Brevard, Florida is a popular place to retire, which also makes it a popular place to receive Medicare benefits.

In 2019, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reported there were more than 4.5 million Medicare beneficiaries in the state.

Here are more details about Medicare in Florida:

• Florida residents enrolled in stand-alone Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans: around 1,500,000
• Florida residents enrolled in Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans: more than 2 million
• That makes more than 3,500,000 Florida residents with Medicare prescription drug coverage in 2019.

But what is Medicare? Am i eligible? What are my options?

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICARE?

U.S. citizens and legal residents.

Legal residents must live in the U.S. for at least 5 years in a row, including the 5 years just before applying for Medicare.

You must also meet one of the following requirements:

• Age 65 or older
• Younger than 65 with a qualifying disability
• Any age with a diagnosis of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

WHAT IS THE BENEFIT DOES MEDICARE PROVIDE?

Original Medicare

• Part A covers inpatient hospital and skilled nursing care.
• Part B covers doctor visits and outpatient care.

Private Medicare plans are optional and provide more coverage.

• Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) combine Part A and Part B coverage. They often include drug coverage and other benefits you don’t get with Original Medicare.
• Medicare prescription drug plans (Part D) help pay for medications. You can get a standalone Part D plan or get a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage.
• Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) helps pay some or all costs not paid by Original Medicare (deductibles, copays and coinsurance).

WHAT ARE MY COVERAGE OPTIONS?

You can add coverage to Original Medicare or choose a Medicare Advantage plan instead.

Original Medicare

You may add a standalone Part D plan, a Medicare supplement plan or both to Original Medicare (Parts A & B).

• Parts A + B
• Parts A + B plus Part D prescription coverage
• Parts A + B plus a Medicare supplement plan
• Parts A + B plus both Part D prescription coverage and a Medicare supplement plan

Medicare Advantage

You may choose to get your benefits through a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C). Many plans come with built-in prescription drug coverage.

• Part C with no drug coverage
• Part C with built-in Part D prescription coverage
• Part C plus a standalone Part D prescription coverage plan in limited circumstances

What does Medicare cost?

Medicare and many Medicare plans charge premiums—a fixed amount that you pay each month for your coverage.

You also pay a share of the cost for health care services you receive. There are three types of payments you may have:

• Deductible: A set amount you pay out of pocket for covered services each year before Medicare or your plan begins to pay.
• Copay: A fixed amount you pay at the time you receive a covered service. For example, you might pay $20 when you visit the doctor or $12 when you fill a prescription.
• Coinsurance: A percentage of the cost for a covered service that you pay when you receive it. For example, Medicare might pay 80% of the covered service and the remaining 20% would be paid by you

When can I enroll?

• Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is 7 months long. It includes your 65th birthday month plus the 3 months before and the 3 months after.
• Your IEP begins and ends one month earlier if your birthday is on the first of the month.
• Your IEP is based on your 25th month of receiving benefits if you become eligible for Medicare due to a qualifying disability.
• You should be enrolled in Part A and Part B automatically at age 65 if you are receiving social security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits. Medicare will mail your card to you.

Think about your needs so you can see how different coverage options might work for you.

How should I chose my coverage?

Your health

• How often do you go to the doctor?
• What health problems do you have?
• What medications do you take regularly?

Your budget

• What are you able to pay each month in premiums?
• How comfortable are you covering copays or coinsurance for services?
• How willing are you to accept the risk of high out-of-pocket costs?

Your preferences

• Which doctors, hospitals and pharmacies do you like to go to?
• How important is it for you to have access to health care while traveling?
• What other coverage do you have, such as an employer or retiree plan?