AN ADVERTISING SECTION OF THE TAMPA BAY TIMES
Your guide to
Medicare 2027 Open enrollment is here!
If you are 65 or older, this guide contains the timely advice you’ll need to get everything in order for 2027.
What’s Inside…
By the NUMBERS
M E D I C A R E I N F LO R I D A Number of Floridians enrolled in Medicare:
Medicare Advantage
Medicare By the Numbers ........................................... 2 How Medicare Works.................................................... 4 Understanding Medicare Advantage Plans ........... 10 Medicare Enrollment Begins Soon. Here’s What’s New ........................................................13 What’s in the Medicare Advantage Chart ..............16 What’s in the Stand-Alone Drug Chart ...................16 Medicare Comparison Charts ...............................17-21 Stand-Alone Drug Chart ........................................... 22 Free help at FloridaShine.org .................................. 23
5,334,437
560
*
Average monthly Medicare Advantage plan premium for 2027:
$2.13
Number of Medicare Advantage plans available in 2027
$0
Lowest monthly premium for a Medicare Advantage plan:
11
Percentage of Medicare enrollees with access to a Medicare Advantage plan with a $0 premium:
100%
Percentage of Medicare enrollees with a standalone Medicare prescription drug plan with access to a plan with a lower premium than what they paid in 2026:
52.7%
Percentage of Medicare enrollees with a standalone Medicare prescription drug plan who get help from programs such as the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, Medicare Savings Programs, or the Low-Income Subsidy program:
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100%
Medicare Part D
Number of standalone Medicare prescription drug plans available in 2027
The Medicare Guide is produced by Launch Point, the marketing and advertising agency of the Times Publishing Company. For more information email hello@launchpointstrategy.com
Percentage of seniors with access to a Medicare Advantage plan:
23.5%
Lowest monthly premium for a standalone Medicare prescription drug plan:
$5.30 *Not all include drug plans
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Medicare Advantage: How private options work, what they cover
BY DONNA WINCHESTER, Special to the Times
Medicare Advantage, also known as Part C, is a private-company alternative to Original Medicare that bundles hospital insurance (Part A) and medical insurance (Part B) benefits, often including prescription drug coverage (Part D) and extras like dental, vision and hearing. Instead of getting coverage directly from Medicare, you receive it from a private company approved by Medicare, which must follow Medicare’s rules but can have different costs and network requirements. With more than 35 million
seniors and individuals with disabilities currently enrolled, Medicare Advantage must cover everything that Original Medicare does. Enrollees must use specific doctors and hospitals within the plan’s network. Unlike Original Medicare, there is an annual out-of-pocket limit on your medical spending. Approval from the insurance company is often necessary before the plan will cover certain services. Insurance companies can decide if a Medicare Advantage plan will be available to everyone with Medicare in a state,
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or only in certain counties. Insurance companies may also offer more than one Medicare Advantage plan in an area, with different benefits and costs. Each year, insurance companies that offer Medicare Advantage plans can decide to join or leave Medicare. Despite most beneficiaries having access to plans operated by several parent organizations, Medicare Advantage enrollment is highly concentrated among a small number of parent organizations. UnitedHealth Group Inc. accounts for approximately 26% of all Medicare Advantage
With an HMO Medicare Advantage plan, you generally must get your care and services from doctors, other health care providers, and hospitals in the plan’s network.
enrollment in 2026, or roughly 9.3 million enrollees. Together, UnitedHealth Group Inc., and Humana Inc., account for nearly half of all Medicare Advantage enrollees nationwide. The Tampa Bay Times Medicare Guide focuses on two
types of Medicare Advantage Plans: Health Maintenance Organizations plans (HMOs) and Preferred Provider Organizations plans (PPOs). With an HMO Medicare Advantage plan, you generally See Advantage on page 6
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Advantage from page 4
HMO plans, you must join a PPO that offers one. If you join a PPO that doesn’t offer drug coverage, you can’t join a separate Medicare drug plan.
must get your care and services from doctors, other health care providers, and hospitals in the plan’s network. If you get health care outside the plan’s network, you may have to pay the full cost. The exception is emergency care, out-of-area urgent care, and temporary out-of-area dialysis. Some HMO plans are Pointof-Service (HMOPOS) plans that may allow you to get some services out of network for a higher copayment or coinsurance. It’s important that you follow the plan’s rules, such as getting prior approval for a certain service when the plan requires it. HMO plans usually require you to choose a primary care doctor. In most cases, you’ll need a referral to visit
In most cases, HMO plans will require a referral to visit a specialist, although certain services, like yearly mammogram screenings, don’t require a referral.
PPO plans allow you to use out-of-network providers for covered services if they are participating in Medicare or accept assignment, but you’ll usually pay more. Before you get services from an out-of-network provider, make sure you can show the services are medically necessary.
a specialist, although certain services, like yearly mammogram screenings, don’t require a referral.
HMO that offers it. If you join an HMO plan that doesn’t offer drug coverage, you can’t join a separate Medicare drug plan.
There is no need to choose a primary care doctor with a PPO plan, nor is there a need to get a referral to see a specialist.
These plans usually charge a monthly premium in addition to the monthly Part B medical insurance premium. If you want prescription drug coverage, you must join an
Like HMO plans, PPO plans usually charge a premium in addition to the monthly Part B medical insurance premium. Prescription drugs are covered in most PPO plans, but as with
With both HMO and PPO plans, if your plan gives you prior approval for a treatment, the approval must be valid for as long as the treatment is medically necessary. If you’re
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currently getting treatment and you switch to a new plan, you’ll have at least 90 days before the new plan can ask you to get a new prior approval for your ongoing treatment. Also with both types, if your doctor or other health care provider leaves the plan, your plan will notify you and you will have the option to choose another provider in the plan. Regardless of which type of Medicare Advantage plan you choose, be aware that the provider can disenroll you if you move outside the plan’s service area, lose Medicare or Medicaid eligibility, join a drug plan (in some cases), or if the plan’s contract with Medicare ends. In these situations, there’s a grace period when you’ll be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period. See Advantage on page 8
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Advantage from page 6 It’s also possible that your provider may decide to stop participating in Medicare. In this case, you’ll have to join another Medicare plan or move to Original Medicare. Despite continued interest in Medicare Advantage plans, the Better Medicare Alliance, a research and advocacy organization that supports Medicare Advantage, predicted in 2026 that many beneficiaries could face coverage disruptions. In an analysis of the 2025 Medicare Advantage plan landscape, the alliance found the number of Medicare Advantage plans nationally decreased by 2.8% in 2025, impacting nearly 2 million beneficiaries. The decline continued for 2026, as major insurers includ-
ing UnitedHealthcare and Aetna, citing financial pressures, discontinued some Medicare Advantage plans. For 2027, additional Medicare Advantage plan providers are leaving the marketplace, largely because the payment increase insurers received for 2027 hasn’t kept pace with rising healthcare costs. The result will be fewer plan options, and in some continuing plans, fewer benefits. Additional changes in 2027 include an increase in the Part D out-of-pocket drug cap to $2,400, a rise in the standard Part D deductible to $700, and updated marketing and enrollment rules. Nevertheless, as healthcare costs continue to rise, many individuals prefer Medicare Advantage plans for their
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If you want prescription drug coverage through a Medicare HMO, you must join an HMO plan that specifically includes it, often called an MA-PD plan.
