Medicare Supplement FAQ: Straight Answers for Florida Retirees

Medicare Supplement Questions Florida Retirees Ask Most

These are the questions I hear most often from people across Florida. Your town page covers anything specific to where you live; the answers below apply everywhere in the state.

Do I need a Medicare Supplement plan if I already have Original Medicare?

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) pays a large share of your medical bills, but not all of them. You are still responsible for the Part A hospital deductible, the Part B deductible, 20% coinsurance on most doctor and outpatient services, and daily charges for longer hospital and skilled nursing stays. There is no yearly out-of-pocket limit. A Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan picks up most or all of those costs, so your yearly medical spending becomes predictable.

When is the best time to enroll?

Your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period starts the first month you are both 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During those six months an insurance company must sell you any plan it offers, at its standard rate, regardless of your health. After that window closes, most companies can ask health questions and may decline an application or charge more, unless you qualify for one of the federal guaranteed-issue situations, such as losing employer group coverage or having a Medicare Advantage plan leave your area.

Should I choose Plan G or Plan N?

Plan G pays everything Original Medicare leaves behind except the Part B deductible ($283 this year). Plan N usually costs less each month; in exchange you pay up to $20 for some office visits, up to $50 for an emergency room visit that does not lead to an admission, and any Part B excess charges. People who see doctors often, or who want no surprise bills, tend to prefer Plan G. Healthy people who rarely see a doctor often save money with Plan N. The Compare Plans page shows every plan side by side.

Can I still buy Plan F?

Only if you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. People who became eligible on or after that date can buy Plan G, which has the same benefits as Plan F except for the Part B deductible.

Can I use my plan at any doctor or hospital?

Yes. A Medigap plan works with any doctor, specialist or hospital in the United States that accepts Original Medicare. There are no networks and no referrals, so you can use a local hospital, a regional medical center or a specialist out of state.

Does my plan cover me when I travel?

Inside the United States, you are covered anywhere Medicare is accepted. For travel abroad, Plans C, D, F, G, M and N include foreign travel emergency coverage: after a $250 deductible they pay 80% of emergency care during the first 60 days of a trip, up to a $50,000 lifetime maximum.

Are premiums the same for everyone?

No. The benefits of each lettered plan are identical from company to company, but premiums are not. Your rate depends on the company, your age, sex, tobacco use and ZIP code, and some companies offer household discounts. Most Florida companies use attained-age pricing, which means premiums rise as you get older, so a company’s rate history matters as much as today’s price.

Can I switch plans later?

You can apply to change plans or companies at any time, but outside your open enrollment period and guaranteed-issue situations you will usually have to answer health questions. That is why the choice you make when you first enroll matters so much.

How is a Medicare Supplement different from Medicare Advantage?

A Medigap plan works alongside Original Medicare and lets you see any provider that accepts Medicare. A Medicare Advantage plan replaces Original Medicare with a private plan that usually has a provider network, copays and an annual out-of-pocket limit. You cannot use a Medigap plan and a Medicare Advantage plan at the same time.

Does a Medicare Supplement plan cover prescriptions, dental or vision?

No. Medigap plans sold today do not include prescription drug coverage; most people pair their plan with a separate Part D drug plan. Routine dental, vision, hearing aids and long-term custodial care are not covered either.

I have TRICARE For Life. Do I need a Medicare Supplement plan?

TRICARE For Life pays after Medicare and covers most of the costs a Medigap plan would, so many military retirees find they do not need one. If you have questions about how your coverage fits together, we can walk through it on a call.

What does it cost to work with you?

Nothing. Premiums are the same whether you buy directly from an insurance company or through a licensed agent, and there is no fee for quotes, comparisons or help with your application.