Medicare Plans in Florida

How Do I Enroll in Medicare in Florida?

To enroll in Original Medicare, do one of the following:

  • Submit an online application.
  • Apply in person at a Social Security office.
  • Call 800-772-1213 to speak with a Social Security employee.

What Florida Medicare Plans Are Available?

With a large senior population in the state, Medicare in Florida is a commonly used program to secure health care services. The program, while beneficial, can also be complex. Therefore, it's helpful to know the various components of it are and the ins and outs of enrollment and eligibility. 

Medicare consists of several different parts, each of which speaks to a different aspect of healthcare. 

Part A: Medicare Part A is the element that covers hospitalization as well as inpatient care in a skilled nursing facility. It may also cover care in a stand-alone surgical center or hospice. It is free to those who qualify for Medicare coverage due to paying into the Social Security system and available for purchase for those that do not who are of retirement age.

Part B: This portion of the program functions a lot like traditional medical insurance in that there is a monthly premium (determined by income ratios). It covers in-office physician visits and other elements of preventative care. Those ineligible for automatic free Medicare Part A benefit may purchase Part B, but they must also purchase Part A. 

Part C: Medicare Part C is commonly referenced as the Medicare Advantage plan. This plan is administered by privatized entities that work with Medicare to provide the benefits of both Parts A and B and may sometimes even include prescription drug benefits and other coverage. 

Part D: Part D is the stand-alone prescription drug benefit. It also requires a monthly premium for those eligible (also based on income). 

Medigap: The Medigap program does exactly as it suggests: fills in the gaps of insurance coverage. It is administered by private entities as well. It covers the costs of many elements that Medicare does not pay for, including copays, coinsurance, deductibles and even certain medical services. 

Medicare is extremely popular in Florida, with more than 4.9 million residents enrolled in the program. Of this, half of those beneficiaries have Advantage plans with 83 options from which to choose. Medicare Advantage programs are actually more commonly used in Florida than elsewhere in the country.

Florida law dictates that Medigap coverage must be available to those under the age of 65 (who already qualify for general Medicare coverage), but does not prevent these demographics from paying higher premiums. 

Who Is Eligible for Florida Medicare?

Individuals age 65 and older who have paid into the Medicare system through taxed income are automatically eligible for the program. Those younger must have a qualifying health issue or disability, which is determined by the Social Security Administration. 

Those automatically eligible will be enrolled around 4 months before their 65th birthday. 

How Do I Enroll in Medicare in Florida?

Those who are not automatically enrolled must sign up during a period that starts 3 months prior to turning 65 and extends 3 months after that month. While beneficiaries can enroll late, there may be a penalty for doing so. Exceptions to late enrollment penalties include those who had other insurance and suddenly lost it. 

Beneficiaries may also enroll during enrollment periods. The first is between January 1 and March 31, with benefits kicking in on July 1. This period is for changing your Medicare Advantage plan elections. The second is between October 15 and December 7, with benefits kicking in on January 1. 

Those individuals waiting for a five-star Advantage or Part D plan may sign up without incurring a penalty any time between December 8 and November 30. However, this benefit may only be utilized one time during this period. 

Qualified beneficiaries can enroll in one of several ways: 

  • Visit the Social Security Administration website at SocialSecurity.gov to sign up.
  • Call the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Make an appointment at a local Social Security office to receive in-person assistance. 

Average Cost of Medicare Advantage Plans in Florida

Average Cost of Medicare Advantage Plans in Florida
Average Monthly Premium $55.54
Average in-network out-of-pocket spending limit $4,688.64
Average drug deductible in 2024 (weighted) $299.15
Percentage of plans rated 4 stars or higher 62.3%
Average Cost of Medicare Advantage Plans in Florida
Average Monthly Premium
$55.54
Average in-network out-of-pocket spending limit
$4,688.64
Average drug deductible in 2021 (weighted)
$299.15
Percentage of plans rated 4 stars or higher
62.3%

Florida Medicare Advantage Plans by County

The chart below provides more information about Medicare Advantage plan costs and enrollment in Florida by county in 2024.