bundled, comprehensive benefits and their yearly out-ofpocket cost limit that provides a measure of financial pro-
tection. Some also appreciate the convenience of having all healthcare coverage, including prescription drugs, under a sin-
gle plan and the option of low or $0 monthly premiums.
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Medicare enrollment for 2027: Everything you need to know BY DONNA WINCHESTER, Special to the Times
Medicare to estimate costs for prescription drug coverage, is expected to be $41.33, a 6% increase over 2026, although actual premiums vary by plan. The standard Part D deductible, the amount you’ll pay out of pocket for prescription drugs before your insurance coverage begins to pay, is expected to increase 13.8%, from $615 to $700.
Significant changes in Medicare rules, costs and benefits are coming for the approximately 70 million Americans 65 and older who are expected to participate in the federal health insurance program in 2027. The Part A deductible, Part B premium and Part B deductible, along with the Part D out-ofpocket cap and Part D standard deductible, all are expected to increase. Major insurers are scaling back on Medicare Advantage plan benefits and some plans are being discontinued. Meanwhile, new negotiated prices for some widely used medications take effect in January. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services began signaling the changes last spring. Premiums, deductibles and other key information were posted in late September ahead of the annual open enrollment period, which begins Oct. 15. Eligible individuals have until Dec. 7 to update their plans as well as switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage; from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare; from one Medicare Part D prescription drug plan to another; and enroll in a Medicare Part D plan if they did not enroll when they first became eligible for Medicare. The Tampa Bay Times’ Medicare Guide explains key changes, breaks down the various parts of Medicare, and offers charts for plan comparison to help beneficiaries. Here are some key points to keep
That doesn’t mean everyone will pay a $700 deductible. Individual Part D plans can offer different benefit designs, including lower deductibles or no deductible for certain drug tiers, so it’s important to read plan details.
The annual open enrollment period for Medicare begins Oct. 15.
in mind whether you are a first-time Medicare enrollee or looking to change your plan. Nearly all Medicare enrollees pay nothing for Medicare Part A, which covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care and home health care. For the small percentage who pay premiums, the amount for 2027 is projected to be either $311 or $565 per month, based on earning history, up slightly from 2026. The Medicare Part A deductible for 2027 is projected to be $1,788, an increase from $1,736 in 2026. This deductible applies per benefit period, not per calendar year.
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Premiums for Medicare Part B, the monthly cost you pay for doctor visits, preventive care and medical equipment, are projected to rise from $202.90 to $209.50. That’s a 3.3% increase following an 11.6% increase last year. These costs are calculated annually to ensure the Part B trust fund remains solvent, though it can result in higher costs for beneficiaries. For most Social Security recipients, the Part B premium is deducted directly from their monthly benefit. That means part of whatever Social Security cost-of-living adjustment beneficiaries receive for 2027 may effectively be absorbed by higher Medicare costs.
The Part B deductible, the amount you’ll pay out of pocket before Medicare starts paying for services like doctor visits and medical equipment, is expected to increase 3%, from $283 to $292. Many Medicare Advantage plans have copays and deductibles that don’t necessarily increase in lockstep with the Medicare Part B deductible, so while those benefit designs fluctuate from year to year, the changes aren’t the same as the deductible and copay changes that apply to Original Medicare. The Medicare Part D base premium, a standardized monthly amount used by
One of the biggest Medicare changes in recent years was the introduction of a firm annual limit on what beneficiaries must spend out of pocket for covered Part D prescription drugs. That protection remains in place, but in 2027, the threshold rises from $2,100 to $2,400. If you take expensive medications, that’s a potentially important $300 increase in maximum annual expense. There is some good news. While federal programs designed to prevent monthly premium spikes and sudden market disruptions in standalone prescription drug plans during the rollout of the Inflation Reduction Act are ending, new negotiated Medicare prices for 15 additional high-spending Part D drugs take effect Jan. 1. The Inflation Reduction Act gave Medicare the authority to
directly negotiate the price of high-cost, single-source drugs with pharmaceutical manufacturers rather than relying on commercial prices set by private health insurance companies in 2023. The first negotiated prices took effect in 2026. Weight loss drugs Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy, as well as medications used to treat cancer, respiratory disease and other serious conditions, will be added to the list in 2027. The effect on an individual won’t necessarily be identical to the reduction in a drug’s negotiated price because what you pay depends on your medication, your Part D plan, and where you are in the benefit structure. That’s why it’s important for anyone taking one of the affected medications to compare the drug’s 2027 cost under available plans rather than simply renewing the same plan. Some additional important Medicare protections will continue in 2027. Insulin will remain capped at $35 for a month’s supply of each covered insulin product with no deductible. Recommended adult vaccines will remain covered at no cost under Part D, including those for shingles and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan will continue, allowing you to spread your out-of-pocket prescription drug costs throughout the year instead of paying larger amounts at the pharmacy all at once. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced in April a 2.5% net average payment increase – more than $13 billion in additional funding – for Medicare Advantage plans for 2027. This follows a $35 billion increase to Medicare Advantage plans in 2026. While increased funding raises
concerns about the rising cost to the federal government, it can lead to better benefits like dental, vision, and hearing care, more stable or lower premiums for enrollees, and a wider selection of plans. Nationally, average Medicare Advantage premiums are projected to drop 16.5%, from $14.37 to $12. While Florida’s average monthly premium is ticking upward slightly from $1.83 to $2.13, those enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan statewide will continue to have access to at least one $0-premium plan. But there’s a trade-off. To keep premiums at zero, insurers are shifting costs elsewhere in the form of trimmed supplemental benefits such as dental, vision and over-thecounter allowances.
ed that plan exits will affect roughly 600,000 of its members nationwide for 2027. Medicare Advantage enrollees need to be aware that if their plan is canceled, they will not be moved to another plan automatically and could revert to Original Medicare. They could experience a loss of coverage for their doctors and prescription drugs, and some may lose the out-of-pocket cap provided by Medicare Advantage plans. On a positive note, if your Medicare Advantage plan is discontinued, you will have an exclusive window outside of the standard yearly enrollment timeline to protect you from losing coverage. A hidden perk of the special enrollment period is that you are granted a “guaranteed issue right” for a Medicare
The provider directory allows you find plans that include preferred doctors.
