Florida Medicare 2026

Florida is the undisputed capital of U.S. Medicare Advantage, with over 5 million beneficiaries and 56% enrolled in an MA plan — representing more than 2.8 million MA enrollees, the highest raw number of any state. South Florida (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach) is one of the most saturated MA markets on Earth, with over 100 plans competing annually. UnitedHealthcare and Humana have dominant market positions statewide, while Devoted Health, a Florida-focused insurer, has grown rapidly by targeting the state's retiree population with high-quality service models. Hospital networks like Baptist Health South Florida, AdventHealth, and Cleveland Clinic Florida participate broadly across MA plans, though narrow HMO networks in Miami remain a frequent source of beneficiary confusion.

Florida's status as the premier retirement destination means tens of thousands of new 65-year-olds enroll in Medicare here each year after relocating from northern states. These new enrollees face a critical choice: the state's warm-weather economy and competitive MA market make $0-premium MA plans attractive, but beneficiaries who spend significant time in other states — particularly summer months in the northeast or midwest — must verify that their MA plan provides out-of-area coverage. Most HMO plans only cover emergencies outside Florida, whereas PPO plans may provide broader out-of-network coverage. Original Medicare with Medigap remains the superior option for true snowbirds who split their year between states. Medigap Plan G averages $148/month in Florida, and medical underwriting outside the open enrollment window can be challenging given Florida's high rates of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.