Find Best Medicare insurance in Florida
Medicare insurance in Florida can be extremely complex. There are over 200 different available Medicare Advantage plans. And, depending on where you live, over 20 different insurance companies offering Medicare Supplement (or Medigap) plans. If you are turning 65, here are some tips to find the best Medicare insurance in Florida:
- Learn the differences between Medicare Advantage and Medigap.
- Keep your prescription drugs in mind when evaluating plans.
- Find and speak to a Medicare insurance agent who represents multiple plan options.
- Start the process of researching plans early.
- Ask whether future switching will be possible.
- Determine all costs you’ll pay plus those which you could face.
- Request the Medicare Star rating for the plans you like.
- Talk to friends and neighbors about their satisfaction with coverage.
- Check to see if additional benefits like dental are available.
- Speak with at least one LOCAL Medicare insurance agent.
Medicare Insurance In Florida: A Quick Primer
Florida seniors need to know about Medicare in order to make informed decisions about their healthcare coverage. Medicare is the federal health insurance program that provides coverage for people who are 65 years or older. In addition, Medicare provides coverage for younger individuals with certain disabilities or medical conditions.
Firstly, Florida seniors need to understand the different parts of Medicare. Medicare Part A covers hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care services. Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, and medical equipment. The program has designated Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage. It is an alternative way to receive Medicare benefits through a private insurance company. Medicare Part D covers prescription drugs.
Secondly, Florida seniors should be aware of the enrollment periods for Medicare. Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) starts three months before the month of your 65th birthday and ends three months after the month of your 65th birthday. General Enrollment Period (GEP) runs from January 1 to March 31 each year for those who missed their IEP. Special Enrollment Periods (SEP) are available for those who have certain life changes such as loss of employer coverage.
Thirdly, Florida seniors should know that they may need additional coverage beyond traditional Medicare. Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policies are sold by private insurance companies and can help pay for some of the out-of-pocket costs not covered by traditional Medicare. Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that helps with healthcare costs for those with limited income and resources.
Find Local Medicare Insurance Agents
Florida seniors should educate themselves on the different parts of Medicare, enrollment periods, and additional coverage options in order to make informed decisions about their healthcare coverage.
Medicare is a national program. But plan options can vary by state, and even by county.
Because Medicare is local, it’s smart to speak with at least one local Medicare insurance agent. The Association provides the top directory listing Florida Medicare insurance agents by Zip Code. It’s free and completely private. Simply enter your Zip Code to see the directory and contact information for each listed agent.
How Many Medicare Advantage Plans Are Available in Florida?
As of 2023, there are over 200 Medicare Advantage plans available in Florida. These plans are offered by various private insurance companies that are approved by Medicare. The number of plans available will vary depending on the county you reside in.
Medicare Advantage plans provide an alternative way to receive Medicare benefits through a private insurance company. These plans must cover all the services that Original Medicare covers, but may also offer additional benefits such as vision, dental, and hearing coverage.
To find the specific Medicare Advantage plans available in your area, you can use the Medicare Plan Finder tool on the official Medicare website. This tool allows you to compare different plans based on their costs, coverage, and quality ratings. You should also find a local Medicare Advantage agent using the online directory hosted by the American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance.
How Many Medicare Supplement Plans Are Offered in Florida
According to the American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance, there are over 50 insurance companies that offer Medicare Supplement plans in Florida (2023). These companies provide a variety of plan options to Florida residents who are enrolled in Original Medicare.
Some of the most popular Medicare Supplement insurers in Florida include Aetna, Cigna, Humana, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and United Healthcare. These insurers offer a range of plans with different coverage levels, premiums, and benefits.
It’s important to note that not all Medicare Supplement plans are available in every state, and the availability of plans can vary by county. Additionally, some insurers may only offer certain plans in certain areas.
There are 10 Medicare Supplement plans available in Florida. These plans are labeled with letters A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N. Each plan offers different benefits to help cover the costs that Original Medicare does not cover.
Plan A is the most basic plan and covers only a few benefits. Plan F is the most comprehensive plan and covers almost all of the benefits that Medicare Supplement plans can offer. However, Plan F is no longer available to new Medicare beneficiaries as of January 1, 2020. Today, Plan G is the most popular among seniors turning 65 and enrolling in Medigap.
Senior Population Facts (Over 65)
Florida has the highest percentage of seniors over 65 in the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2020, there were approximately 4.5 million seniors living in Florida, making up 21.6% of the state’s population. This number is expected to continue to grow as the baby boomer generation ages.
Healthcare: With such a large senior population, healthcare is a crucial issue in Florida. The state has many healthcare programs and services available to seniors, including Medicaid, Medicare, and the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program. Additionally, there are many senior living communities and assisted living facilities throughout the state.
Housing: Housing is another important issue facing Florida’s senior population. Many seniors prefer to age in place, but may require modifications to their homes to make them safer and more accessible. There are also many affordable housing options available for seniors, including subsidized housing and low-income apartments.
Economic Security: Economic security is a concern for many seniors in Florida. According to the National Council on Aging, nearly one-third of seniors in Florida live at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. There are many programs available to help seniors with financial assistance, including Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
Some Additional Medicare Information Resources
Click on the links to obtain more Medicare insurance information.
Medicare Supplement Agents Brokers Find Local Medigap
Find Directory of Independent Medicare Agents Near Me
Latest Medicare Insurance Information Statistics, Data and More
Find the best Medicare insurance plan information from the American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance.
Have questions that aren’t answered here? Call the Association at 818-597-3227. We work to provide valuable information that helps seniors make better decisions.