Can I go to MD Anderson with Medicare?

MD Anderson Cancer Center is one of the first things many Houston families ask about when they’re choosing Medicare coverage. The short answer: it depends on which kind of Medicare coverage you have. Here’s how each one works.

Original Medicare (Parts A and B)

MD Anderson’s website says it accepts Medicare Parts A and B. With Original Medicare, you can use any doctor or hospital in the country that accepts Medicare, and you don’t need referrals. The catch is cost: after the deductibles, Part B generally pays 80% and you pay 20%, with no yearly limit on what you could spend.

Medicare Supplement (Medigap)

A Medicare Supplement helps pay the costs Original Medicare leaves behind, like that 20%. Standard Supplement plans don’t have networks. They work with any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare, which is why many people who want access to MD Anderson look at a Supplement.

One exception to watch for: Medicare SELECT plans. These are Supplements that cost less because they use a network of hospitals. MD Anderson says it does not accept supplement plans that require you to use a restricted network that doesn’t include MD Anderson or its doctors. If MD Anderson matters to you, ask whether a Supplement is a SELECT plan before you buy it.

Medicare Advantage (Part C)

Medicare Advantage plans use networks, and this is where people get surprised. MD Anderson’s website lists only a small number of Medicare Advantage plans it’s contracted with, and says other plans may have working relationships with it, so you need to confirm whether your care would be in-network or out-of-network.

• HMO plans generally don’t cover non-emergency care outside the network.
• PPO plans may cover out-of-network care, but usually at a higher cost.
• Networks change every year. A plan that works with a hospital this year might not next year, so check again every fall during Annual Enrollment (October 15 – December 7).

Why the decision at 65 matters

When you’re 65 or older and first enrolled in Part B, you get a 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period. During those 6 months, a Supplement company can’t turn you down or charge you more because of your health. After it ends, companies in Texas can usually ask health questions and may decline you. So if you start with Medicare Advantage and later want to switch to a Supplement, for example after a diagnosis, you may not be able to get one.

That doesn’t mean a Supplement is right for everyone. It usually has a higher monthly premium, and you’ll also need a Part D drug plan. But if being able to go to MD Anderson is important to you, it’s worth thinking about before your 6-month window closes.

How to check before you choose a plan

1. Check MD Anderson’s insurance and billing pages at mdanderson.org, or call the hospital, and ask whether it’s in-network for the exact plan you’re considering.
2. Call the plan and ask the same question. Get the name of the person you spoke with.
3. Ask me. I check doctors, hospitals and prescriptions for each plan I compare, and I’ll tell you plainly when a plan doesn’t include the care you want.

Information about MD Anderson comes from its public website as of October 2026 and can change. ialph.com is not affiliated with or endorsed by MD Anderson Cancer Center. Always confirm network status with the plan and the provider before you enroll.