The short answer: Medicare is federal health insurance for people 65 and older and some younger people with disabilities. If you live in Florida, free, unbiased help is a phone call away: call SHINE at 1-800-963-5337 or Medicare at 1-800-633-4227. This page explains the basics, then points you to the one guide on our site that answers each Medicare question.
Medicare in Plain Language
- Part A covers hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice and some home health care.
- Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care and preventive services. The standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month in 2026. The 2027 amount had not been announced when we last checked. (Source: CMS.)
- Part C (Medicare Advantage) is a private plan that replaces Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and often includes drug coverage and extras.
- Part D covers prescription drugs.
- Medigap is extra insurance that helps pay costs Original Medicare does not, and it cannot be sold to you alongside a Medicare Advantage plan.
(Source: Medicare.gov.) For a closer look at each part, read Understanding Medicare Options in Florida.
When You Can Sign Up or Make Changes
- Initial Enrollment Period (turning 65): 7 months, from 3 months before your 65th birthday month through 3 months after. See Turning 65 in Florida: Medicare help.
- Open Enrollment (October 15 to December 7): change your Medicare health or drug plan. Changes made this fall start January 1, 2027.
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (January 1 to March 31): if you are in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch plans or return to Original Medicare.
- General Enrollment (January 1 to March 31): if you missed your Initial Enrollment Period. You may pay a late enrollment penalty.
- Special Enrollment Periods: events like moving or your plan leaving your area give you extra time.
(Source: Medicare.gov.) Because Open Enrollment is open right now, start with Medicare Open Enrollment 2026 for 2027 plans, or what to do if your Medicare Advantage plan is ending.
Free Medicare Help in Florida
- SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders): 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337). Trained volunteers give free, confidential Medicare counseling by phone or in person. They do not sell plans. (Source: FloridaSHINE.org.) Read how to get a SHINE counselor.
- 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227, TTY 1-877-486-2048), open 24 hours a day.
- Medicare Plan Finder: compare plans and see your drugs' costs at Medicare.gov/plan-compare.
Help Paying for Medicare
Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB and QI) use Medicaid money to pay Medicare costs for people with limited income and savings. See the limits and how to apply in our guide to Medicare Savings Programs in Florida.
Extra Help lowers Part D premiums, deductibles and drug copays. For 2026, income must be below $23,940 a year for one person ($32,460 for a couple), with resources under $18,090 ($36,100 for a couple). We have not verified 2027 Extra Help limits. (Source: Medicare.gov.) Apply through Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. Anyone who gets a Medicare Savings Program is enrolled in Extra Help automatically.
Avoiding Medicare Scams
Medicare will not call you out of the blue to sell you a plan, and it will not come to your home. Do not give your Medicare number to anyone who contacts you first. If you are unsure, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE yourself. (Source: Medicare.gov.) Scam calls rise during Open Enrollment. Our scam alert for Florida seniors covers the warning signs and what to do if you already paid. SHINE is also Florida's Senior Medicare Patrol, which helps people spot and report Medicare fraud.
Our Medicare Guides: Which One to Read
Each page below has one job, so you can go straight to the answer you need.
- Senior Citizen Benefits in Florida. Benefits overview: Medicare in the context of every federal and Florida benefit for seniors, and how to apply.
- Understanding Medicare Options in Florida. The parts of Medicare in more detail: Original Medicare, Advantage, Part D and Medigap.
- Medicare Open Enrollment 2026 for 2027 Plans. Annual changes: this fall's dates, 2027 drug and Advantage limits, and a plan comparison table.
- My Medicare Advantage Plan Is Ending in 2027. Annual changes: what to do if your plan is leaving, special deadlines and Medigap rights.
- Free Medicare Help in Florida: SHINE. Free help: how to get a SHINE counselor, what to bring, and your local Area Agency on Aging.
- 2027 Medicare Part B Premium. Paying for Medicare: the 2027 Part B premium and deductible estimates, 2026 costs and the $2,400 Part D cap.
- Does Medicare give seniors a grocery card?. Scams and extras: what Medicare Advantage grocery allowances are, and why Original Medicare has no food card.
- Medicare Savings Programs in Florida. Paying for Medicare: QMB, SLMB and QI income limits and how to apply.
- Health Programs for Older Adults in Florida. Turning 65 and Medicare-linked programs: the Medicare enrollment window, wellness visits and diabetes prevention.
- Scam Alert for Florida Seniors. Scams: fake tech support and Medicare season scams, and what to do if you paid.
Questions About Medicare in Florida
Where can I get free Medicare help in Florida?
Call Florida's SHINE program through the Elder Helpline at 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337) for free, unbiased Medicare counseling from trained volunteers who do not sell insurance. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), which is open 24 hours a day.
When can I sign up for Medicare?
Your Initial Enrollment Period lasts 7 months. It starts 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and ends 3 months after. If you miss it, you may have to wait for the General Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31) and pay a late enrollment penalty for Part B.
When is Medicare Open Enrollment?
Open Enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. Changes you make this fall start January 1, 2027. People already in a Medicare Advantage plan also get a Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31.
Can Florida help me pay for Medicare?
If your income and savings are limited, Florida's Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB and QI) can pay your Part B premium, and QMB also covers deductibles and coinsurance. People who qualify also get Extra Help with drug costs automatically. Apply through the Department of Children and Families.
Will Medicare call me to sell me a plan?
No. Medicare will not call you out of the blue to sell you a plan or ask for your Medicare number. If a caller says they are from Medicare, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE yourself.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, financial, or legal advice. Readers should consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical concerns, a financial advisor for financial planning, and an attorney for legal matters. The resources and programs mentioned are subject to eligibility requirements and availability, which may vary. While we strive for accuracy, the information provided may not reflect the most recent updates. Always verify details with official sources or professionals before making decisions based on this content.