The impact varies significantly by region, as Medicare Advantage is priced and managed at the county level. In Pinellas County, for example, the number of $0-premium plans has dropped from 57 to 50. In Pasco County, the number has dropped from 57 to 49. Meanwhile, some insurers are discontinuing Medicare Advantage plans altogether. Humana has eliminated 21 plans across Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Humana has indicat-
Supplement policy, also known as Medigap insurance. Normally, if you want to switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare and buy a Medigap plan after your initial turning-65 window, private insurers can use medical underwriting to look at your health history to raise your premiums or deny you coverage. When a plan is discontinued, companies are legally prohibited from doing this, provided you apply within the required window. In this case, that window begins up to 60 days before your
coverage ends and lasts up to 63 days after. What this adds up to is a clear need to research options, familiarize yourself with Medicare changes, and make decisions based on best- or worstcase health scenarios. You may want to begin by assessing your current and future healthcare needs, considering new diagnoses, planned procedures, necessary medications and preferred providers. If you are enrolled in a Medicare plan, be sure to review your Annual Notice of Change, which will include any changes in coverage and costs that will be effective in January. If you do not receive this notice, contact your plan provider. Read the “Medicare and You” handbook, an official publication from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that provides information about Original Medicare and available Medicare plans in your area. Use the Medicare Plan Finder, which allows you to compare provider networks, prescription drug coverage and supplemental benefits for any new plan you are considering. This tool includes a provider directory feature, an expanded display of Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits, and an AI-powered drug search tool for personalized cost information. The provider directory, launched last year, allows users to find Medicare Advantage plans that include their preferred doctors. An additional feature shows detailed cost-sharing information and prior authorization requirements for those benefits. The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free, unbiased, one-onone counseling and assistance
to Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to help them understand Medicare, Medicare Advantage, prescription drug coverage, Medigap plans, and long-term care insurance. Managed by the Administration for Community Living, SHIPs provide services through trained and certified local counselors in all 50 states. While using the Plan Finder, be sure to check each plan’s star ratings, a system the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services uses to measure how well Medicare Advantage and Part D plans perform in several categories, including quality of care and customer service. Ratings range from one to five stars, with five being the highest and one being the lowest. If you’re still confused, Florida’s SHINE program is a free offering from the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the local Area Agency on Aging. Specially trained volunteers can assist with Medicare, Medicaid, and health insurance questions by providing one-on-one counseling and information. SHINE services are free, unbiased, and confidential. Visit the website or call 1-800-963-5337 toll-free. If you need help with Medicare costs, you may qualify to receive financial assistance from Medicare Savings Programs. These programs help millions of Americans access high-quality healthcare at a reduced cost, helping to pay Medicare premiums, and may also pay Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments for those who meet eligibility conditions. The Medicare Low-Income Subsidy, also known as “Extra Help,” is a program to help people with limited income and resources pay for Medicare Part See Enrollment on page 12
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Enrollment from page 11 D prescription drugs, including premiums, deductibles and copayments. To qualify, you must have Medicare, live in the United States, and have income and assets below certain annual thresholds. You can apply for Extra Help through the Social Security Administration. Bottom line for 2027: Some of the biggest Medicare reforms in recent years remain in place for 2027, including limits on Part D prescription drug spending and Medicare’s ability to negotiate prices for certain expensive medications. That said, some costs are moving upward at the same time, including the standard Part D deductible, the drug out-of-pocket threshold and Part B premiums. Not everyone needs to switch coverage, but Medicare recipients both brand new and familiar with the rules should spend extra time this year to review all their options.
How Medicare works Medicare is a federal health insurance program primarily for people 65 or older and for younger individuals with certain disabilities. You can receive coverage in two main ways: Original Medicare (Parts A & B), provided by the government; or Medicare Advantage (Part C), offered by private companies. You can add prescription drug coverage through Part D or a private drug plan. A supplemental Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy can help cover out-of-pocket costs. Medicare Part A covers inpatient care at hospitals, including semi-private rooms, general nursing, meals, and other hospital services and supplies. It also covers stays at skilled nursing facilities as well as hospice for terminally
ill individuals and some home health care if you meet certain conditions. Part A is premium-free for those who have worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. You pay a hospital deductible for each benefit period you use, but there is no limit on the number of benefit periods. Most people who are receiving Social Security benefits when they turn 65 automatically are enrolled in Part A. If you aren’t receiving Social Security benefits, you can sign up for Medicare Parts A and B through the Social Security Administration. Medicare Part B covers outpatient medical services, visits to doctors and other healthcare providers, and durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers and hospital beds. It also covers health screenings, vaccines and yearly wellness visits to help prevent illness or detect it early. Additionally, outpatient physical therapy and occupational and speech therapy services are covered by Part B. Part B complements Part A and works together with it to form Original Medicare. You pay a monthly premium and share in the costs through a deductible and coinsurance after your deductible is met. After you meet the deductible, you typically pay 20% of the cost for most Part B services. Unlike other types of insurance, there is no annual limit on the amount you could pay out-of-pocket for Part B services unless you have additional coverage. Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, is an alternative to Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and provides additional benefits and coverage options. Most Medicare Advan-
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tage plans cover all the services included in Parts A and B, such as hospital stays, doctors’ visits and prescription drugs. Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies and vary in their offerings, but many include extra services such as vision, dental and hearing care and wellness programs. Some plans have lower deductibles, copayments and maximum out-of-pocket limits compared to Original Medicare. In many cases, you can only use doctors who are in the plan’s network. Plans often have different out-of-pocket costs than Original Medicare or supplemental coverage, and you may also have an additional premium. Medicare Part D is optional prescription drug coverage for people with Medicare that helps cover drug costs, including many recommended shots and vaccines. You can get Part D by joining a Medicare drug plan in addition to Original Medicare or by joining a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage. You will pay for a portion of the drug costs through a deductible, copayments, or coinsurance. You must use a pharmacy within the plan’s network to get covered drugs. To find the right plan, check the plan’s drug list, also known as a formulary, to make sure your pharmacy is in the network. Then compare total costs, including the premium, deductible and copayments. Drug plans and costs change yearly, so it’s important to re-evaluate your options annually to ensure your plan still meets your needs. Keep in mind that the plan with the lowest premium isn’t always the least expensive overall.