Scroll to the right to continue reading the chart
County Average Premium Average Annual Drug Deductible % of Plans Rates 4 Stars or Higher # of Plans Available
Hillsborough $49 $307 70.4% 98
Pinellas $49 $307 70.2% 94
Pasco $46 $314 72.0% 93
Hernando $46 $314 71.0% 93
Polk $46 $307 71.6% 95
Okaloosa $57 $287 63.4% 41
Bay $69 $268 54.8% 42
Walton $64 $265 54.8% 42
Santa Rosa $59 $296 55.4% 56
Escambia $59 $296 55.4% 56
Broward $49 $306 70.9% 86
Palm Beach $49 $297 70.6% 85
Okeechobee $65 $309 48.0% 25
Brevard $48 $353 69.4% 72
Glades $65 $309 48.0% 25
Indian River $48 $338 70.3% 74
Saint Lucie $50 $312 64.8% 71
Martin $49 $312 66.2% 65
Sarasota $48 $308 66.7% 72
Citrus $48 $328 67.2% 67
Manatee $49 $294 65.4% 78
Hardee $69 $236 53.1% 32
Highlands $65 $284 52.4% 42
Franklin $64 $274 44.0% 25
Taylor $69 $301 44.0% 25
Putnam $63 $288 51.3% 39
Jackson $64 $286 47.8% 23
Wakulla $69 $288 40.7% 27
Madison $69 $301 44.0% 25
Gilchrist $69 $301 40.7% 27
Nassau $54 $278 55.1% 49
Liberty $64 $265 42.3% 26
Duval $57 $260 64.4% 73
Saint Johns $60 $258 62.9% 62
Volusia $48 $333 71.6% 81
Washington $64 $276 45.8% 24
Dixie $69 $301 40.7% 27
Baker $69 $289 55.3% 38
Lafayette $69 $301 40.7% 27
Suwannee $69 $286 42.3% 26
Alachua $58 $308 52.4% 42
Hamilton $69 $301 40.7% 27
Columbia $69 $288 55.6% 36
Gadsden $64 $265 42.3% 26
Union $69 $316 40.7% 27
Clay $54 $258 65.3% 72
Flagler $62 $264 64.6% 65
Levy $69 $301 50.0% 32
Holmes $64 $276 45.8% 24
Bradford $69 $291 54.5% 33
Calhoun $64 $265 42.3% 26
Jefferson $69 $288 40.7% 27
Gulf $64 $276 45.8% 24
Sumter $48 $324 72.1% 86
Marion $50 $326 71.1% 90
Orange $49 $313 72.8% 92
Osceola $49 $313 72.8% 92
Seminole $49 $317 74.7% 95
Lake $47 $336 72.4% 87
Desoto $69 $234 60.6% 33
Charlotte $50 $308 64.3% 70
Leon $76 $304 15.8% 19
Hendry $64 $309 40.9% 22
Collier $50 $316 65.2% 66
Lee $50 $316 66.7% 69
Miami Dade $48 $287 69.9% 73
Monroe $83 $285 0.0% 6

Contact Information for Florida Medicare, Medicaid and Insurance Help

To get more information about Florida Medicare, Medicaid and additional insurance help, take advantage of one of the local resources available for further assistance. 

HelpAdvisor: The Florida Medicare/Medicaid HelpAdvisor page provides information on qualifying for Medicaid, enrollment information and more. Those unsure of where to start when it comes to the wealth of information available will find this to be a great place to start if they're interested in Medicaid. 

Florida SHINE: To learn more about Medicare in Florida as well as Medicaid and general insurance information, reach out to the Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders (SHINE) program at (800) 963-5337 or via the website at http://www.floridashine.org.

Florida State Health Insurance Assistance Program: The Florida State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) can help with Medicare enrollment, one-on-one counseling and general information about the options available to beneficiaries. Check out the SHIP website or call (800) 963-5337 to learn more.