I thought I was covered during my snowbird months in Florida, but apparently not. What kind of plan do I actually need for that?

Question

Michael Ryan · Accepted Answer

You actually have several options. Sounds like you have a HMO Advantage plan where you live. One option would be to stay on original Medicare with a supplemental plan. That would allow you access to any provider that accepts Medicare across the country. Another option would be a PPO Medicare Advantage plan if its available in you area. Several national carriers have network providers across the nation and would also provide coverage out of network.

Answered by Michael Ryan on March 27, 2025

Broker Licensed in CA, AZ, CO & 7 other states

Answered by Michael Ryan Medicare Insurance Agent

Larry Dalton · Answer

If you have traditional Medicare and a Medicare supplement plan, also known as Medigap, then you are covered. However, if you are on a Medicare Advantage plan, you need to ensure that your healthcare providers are in your plan's network.

Answered by Larry Dalton on April 8, 2025

Broker Licensed in OK & TX

Answered by Larry Dalton Medicare Insurance Agent

Nikki Rowland · Answer

Best Option: Original Medicare + a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plan
Covers you nationwide — any doctor or hospital that takes Medicare.

No networks, so it works anywhere in the US that accepts Medicare..

Pair it with a Part D drug plan for prescriptions.

Medicare Advantage Plans are network-based and area-specific.

If your plan is based in SC, it may not cover non-emergency care in FL (or may have out-of-network fees).

Some PPOs offer limited nationwide coverage, but it’s plan-specific and not guaranteed.

Bottom line:
If you’re a snowbird, a Medigap plan is your most flexible, travel-friendly choice.

Want help checking what Medigap plans are available to you now?

Cynthia Nakaya · Answer

You didn't say how long you spend in Florida each year, so I will cover several scenarios for you.

If you want to have coverage no matter where you are in the United States, the best option is a Medicare Supplement (Med-Supp) plan that works with original Medicare. Since it doesn't include prescription drug coverage (a PDP), you need to get one in addition to Med-Supp. There are rules that vary from state to state that determine when you can enroll into Med-Supp without medical underwriting, but specific rules on when you can enroll into a PDP. Open enrollment for PDPs is during the Annual Enrollment period from Oct 15-Dec 7 annually. You may also enroll in a PDP if you have a special enrollment period available. Med-Supp allows you to see any doctor anywhere in the country who accepts Original Medicare as payment for services.

If you have a Medicare Advantage (MA or MAPD) plan, you can use it for emergency or urgent care situations when you are out of the service area. You cannot use it for routine services unless it's a PPO. Using a PPO out of network can expose you to higher co-pays. If you are out of your service area for over a certain amount of time- usually 6 months- you may be disenrolled. If you have further questions, I'm happy to answer them.

Tom Rogala · Answer

Medgap supplement plans do not have a book of doctors.  Any Doctor or Hospital that takes medicare 80% has to take medigap supplement 20%.

Sherah Beasley · Answer

If you are an avid traveler or have a vacation home you spend several weeks or months out of the year at, you most likely would benefit more from Original Medicare, paired with a Medicare supplement plan (specifically a Plan G or Plan N). 

These types of plans fill all of the large gaps in coverage (that having just Original Medicare) and have no limiting networks - if a physician or facility takes Medicare (no matter what state you’re in), you can be seen by that doctor without a referral or prior authorization being necessary. 

Medicare Advantage plans have limitations on them like networks specific to the area you live around, meaning the network of providers/doctors you can see might be limited to your primary residence county or zip code.

Nolan Popel · Answer

The first option I would consider would be a Medicare Supplement plan . With those plans they are secondary coverage and you can go to any doctor or hospital in the United States that accepts Medicare. If this kind of coverage is not affordable there are nationwide PPO plans that let you go to different doctors in different states.

Answered by Nolan Popel on April 14, 2025

Agent Licensed in NY, AZ, CA & 15 other states

Answered by Nolan Popel Medicare Insurance Agent

Paula Duffy · Answer

Depending on your plan you can have coverage.  Please contact me for more information to review your options.

Steven Bleicher · Answer

One aspect of this question has to do with your decision as to how many months are you staying at each location. If it the same 6 months, you must decide which is your true home domicile? Once you have committed to your home state, the Medicare Supplement is universal in every state. It moves with you, whereas the Advantage plan only works in the county you live in! Even if you were to move within your home state, a change of county at any time of the year causes an “SEP”, or Special Election Period. This ensures that a switch to the best plan in your new county is necessary! It can be with your current insurance company or with a new one with a possible smaller deductible. Exception: should you have an Advantage plan in a larger FL town, you can check with your Customer Service department, asking for a doctor who is is willing to take you on. So, doing some investigation on your part will be essential.

Answered by Steven Bleicher on May 24, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Steven Bleicher Medicare Insurance Agent

David Silver · Answer

If it's an emergency or urgent care situation, your Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO and Medicare supplement will cover you.

If it's non emergency care that you need and you will probably want to have a Medicare Advantage PPO coverage, because you will be covered both in and out of network(out of network will cost more) and you will not need referrals. 

Ideally, you should have Medicare Supplement coverage, because with this coverage you get get care from any provider that accepts Medicare. You never have to worry about networks and you can get care in any state.

Shelly Hefley · Answer

A Medicare supplement is always best for snowbirds - it covers you anywhere! But sometimes that is not affordable so Medicare Advantage plans that have a wide network which would cover your providers in both locations!

Answered by Shelly Hefley on March 28, 2025

Broker Licensed in IN, AL, IL, KY & TN

Answered by Shelly Hefley Medicare Insurance Agent

Michael Crocker · Answer

It sounds like you are on a Medicare Advantage plan with a very limited network. Medicare supplements (unlike Medicare Advantage plans) don't have networks, so that's an option if you are able to pass underwriting or have a guaranteed issue opportunity. Another option is a to see if there is a Medicare Advantage plan in your area with a nationwide PPO network. Several of the larger carriers offer nationwide coverage this way. A good local broker will be able to assist you in finding such a plan.

Answered by Michael Crocker on April 11, 2025

Broker Licensed in SC

Answered by Michael Crocker Medicare Insurance Agent

Jim Willis · Answer

You need to be on a PPO that has network doctors in your home state as well as in Florida. 
I have several different plans that do both except I don’t know what your home state is

Larry Pereiro · Answer

Many of the plans available have "travel benefits" for in network providers when you are staying in your alternative location. We can always find a plan that meets this need for you.

Daniel Keane · Answer

Generally, if you are living in two locations throughout the year you should be on a Medigap plan. Medigap plans cover you in both locations as you can obtain services from any provider that accepts Medicare beneficiaries.

Answered by Daniel Keane on June 2, 2025

Agent Licensed in TX, FL, MI & NC

Answered by Daniel Keane Medicare Insurance Agent

Chris Prang · Answer

Option 1: Original Medicare + Medicare Supplement (just don't get a "Select" supplement) + Part D drug plan.

Option 2: Medicare Advantage PPO with a Passive Network. That means you can use it in or out-of-network for the same copays. 

Option 3: Medicare Advantage PPO from one of the large, nationwide MA companies...like Humana, UHC, Aetna. Humana works very well in Florida.

Option 4: Medicare Advantage HMO or PPO that allows you to travel and use the companies network providers in other areas. You can do this with most Medicare Advantage plans. And ideally from one of the large, nationwide MA companies.

I hope that helps.

I thought I was covered during my snowbird months in Florida, but apparently not. What kind of plan do I actually need for that?

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I thought I was covered during my snowbird months in Florida, but apparently not. What kind of plan do I actually need for that?

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