It’s also important to know that some plans have rules for drug coverage, such as prior authorization that require approval before you get the drug or that require you to try a different drug first. Most important: If you don’t sign up for Part D when you are first eligible, you may have to pay a higher premium for as long as you have coverage. Supplemental Medicare insurance, also known as Medigap, is a private insurance policy that helps pay for gaps in coverage left by Original Medicare (Parts A and B). These out-of-pocket costs include things like copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. If you are enrolled in Original Medicare and have a Medigap policy, Medicare and your Medigap policy each will pay its share of covered health care costs. You pay a monthly premium to the private insurance company for your Medigap policy in addition to the monthly Part B premium you pay to Medicare. Medigap plans are standardized by letter in most states, with each plan offering a different set of basic benefits. The core benefits for each plan letter are the same, regardless of the insurance company selling it. The best time to buy is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, a 6-month window that starts the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Part B. During this time, you can buy any Medigap policy sold in your state, regardless of any pre-existing health conditions.
Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage? Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage are both health insurance programs for seniors
and people with certain disabilities, but they differ in several key aspects, including coverage, cost, access to providers, and extra benefits. Original Medicare covers hospital stays (Part A), medical services (Part B), and prescription drugs (optional Part D). Medicare Advantage offers all the benefits of Part A and Part B plus additional coverage such as vision, dental, hearing and prescription drugs. With Original Medicare, Part A premiums vary depending on work history, while Part B premiums are based on income. Prescription drug coverage requires a separate Part D plan. Medicare Advantage plans have a monthly premium that may include Part A and Part B coverage, as well as the additional benefits. Original Medicare allows access to any healthcare provider who accepts Medicare. Medicare Advantage typically has a limited network of providers. Original Medicare offers basic health coverage. Medicare Advantage may offer additional benefits such as wellness programs, gym memberships, and over-the-counter medications. One factor to consider when choosing between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage is health status. If you have chronic conditions or expect high medical costs, Medicare Advantage may be more beneficial due to its additional coverage. If you prefer to have access to any healthcare provider, Original Medicare is the better option. In terms of cost, Medicare Advantage may offer lower monthly premiums, but its additional benefits may increase overall costs.
What to watch for Medicare Advantage plans in 2027 BY DONNA WINCHESTER, Special to the Times
As many as 2.9 million Americans are receiving word this fall that they are being disenrolled from their Medicare Advantage plan according to an analysis by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. That amounts to one in 10 seniors who previously elected to enroll in the private-company alternative to Original Medicare, also known as Part C, that bundles hospital insurance (Part A) and medical insurance (Part B) benefits. The plans often include prescription drug coverage (Part D) and extras like dental, vision and hearing.
These private companies, approved by Medicare, must follow Medicare’s rules but can have different costs and network requirements. With more than 34 million seniors and individuals with disabilities currently participating, Medicare Advantage enrollment as a share of the eligible Medicare population jumped from 19% in 2007 to 55% in 2026. Enrollment in these plans has grown steadily for more than two decades, attracting older Americans away from traditional Medicare, often with low or zero monthly premiums, particularly in states
with high penetration rates such as Arizona, Florida, Nevada and Pennsylvania. The Johns Hopkins researchers noted that multiple large insurers nevertheless substantially reduced their offerings last year, citing financial pressures and policy uncertainty. Federal policy changes aimed at reducing overpayments have resulted in lower reimbursement rates from the government to insurers. Along with rising medical costs, insurers’ profitability margins are being squeezed, which is why many Medicare See Changes on page 14
Multiple large insurers substantially reduced their offerings last year.
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Changes from page 13
window may be a chance to get a Medigap plan at a healthy-person rate.
Advantage providers are cutting benefits like grocery allowances, over-the-counter cards, and the Part B “giveback,” or exiting markets altogether.
But timing is critical. You generally must apply for a Medigap plan up to 63 days after your coverage ends. If you miss the deadline, you may lose guaranteed-issue rights and face underwriting.
Humana, second-largest insurer in the Medicare Advantage sector, plans to exit some of its least profitable markets for 2027, a move expected to impact about 600,000 members. Rather than cut uniformly across the board, Humana will “cut off the lower tail of profitability,” according to Humana CFO Celeste Mellet. If your Medicare Advantage plan is leaving Florida, there is a bright spot. You may have a rare, time-limited opportunity to switch to a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan with no questions asked about pre-existing health conditions. You cannot be denied, nor
Enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans has grown steadily for more than two decades, attracting older Americans away from traditional Medicare, often with low or zero monthly premiums.
can you be charged more based on your health history. This guaranteed-issue protection applies to specific plans in Florida: Medigap Plans A, B, C,
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D, K, G, K and L. Plans C and F are available only if you became eligible for Medicare before Jan. 1, 2020. This is a big deal, because outside of a guaranteed-issue win-
dow, Medigap normally requires medical underwriting, a process where insurers review your health and can turn you down. For those with health conditions, this
Another option if your Medicare Advantage plan is discontinued is switching to another Medicare Advantage plan during the Annual Enrollment Period, Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. Before signing up for a new plan, be sure to check that your primary care doctor and specialists are covered in the new plan’s network and that your medications are covered under its formulary drug list. You can verify those details on the Medicare Plan Finder tool or you can call the plan provider directly.
One more thing to keep in mind: If you do nothing before the deadline, you will be moved to Original Medicare (Parts A and B) with no drug plan and no Medigap automatically in place. So, it’s important to note the exact date your Medicare Advantage coverage ends. Be sure to open your Annual Notice of Change, the letter sent by Medicare Ad-
vantage plans in late September to inform members about upcoming changes to their coverage, costs and service networks. This is how you will find out if your Medicare Advantage plan is being discontinued. In addition to the exit of some Medicare Advantage plans, additional changes are coming that both enhance consumer
protection and roll back previous changes to the Medicare Advantage program that were intended to protect consumers. As part of the 2027 Medicare Advantage final rule, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will require Medicare Advantage plans to post eligibility criteria for Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI). This
will make it easier for prospective enrollees to know if they’re eligible for benefits such as food and produce, pest control, and transportation for non-medical needs. But a requirement that plans notify enrollees of unused supplemental benefits mid-year has been eliminated, along with some marketing requirements, such as a provision aimed at increasing
the separation between marketing activities from educational events. Additionally, State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPSs) have been removed from the list of resources that Medicare Advantage brokers must offer to beneficiaries.
Medicare Advantage plans often include prescription drug coverage, dental, vision and hearing.
