Table of Contents

Medicare Plans by State

STATE -Select-
  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming
Page Reviewed / Updated – September 15, 2022

As of 2020, over 4.6 million seniors in Florida are enrolled in the federal Medicare health insurance program in 2020. Of these, 2.2 million choose to get their benefits through a Medicare Advantage plan. Medicare Advantage is a privately issued program, often called Part C, that combines the benefits of Original Medicare Parts A and B into a single plan with one monthly premium. Part C plans offer nearly all of the same benefits as A and B, plus a few extra covered benefits, which might include vision, dental and some prescription assistance. Some plans also include coverage for additional needs such as non-emergency medical transportation and senior health sessions.

Because Medicare Advantage plans stack multiple benefits into a highly customizable single plan, their beneficiaries generally don’t need a traditional Medicare supplement. Most Part C plans also come with an annual out-of-pocket maximum, which Original Medicare does not, making this an attractive option for seniors on a fixed income. Nationally, roughly 42% of Medicare recipients have opted into Part C, in place of the Original Medicare they would otherwise be eligible for. In Florida, nearly 48% of Medicare participants have enrolled in Medicare Advantage, according to the data from 2020.

This guide gives an overview of Medicare Advantage plans in Florida. It goes over the most popular plans in the state, eligibility requirements for participation in them and what kind of benefits they offer. It also has helpful information about how to apply for a plan in the Sunshine State. 

The Top 10 Medicare Advantage Plans in Florida

Several companies in Florida offer Medicare Advantage plans. As a result, Medicare-eligible seniors in the state have a wide range of options available to them for getting effective health coverage. In the table below, 10 of the most popular plans are shown with their associated price data. Because these companies offer multiple plans, their rates are shown as a range, rather than as a single average figure. In order to get the most useful information, we’ve added together all of the enrollment data available to develop participation numbers. The figures in this table are accurate as of April 2022, though more up-to-date information is available online from Medicare.gov.

Name

Total Enrollment

Star Rating

Min Cost

Max Cost

Plan Types

UnitedHealthcare

697,753

4

$0

$199

HMO, PPO

Humana

579,976

3.5

$0

$114

HMO, PPO

Aetna Medicare

252,883

4.5

$0

$0

HMO, PPO

CarePlus Health Plans, Inc.

203,037

5

$0

$19

HMO

Wellcare

155,511

3

$0

$90

HMO, PPO

Florida Blue

87,323

4

$0

$148

PPO

Florida Blue HMO

87,303

4.5

$0

$35

HMO

Freedom Health, Inc.

69,227

4.5

$0

$50

HMO

Simply Healthcare Plans, Inc.

66,449

4.5

$0

$0

HMO

Optimum HealthCare, Inc.

55,675

5

$0

$0

HMO

How Medicare Advantage Plans Work in Florida

Seniors in Florida have to be careful when picking out a Medicare Advantage plan. Because these plans are offered through private companies, they can be organized in different ways to maximize coverage. Plans are available as health maintenance organizations (HMOs), preferred provider organizations (PPOs) and special needs plans (SNPs). Different types of plan have different rules for how to get referrals, whether you need a primary care provider and the difference between in- and out-of-network coverage. The four most common plan types are listed below.

Medicare Advantage Plan Types Graphic

What Medicare Advantage Plans Cover in Florida

Medicare Advantage plans in Florida provide nearly all of the same benefits as Original Medicare Parts A and B, except for hospice care, which is always covered by Medicare Part A. Medicare Advantage plans also pay for preventive health screenings, X-rays ordered by a doctor and lab tests. Services delivered during an inpatient stay in the hospital also fall under the umbrella of Medicare Advantage plans. In addition to combining benefits under one monthly premium, Part C plans also typically offer valuable extra services. These include vision care, dental services and hearing aids. 

 

Coverage Available With Medicare Parts A & B?

Coverage Available With Medicare Advantage?

Preventive Screenings

Yes

Yes

Hospital Care

Yes

Yes

Durable Medical Equipment

Yes

Yes

Prescription Drugs

No

Yes**

Vision Care

No

Yes*

Dental Care

No

Yes*

Hearing Aids

No

Yes*

*Select plans offer this coverage

** Most plans offer this coverage

Eligibility for Medicare Advantage in Florida

In order to sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan in Florida, seniors have to meet a number of eligibility criteria. These include U.S. citizenship or legal residence and enrollment in an Original Medicare plan. It’s also necessary to live in a geographic area where a specific plan is offered.

As is common for senior health insurance policies, Medicare Advantage plans have limited open enrollment periods for new participants. People who enroll during one of these periods cannot be declined or charged more for pre-existing conditions. They can be charged a penalty rate, however, if the application is submitted outside of the usual window. Look over the list below for helpful information regarding enrollment periods and the windows when you can first enroll or make changes to your coverage.

  • Initial Coverage Election Period: This is the initial 7-month period, coinciding with one’s 65th birthday, during which everyone is eligible to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.
  • Annual Election Period (AEP): Also referred to as the Open Enrollment Period, this the time of year when anyone over 65 can enroll in Medicare Advantage for the first time or change to a new plan.
  • Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: During this period, those who are already enrolled in Medicare Advantage can switch to a different plan or switch back to Original Medicare.



