Medicare Supplement Plans and Medicare Resources in Polk County, Florida

Polk County Medicare FAQs

How many people in Polk County use Original Medicare?

CMS counts 183,548 people with Medicare in Polk County as of June 2026. Of them, 57,865 (31.5%) use Original Medicare, the coverage a Medicare Supplement plan works with, and 125,683 are in Medicare Advantage or other health plans.

What would a hospital stay at Lakeland Regional Medical Center cost me with Plan G?

For a 4-day stay in 2026, Original Medicare alone leaves you with the $1,736 Part A deductible. Plan G pays it, along with your Part B coinsurance, so your only Medicare cost for the year is the $283 Part B deductible. The amounts are the same at every hospital that accepts Medicare.

Can I use my Medicare Supplement plan at hospitals in Tampa or Orlando?

Yes. Medicare Supplement plans work with any doctor or hospital in the United States that accepts Medicare. There are no networks or referrals, so you can use hospitals in Polk County, Tampa, Orlando or anywhere else.

Should Polk County residents choose Plan G or Plan N?

Both cover hospital costs in full. Plan N charges up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for ER visits that do not lead to an admission, and it does not cover Part B excess charges. If your doctors accept Medicare assignment, excess charges do not apply. Use the calculator on this page with your own quotes to compare.

When should I buy a Medicare Supplement plan?

The best time is usually your six-month Medigap open enrollment period, which starts the month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During it, carriers cannot deny you or charge more because of your health.

Can I keep my Medicare Supplement plan if I spend part of the year elsewhere?

Yes. A Medigap plan follows you anywhere in the United States, and Plans G and N pay their share for any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare. Premiums are based on where you live, so tell your carrier if your permanent address changes.

How many Medicare-certified hospitals are in Polk County?

CMS lists five general hospitals: Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Winter Haven Hospital, Bartow Regional Medical Center, AdventHealth Lake Wales and AdventHealth Heart of Florida in Davenport.

Where can I get free Medicare counseling in Polk County?

SHINE offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling through Senior Connection Center. Call the Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337.

Sources

• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026, August 13). Hospital General Information [Data set]. Provider Data Catalog.
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026, October 8). Nursing Home Provider Information [Data set]. Provider Data Catalog.
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026, September 23). Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility General Information [Data set]. Provider Data Catalog.
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026, August 26). Hospice General Information [Data set]. Provider Data Catalog.
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026, July 15). Home Health Care Agencies [Data set]. Provider Data Catalog.
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026, July 15). Dialysis Facility Listing by Facility [Data set]. Provider Data Catalog.
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2025, November 14). 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles [Fact sheet].
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Choosing a Medigap Policy: A Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare. Medicare.gov. Accessed October 9, 2026.
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Medicare Care Compare. Medicare.gov. Accessed October 9, 2026.
• U.S. Census Bureau. QuickFacts: Polk County, Florida (population estimates, July 1, 2025). Accessed October 9, 2026.
• Florida Department of Elder Affairs. SHINE: Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders. Accessed October 9, 2026.
• Florida Department of Health in Polk County. Healthy Start Hub, Bartow. Accessed October 9, 2026.
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026). Medicare Monthly Enrollment [Data set], June 2026 county data. Accessed October 11, 2026.
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2025, October). Medigap High-Deductible Options for Plans F, G and J, 2026 [Announcement].
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Compare Medigap Plan Benefits. Medicare.gov. Accessed October 11, 2026.
• Florida Department of Financial Services. Licensee Search. Accessed October 9, 2026.