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What’s in the Medicare Advantage chart BY DONNA WINCHESTER, Special to the Times
Type:This chart shows three types of Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage: HMO, PPO and HMO-POS. Counties served: Indicates where plans are available; Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties. Monthly premium: The recurring fee you pay to a private insurance company for your Part C benefits in addition to your required Medicare Part B premium. While some plans offer a $0 monthly premium, this does not mean the plan is free, as you are still responsible for the Part B premium and other costs such as copayments and deductibles. Part B reduction: A benefit, often called a “giveback,” where the plan pays for some or all of your monthly Medicare Part B premium. This reduction is applied by the Social Security Administration and results in a higher Social Security check or a lower Part B premium if you pay out of pocket. Part B reductions are not
Out-of-pocket maximum: The most you will pay for covered health care services in a calendar year, excluding monthly premiums. Once you reach this limit, the plan pays 100% of the Medicare-approved costs for covered services for the rest of that year. This annual cap includes costs like deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance, but not your monthly plan premium or costs for services not covered by the plan. Doctor copay: This is the cost of every visit to the doctor. The first dollar figure listed on the chart is for primary care physicians; the second is for specialists. Costs are listed for physicians inside the network (Net) and outside the network (Out).
What’s in the standalone drug chart What’s not in the Medicare
Hospital copay: This is the cost every time a patient is admitted to a hospital — both inside the network (Net) and outside the network (Out). For outpatient hospital coverage, refer to each plan’s Plan Finder.
Rating: Medicare rates Medicare Advantage plans from 1 to 5 stars, based on customer satisfaction and certain health measures. The top rating is a 5.
Advantage chart
Private Fee for Service Plans: A type of Medicare Advantage plan where a private insurance company offers benefits that can exceed Original Medicare, paying providers on a fee-for-service basis. Special Needs Plans: A specialized type of Medicare Advantage plan designed for individuals with specific needs, such as chronic health conditions including diabetes or heart failure; those who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid (dual eligibles); or people living in long-term care facilities. Medicare supplement plans: Also known as Medigap, this coverage helps pay some health care costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover. Copayments for other services: Plans usually charge copayments for drugs, skilled nursing homes, ambulances, emergency rooms and many other services. Check each plan’s Plan Finder for details.
The charts start on page 17 or go online at tampabay.com.
available in all areas and depend on your location and specific Medicare Advantage plan. Drug deductible: In some plans, a deductible is paid before drug coverage kicks in. A drug deductible may not apply to all medications or tiers. 16M | Tampa Bay Times | Sunday, October 18, 2026
If you are in a Medicare Advantage HMO or PPO plan that does not include drug coverage, you cannot add a separate standalone drug plan. If you enroll in a separate Part D plan while in most Medicare Advantage plans, you will be automatically disenrolled from your Advantage plan and switched back to Original Medicare.
Goodies: Some plans offer some dental, hearing and vision coverage, exercise classes, transportation to the doctor and other extra benefits. Check each plan’s Plan Finder for details. Health plans without drugs: Not all Medicare Advantage plans include drug coverage. Unless you have drug coverage elsewhere, using these plans can result in stiff penalties if you decide you want Medicare drug coverage in the future.
Drug benefit category: In Medicare Part D, “basic” refers to the standard benefit design, while “enhanced” describes plans that offer more benefits, like a broader formulary, no deductible for certain tiers, or $0 costshares for some drugs, typically in exchange for a higher premium. Enhanced plans offer more comprehensive coverage than the standard Part D plans, which have more defined structures and may have deductibles or higher costs for tiers. Monthly premium: The monthly charge for every Medicare Part D drug plan. This is in addition to Medicare’s monthly Part B premium. Annual deductible: What is paid out of pocket before coverage begins. Rating: Medicare rates drug plans from 1 to 5 stars, based on customer satisfaction and certain health measures. The top rating is a 5.
What’s not in the standalone drug chart
Medicare health costs: Drug plans are for people on Original Medicare who also have expenses for doctors, hospitals and, sometimes, supplemental plans. People with higher incomes may pay higher Part B premiums and drug plan premiums. Total drug costs: Out-of-pocket costs can vary widely depending on which drugs are needed. For an estimated total cost of different plans, check each plan’s Plan Finder.
Medicare 2027
Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage PLAN
TYPE
COUNTIES SERVED
MONTHLY PREMIUM
Hills. Pasco, Pin.
$0
PART B PREMIUM DRUG REDUCTION DEDUCTIBLE
HOSPITAL COPAY
RATING OUT OF 5 STARS
Net: $3,500
Net: $0, $0-$35
Net: $250 daily for 5 days
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $3,800
Net: $0, $0-$45
Net: $295 daily for 7 days
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $4,450
Net: $0, $0-$30
Net: $295 daily for 6 days
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $5,900 In and Out of Network: $10,100
Net: $0, $0-$55
Net: $455 daily for 6 days Out: 40% per stay
Net: $9,850 In and Out of Network: $14,800
Net: $0, $0-$55
Net: $485 daily for 5 days Out: 40% per stay
¹⁄
Net: $7,150
Net: $0, $0-$75
Net: $685 daily for 4 days
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $7,150
Net: $0, $0-$75
Net: $685 daily for 4 days
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $3,900
Net: $0, $25
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $295 daily for 7 days Out: N/A
Net: $6,750 In and Out of Network: $10,100
Net: $0, $0-$38
Net: $375 daily for 5 days Out: 50% per stay
HMO-POS
AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC FL-0006 H1045-028-0 Contact: 800-555-5757 https://tinyurl.com/fa7nc72y
HMO-POS
AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC FL-0013 H1045-043-0 Contact: 800-555-5757 https://tinyurl.com/5bntuufm
HMO-POS
AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC FL-0019 H2406-011-0 Contact: 800-555-5757 https://tinyurl.com/3jmpkvmb
PPO
AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC FL-0031 R0759-001-0 Contact: 800-555-5757 https://tinyurl.com/yen2fbk3
PPO
AARP Medicare Advantage CareFlex from UHC FL-34 H1045-059-0 Contact: 800-555-5757 https://tinyurl.com/bddp9fzk
HMO-POS
AARP Medicare Advantage Giveback from UHC FL-40 H1045-071-0 Contact: 800-555-5757 https://tinyurl.com/mswa6t3f
HMO-POS
Aetna Medicare Select H1609-087-0 Contact: 833-859-6031 https://tinyurl.com/3vu2sryc
HMO
Aetna Medicare Select Extra H1609-028-0 Contact: 833-859-6031 https://tinyurl.com/48zcv5dh
HMO-POS
Aetna Medicare Signature H5521-702-0 Contact: 833-859-6031 https://tinyurl.com/3m2uhm49
PPO
Her., Hills., Pasco, Pin.
