We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
Sorting out Medicare in Florida can feel like learning a new language — Parts A, B, C, and D, Advantage vs. Supplement, enrollment windows with real deadlines and penalties. This guide breaks down your options as a Florida resident and how a licensed independent broker can walk you through the choices at no cost to you.
Note: Maher Insurance Group is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, FL, but we’re a national independent agency licensed in 40+ states. Whether you’re in Broward County or elsewhere in our coverage area, the guidance below applies — and a licensed agent can help you wherever you live.
Key takeaways
- Two main paths: Original Medicare + a Supplement + Part D (broad access, higher premium), or Medicare Advantage (lower premium, network rules).
- Deadlines carry penalties. Your Initial Enrollment Period is the 7 months around your 65th birthday; the Annual Enrollment Period is Oct 15 – Dec 7.
- Florida has one of the largest Medicare Advantage markets in the country, so plan choices vary a lot by county.
- A licensed broker’s help is at no cost to you — carrier-paid, so it doesn’t raise your premium.
The building blocks: Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D
- Part A (hospital insurance) — inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing, hospice. Most people pay no premium for Part A if they’ve worked and paid Medicare taxes long enough.
- Part B (medical insurance) — doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services. Part B carries a standard monthly premium that Medicare sets each year (see Medicare.gov for the current amount).
- Part C (Medicare Advantage) — an all-in-one alternative to Original Medicare offered by private carriers, often bundling hospital, medical, and drug coverage, sometimes with extras like dental or vision.
- Part D (prescription drug coverage) — drug coverage from private plans. Under recent federal changes, Part D now includes an annual out-of-pocket cap on covered drugs — $2,000 in 2025, indexed for inflation in later years — which can meaningfully lower costs for Floridians on expensive medications. Check Medicare.gov for the current-year figure.
For a quick overview of how we help, see our Medicare coverage page.
The big decision: Original Medicare + Supplement vs. Medicare Advantage
Most Floridians choose between two paths. Here’s how they compare:
| Original Medicare + Supplement + Part D | Medicare Advantage (Part C) | |
|---|---|---|
| Provider access | Any provider that accepts Medicare (widest) | Plan network; referrals/prior auth common |
| Monthly premium | Higher (Supplement premium on top of Part B) | Often lower, sometimes $0 plan premium |
| Out-of-pocket predictability | Very predictable with a Supplement | Copays vary; has a yearly out-of-pocket max |
| Drug coverage | Separate Part D plan | Usually bundled in |
| Extra benefits (dental/vision) | Not included | Frequently included |
| Best for | Travelers, those who want maximum doctor choice | Budget-focused, those OK with a network |
Neither is “better” universally — the right fit depends on your doctors, your prescriptions, how often you travel, and your budget. That’s exactly what a licensed broker helps you compare. A supplemental plan can also help fill gaps in your coverage.
Enrollment windows that matter in Florida
- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): the 7-month window around your 65th birthday (3 months before, your birthday month, and 3 months after). Missing it can mean lifelong late-enrollment penalties.
- Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15 – December 7 each year — switch between Advantage and Original Medicare, change drug plans, or join/drop coverage for the following year.
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: January 1 – March 31, when Advantage members can make a one-time change.
- Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs): triggered by events like moving, losing other coverage, or qualifying for Extra Help.
Deadlines here carry real consequences (penalties, coverage gaps), so mark your window and review options before it opens. See the official Medicare enrollment periods for details.
Still working at 65?
If you (or your spouse) have qualifying employer coverage past 65, you may be able to delay Part B without penalty and enroll later through a Special Enrollment Period. The rules depend on your employer’s size and plan — a common place people trip into penalties, and worth a quick check with a licensed agent before you decide.
Help paying for Medicare in Florida
- Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy): helps pay Part D drug costs for those who qualify by income and resources.
- Medicare Savings Programs / dual eligibility: Floridians who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid (“dual eligible”) may get help with premiums and cost-sharing, and there are Advantage plans (D-SNPs) built specifically for them.
If money is a concern, don’t assume you won’t qualify — eligibility is worth checking, and an agent can point you to the right program.
What to compare beyond the monthly premium
- Your doctors and hospitals: Are they in the plan’s network? In South Florida that means checking systems like Broward Health, Holy Cross Health, and Memorial Healthcare — Original Medicare with a Supplement offers the widest access.
- Your prescriptions: Check each plan’s drug formulary and pharmacy tiers — the same medication can cost very differently across plans.
- Total yearly cost, not just premium: factor in deductibles, copays, and the plan’s out-of-pocket maximum.
- Extra benefits: many Florida Advantage plans include dental, vision, or hearing — confirm what’s actually covered.
Why work with a licensed independent broker?
An independent broker compares plans across many carriers and works for you, not a single insurer — at no cost to you, since broker compensation is built into the plans either way. A local broker also knows the Florida carriers, the South Florida provider networks, and the enrollment deadlines that matter here. Instead of navigating dozens of plans alone, you get a licensed agent who narrows it to the options that fit your doctors, drugs, and budget. Here’s why clients choose Maher.
How to get started
The simplest path is a short conversation with a licensed agent who can review your situation and explain the trade-offs in plain language. There’s no cost and no obligation, and you’ll understand your real options before any deadline.
Ready to talk it through? Call (855) 238-7947 to speak with a licensed agent, or start your quote online. You can also compare our full range of health insurance options.
Frequently asked questions
When should I sign up for Medicare in Florida?
Most people enroll during their Initial Enrollment Period — the 7-month window around their 65th birthday. If you miss it and don’t have other qualifying coverage, you may face lifelong late-enrollment penalties. A licensed agent can confirm your specific window.
What’s the difference between Medicare Advantage and a Medicare Supplement?
Medicare Advantage (Part C) replaces Original Medicare with a private plan, often at a lower premium but with network rules. A Medicare Supplement (Medigap) works alongside Original Medicare to help cover out-of-pocket costs, usually with broader provider access at a higher premium. The right choice depends on your doctors, prescriptions, and budget.
How much does Medicare cost in Florida?
It depends on your parts and plan. Most people pay no premium for Part A; Part B has a standard monthly premium Medicare sets each year; and Advantage, Supplement, and Part D premiums vary by plan. A licensed agent can show you real numbers side by side, and Medicare.gov lists the current standard costs.
Do I have to pay a broker to help with Medicare?
No. Independent brokers are compensated by the insurance carriers, so their guidance is at no cost to you and doesn’t raise your plan premium.
Can I keep my current doctor on a Medicare plan?
Often yes — but confirm your doctor and hospital participate before enrolling. Original Medicare with a Supplement offers the widest access; Medicare Advantage plans use networks. A broker can check this for you.
When can I change my Medicare plan?
Most changes happen during the Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 – December 7, for coverage the following year. Medicare Advantage members also have a January 1 – March 31 window to make one change. Certain life events can trigger a Special Enrollment Period.
Last updated: July 1, 2026. Medicare figures change annually — confirm current-year amounts at Medicare.gov.