Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Florida for 2026: County-by-County Breakdown
A detailed county-by-county guide to the best Medicare Advantage plans in Florida for 2026 -- top carriers, $0-premium options, star ratings, OOP caps, and Florida-specific perks like dental and vision.
Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Florida for 2026: County-by-County Breakdown
Florida has one of the most competitive Medicare Advantage markets in the country. In 2026, Florida seniors can choose from 40 to 80+ Medicare Advantage plans depending on their county -- more options than almost any other state.
That's great news. But it also means choosing the wrong plan is easy if you don't know what to look for.
This guide breaks down the best Medicare Advantage plans in Florida's major counties for 2026, covering top carriers, $0-premium options, star ratings, out-of-pocket caps, and the extras Florida seniors care about most -- dental, vision, and hearing.
What Makes a Medicare Advantage Plan "Best"?
Before diving into counties, here's what I evaluate when comparing plans for clients:
- Star rating (CMS rates plans 1-5 stars; 4+ is strong)
- Out-of-pocket maximum (lower is better; $2,100-$4,500 is typical in FL for 2026)
- Network (does it include your doctors and hospitals?)
- Drug formulary (are your prescriptions covered at a reasonable tier?)
- Extra benefits (dental, vision, hearing, fitness, OTC allowance)
- Prior authorization burden (how often does the plan require approval for care?)
- Premium ($0 is common in FL, but not always the best value)
Florida Medicare Advantage: Key 2026 Numbers
- Average Part B premium: $202.90/month (paid separately, regardless of plan)
- Most common MA premium in FL: $0/month
- Typical OOP maximum in FL: $2,100-$4,500 in-network
- Top carriers in FL: Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Florida Blue, CarePlus, WellCare, Devoted Health, Freedom Health, Optimum HealthCare
County-by-County Breakdown
Volusia County (Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, Port Orange, DeLand)
Volusia County is my home market. In 2026, seniors here have 45+ plans to choose from.
Top picks for Volusia County 2026:
| Carrier | Plan Type | Premium | OOP Max | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humana | HMO | $0 | $3,400 | 4.0 |
| UnitedHealthcare | PPO | $0 | $4,500 | 4.0 |
| Aetna | HMO | $0 | $2,900 | 4.5 |
| Florida Blue | PPO | $0 | $3,900 | 4.0 |
| Devoted Health | HMO | $0 | $2,100 | 4.5 |
Best for Halifax Health patients: Aetna and Devoted Health have strong Halifax Health network participation in 2026.
Best for snowbirds: UnitedHealthcare PPO -- nationwide network, no referrals needed.
→ Medicare resources for Daytona Beach seniors
Flagler County (Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, Bunnell)
Flagler County has fewer plan options than Volusia but still offers strong choices.
Top picks for Flagler County 2026:
| Carrier | Plan Type | Premium | OOP Max | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humana | HMO | $0 | $3,400 | 4.0 |
| UnitedHealthcare | PPO | $0 | $4,500 | 4.0 |
| Aetna | HMO | $0 | $2,900 | 4.5 |
| WellCare | HMO | $0 | $3,200 | 3.5 |
Note: Palm Coast seniors should verify AdventHealth Palm Coast network status before enrolling in any HMO plan.
→ Medicare resources for Palm Coast seniors
Miami-Dade County
Miami-Dade has the most competitive Medicare Advantage market in Florida -- 70+ plans in 2026.
Top picks for Miami-Dade 2026:
| Carrier | Plan Type | Premium | OOP Max | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CarePlus (Humana) | HMO | $0 | $2,900 | 4.5 |
| Aetna | HMO | $0 | $2,100 | 4.5 |
| UnitedHealthcare | PPO | $0 | $3,900 | 4.0 |
| Devoted Health | HMO | $0 | $2,100 | 4.5 |
| Optimum HealthCare | HMO | $0 | $3,400 | 3.5 |
Best for Jackson Memorial / UM Health patients: CarePlus and Aetna have strong South Florida hospital networks.
Broward County (Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines)
Top picks for Broward County 2026:
| Carrier | Plan Type | Premium | OOP Max | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aetna | HMO | $0 | $2,100 | 4.5 |
| CarePlus (Humana) | HMO | $0 | $2,900 | 4.5 |
| Florida Blue | PPO | $0 | $3,900 | 4.0 |
| UnitedHealthcare | PPO | $0 | $4,500 | 4.0 |
Duval County (Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Orange Park)
Jacksonville has one of the most competitive Medicare Advantage markets in Northeast Florida, with 50+ plans from major carriers.
Top picks for Duval County 2026:
| Carrier | Plan Type | Premium | OOP Max | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humana | HMO | $0 | $3,400 | 4.0 |
| UnitedHealthcare | PPO | $0 | $4,500 | 4.0 |
| Aetna | HMO | $0 | $2,900 | 4.5 |
| Florida Blue | PPO | $0 | $3,900 | 4.0 |
| Devoted Health | HMO | $0 | $2,100 | 4.5 |
Best for Mayo Clinic / Baptist Health patients: UnitedHealthcare PPO and Florida Blue PPO offer the broadest Jacksonville hospital network access.
→ Medicare resources for Jacksonville seniors
St. Johns County (St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, Nocatee)
St. Johns County is one of Florida's fastest-growing counties, with a strong and expanding Medicare market.
