How many Medicare beneficiaries are in Florida?

Florida has the highest Medicare enrollment of any state — approximately 4.9 million beneficiaries. Roughly half of eligible Floridians are enrolled in Medicare Advantage, and the balance use Original Medicare, often paired with a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan and a standalone Part D drug plan.

What are the top Medicare Advantage carriers in Florida?

The largest Medicare Advantage carriers in Florida include Humana, UnitedHealthcare (AARP-branded), Florida Blue (BCBSFL), Aetna, Cigna, and WellCare. Availability and plan design vary by county — Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach have especially competitive MA markets with many $0-premium plans.

When can I enroll in a Florida Medicare plan?

The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs October 15 through December 7 each year, with changes effective January 1. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP) runs January 1 through March 31 and allows one plan switch. New-to-Medicare beneficiaries use their 7-month Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) around their 65th birthday.

Is Medigap a good option in Florida?

Florida has a strong Medigap market with every federal letter plan available (A, B, D, G, K, L, M, N, and high-deductible G and F for those eligible). Medigap premiums in Florida vary widely by ZIP and carrier, and medical underwriting usually applies outside your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment window, so timing matters.

How does Part D work in Florida?

If you choose Original Medicare plus Medigap, you pair it with a standalone Part D prescription drug plan. If you choose a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage (MA-PD), drugs are typically bundled. Formularies and preferred pharmacy networks differ sharply — the same drug can cost very different amounts depending on the plan.

Florida · Medicare · 2026 plan year

Florida Medicare plans for 2026.

Florida has the largest Medicare population in the country — roughly 4.9 million beneficiaries — and one of the most competitive plan markets. We compare Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D options from Humana, UnitedHealthcare (AARP), Florida Blue, Aetna, Cigna, and WellCare for your doctors, drugs, and budget.

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4.9M

Florida Medicare beneficiaries

~52%

on Medicare Advantage in FL

All 67

Florida counties served

Carriers pay us — never you

The core decision

Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap in Florida

For most Floridians, the choice between Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Original Medicare plus a Medigap (Supplement) plan is the biggest decision you'll make.

Medicare Advantage in Florida

Bundles Part A, Part B, and usually Part D into a private plan. Many Florida counties — especially Miami-Dade, Broward, Orange, and Hillsborough — offer $0-premium plans with dental, vision, hearing, OTC, and transportation benefits.

Most Florida MA plans are HMOs with local networks including Baptist Health, AdventHealth, Orlando Health, and HCA Florida. We verify your doctors before enrolling.

Medigap in Florida

Pairs with Original Medicare and covers the deductibles, coinsurance, and copays Medicare doesn't pay. Any doctor or hospital nationwide that accepts Medicare accepts Medigap — no networks.

Florida Medigap premiums vary widely by ZIP and age, and carriers may medically underwrite outside your one-time 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment window.

Carriers

Top Medicare carriers in Florida

Plan availability and network depth vary by county.

Humana & UnitedHealthcare (AARP)

The two largest Medicare Advantage carriers in Florida by enrollment. Both offer a broad slate of HMO, PPO, and D-SNP options across nearly every Florida county. UnitedHealthcare's AARP-branded Medigap plans are also widely held in Florida.

Florida Blue (BCBSFL)

The state's home-grown Blue plan. Strong statewide networks and long-running relationships with Florida health systems. Popular for members who want a Florida-focused carrier with local service.

Aetna & Cigna

Both have grown Medicare Advantage footprints in Florida with competitive $0-premium plans and integrated pharmacy benefits. Useful options in many metro counties.

WellCare

Part of Centene, with a strong presence in Florida Part D and D-SNP (Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan) segments. Often a competitive standalone Part D option for Floridians on Original Medicare plus Medigap.

Part D

Part D prescription coverage in Florida

Under the Inflation Reduction Act, 2026 Part D caps out-of-pocket drug costs at $2,100 per year and eliminates the old "donut hole."

Every Florida Medicare beneficiary needs prescription drug coverage (or creditable alternative coverage) to avoid the Part D late enrollment penalty. Florida has dozens of standalone Part D plans plus drug coverage bundled into most MA-PD plans.

Formulary check: The same medication can land in very different tiers across plans. We run your drug list against every Part D plan in your ZIP.
Preferred pharmacy: Many Florida Part D plans offer lower copays at preferred pharmacies (Publix, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Costco). Which pharmacy you prefer can change which plan is cheapest.
Extra Help / LIS: Florida beneficiaries with limited income may qualify for the Low Income Subsidy that significantly reduces drug costs.

Timing

Medicare enrollment dates for Florida

Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15 – December 7. Change Medicare Advantage or Part D plans; changes effective January 1.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (MA OEP): January 1 – March 31. One plan change allowed for members already in a Medicare Advantage plan.
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): 7 months around your 65th birthday — 3 months before, your birthday month, and 3 months after.
Medigap Open Enrollment: 6 months from your Part B effective date — the one-time window when Florida Medigap carriers cannot deny you or charge more for health reasons.
Special Enrollment Periods: Moving into Florida, losing employer coverage, qualifying for Extra Help, or moving into or out of a nursing facility may each trigger a SEP.

Common questions

Florida Medicare FAQ

Are there Florida-specific Medicare rules?

Medicare is federal, so core rules match nationwide. What varies in Florida is plan availability, network depth, Medigap pricing, and snowbird considerations.

I'm a snowbird — does Medicare Advantage travel with me?

Medicare Advantage plans are primarily local. Most Florida MA plans cover emergency and urgent care anywhere in the U.S., but routine care usually requires in-network Florida providers. If you spend months outside Florida annually, Original Medicare plus a Medigap plan is often a better fit because it travels nationwide.

Can I switch from Advantage to Medigap later?

Sometimes. Outside your one-time Medigap Open Enrollment window, Florida Medigap carriers can medically underwrite — which means they can decline you or charge more for health conditions. We walk through your specific options carefully.

What does SilverEdge cost?

Nothing. Medicare carriers pay us a commission when you enroll. We earn the same regardless of which carrier you pick — our job is to find your best Florida fit.

Coverage

Florida counties we cover

All 67 Florida counties — from the Panhandle to the Keys. A few of the metros where we have the most active members:

Miami-Dade Broward Palm Beach Orange Hillsborough Pinellas Duval Lee Sarasota Collier Brevard Polk Manatee Volusia Pasco Marion Seminole Leon Escambia St. Johns + 47 more

★★★★★

$2,184 / yr saved

on a Medicare Part D switch · Tampa, FL

"My SilverEdge advisor caught that one of my prescriptions wasn't on my old Medicare plan's formulary. Switched me to a Florida Blue Part D plan that covered it for the same monthly premium. AdventHealth network kept all four of my specialists too."

Diana R.

MA-PD switch · Tampa, FL

Ready to compare Florida Medicare plans?

Free, no pressure. Licensed in Florida and all 50 states. We'll review your doctors, drugs, and budget — and walk you through the right Medicare combination for you.

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