A captive agent works for a single insurance company and can only sell that company's plans. An independent broker — like William Gray — is contracted with multiple carriers and can compare options across represented carriers.

This distinction matters because Medicare Advantage and Supplement premiums vary significantly by carrier, even for identical plan structures. An independent broker has no financial reason to favor one carrier over another — their job is to find the plan that fits your situation.

William Gray is an independent Medicare insurance broker. He is not a captive agent for any Medicare Advantage or Supplement carrier.

Medicare Supplement plans — also called Medigap — fill the cost-sharing gaps left by Original Medicare (Parts A and B). Benefits are standardized by the federal government: a Plan G from one company covers the same benefits as a Plan G from another. The primary difference between carriers is premium, financial strength, and rate history.

Florida does not have a Medigap birthday rule. Outside of your initial open enrollment period (the six months starting when you turn 65 and enroll in Part B), Medigap insurers in Florida can use medical underwriting to approve or deny applications. This makes timing and guidance from an experienced broker especially important.

William Gray works with 11 Medicare Supplement companies and can compare premiums and rate histories across carriers for your specific ZIP code and age.

Plan G is currently the most comprehensive Medigap plan available to new Medicare enrollees. It covers the Part A deductible, Part B coinsurance, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, and foreign travel emergency care. The only out-of-pocket cost under Plan G is the annual Part B deductible.

Plan N covers the same core benefits as Plan G but requires a copay of up to $20 for office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that do not result in inpatient admission. Plan N premiums are typically lower than Plan G, making it a reasonable option for people who are generally healthy and want lower monthly costs in exchange for modest cost-sharing.

The right choice depends on your health, how often you use medical services, and your risk tolerance. William can walk through the numbers with you.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. They bundle Parts A and B coverage and typically include Part D prescription drug coverage. Many plans include additional benefits such as dental, vision, and hearing.

Medicare Advantage plans use provider networks (HMO or PPO structures). Before enrolling, it is important to verify that your doctors and preferred hospitals are in-network, and to understand the plan's out-of-pocket maximum.

William Gray works with 13 Medicare Advantage carriers in Florida. His role is to help you understand how each plan works — not to steer you toward any particular option.

Part D plans cover prescription drugs. If you enroll in Original Medicare with a Medigap supplement, you will need a standalone Part D plan. Medicare Advantage plans typically include drug coverage.

Part D plans vary by formulary (the list of covered drugs), tier structure, and premium. The right plan depends on the specific medications you take. William can help you compare Part D options based on your current prescriptions.

Enrolling in Part D when you are first eligible avoids a late enrollment penalty — a permanent premium surcharge that applies if you go without creditable drug coverage for 63 or more consecutive days after your initial enrollment period.

Your Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare begins three months before the month you turn 65 and ends three months after. Enrolling during this window avoids late enrollment penalties and — for Medigap — guarantees your right to purchase any Medigap plan without medical underwriting.

If you are still working and covered by an employer group health plan at 65, you may be able to delay Medicare enrollment without penalty. The rules depend on the size of your employer. It is worth reviewing your specific situation before making a decision.

William Gray has worked with Florida residents approaching Medicare eligibility for Nearly 30 Years. He can walk through your enrollment timeline, explain your options, and help you avoid costly mistakes.

If you are moving to Florida with an existing Medicare Advantage plan, you will likely need to change plans — most Medicare Advantage plans are county-specific and your current plan may not have a network in your new Florida county.

If you have a Medicare Supplement plan, your coverage generally travels with you. However, your premium may change based on your new Florida ZIP code, and it may be worth comparing rates with Florida-based carriers.

A move to Florida is a qualifying life event that triggers a Special Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage. William can help you navigate the transition and find coverage that works in your new location.

Because Florida does not have a birthday rule, switching Medigap carriers outside of your initial open enrollment period requires passing medical underwriting. Insurers can ask health questions and decline applications based on pre-existing conditions.

If you are currently healthy and your Medigap premium has increased significantly, it may be worth applying to switch carriers. William can help you evaluate whether switching makes sense and guide you through the underwriting process.

Florida has one of the highest Medicare Advantage enrollment rates in the country. This means there are many plan options — and significant variation in network breadth, formularies, and out-of-pocket costs across counties.

Florida's SHINE program (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling through the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. SHINE counselors are not licensed insurance agents and do not sell plans — they provide educational guidance. William's services complement, rather than replace, what SHINE offers.

Florida has a large population of seasonal residents ("snowbirds") who split time between Florida and another state. Medicare coverage rules for snowbirds depend on whether you have Original Medicare with a Medigap plan (which generally covers you anywhere in the U.S.) or a Medicare Advantage plan (which typically has a limited network).