Medicare Supplement Plans in Franklin County, Florida: Apalachicola & Carrabelle
What Medicare Supplement plans pay in Franklin County in 2026, with cost examples, a cost calculator, local hospitals and free Medicare help
Free and no obligation. A licensed agent will send your quote within 24 hours.
Compare Plans • Speak With a Licensed Advisor • Quotes Within 24 Hours
Medicare in Franklin County, Florida
Franklin County, on Florida’s Forgotten Coast along Apalachicola Bay, has one Medicare-certified hospital, George E. Weems Memorial Hospital in Apalachicola, and one Medicare-certified nursing home, in Carrabelle, according to CMS data updated in 2026. About 32% of its roughly 13,000 residents are 65 or older. For specialists and more advanced hospital care, most residents travel to Port St. Joe, Tallahassee or Panama City. This page shows what Medicare Supplement plans pay here in 2026, with cost examples and a calculator, then lists each hospital and nursing home with its CMS rating and points you to free local Medicare help.
Reviewed by Charles “Chuck” Lunsford, Life & Health insurance agent licensed in Florida since 1994 and in Alabama (NPN 553216).
Verify the license on the Florida Department of Financial Services licensee search using NPN 553216. Last reviewed October 11, 2026. Medicare amounts on this page are checked against CMS figures for 2026.
Franklin County at a Glance
| County seat | Apalachicola |
|---|---|
| Incorporated cities | Apalachicola and Carrabelle |
| Other communities | Alligator Point, Dog Island, Eastpoint, Lanark Village and St. George Island |
| Population | 13,029 (U.S. Census Bureau estimate, July 1, 2025) |
| Residents 65 and older | 32.0% |
| People with Medicare | 3,612 (CMS, June 2026) |
| In Original Medicare, where a Medigap plan can be added | 1,683 (46.6%) |
| In Medicare Advantage or other health plans | 1,929 (53.4%) |
| Medicare-certified hospitals | 1, a critical access hospital with a 24-hour emergency department |
| Medicare-certified nursing homes | 1 |
| Medicare-certified dialysis facilities | None in the county; the closest are in Port St. Joe and Tallahassee |
| Medicare-certified home health agencies with offices in the county | 1 |
| Free Medicare counseling | SHINE, 1-800-963-5337 |
Medicare enrollment comes from CMS Medicare Monthly Enrollment data for June 2026. Facility counts come from CMS Provider Data Catalog datasets released between July and October 2026. Facilities open, close and change names, so confirm details with the facility or on Medicare Care Compare.
Franklin County is part of our Florida Panhandle Medicare Supplement region. Weems Memorial Hospital in Apalachicola handles emergency and local hospital care, and residents travel to Port St. Joe, Tallahassee or Panama City for specialists.
Estimate Your Monthly Premium
See the range of Medicare Supplement rates for your Florida or Alabama ZIP code. No name, phone or email needed.
Free 2026 Medicare Guides
Want to read up before we talk? Download the official Medicare & You 2026 handbook and the government’s Choosing a Medigap Policy guide. Both are free PDFs, with no sign-up needed.
Medicare Supplement Plans in Franklin County
Of the 3,612 people with Medicare in Franklin County, 1,683 (46.6%) use Original Medicare, according to CMS enrollment data for June 2026. That is the group that can add a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan. The share is higher than the statewide figure of 42.9%. Another 1,055 Franklin County residents have a stand-alone Part D drug plan, the type of drug coverage people with a Medigap plan use.
What Matters for Franklin County Residents
- Care outside the county: Most surgery and specialist care for Franklin County residents happens in Port St. Joe, Tallahassee or Panama City. Medigap has no networks or referrals, so the same plan works at Weems Memorial and at every one of those hospitals.
- An older county: About 32% of Franklin County residents are 65 or older, well above the statewide share. If you are turning 65, your six-month Medigap open enrollment period is the time when carriers cannot deny you or charge more because of your health.
- Plan N and excess charges: Plan N does not pay Part B excess charges, which apply only when a doctor does not accept Medicare assignment. Ask your doctors in Tallahassee and Panama City whether they accept assignment before comparing Plan N with Plan G.
- Medicaid and Medicare Savings Programs: CMS counts 459 Franklin County residents with both Medicare and Medicaid. People who qualify for Medicaid usually do not need a Medigap plan, and SHINE counselors can check whether you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program.
