Florida Will Have 51 Fewer Medicare Advantage Plans in 2027: What Gulf Coast Seniors Should Know Before October 15
Florida Medicare beneficiaries just received one of the most important pieces of information ahead of the 2027 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released its official 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape on September 28, and the numbers show a noticeable change in Florida: 560 Medicare Advantage plans will be offered statewide in 2027, compared with 611 in 2026. That's 51 fewer plans.
That does not mean Florida seniors are losing access to Medicare Advantage. CMS reports that 100% of Florida Medicare beneficiaries will continue to have access to at least one Medicare Advantage plan, and everyone in the state will have access to at least one plan with a $0 monthly plan premium.
But for seniors in Tampa Bay, Apollo Beach, Riverview, Brandon, Bradenton, Sarasota and communities throughout Florida's Gulf Coast, the reduction is another reason to carefully review 2027 coverage instead of assuming that this year's choices will look exactly the same next year.
Florida's 2027 Medicare Numbers Are Now Available
Florida has 5,334,437 people enrolled in Medicare, according to CMS's newly released state fact sheet.
For 2027, CMS reports:
560 Medicare Advantage plans will be offered in Florida, versus 611 in 2026.
100% of Florida Medicare beneficiaries will have access to a Medicare Advantage plan.
100% will have access to at least one Medicare Advantage plan with a $0 monthly plan premium.
Florida's average monthly Medicare Advantage plan premium is listed at $2.13 for 2027, compared with $1.83 for 2026 in the new CMS fact sheet.
11 stand-alone Medicare Part D plans will be available statewide.
About 52.69% of Floridians currently enrolled in a stand-alone Part D plan will have access to a plan with a lower premium than they paid in 2026.
These are statewide figures. The Medicare Advantage plans actually available to an individual beneficiary depend on where that person lives.
Why Are 51 Fewer Plans Important?
A reduction from 611 to 560 Medicare Advantage plans does not mean that every Florida county is losing plans—or that every beneficiary needs to switch coverage.
It does mean the Medicare Advantage marketplace is changing.
Some plans may leave certain service areas. Other plans may be consolidated or redesigned. Meanwhile, beneficiaries may find new or different choices available for 2027.
Nationally, the total number of Medicare Advantage plans is expected to remain relatively stable, decreasing from 5,553 in 2026 to approximately 5,532 in 2027. CMS also says approximately eight out of 10 Medicare Advantage beneficiaries nationally should be able to remain in their current plan with the same or a lower premium.
But that still leaves an important question:
What is happening with your specific plan where you live?
That's what Florida beneficiaries should determine during Annual Enrollment.
Don't Let a $0 Premium Make the Decision for You
Florida continues to have an unusually competitive Medicare Advantage market, and CMS says every Medicare beneficiary in the state will have access to at least one $0-premium Medicare Advantage option in 2027.
But a $0 monthly plan premium does not mean $0 healthcare costs.
Depending on the plan and services you use, you could still have copays, coinsurance and other out-of-pocket expenses.
When comparing Medicare Advantage plans in Florida, look beyond the premium and consider questions such as:
Are your doctors and specialists participating in the plan's network?
Are your prescriptions on the formulary, and what tiers are they on?
What will you pay if you're admitted to the hospital?
What are your specialist and outpatient copays?
Which pharmacies provide the best pricing under the plan?
What is the plan's maximum out-of-pocket amount?
Which dental, vision, hearing and other supplemental benefits are included, and are those benefits useful to you?
A Medicare plan should be evaluated based on how its overall coverage fits your needs—not simply because the premium happens to be $0.
Prescription Drug Coverage Deserves Attention Too
Florida beneficiaries using Original Medicare and a stand-alone Part D prescription plan should also review their coverage.
CMS says Florida will have 11 stand-alone Part D plans available in 2027.
Nationally, CMS projects the average stand-alone Part D premium will be approximately $36 per month in 2027, up by less than $1 from $35.09 in 2026.
However, averages can hide major differences between individual plans.
The least expensive plan isn't necessarily the least expensive option once your actual medications are considered.
A beneficiary taking several prescriptions should compare the formulary, drug tiers, pharmacy network, deductible and expected medication costs—not simply the monthly premium.
October 15 Is When Medicare Annual Enrollment Begins
Medicare Annual Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026.
During this period, Medicare beneficiaries can review their 2027 options and make certain changes to Medicare Advantage or prescription drug coverage. Coverage changes made during Annual Enrollment generally take effect January 1, 2027.
If your current coverage still fits your needs, keeping it may be perfectly reasonable.
The important thing is to verify that before December 7.
Don't assume your doctors, prescriptions, costs or benefits will remain identical simply because the name on your insurance card hasn't changed.
Florida Gulf Coast Seniors Should Review Locally
Medicare Advantage is particularly local.
A plan available in Hillsborough County may not necessarily be available in Manatee or Sarasota County, and the options available to someone in Apollo Beach may differ from those available to family members elsewhere in Florida.
That's why statewide and national Medicare headlines should be treated as a starting point—not a personalized recommendation.
Your ZIP code, doctors, prescriptions, preferred hospitals and healthcare needs are what matter when comparing your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Florida losing Medicare Advantage plans in 2027?
Yes. CMS reports 560 Medicare Advantage plans will be available in Florida in 2027, compared with 611 in 2026, a reduction of 51 plans statewide.
Will Florida still have $0-premium Medicare Advantage plans?
Yes. CMS says 100% of Florida Medicare beneficiaries will have access to at least one Medicare Advantage plan with a $0 monthly plan premium in 2027.
Does a $0 premium mean the plan costs nothing?
No. A $0 monthly plan premium does not eliminate other potential healthcare expenses such as deductibles, copays or coinsurance. Beneficiaries should compare the complete cost and benefit structure of a plan.
How many stand-alone Part D plans will Florida have in 2027?
CMS reports that 11 stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plans will be available in Florida for 2027.
When can I review or change my Medicare coverage?
Medicare Annual Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026.
Need Help Reviewing Your 2027 Medicare Options?
With 51 fewer Medicare Advantage plans statewide, 2027 is a good year to make sure you know what's actually available where you live.
If you're in Tampa Bay, Apollo Beach, Riverview, Brandon, Bradenton, Sarasota or elsewhere along Florida's Gulf Coast, My Local Coverage can help you understand and compare your Medicare options based on your individual situation.
Visit mylocalcoverage.com/blog or call (813) 608-0986 for personalized help.