$0
N/A
$700
Net: $7,150 In and Out of network: $10,750
Net: $0, $75 Out: $55, $100
Net: $435 daily for 7 days Out: 50% per stay
PPO
Her., Hills., Pasco, Pin.
$0
N/A
$700
Net: $7,150 In and Out of Network: $10,750
Net: $0, $75 Out: $55, $100
Net: $435 daily for 7 days Out: 50% per stay
Aetna Medicare Signature Legacy H5521-270-0 Contact: 833-859-6031 https://tinyurl.com/ybacppet
Her.
$0
$0
Her., Hills., Pasco, Pin.
$0
Her., Hills., Pasco, Pin.
$127.00
Hills., Pasco, Pin.
$0
Hills., Pasco, Pin.
$0
Her., Hills., Pasco, Pin.
$0
Hills., Pin.
$0
Notes: Shading on the chart indicates plans offered by the same company.
N/A
$5.00
N/A
N/A
N/A
$150
N/A
N/A
$405
DOCTOR COPAY (PER VISIT)
AAARP Medicare Advantage from UHC FL-003P H1045-045-0 Contact: 800-555-5757 https://tinyurl.com/bcsk7dud
Her., Hills., Pasco, Pin.
N/A
OUT-OF-POCKET MAXIMUM
$405
$270
$685
$685
$685
$685
$200
$700
Out: $45, $90
Out: $40, $85
Out: N/A, $70
. Chart continued on page 18 Sunday, October 18, 2026 | Tampa Bay Times | 17M
Medicare 2027
Continued from page 17
Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage PLAN
TYPE
BayCarePlus Complete H2235-001-0 Contact: 833-571-8899 https://tinyurl.com/3x387899
HMO
BayCarePlus Rewards H2235-002-0 Contact: 833-571-8899 https://tinyurl.com/4djfuh9j
HMO
BlueMedicare Classic H1035-021-0 Contact: 855-601-9465 https://tinyurl.com/yr5mkch2
HMO
BlueMedicare Preferred H1035-052-0 Contact: 855-601-9465 https://tinyurl.com/a6bed2cz
HMO
BlueMedicare Premier H1035-034-0 Contact: 855-601-9465 https://tinyurl.com/43by4452
HMO
BlueMedicare Premier Plus H1035-060-0 Contact: 855-601-9465 https://tinyurl.com/ybhdyw2y
HMO
BlueMedicare Select H5434-002-0 Contact: 855-601-9465 https://tinyurl.com/bdhverhm
COUNTIES SERVED
MONTHLY PREMIUM
Hills. Pasco, Pin.
$0
Hills., Pasco, Pin.
$0
Her., Hills., Pasco
$0
Hills.
$0
Her., Pin.
$0
PART B PREMIUM DRUG REDUCTION DEDUCTIBLE N/A
-$120.00
N/A
N/A
N/A
$700
$700
$350
$615
HOSPITAL COPAY
RATING OUT OF 5 STARS
Net: $2,000
Net: $0, $15
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $150 daily for 5 days Out: N/A
Net: $3,700
Net: $0, $25
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $200 daily for 5 days Out: N/A
Net: $6,750
Net: $0, $45
¹⁄
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $325 daily for 7 days Out: N/A
Net: $2,900
Net: $0, $15
¹⁄
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $195 daily for 7 days Out: N/A
Net: $5,500
Net: $0, $0-$45
¹⁄
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $300 for 7 days Out: N/A
Net: $2,700
Net: $0-$20
¹⁄
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $275 daily for 7 days Out: N/A
$0
PPO
Hills., Pin.
$173.00
N/A
$700
Net: $7,500 In and Out of Network: $10,100
Net: $0, $0-$55 Out: 50%, 50% coinsurance
Net: $350 daily for 7 days Out: 50% per stay
¹⁄
BlueMedicare Select H5434-045-0 Contact: 855-601-9465 https://tinyurl.com/ycx38dne
PPO
Pasco
$99.50
N/A
$700
Net: $7,150 In and Out of Network: $10,100
Net: $0, $55 Out: 50%, 50% coinsurance
Net: $385 daily for 7 days Out: 50% per stay
BlueMedicare Value H5434-023-0 Contact: 855-601-9465 https://tinyurl.com/4sdy738d
PPO
Pin.
$0
N/A
$597
Net: $5,900 In and Out of Network: $10,100
Net: $0, $0-$55 Out: 50%, 50% coinsurance
Net: $385 daily for 7 days Out: 50% per stay
BlueMedicare Value H5434-034-0 Contact: 855-601-9465 https://tinyurl.com/yae446hj
PPO
Hills.
$0
N/A
$597
Net: $5,900 In and Out of Network: $10,100
Net: $0, $50 Out: 50%, 50% coinsurance
Net: $385 daily for 7 days Out: 50% per stay
BlueMedicare Value H5434-035-0 Contact: 855-601-9465 https://tinyurl.com/2cfjkxcf
PPO
Her.
$0
N/A
$597
Net: $6,750
Net: $0, $0-$55 Out: 50%, 50% coinsurance
Net: $385 daily for 7 days Out: 50% per stay
18M | Tampa Bay Times | Sunday, October 18, 2026
$350
DOCTOR COPAY (PER VISIT)
Her., Pasco, Pin.
Notes: Shading on the chart indicates plans offered by the same company.
N/A
$250
OUT-OF-POCKET MAXIMUM
Out: $10,100
. Chart continued on page 19
Medicare 2027
Continued from page 18
Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage PLAN
TYPE
CareAccess H1019-144-000 Contact: 888-685-8607 https://tinyurl.com/2rwmnaea
HMO
CareFree Platinum Giveback H1019-104-2 Contact: 888-685-8607 https://tinyurl.com/yw4882d4
HMO
CareOne Plus H1019-103-2 Contact: 888-685-8607 https://tinyurl.com/mptyu7cj
HMO-POS
COUNTIES SERVED
MONTHLY PREMIUM
Hills., Pasco, Pin.
$0
Hills. Pasco, Pin.
$0
Hills., Pasco, Pin.
$0
PART B PREMIUM DRUG REDUCTION DEDUCTIBLE N/A
-$166.80
-$1.00
$700
$0
$700
OUT-OF-POCKET MAXIMUM
DOCTOR COPAY (PER VISIT)
HOSPITAL COPAY
RATING OUT OF 5 STARS
Net: $4,000
Net: $0, $30
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $225 daily for 7 days Out: N/A
Net: $2,400
Net: $0, $20
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $100 daily for 5 days Out: N/A
Net: $1,500 In and Out of Network: $1,500
Net: $0, $5
Out: N/A, $5
Net: $50 daily for 5 days Out: $50 daily for 5 days
Devoted Choice Giveback 008 FL H9884-008-0 Contact: 844-978-2770 https://tinyurl.com/35nt97pu
PPO
Her., Hills., Pasco, Pin.