Start Date

End Date

Initial Coverage Election
Period

Three Months Before 
65th Birth Month

Three Months After
65th Birth Month

Annual Election Period
(AEP)

October 15th

December 7th

Medicare Advantage Open
Enrollment Period

January 1st

March 31st

Additionally, Medicare Advantage plan participants can change their plan outside of these enrollment periods under certain qualifying circumstances, such as moving to a new state.

How to Find & Choose a Medicare Advantage Plan in Florida

Navigating the many intricacies of Medicare Advantage plan types, insurers, and the specific plan options available by region can be a difficult and time-consuming task. Below are several resources we’ve created to help you through the process.

First is a downloadable PDF that you can use as a guide to help you compare plans as you research. Finally, we have listed a number of organizations that you can contact with experts that will help you determine whether Medicare Advantage is right for you and what plans you should consider.

How Medicare Advantage Plans Work in California



State-Wide Medicare Advantage Resources

Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders (SHINE)

Florida’s Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders (SHINE) program is a free Medicare counseling service administered through the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and delivered through local Area Agencies on Aging. A network of SHINE volunteers provide free, unbiased information about area Medicare Advantage plans, pricing and coverage options through one-on-one counseling appointments and workshops. Seniors who have questions about Medicare or need help choosing the best Medicare Advantage plans for their particular needs can book an appointment with a SHINE counselor.  

Contact Info

Seniors can connect with their local SHINE provider by calling the Florida Department of Elder Affairs at 1-800-963-5337. 

Florida Senior Medicare Patrol (FL-SMP) 

Florida’s Department of Elder Affairs helps protect seniors against Medicare Advantage fraud, misuse and over-billing through the Senior Medicare Patrol program. Administered in conjunction with the SHINE program, the FL-SMP is available to seniors who have questions or concerns about their MA plan. SMP workers will assess every report made, and issues that need to be escalated are referred to the appropriate local, state or federal authorities. SMP volunteers also deliver free workshops on Medicare fraud prevention at senior centers throughout the state. 

Contact Info

Seniors, family members and caregivers can contact the FL-SMP through the Florida Department of Elder Affairs by calling 1-800-963-5337. FL-SMP services are also available through local Area Agencies on Aging, also known as Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs). 

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Senior Legal Helpline

Florida seniors aged 60 and older can schedule a free telephone consultation with an approved attorney or paralegal through the statewide Senior Legal Helpline. Geared towards low-income seniors, this service can help seniors navigate legal issues related to Medicare Advantage coverage, as well as other civil matters. If Senior Legal Helpline callers require legal services beyond the free telephone consultation, they will be given the help they need to find a free or low-cost legal provider in their community. 

Contact Info

Seniors can call the Senior Legal Helpline toll-free at 1-888-895-7873. 

Medicare Savings Program (MSP)

The Medicare Savings Program is a state-sponsored subsidy program for low-income seniors who have difficulties covering the cost of Medicare. MSP consists of four separate programs that help seniors pay for their Medicare premiums, coinsurance, co-payments and deductibles. Eligibility is based on income, resources and medical expenses. 

Contact Info

For more information on Florida’s Medicare Savings Programs, seniors can call the Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337. Seniors can also book a one-on-one appointment with a SHINE counselor through their local Area Agency on Aging.

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Local Medicare Advantage Resources

Senior Connection Center 

The Senior Connection Center is the Aging and Disability Resource Center for Hardee, Hillsborough, Highlands, Manatee and Polk counties. Seniors, adults with disabilities and caregivers can access free and low-cost services, such as evidence-based health and wellness workshops and fall prevention classes. The center also hosts the local SHINE program to help seniors learn about the various Medicare options, including which Medicare Advantage plans are offered in the area. SHINE volunteers can also assist with Medicare billing issues and advise seniors about financial aid programs to reduce out-of-pocket Medicare costs.

Contact Info

To learn more about services at the Senior Connection Center, seniors can call 1-800-963-5337. 

Seniors First

Seniors First is a nonprofit organization that provides community-based services to seniors aged 60 and older throughout Orange County. Services are designed to help seniors remain in their own homes as long as possible, in order to delay or prevent institutionalization. Low-income seniors with Medicare Advantage may qualify for case management, personal care and homemaker services. The organization also operates a medical equipment bank for seniors and disabled adults living in Osceola, Seminole and Orange counties. 

Contact Info

For more information about Seniors First programs and services, seniors can call 1-407-292-0177 in Orlando or 1-863-534-5320 in Bartow. 

Sunshine Center

The Sunshine Center of St. Petersburg is a city-owned multi-service center that offers a variety of services for seniors aged 55 and older. The center is focused on health and wellness programming, advocacy and educational opportunities. Seniors can access free information on local social service agencies and resources, such as senior nutrition programs, barrier-free transportation and financial aid. The center also offers unbiased Medicare counseling, including assistance with local Medicare Advantage plans. 

Contact Info

For more information, seniors can call the Sunshine Center at 1-727-893-7101 or visit the Sunshine Center website.

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