Plan details: Plan G | Plan N | High-Deductible Plan G | Plan K | Plan L | Compare all plans
What Care in Franklin County Costs With and Without a Medigap Plan
Medicare charges the same deductibles and coinsurance at every hospital and nursing home that accepts it, so the amounts below apply whether you use Weems Memorial Hospital in Apalachicola, a hospital in Tallahassee or Panama City or any other Medicare-certified hospital. The table shows what you would pay in 2026 for medical care, before any plan premium.
| Coverage | Routine year 6 doctor visits and $800 in tests | 4-day stay at Weems Memorial Hospital plus 8 doctor visits and $1,500 in tests | Hospital stay and rehab the same stay plus 25 days at a Franklin County nursing home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original Medicare only | $566 | $2,502 | $3,587 |
| Plan G | $283 | $283 | $283 |
| Plan N | $403 | $443 | $443 |
| High-Deductible Plan G | $566 | $2,502 | $2,950 |
| Plan K | $425 | $1,393 | $1,935 |
| Plan L | $354 | $838 | $1,109 |
In the hospital stay and rehab example, Original Medicare alone leaves you with $3,587: the $1,736 Part A deductible, $217 a day for rehab days 21 to 25, the $283 Part B deductible and 20% of the remaining Part B charges. Plan G leaves only the $283 Part B deductible. Plan N adds up to $20 per office visit. High-Deductible Plan G stops at its $2,950 deductible.
Examples assume Medicare-approved amounts of $150 per doctor visit and that every provider accepts Medicare assignment. Plan K and Plan L have yearly out-of-pocket limits of $8,000 and $4,000 in 2026. Premiums vary by carrier, age and ZIP code and are not included.
What would you pay in Franklin County in 2026?
Pick the year that sounds most like yours. The bars show what you would pay out of your own pocket for medical care, with and without a Medicare Supplement plan.
1. Choose a year
2. See what you would pay
Add your premium quotes to see the full-year cost (optional)
We do not show premiums. When you enter a quote, that plan's bar includes 12 months of premium.
Change the example (optional)
Rehab days 1 to 20 cost nothing under Medicare. Days 21 to 100 cost $217 a day in 2026 unless a plan pays it.
Based on 2026 Medicare amounts: a $1,736 hospital deductible per stay, the $283 Part B deductible, 20% of doctor and outpatient bills and $217 a day for rehab days 21 to 100. Each hospital stay is 4 days, each doctor visit is $150 and tests are included in each example. Assumes your doctors accept Medicare assignment. The Part B premium, $202.90 a month for most people, is the same with or without a plan and is not shown. Drug, dental, vision and hearing costs are not included. Estimates are for education; your costs depend on your care.
Medicare-Certified Hospital in Franklin County
CMS lists one hospital in Franklin County that participates in Medicare. George E. Weems Memorial Hospital in Apalachicola is a critical access hospital: a small rural hospital with no more than 25 inpatient beds and a 24-hour emergency department, designated by Medicare to keep hospital care available in communities far from larger medical centers.
| Hospital | Type | Address | Phone | CMS overall rating | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George E. Weems Memorial Hospital | Critical access | 135 Ave G, Apalachicola, FL 32320 | (850) 653-8853 | Not rated | Care Compare | Directions |
Nearest Larger Hospitals Outside Franklin County
For surgery, cardiology, cancer care and other specialty services, Franklin County residents usually travel to one of these hospitals. Ascension Sacred Heart Gulf in Port St. Joe is the closest; Tallahassee and Panama City have the region’s largest hospitals.
| Hospital | County | Address | Phone | CMS overall rating | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ascension Sacred Heart Gulf | Gulf | 3801 E Hwy 98, Port St. Joe, FL 32456 | (850) 229-5600 | 3 of 5 stars | Care Compare | Directions |
| Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare | Leon | 1300 Miccosukee Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32308 | (850) 431-1155 | 3 of 5 stars | Care Compare | Directions |
| HCA Florida Capital Hospital | Leon | 2626 Capital Medical Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32308 | (850) 656-5000 | 2 of 5 stars | Care Compare | Directions |
| Ascension Sacred Heart Bay | Bay | 615 N Bonita Ave, Panama City, FL 32401 | (850) 769-1511 | 3 of 5 stars | Care Compare | Directions |
| HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital | Bay | 449 W 23rd St, Panama City, FL 32405 | (850) 747-7926 | 2 of 5 stars | Care Compare | Directions |
Ratings are CMS overall hospital star ratings from the Hospital General Information dataset released August 2026. A star rating is one measure of quality, and Care Compare shows the details behind it. Many critical access hospitals are too small to receive an overall rating.