$0
-$174.70
$461
Net: $9,850 In and Out of Network: $13,900
Net: $0, $20-$45 Out: 40%, $20-$55 coinsurance
Net: $475 daily for 5 days Out: $475 daily for 4 days
Devoted Core 036 FL H1290-036-1 Contact: 844-978-2770 https://tinyurl.com/yc7k73re
HMO
Her., Hills., Pasco
$0
N/A
$650
Net: $3,950
Net: $0, $15-$25
¹⁄
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $195 daily for 7 days Out: N/A
Devoted Core 036 FL H1290-036-2 Contact: 844-978-2770
HMO
Pin.
$0
Net: $6,750
Net: $0, $15
¹⁄
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $195 daily for 9 days Out: N/A
Devoted Core 037 FL H1290-037-5 Contact: 844-978-2770 https://tinyurl.com/hhpy3ec8
HMO
Net: $3,900
Net: $0-$25
¹⁄
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $175 daily for 20 days Out: N/A
Devoted Core 058 FL H1290-058-0 Contact: 844-978-2770 https://tinyurl.com/ykkkuwnz
HMO
Net: $3,900
Net: $10, $15
¹⁄
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $175 daily for 8 days Out: N/A
Devoted Core 065 FL H1290-065-0 Contact: 844-978-2770 https://tinyurl.com/3rpm6s87
HMO
Net: $3,900
Net: $0, $5
¹⁄
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $175 daily for 10 days Out: N/A
Devoted Giveback 051 FL H1290-051-1 Contact: 844-978-2770 https://tinyurl.com/4cyxufew
HMO
Net: $7, 150
Net: $0, $45
¹⁄
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $395 daily for 6 days Out: N/A
Devoted Giveback 051 FL H1290-051-2 Contact: 844-978-2770 https://tinyurl.com/5n8ey8c8
HMO
Net: $7,150
Net: $0, $45
¹⁄
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $395 daily for 6 days Out: N/A
Devoted Giveback Extras 106 FL H1290-106-0 Contact: 844-978-2770 https://tinyurl.com/4a8x95uz
HMO
Net: $5,150
Net: $0-$35
¹⁄
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $320 daily for 7 days Out: N/A
Devoted Giveback Extras 115 FL H1290-115-0 Contact: 844-978-2770 https://tinyurl.com/4wvnusje
HMO
Net: $5,150
Net: $0, $35
¹⁄
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: 320 daily for 8 days Out: N/A
N/A
$650
https://tinyurl.com/3m8dh8ac Her., Hills., Pasco, Pin.
$0
Her., Hills., Pasco
$0
Pin.
$0
Her., Hills., Pasco
$0
Pin.
$0
Her., Hills., Pasco
$0
Pin.
$0
Notes: Shading on the chart indicates plans offered by the same company.
N/A
N/A
N/A
-$202.00
-$202.00
-$70.00
-$70.00
$650
$650
$650
$650
$650
$700
$615
. Chart continued on page 20 Sunday, October 18, 2026 | Tampa Bay Times | 19M
Medicare 2027
Continued from page 19
Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage PLAN
TYPE
DrSelect H4140-025-0 Contact: 833-639-3427 https://tinyurl.com/5cezt4zb
HMO
Freedom Maximo H5427-113-0 Contact: 833-668-2276 https://tinyurl.com/mrz33m7b
HMO-POS
Freedom Medicare Plan Rx H5427-059-0 Contact: 833-668-2276 https://tinyurl.com/75rzvc3x
HMO
Freedom Medicare Plan Rx H5427-060-0 Contact: 833-668-2275 https://tinyurl.com/mpbzp8vh
HMO
HealthSpring Preferred H5410-059-0 Contact: 866-617-8713 https://tinyurl.com/3cffnacf
HMO
HumanaChoice R5826-005 R5826-005-0 Contact: 813-463-4220 https://tinyurl.com/5akudntz
COUNTIES SERVED
MONTHLY PREMIUM
Hills., Pasco
$0
Hills.
$0
Pin.
$0
PART B PREMIUM DRUG REDUCTION DEDUCTIBLE N/A
-$202.90
N/A
$0
$0
HOSPITAL COPAY
RATING OUT OF 5 STARS
Net: $3,500
Net: $0, $0
¹⁄
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $0 daily for 3 days Out: N/A
Net: $1,900
Net: $0, $10
Out: $1,900
Out: $0, $10
Net: $95 daily for 5 days Out: N/A
Net: $4,450
Net: $0, $30
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $225 daily for 7 days Out: N/A
Net: $4,450
Net: $0, $35
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $150 daily for 7 days Out: N/A
Net: $7,100
Net: $0, $30
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $295 daily for 7 days Out: N/A
$0
Her., Hills., Pasco, Pin.
$0
PPO
Her., Hills., Pasco, Pin.
$161.00
N/A
$700
Net: $6,700 In and Out of Network: $10,000
Net: $0, $45 Out: 50% Coinsurance
Net: $250 daily for 8 days Out: 40% Per Day
HumanaChoice R5826-074 R5826-074-0 Contact: 813-463-4220 https://tinyurl.com/h8d3yhz3
PPO
Her., Hills., Pasco, Pin.
$35
N/A
$700
Net: $7,550 In and Out of Network: $10,500
Net: $0-$50 Out: 20%, 30% Coinsurance
Net: $625 daily for 3 days Out: $725 daily for 14 days
Humana Essentials Plus Giveback H7617-126-0 Contact: 813-463-4220 https://tinyurl.com/yn88dfyy
PPO
Her., Hills., Pasco, Pin.
$0
-$92.00
$700
Net: $7,150 In and Out of Network: $10,750
Net: $0, $50
Net: $495 daily for 5 days Out: $495 daily for 5 days
¹⁄
Humana Gold Plus H1036-025 H1036-025-0 Contact: 813-463-4220 https://tinyurl.com/bdp8szkw
HMO
Her., Hills., Pasco, Pin.
$0
Net: $2,000
Net: $0, $10
¹⁄
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $50 daily for 6 days Out: N/A
Humana Gold Plus Giveback H1036-265 H1036-265-1 Contact: 813-463-4220 https://tinyurl.com/43fahfeu
HMO
Her., Hills., Pasco, Pin.