Top picks for St. Johns County 2026:
| Carrier | Plan Type | Premium | OOP Max | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humana | HMO | $0 | $3,400 | 4.0 |
| UnitedHealthcare | PPO | $0 | $4,500 | 4.0 |
| Aetna | HMO | $0 | $2,900 | 4.5 |
| Florida Blue | PPO | $0 | $3,900 | 4.0 |
Note: St. Augustine seniors who want access to Jacksonville specialists should consider a PPO plan to avoid network restrictions.
→ Medicare resources for St. Augustine seniors
Orange County (Orlando, Winter Park, Apopka)
Top picks for Orange County 2026:
| Carrier | Plan Type | Premium | OOP Max | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humana | HMO | $0 | $3,400 | 4.0 |
| Aetna | HMO | $0 | $2,900 | 4.5 |
| UnitedHealthcare | PPO | $0 | $4,500 | 4.0 |
| Florida Blue | PPO | $0 | $3,900 | 4.0 |
| Devoted Health | HMO | $0 | $2,100 | 4.5 |
Best for AdventHealth Orlando patients: Humana and Florida Blue have strong AdventHealth network participation.
Hillsborough County (Tampa, Brandon, Wesley Chapel)
Top picks for Hillsborough County 2026:
| Carrier | Plan Type | Premium | OOP Max | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humana | HMO | $0 | $3,400 | 4.0 |
| Aetna | HMO | $0 | $2,900 | 4.5 |
| WellCare | HMO | $0 | $3,200 | 3.5 |
| UnitedHealthcare | PPO | $0 | $4,500 | 4.0 |
| Freedom Health | HMO | $0 | $3,400 | 3.5 |
Pinellas County (St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo)
Top picks for Pinellas County 2026:
| Carrier | Plan Type | Premium | OOP Max | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humana | HMO | $0 | $3,400 | 4.0 |
| Aetna | HMO | $0 | $2,900 | 4.5 |
| UnitedHealthcare | PPO | $0 | $4,500 | 4.0 |
| Devoted Health | HMO | $0 | $2,100 | 4.5 |
Palm Beach County (West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach)
Top picks for Palm Beach County 2026:
| Carrier | Plan Type | Premium | OOP Max | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aetna | HMO | $0 | $2,100 | 4.5 |
| CarePlus (Humana) | HMO | $0 | $2,900 | 4.5 |
| UnitedHealthcare | PPO | $0 | $4,500 | 4.0 |
| Florida Blue | PPO | $0 | $3,900 | 4.0 |
Lee County (Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs)
Top picks for Lee County 2026:
| Carrier | Plan Type | Premium | OOP Max | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humana | HMO | $0 | $3,400 | 4.0 |
| Aetna | HMO | $0 | $2,900 | 4.5 |
| UnitedHealthcare | PPO | $0 | $4,500 | 4.0 |
| Devoted Health | HMO | $0 | $2,100 | 4.5 |
Collier County (Naples, Marco Island)
Top picks for Collier County 2026:
| Carrier | Plan Type | Premium | OOP Max | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humana | HMO | $0 | $3,400 | 4.0 |
| Aetna | HMO | $0 | $2,900 | 4.5 |
| UnitedHealthcare | PPO | $0 | $4,500 | 4.0 |
Extra Benefits: What Florida MA Plans Include in 2026
Most $0-premium Medicare Advantage plans in Florida include extras that Original Medicare doesn't cover:
| Benefit | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Dental (preventive) | Included |
| Dental (comprehensive) | $1,000-$3,000/year allowance |
| Vision | $150-$300/year for eyewear |
| Hearing | $500-$2,500/year for hearing aids |
| OTC allowance | $25-$150/quarter for OTC items |
| Fitness (SilverSneakers) | Included on most plans |
| Transportation | 12-48 rides/year on some plans |
HMO vs. PPO: Which Is Right for You?
HMO plans require you to use in-network providers and typically need referrals for specialists. They usually have lower OOP maximums and more extra benefits.
PPO plans let you see any Medicare-accepting provider (in or out of network) without referrals. Out-of-network care costs more, but you're never locked out of a provider.
My recommendation: If all your doctors are in-network and you don't travel frequently, an HMO with a low OOP cap (like Devoted Health at $2,100) is often the best value. If you travel, split time between states, or want flexibility, a PPO is worth the trade-off.
How I Compare Plans for Florida Seniors
I run every client's specific doctors, prescriptions, and ZIP code through every available plan before making a recommendation. The "best" plan in Volusia County is different from the best plan in Miami-Dade -- and the best plan for someone on 3 medications is different from the best plan for someone on 12.
This analysis is completely free. If you want to know which plan is actually best for your situation, let's talk.
Related guides:
- Full Medicare Advantage guide
- Medicare Supplement (Medigap) -- the alternative to Medicare Advantage
- Medicare Part D prescription drug plans
Local Medicare Help by City
Looking for a Medicare expert in your area? William Gray serves all of Northeast Florida:
- Jacksonville Medicare broker — Duval County Medicare Advantage, Supplement & Part D
- Palm Coast Medicare broker — Flagler County plan comparisons & enrollment
- Daytona Medicare agent — Volusia County Medicare guidance
- Deltona Medicare agent — Medicare help in Deltona & West Volusia County
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. Benefits, premiums, and cost-sharing may change on January 1 of each year.
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About the Author
William Gray
Independent Medicare BrokerUS Air Force Veteran · Florida Medicare Specialist
William Gray is an independent Medicare insurance broker based in Daytona Beach and Palm Coast, FL. A US Air Force veteran (A-10 crew chief, Germany), he spent years in corporate insurance before going independent to serve Florida seniors directly. He has helped more than 1,000 clients across Northeast Florida compare Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D plans — always at no cost to the client.