Map of Medicare-Certified Facilities in and Near Franklin County
The map shows Franklin County’s hospital and nursing home, along with the nearest larger hospitals in Gulf, Leon and Bay counties. Click a marker for the address, phone number and driving directions in Google Maps.
Medicare-Certified Nursing Home in Franklin County
CMS lists one Medicare-certified nursing home in Franklin County, Arabella Health & Wellness of Carrabelle, with 74 certified beds and a CMS overall rating of 5 of 5 stars. Medicare Part A can cover a short skilled nursing stay after a qualifying hospital stay, and most Medicare Supplement plans help with the daily coinsurance for days 21 to 100, $217 per day in 2026. Neither Medicare nor Medigap pays for long-term custodial care.
| Nursing home | Address | Phone | Certified beds | CMS overall rating | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arabella Health & Wellness of Carrabelle | 239 Crooked River Rd, Carrabelle, FL 32322 | (850) 697-2020 | 74 | 5 of 5 | Care Compare | Directions |
Ratings are CMS overall nursing home ratings from the Provider Information dataset released October 2026. Nursing homes in neighboring counties are also options, so search Care Compare by ZIP code if you need more choices.
Home Health, Hospice and Dialysis in Franklin County
- Home health: One Medicare-certified home health agency has an office in Franklin County: NHC HomeCare at 1617 W Highway 98, Suite E-2, Carrabelle, (850) 697-2400 (Care Compare). Agencies based in neighboring counties may also serve your area, so search by your ZIP code on Medicare Care Compare.
- Hospice: CMS lists no hospice agency based in Franklin County. Big Bend Hospice, based in Tallahassee, serves Franklin County, (850) 878-5310 (Care Compare). Other hospice agencies may also serve the county.
- Dialysis: CMS lists no dialysis facilities in Franklin County. The closest are Fresenius Kidney Care Port St Joe in Gulf County and several centers in Tallahassee. Search dialysis facilities on Care Compare for locations, shifts and ratings.
- Doctors: Doctor participation changes often, so use Care Compare’s doctor search and ask the office whether it accepts Medicare assignment. Providers who accept assignment cannot bill you Part B excess charges.
Free Medicare Help in Franklin County
These public and nonprofit resources help Franklin County residents with Medicare questions at no cost.
| Resource | What it helps with | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) | Free, unbiased Medicare counseling from trained volunteers, run locally by Advantage Aging Solutions, the Area Agency on Aging for North Florida | 2414 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32308 (850) 488-0055 or 1-800-963-5337 floridashine.org |
| Advantage Aging Solutions Elder Helpline | Information on local senior services, meals, caregiver support and in-home help | 1-866-467-4624 advantageaging.org |
| Florida Department of Health in Franklin County | Public health services, vaccinations and clinic locations | 139 12th St, Apalachicola, FL 32320 (850) 653-2111 106 NE 5th St, Carrabelle, FL 32322 (850) 697-4121 franklin.floridahealth.gov |
| Social Security Administration | Enrolling in Medicare Parts A and B, Part B premiums and replacement Medicare cards | Find your local office or call 1-800-772-1213 |
| Medicare | Coverage questions, Care Compare and plan information | 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) medicare.gov |
Franklin County Medicare FAQs
How many people in Franklin County use Original Medicare?
CMS counts 3,612 people with Medicare in Franklin County as of June 2026. Of them, 1,683 (46.6%) use Original Medicare, the coverage a Medicare Supplement plan works with, and 1,929 are in Medicare Advantage or other health plans.
What would a hospital stay at Weems Memorial Hospital 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.
Will my Medicare Supplement plan cover care in Tallahassee or Panama City?
Yes. Medicare Supplement plans work with any doctor or hospital in the United States that accepts Medicare, so the same plan covers care at Weems Memorial and at hospitals and specialists in Port St. Joe, Tallahassee, Panama City or anywhere else. There are no provider networks.
Should Franklin 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.
Does Medicare cover an ambulance to a hospital outside Franklin County?
Medicare Part B covers emergency ambulance transportation to the nearest appropriate facility, including air ambulance when ground transport could endanger your health. After the Part B deductible you usually pay 20% coinsurance, and most Medicare Supplement plans pay that coinsurance.
How many Medicare-certified hospitals are in Franklin County?
