Turning 65 in Florida means navigating Original Medicare, Advantage, Supplement, and Part D — usually all at once, often with a deadline. I cut through the mailers and help you pick the structure that protects your savings, keeps your doctors, and covers the medications you actually take. Free, unbiased, bilingual.
The four parts of Medicare, in plain English
Part A — Hospital
Inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility, hospice, and some home health. Premium-free for most Floridians who paid Medicare taxes for 10+ years. The 2026 inpatient deductible is $1,676 per benefit period.
Part B — Medical
Doctor visits, outpatient procedures, lab work, durable medical equipment, preventive care. Standard premium is $185.00/month in 2026 (higher for upper-income brackets via IRMAA). After the $257 deductible, you pay 20% of approved charges — with no annual cap, which is why most people add coverage.
Part C — Advantage
Bundled private plans (HMO/PPO) that replace A & B and usually include Part D, plus dental, vision, hearing, transportation, and OTC allowances. Florida is one of the most competitive Advantage markets in the country — many $0-premium options.
Part D — Drugs
Prescription drug coverage, sold standalone or built into Advantage. The Inflation Reduction Act capped out-of-pocket drug spending at $2,100 in 2026 — a major change for anyone on expensive specialty medications.
Enrollment periods — when can you actually sign up?
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
The 7-month window around your 65th birthday: 3 months before, your birth month, and 3 months after. Best time to enroll without penalties.
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
October 15 – December 7 every year. Switch Advantage plans, change Part D, or move from Original Medicare to Advantage. New coverage starts January 1.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (OEP)
January 1 – March 31. If you’re already on Advantage, you get one chance to switch plans or drop back to Original Medicare with a Part D plan.
Special Enrollment Periods (SEP)
Triggered by moving, losing employer coverage, qualifying for Extra Help, or chronic condition diagnoses. Many SEPs last 60–90 days — act quickly.
When to enroll: If you’re already collecting Social Security, Parts A and B start automatically. If not, you need to actively sign up during your IEP. Missing it can mean a lifetime Part B late-enrollment penalty of 10% per year delayed — permanently. Call before your 65th birthday month, not after.
Should I pick Original Medicare + Supplement, or Medicare Advantage?
Neither is “better.” Original + Medigap gives you any doctor in the U.S. that takes Medicare, predictable costs, but no extras and a higher monthly premium. Advantage usually has $0 premium plus dental/vision/OTC, but you stay in-network and need referrals. The right pick depends on your doctors, travel habits, and budget — we work through it together.
Will my current doctors take my new plan?
For Original Medicare: almost any provider in Florida accepts it. For Advantage: networks matter. Before recommending any Advantage plan I check each of your doctors and your preferred hospital against the plan’s directory.
What about my prescriptions?
I run your full medication list through each plan’s formulary. Two plans with the same monthly premium can have $4,000 of difference in annual drug costs — this is where most “free” plans get expensive.
Can I change plans every year?
Yes — that’s the point of AEP. Carriers change benefits, networks, and drug tiers every year. A plan that was perfect in 2024 may not be the best in 2026. I review your plan against the new options each fall.
What is IRMAA and will it affect me?
Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount — higher Part B and Part D premiums for individuals earning above $106,000 (or couples above $212,000) on their 2024 tax return. If a one-time event (retirement, sale of business, divorce) caused that income, we can file a reconsideration to remove it.
Hablas español?
Sí. Te explico Medicare en español con todos los formularios y comparaciones de plan en tu idioma.
Turning 65? Let’s plan your Medicare.
Get a side-by-side comparison of Original + Supplement vs. Advantage plans tailored to your doctors and prescriptions. Free, no pressure.