Medicare help across Florida
Turning 65, or wondering if your plan still fits? I'll explain Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplements and Part D drug plans in plain English, and check your doctors and prescriptions before you choose.
Prefer to talk first? Book a free call.
Your Medicare choices, in plain English
Everyone starts with Original Medicare: Part A (hospital) and Part B (doctors and outpatient care). Then you choose how to fill in the rest.
Medicare AdvantageAlso called Part C
A private plan approved by Medicare that replaces Original Medicare for your hospital and medical coverage. Most use a network of doctors. Some also include Part D drug coverage. Costs, covered services and networks vary from plan to plan.
Often a fit if: you're comfortable using a network and like having one card.
Medicare SupplementAlso called Medigap
Works alongside Original Medicare to help pay your deductibles and coinsurance. You can see any doctor in the U.S. who takes Medicare. Plans are standardized by federal rules and identified by letter. Plans C and F aren't available if you became eligible for Medicare on or after Jan 1, 2020.
Often a fit if: you want predictable costs and freedom to choose doctors.
Part D drug plansPrescription coverage
Drug coverage you add to Original Medicare or a Supplement. Each plan has its own drug list (called a formulary), groups drugs into cost tiers, and sets its own pharmacy network. Costs and covered drugs vary from plan to plan and can change each year, so it's worth checking your prescriptions every fall.
Good to know: waiting to enroll without other good drug coverage can mean a late penalty.
Key Medicare dates
Miss a window and you may have to wait. Here's when you can act. The highlighted row is open now.
| Window | When | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Turning 65 Initial Enrollment Period | 7 months: the 3 months before your birthday month, that month, and the 3 months after | Sign up for Parts A and B and choose how you get the rest of your coverage |
| Annual Enrollment Open now Medicare.gov calls this Open Enrollment | Oct 15 – Dec 7, 2026 Changes start Jan 1, 2027 | Join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan |
| Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Open now | Jan 1 – Mar 31, 2027 | If you're in a Medicare Advantage plan, make one change (switch plans or go back to Original Medicare) |
| General Enrollment Open now | Jan 1 – Mar 31, 2027 | Sign up for Part A and/or Part B if you missed your first chance. Coverage starts the month after you sign up. |
| Special Enrollment | After certain life events | Moving, losing employer coverage, qualifying for Extra Help and more |
Source: Medicare.gov. Dates checked Oct 1, 2026.
Turning 65? A simple checklist
- About 3 months before your birthday month: start comparing. It gives you time and the most choices.
- Still working? Whether you need Part B now can depend on your employer's size and coverage. Check before you decide, so you don't face a late penalty later.
- On a Marketplace plan? Once you can get premium-free Part A, you generally can't keep Marketplace tax credits. Plan the switch so there's no gap.
- Choose your path: Medicare Advantage, or Original Medicare with a Supplement and a Part D plan.
Have these ready
- Your red, white and blue Medicare card (or your start dates)
- Your doctors' names
- Your prescriptions and doses
- Your preferred pharmacy
How I help
Start your intake
Online in a few minutes, or by phone. Tell me about your doctors, prescriptions and budget.
Compare a few good options
I check your doctors and drugs against the plans I offer where you live and explain them side by side.
You decide
I help you enroll, answer questions during the year, and check in every fall before Annual Enrollment.
Help paying for Medicare costs
If your income and savings are limited, government programs may help pay premiums, deductibles and drug costs. Apply directly through these official sources.
Extra Help with drug costs
A Social Security program that lowers Part D premiums and copays for people with limited income and resources.
Medicare Savings Programs
State programs that can help pay Part B premiums and, for some people, deductibles and coinsurance.
Free counseling: Florida SHINE
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling from the Florida Department of Elder Affairs (SHINE: Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders).
1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337) · floridashine.org
Medicare: Medicare.gov · 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048)
Medicare questions, answered
The questions I hear most from people in South Florida and across the state.
When can I change my Medicare plan?
Most people can change Medicare Advantage or Part D plans during Annual Enrollment, Oct 15 – Dec 7, 2026. Changes start Jan 1, 2027. If you're in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can also make one change Jan 1 – Mar 31.
Medicare Advantage or a Supplement: what's the difference?
Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare with a private plan, usually with a network of doctors. A Supplement works alongside Original Medicare to cover your share of costs, and you usually add a Part D drug plan.
I'm turning 65. When should I start?
About 3 months before your birthday month. Your Initial Enrollment Period is 7 months long, and starting early gives you time to compare and avoid gaps.
I'm still working at 65. Do I need to sign up?
It depends on your employer's size and the coverage you have. Check before you decide, so you don't face a penalty later.
Does it cost anything to work with you?
No. There's no fee for my help, and your plan premium is the same as enrolling on your own.
Ready to look at your Medicare options?
Start online in a few minutes, or call and talk it through.
Related: Health insurance under 65 · Long-term care insurance · Medicare.gov