medicare decision myself when I turned 65. I spent over a year studying every detail before getting licensed — because I wanted to give people the honest guidance I wished I’d had.
I’m not tied to any carrier. I don’t get paid more to recommend one plan over another. I compare every option available to you in your Texas county and tell you exactly what each one means for your situation.
Why Medicare in Texas Is More Complex Than Most States
Texas has one of the most competitive Medicare markets in the country — 426 plans statewide in 2026, with availability varying significantly by county. What’s available in Dallas isn’t what’s available in Midland. What works in Houston may not work in the Hill Country. Plan selection in Texas requires knowing your specific county, not just the state.
Texas has no state income tax, which draws high earners and professionals working longer. If you’re delaying retirement and still have employer coverage, the rules for when to enroll in Medicare Part B are critical — and getting them wrong means permanent penalties that follow you for life.
Texas is also one of the largest states geographically, which means rural vs. urban matters enormously for Medicare. HMO networks in rural Texas counties can be dangerously thin. An independent advisor checks actual network availability in your area — not just what looks good on paper.
🎓 TRS Retirees: Read This Before You Enroll
Texas teachers and state employees retiring from TRS (Teacher Retirement System) face a unique Medicare situation. TRS-Care Medicare Advantage has specific enrollment deadlines and rules that differ from standard Medicare enrollment. If you’re a TRS retiree, you need to understand how TRS-Care interacts with your Medicare options before making any enrollment decision. Cindy can walk you through it.
426 Plans. One Decision. No Do-Overs Until October.
Texas has more Medicare Advantage plans than almost any other state. Here’s what the market looks like in 2026:
426 Plans Statewide
More Medicare Advantage plans than 2025 — up from 381. Availability varies by county, not just state.
$4.35 Avg. Premium
Average monthly premium dropped from $6.14 in 2025 to $4.35 in 2026 — but premiums are just one number to look at.
254 Counties
Plan availability, networks, and costs vary significantly across Texas. Your county determines your options — not the state average.
⚠️ The Number That Matters Most
The average out-of-pocket maximum across Texas plans can reach $6,700+ per year. That’s how much you could pay if you get seriously ill on the wrong plan. Cindy will show you what each plan means specifically for your county, your doctors, and your prescriptions.
Medicare in Texas Varies by Where You Live
The right plan in Dallas may be wrong for someone in San Antonio. Here’s what makes each major Texas metro different.
🏙️ Dallas / Fort Worth
The DFW Metroplex has one of the most competitive Medicare markets in Texas — dozens of plans, strong PPO options, and multiple major health systems (Baylor Scott & White, UT Southwestern, Texas Health Resources) to navigate. Network verification is critical here because not every plan includes every major hospital system.
🛢️ Houston
Houston’s sprawl means your zip code matters enormously. Harris County has strong plan competition and access to the Texas Medical Center — the world’s largest medical complex. If you see specialists at MD Anderson or Houston Methodist, verify network coverage before enrolling in any plan.
🌮 San Antonio
San Antonio has a large military retiree population, which means TRICARE and VA interactions with Medicare are common. Understanding how your military benefits coordinate with Medicare before you turn 65 is essential — and often misunderstood.
🎸 Austin
Austin’s rapid growth has strained healthcare infrastructure. Some plans have narrower networks than you’d expect in a major city. With many professionals retiring later in Austin’s tech economy, the employer-coverage-to-Medicare transition rules are especially relevant here.
📍 Anywhere in Texas — Cindy Can Help
Whether you’re in a major metro or a rural county with limited plan options, Cindy will compare what’s actually available in your specific zip code — not just the statewide averages. Call or request a callback and she’ll pull the real numbers for your area.
Your Texas Medicare Enrollment Timeline
You have a 7-month window around your 65th birthday. Miss it and you face permanent Part B penalties — added to your premium every month for the rest of your life.
Your Window Opens
The ideal time to start comparing plans. Cindy can pull every plan available in your Texas county and walk you through what each one means.
You’re Eligible
Parts A and B activate. If you haven’t enrolled yet, you’re still in the window — but the clock is ticking.
⚠ Window Closes
Miss this and you face a 10% Part B penalty permanently added for every 12-month period you were eligible but didn’t enroll.
📅 Still Working in Texas Past 65?
Texas has a large professional and executive workforce that often works past 65. If you have creditable employer coverage (20+ employees), you may delay Part B without penalties. If your employer has fewer than 20 employees — including many Texas small businesses — different rules apply and getting this wrong is expensive. Cindy will tell you exactly where you stand.
Not sure when you should enroll? We’ll look at your specific situation and create a personalized Texas enrollment plan.
The Most Common Medicare Mistakes Texans Make at 65
Missing the Part B Enrollment Deadline
A 10% penalty permanently added for every 12-month period you were eligible but didn’t enroll. This follows you for life regardless of which plan you eventually choose.
Picking a Plan Without Checking Your County
Statewide averages are meaningless. A plan available in Dallas may not exist in your county. Always verify plan availability at your specific zip code before making any decision.
Not Verifying Your Doctors Are In-Network
Texas has multiple major competing health systems. Your cardiologist at Baylor, your oncologist at MD Anderson, or your surgeon at UT Southwestern may not be in-network on the plan you’re considering.
TRS Retirees Enrolling Without Understanding the Interaction
TRS-Care Medicare Advantage has its own rules that differ from standard Medicare enrollment. Enrolling in the wrong plan or at the wrong time can cause you to lose TRS-Care coverage entirely.
Choosing Based on $0 Premium
Texas has many $0 premium plans. But a $0 premium plan with a $6,700 out-of-pocket maximum isn’t free. Cindy shows you the full cost picture, not just the monthly number.
Ignoring Future Underwriting Rules
Texas does not have as strong Medigap guaranteed-issue protections as Indiana. Choose Advantage now, develop health issues later, and switching to a Supplement plan may require medical underwriting.
These mistakes can follow you for decades. Let’s make sure you avoid them.
Request Your Free ReviewWhat a Free Review With Cindy Looks Like
We talk about your situation
Your doctors, your prescriptions, your budget, your retirement plans. 20 minutes by phone. If you’re a TRS retiree, still working, or have TRICARE coverage, that changes the conversation — and we’ll address it directly.
I pull every plan available in your county
Not statewide averages — your specific zip code. I filter out plans where your doctors aren’t in-network and show you what each option actually costs based on your medications.
I give you my honest recommendation
Including Original Medicare + Medigap if that’s genuinely better for your situation. I’ll tell you the truth even if it means recommending a plan that pays me less.
I help you enroll — or I don’t
If you decide to move forward, I handle the paperwork. If you want to think it over or get a second opinion, that’s completely fine. No pressure, no follow-up sales calls.
Request Your Free Texas Medicare Review
Leave your name and number — Cindy will call you back personally.
📅 Your 7-month enrollment window has real deadlines. The sooner you start, the better your options — especially in competitive Texas counties.
No sales pressure · No cost to you, ever · Independent advice
✓ You’re All Set!
Cindy will call you at the number you provided. Looking forward to speaking with you.
Prefer to call directly? (352) 464-4400