Key Takeaways
Medicare in Florida is not free, but you may have options to help with costs like copays and prescription costs.
While Medicare Advantage plans in Florida may have a provider network for preventive services , these plans are required to cover emergency and urgent care anywhere in the U.S.
Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) is a public insurance plan offered by the government. If you have Part A and Part B, you can choose to enroll in Medicare Advantage. It is another way to get Part A and Part B through a private insurance carrier.
Staying active is proven to help older adults stay physically and mentally healthy. Whether you choose to swim year-round, golf, or hike at Big Cypress National Park, you’ll want a health partner as active as you.
GoHealth insurance agents are licensed for Medicare in Florida, and they can help you find a Medicare plan to cover your lifestyle while providing helpful advice along the way.
Is There Medicare in Florida?
Medicare in Florida is available to all legal U.S. citizens ages 65 and older. Some younger adults living with disabilities, ESRD, or Lou Gehrig’s disease may be eligible for Medicare before 65. Medicare Advantage plans are available in Florida but vary by carrier and location. When the time comes to compare Medicare in Florida, your Medicare costs and coverage options may depend on your location. A licensed insurance agent can help make comparing plans simple.
Is Medicare Free in Florida?
If you’re age 65 and have contributed Medicare and Social Security payroll taxes for at least 10 years, your Part A plan has a no-cost premium. All Medicare Part B plans require the beneficiaries to pay a monthly premium. Some people with low income may qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid programs that help pay for some or all of their Medicare premium.
How Much Does Medicare Cost in Florida?
The cost of Medicare in Florida begins with your Part B premium. Your Part B premium is based on income. Other factors like additional coverage, your plan, or whether you paid Medicare and Social Security payroll taxes can increase your monthly premiums due each month.
Plan for Medicare Costs in Florida
When you plan long term for Medicare costs, consider that premiums can increase (or decrease) from year to year. Here’s an example of low to high premiums over a three-year period (2022 to 2024). The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) publishes updated premium costs each year.
Part B Premium by Year
- 2024: $174.70 to $594
- 2023: $164.90 to $560.50
- 2022: $170.10 to $578.30
How Do I Apply for Medicare in Florida?
You can apply for Medicare in Florida online, by phone, or in person at a Social Security office. A GoHealth licensed insurance agent can help you compare Medicare Advantage plans and enroll in FL.
- Get in touch with GoHealth
- Apply for Medicare in FL online with Social Security Administration
- Apply for Medicare in Florida over the phone by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778)
- Find a local Social Security office and apply in person
When Do I Get Started?
If you are enrolled in Social Security and receiving benefits at 65, you will automatically be enrolled in Part A and Part B. You will receive your Medicare ID card in the mail before your 65 birthday.
If you need to enroll in Medicare for the first time, you have an initial enrollment period that lasts seven months and begins three months before your 65 birthday.
What Are the Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Florida?
To find the best Medicare Advantage plan in FL, consider your health needs and find a plan that meets your needs. You may begin by researching five star rated Medicare Advantage plans, but a five star rating is not a guarantee that the plan is the best for your needs. Comparing benefits can be tricky, so can finding the “best” plan. Let a licensed GoHealth insurance agent help you compare all the Medicare Advantage plans near you in FL to find a plan that best matches your needs.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Medicare Advantage plans?
Medicare Advantage plans usually include Part D, offer extra Medicare benefits and lower out of pocket costs than Original Medicare. But specific provider networks can be a disadvantage if your provider is not included. If you need out of network care, your costs may be higher.
Overall, if you don’t receive medical care away from home and your provider is in your network, a Medicare Advantage plan may have many more advantages than disadvantages. Also, keep in mind that Medicare Advantage plans will cover emergency and urgent care anywhere in the U.S.
Options for Medicare Advantage Plans in Florida
There are many private insurance companies that sell Medicare Advantage plans. The availability of Medicare Advantage Plans in FL can vary county-by-county. Contact GoHealth for more information.
Medicare in FL by the numbers
Thousands of older adults enroll in Medicare every day across the United States. The latest CMS data shows that 4,516,954 people are enrolled in Medicare Part A and B in Florida. The total number of beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage Increased from 2,204,318 to 2,374,804 year over year. Medicare Advantage participation in Florida went from 50.26% to 52.58% year over year. If you’d like to dive deeper into how Medicare in Florida breaks down across the state, we provide a glance at who is using Medicare and how.
Medicare
Florida
4,516,954 Beneficiaries with Part A & Part B
2,374,804 Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries
52.58% Meducare Advantage Participation Rate
54.58% Female
45.42% Male
81.45% Non-Hispanic White
6.94% African American
7.42% Hispanic
4.18% Other/Unknown
13.83% Eligible for Medicaid
1.09 Average HCC Score
$11,673.39 Actual Per Capita Costs
19.15% Hospital Readmission Rate
27.37% of Beneficiaries with an Emergency Department Visit
2,204,318 Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries, Previous Year
Increased Medicare Advantage, Year over year
50.26% Meducare Advantage Participation Rate, Previous Year
See more +
Table reflects the latest Beneficiary Demographics Data: Medicare Geographic Variation – by National, State & County
Average HCC Score: The Hierarchical Condition Category score gauges a population’s overall health. The score is based on a value of 1.0. Populations with an HCC score of less than 1.0 are considered relatively healthy. The score can be used to estimate health costs.
Florida Medicare Resources & Contacts
To be certain you are not leaving anything on the table, let us help. A GoHealth licensed insurance agent can assess your coverage or explain which Florida-based resources, like these, may be able to help:
Nationwide Resources
Medicare Learning Guides
Healthcare is personal. So is choosing insurance. If you are new to Medicare, a beneficiary researching options, or a caregiver, we have tailored Medicare Guides for you.
Medicare guide
Before 65 Guide
Understanding health insurance before age 65, especially when considering early retirement
Medicare guide
Medicare Plans Guide
Costs, coverage and enrollment details for each Medicare plan
Medicare guide
Medicare Beneficiary Guide
For those currently enrolled in Medicare
Medicare guide
Low Income and Medicare Guide
For individuals with a qualifying income status
Medicare guide
A Caregiver’s Guide
For individuals with a qualifying income status