$0
Net: $2,400
Net: $0, $10
¹⁄
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $125 daily for 4 days Out: N/A
Humana Value Choice H5216-072-0 Contact: 813-463-4220 https://tinyurl.com/4abs2pzw
PPO
Her., Hills., Pasco, Pin.
$0
Net: $7,550 In and out of network: $9,100
Net: $0, $50
Net: $290 daily for 6 days Out: $125 daily for 27 days
20M | Tampa Bay Times | Sunday, October 18, 2026
N/A
-$8.90
-$166.80
-$3.40
$0
DOCTOR COPAY (PER VISIT)
Hills., Pasco
Note: Shading on the chart indicates plans offered by the same company.
N/A
$0
OUT-OF-POCKET MAXIMUM
$400
$0
$0
$0
Out: $0, $50
Out: $65, $65
. Chart continued on page 21
Medicare 2027
Continued from page 20
Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage PLAN
TYPE
COUNTIES SERVED
Optimum Gold Plus Plan H5594-032-0 Contact: 833-668-2306 https://tinyurl.com/mr8x35z7
HMO
Her.
Optimum Gold Rewards Plan H5594-001-0 Contact: 833-668-2306 https://tinyurl.com/39jfm9nu
HMO
Optimum Platinum Plan H5594-002-0 Contact: 833-668-2306 https://tinyurl.com/4d2ztuct
HMO
Premier by Ultimate H2962-001-0 Contact: 800-219-7487 https://tinyurl.com/2drutf4n
HMO
Premier by Ultimate H2962-045-0 Contact: 800-219-7487 https://tinyurl.com/trmm3w95
HMO
Solis Healthy Living Plan H0982-009-0 Contact: 844-447-6547 https://tinyurl.com/mpkf3t98
HMO
Wellcare Giveback H1032-200-0 Contact: 844-480-0680 https://tinyurl.com/34fk5avn
HMO-POS
Wellcare Simple H1032-201-0 Contact: 844-480-0680 https://tinyurl.com/3bnys27x
HMO-POS
MONTHLY PREMIUM $0
Her., Hills., Pasco, Pin.
$0
Her., Hills., Pasco, Pin.
$0
Her., Pasco
$0
Hills.
$0
Her., Hills., Pasco, Pin.
$0
Her., Hills., Pasco, Pin.
$0
Her., Hills., Pasco, Pin.
$0
PART B PREMIUM DRUG REDUCTION DEDUCTIBLE -$202.90
-$202.90
N/A
-$202.90
-$202.90
-$7.30
-$175.00
-$2.00
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$700
$700
OUT-OF-POCKET MAXIMUM
DOCTOR COPAY (PER VISIT)
HOSPITAL COPAY
RATING OUT OF 5 STARS
Net: $1,900
Net: $0, $40
¹⁄
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $75 daily for 5 days Out: $0 daily for 6-90 days
Net: $1,900
Net: $0, $10
¹⁄
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $95 daily for 5 days Out: $0 daily for 6-90 days
Net: $1,000
Net: $0, $0
Net: $0 per stay
¹⁄
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $1,900
Net: $0, $10
¹⁄
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $0, $10 for 4 days Out: N/A
Net: $1,900
Net: $0, $10
¹⁄
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $90 daily for 5 days Out: N/A
Net: $2,900
Net: $0, $0
¹⁄
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $50 daily for 7 days Out: N/A
Net: $7,200
Net: $0, $20
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $375 daily for 7 days Out: N/A
Net: $2,700
Net: $0, $0
Out: N/A
Out: N/A
Net: $375 daily for 7 days Out: N/A
Note: Shading on the chart indicates plans offered by the same company.
Sunday, October 18, 2026 | Tampa Bay Times | 21M
Medicare 2027
Stand-alone drug plans DRUG BENEFIT CATEGORY
MONTHLY PREMIUM
ANNUAL DEDUCT.
RATING OUT OF 5 STARS
BlueMedicare Complete Rx S5904-002 Contact: 855-601-9465
Enhanced
$326.00
$700
BlueMedicare Premier Rx S5904-001 Contact: 855-601-9465
Basic
$164.60
$700
HealthSpring Assurance Rx S5715-032 Contact:
Basic
$9.30
$700
Humana Basic Rx Plan S5884-105 Contact: 800-706-0872
Basic
$90.30
Humana Premier Rx Plan S5884-157 Contact: 800-706-0872
Enhanced
$135.20
PLAN
DRUG BENEFIT CATEGORY
MONTHLY PREMIUM
ANNUAL DEDUCT.
RATING OUT OF 5 STARS
Humana Value Rx Plan S5884-190 Contact: 800-706-0872
Enhanced
$45.20
$687
SilverScript Choice S5601-022 Contact: 833-526-2445
Basic
$126.00
$700
$700
Wellcare Classic S4802-083 Contact: 800-270-5320
Basic
$7.30
$700
$350
Wellcare Value Script S4802-146 Contact: 800-270-5320
Enhanced
$5.30
$700
PLAN
Note: Shading on the chart indicates plans offered by the same company.
22M | Tampa Bay Times | Sunday, October 18, 2026
Navigating Medicare? Free SHINE Counseling Helps Floridians Make Informed Choices Understanding Medicare can be overwhelming, particularly as coverage options and benefits change each year. For Florida residents approaching Medicare eligibility or already enrolled, free guidance is available through SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders), a statewide program offering information and confidential counseling. Based in Tallahassee, SHINE serves residents throughout Florida, with counseling services available in every county. Trained counselors help individuals understand Medicare enrollment, compare coverage options and identify plans that fit their health care needs and budgets. FloridaShine.org offers free Medicare help for seniors.
SHINE also provides information on a range of related topics, including
prescription drug coverage, hospice and home health benefits, financial assistance, long-term care and disability. Whether someone is preparing to enroll in Medicare for the first time or reviewing existing coverage, counselors can help clarify available options and answer questions. In addition to one-on-one counseling, SHINE offers educational classes online through Zoom and in person, along with community events across the state. Its website, floridashine.org, features downloadable educational materials and resources to help residents better understand their benefits. The site also includes information for those interested in volunteering with the program.
All SHINE counseling and educational services are free, providing Floridians with an accessible resource for navigating Medicare decisions with greater confidence. To request assistance, visit floridashine.org/contact-us.aspx and complete the contact form, specifying the type of help needed. Residents may also call the toll-free helpline at 800-963-5337 or email information@ elderaffairs.org. With reliable information and personalized guidance, SHINE helps Floridians make informed decisions about their health coverage and benefits.
Sunday, October 18, 2026 | Tampa Bay Times | 23M
24M | Tampa Bay Times | Sunday, October 18, 2026