CMS lists one: George E. Weems Memorial Hospital in Apalachicola, a critical access hospital with a 24-hour emergency department. The nearest larger hospital is Ascension Sacred Heart Gulf in Port St. Joe. Tallahassee has Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare and HCA Florida Capital Hospital, while Panama City has Ascension Sacred Heart Bay and HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital.
Where can I get free Medicare counseling in Franklin County?
SHINE offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling through Advantage Aging Solutions, the Area Agency on Aging for North Florida, at 2414 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee. Call (850) 488-0055 or 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, 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. Ambulance Services. 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: Franklin 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.
- Advantage Aging Solutions. Advantage Aging Solutions, Area Agency on Aging for North Florida. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- Florida Department of Health in Franklin County. Florida Department of Health in Franklin County. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- Big Bend Hospice. Big Bend Hospice. 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.
Compare Medicare Supplement Plans in Franklin County
Plan benefits are the same from every carrier, but premiums in Franklin County vary by carrier, ZIP code and age. A side-by-side comparison for your ZIP code shows which carriers offer the plan you want and how their prices and rate histories compare.
Start with our Medicare Supplement plan comparison or talk with a licensed Medicare specialist below.
Towns We Serve in Franklin County
Medicare Supplement plans work the same way in every Franklin County town: the benefits for each plan letter are set by federal law, you can see any doctor or hospital in the country that accepts Medicare, and your premium depends on your ZIP code, age, sex and tobacco use. Use the estimator above with your own ZIP code to see the rates filed for your area.
Medicare Supplement Plans in Carrabelle
A small working-waterfront town on the Gulf, home to retirees, longtime residents and families tied to fishing and shrimping. About 2,438 people live in Carrabelle, and about 229 of them are 65 or older (U.S. Census Bureau, 2020–2024 American Community Survey). The nearest Medicare-certified hospital on our county map is George E. Weems Memorial Hospital in Apalachicola, about 21 miles away in a straight line.
Medicare Supplement Plans in Apalachicola
A historic Gulf Coast fishing town on Apalachicola Bay, where waterfront living and a slow pace define daily life; hospital and specialty care usually means a drive toward Port St. Joe or Panama City. About 2,431 people live in Apalachicola, and about 781 of them are 65 or older (U.S. Census Bureau, 2020–2024 American Community Survey). The nearest Medicare-certified hospital on our county map is George E. Weems Memorial Hospital in Apalachicola, about 1 mile away in a straight line.
Have a question about coverage in your town? Request a free quote or call and a licensed agent will walk you through it.
Communities in Franklin County
I help people with Medicare Supplement plans in every city, town and community in Franklin County.
- Apalachicola
- Carrabelle
- Eastpoint
- St. George Island
Get Your Free Medicare Supplement Quote Today
Don’t miss your chance for the right Medicare Supplement plan. Call us at 1-239-633-4392, email info@medicaresupplementsonly.com, or fill out our form for a free consultation. Let’s make Medicare work for you. Learn more at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Disclaimer:
Site Ownership and Licensing
MedicareSupplementsOnly.com is owned and operated by Charles “Chuck” Lunsford, a Life & Health insurance agent licensed in Florida (License A169316, active since 1994) and in Alabama as a nonresident agent. National Producer Number (NPN): 553216.
Insurance product descriptions on this site are provided for informational and marketing purposes only. The policy and any riders issued by the insurer contain the full terms, conditions, exclusions, and limitations. Eligibility, rates, and benefits are determined by the issuing carrier and may change over time.
Medicare Program Disclosure
This website is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.
Medicare Supplement policies are offered by private insurance companies. Medicare Supplement plans work alongside Original Medicare Parts A and B.
Medicare Advantage plans are not marketed through this site.
This is a solicitation of insurance; a licensed agent may contact you. Products and services are available only where licensed. Availability and carrier participation vary by state and by product.
Additional Disclosures
No tax or legal advice is provided. Consult a qualified tax advisor or attorney regarding your specific situation.
Email and text communications may not be fully secure. Please avoid sending sensitive personal information unless requested through a secure channel.
All trademarks and logos are the property of their respective owners.
Contact Information
Email: info@medicaresupplementsonly.com
Phone: 239.633.4392
Affiliated with and receives compensation for products sold from United American Insurance Company, Globe Life Insurance, Aetna, HealthSpring (formerly Cigna), Medico, Mutual of Omaha, Physicians Mutual, WPS Health Insurance, and MCC Brokerage located in Tampa, Florida.
Content Review
Content reviewed by Charles “Chuck” Lunsford, Licensed Life & Health Agent, Florida License A169316 and Alabama, NPN 553216