Medicare Plans in Florida in 2022
Signing up for Medicare can be confusing, especially when taking into account all of the variables that can impact your enrollment. Plan availability depends on so many factors, one of the most important being where you live.
If you live in Florida, you are among many other residents of the state that are enrolled in Medicare. In 2020, over a fifth (21%) of the Florida population had Medicare coverage. The vast majority of beneficiaries in the state (88% as of 2019) qualify for the program because of age.
Being aware of your state-specific Medicare rights can help you to find the best plan options possible. That’s why it’s so important to have a good understanding of the nuances of Medicare in your state. Read on to learn more about your Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Part D drug coverage options in Florida.
How To Apply for Medicare in Florida
If you are a Florida resident who is only interested in enrolling in Original Medicare, you can do so through your local Social Security office. You can sign up in-person, online, or over the phone as early as three months before your 65th birthday.
However, if you want to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, Medicare Supplement Insurance, or Part D drug coverage, we recommend contacting a licensed insurance agent. They can walk you through the process and help you to find the right plan for you.
Reach out to an experienced insurance agent here at Medicare Plans Direct today to have all of your Medicare-related questions answered. Our team can compare plans for you and help you to choose the coverage options that are right for you.
Medicare Supplement Plans in Florida
Which Medigap plans are available to you in Florida will depend on a number of factors, such as which insurance company you enroll with and where you reside.
In 2018, there were 922,604 Florida residents enrolled in Medicare Supplement Insurance. This figure represented just over a fifth (20.4%) of all Medicare enrollees in the state that year. The most popular Medicare Supplement Insurance plans in Florida include Plans F and N. However, beneficiaries who first became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020 will no longer be allowed to enroll in Plan F. Plans G and N are good alternatives.
Medigap Enrollment in Florida
If you are interested in enrolling in Medigap insurance in Florida, the best time to do so is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period (OEP).
This occurs when you first become eligible for Medicare and enroll in Part B, and it lasts for 6 months. During this time, you can enroll in any Medigap plan offered in your area regardless of your health history.
Unless you qualify for a guaranteed issue right, you may have to undergo medical underwriting if you want to sign up for a Medigap plan after your OEP finalizes. In this case, insurance companies reserve the right to deny you coverage and/or charge you higher rates.
Examples of situations that qualify you for a guaranteed issue right in Florida include moving out of your Medicare Advantage plan’s coverage area, a change in retiree benefits, and losing your employer coverage.
You should be aware that Medigap insurers in Florida can implement pre-existing condition waiting periods. This means that your insurance company can delay coverage for your condition for up to six months when you first enroll in your Medigap plan.
These waiting periods apply to conditions that are diagnosed or treated (or for which treatment was recommended) during the six months before your policy comes into effect. Having prior creditable coverage can alleviate this coverage restriction and shorten your waiting period.
Medigap in Florida for Disability Enrollees
Florida beneficiaries under the age of 65 who qualify for Medicare because of a disability are guaranteed the right to enroll in any Medicare Supplement plan they would like. This is not mandated under federal Medigap regulations, but the state enacted a law in 2009 to offer this protection. However, insurance companies are permitted to charge these individuals higher premiums than they would charge enrollees aged 65 and older.
People who qualify for Medicare before they turn 65 can sign up for Medigap insurance during the first six months that they are enrolled in Medicare Part B. Florida beneficiaries who sign up for Medigap coverage during this qualifying period will have another OEP during the six months following their 65th birthday. When this happens, they may be able to enroll in a plan with a lower premium and/or change insurance companies.
Medigap Premiums in Florida
State law allows private insurance companies that sell Medigap insurance to decide how they set monthly premiums, and many of them offer attained-age rated policies.
With attained-age rated policies, your monthly premium will likely increase as you get older, which is important to consider when choosing a Medigap plan.
Other companies may choose to use an issue-age rating system. In this case, premiums are determined by the age you were when you enrolled in the policy.
In the case that an insurance company offers community-rated premiums, rates will typically be the same for everyone in a given area regardless of age.
Though Medigap plans’ benefits are federally standardized, premium rates can vary significantly between insurance companies. For that reason, we always recommend consulting with a licensed insurance agent before deciding on a Medicare Supplement policy to ensure that you are getting the best value plan for you.
Medicare Advantage Plans in Florida
Another coverage option for people looking for more benefits than those offered by Original Medicare is Medicare Advantage. Also known as Part C, these plans offer Original Medicare benefits on top of additional coverage options, which can include drug coverage, hearing coverage, vision coverage, dental coverage, and more.
Over half (50.8%) of Florida Medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan in 2021. In 2022, there are 583 Medicare Advantage plans available in Florida.
Every Medicare beneficiary in Florida has access to at least one Medicare Advantage plan in 2022. However, Part C plan availability varies from county to county.
For example, Florida Medicare enrollees who live in larger counties like Broward, Hillsborough, Pasco, or Pinellas can choose between more than 100 Medicare Advantage plans in 2022. However, residents of Monroe County have only 9 plan options.
When it comes to monthly premiums, what you pay for your Medicare Advantage plan depends on where you live, the plan that you choose, and more. In 2022, the average Part C monthly premium in Florida is $8.54. Plus, all Medicare enrollees in the state have access to at least one plan with a $0 monthly premium.
Deciding which is the right Medicare Advantage plan for you is best done with the help of an experienced insurance agent. Here at Medicare Plans Direct we help you make the best Medicare choices possible at no extra cost to you. Reach out today to receive free Medicare advice.
Medicare Part D in Florida
Another thing for Florida Medicare beneficiaries to keep in mind is their Part D prescription drug coverage options. In 2022, there are 22 stand-alone drug plans available to Florida Medicare enrollees.
How much you will have to pay for your Part D premium depends on where you live and which insurance company you purchase your plan through. In 2022, the average Part D premium in Florida is $53.64. The lowest monthly premium for a stand-alone drug plan in Florida is $7.70.
You can also find Medicare Part D prescription drug plans with $0 deductibles, though insurance companies usually charge higher monthly premiums for these plans. In 2022, there are four no-deductible plans available to Florida residents, and the lowest-cost stand-alone Medicare Part D drug plan with a $0 deductible has a monthly premium of $63.40.
It is usually a good idea to enroll in Medicare prescription drug coverage when you first sign up for Medicare. If you don’t enroll in Medicare Part D when you first qualify and lack some other form of creditable drug coverage, you could face late enrollment penalty fees down the line.
Some Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage, but if you are enrolled in Original Medicare and/or a Medigap policy, you will need a stand-alone drug plan to cover your prescription medication expenses.
As you can see, choosing a Medicare plan is no easy feat. But at Medicare Plans Direct, our mission is to help seniors through the process of enrolling in Medicare. Set up for free consultation with a licensed insurance agent today.
