By Bill Wilkie, Licensed Medicare Advisor | ABCD Health Plans | Port St. Lucie, FL
Bill Wilkie has over 10 years of experience helping people understand Medicare, and has been in the insurance business since 2001. He is licensed in more than 30 states and certified by every company he represents. He started ABCD Health Plans to give people on the Treasure Coast a real local expert they can call, instead of a 1-800 number that changes every time you call.
Turning 65 soon? You probably have a lot of questions about Medicare. One big question is this: should you get a Medicare Supplement plan?
This guide breaks it down in plain, simple words. No confusing terms. Just the facts you need to make a smart choice.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
A Medicare Supplement plan, also called Medigap, helps pay the costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover. Source: Medicare.gov — What’s Medigap?
You get one special window to sign up with no health questions asked — the 6 months after you turn 65 and start Part B. Source: Medicare.gov — Get Medigap Basics
The two most popular plans are Plan G and Plan N. There’s also a cheaper option called High Deductible Plan G.
In Florida, 2026 prices run from about $40 a month to about $344 a month, depending on the plan and the company.
A local advisor can compare plans and prices for you for free — call 844-900-1468.
WHAT IS A MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLAN?
Original Medicare pays for a lot. But it does not pay for everything. You still pay some costs yourself — like a 20% share of most doctor bills, with no limit on how high that can go.
A Medicare Supplement plan helps cover those leftover costs. It works alongside your regular Medicare. You keep your same red, white, and blue Medicare card. You can still see any doctor in the country who takes Medicare. There are no networks to worry about and no referrals needed.
According to Medicare.gov, every Medicare Supplement plan is standardized by the federal government. That means a Plan G from one company covers exactly the same things as a Plan G from another company.
WHY THIS MATTERS IN PORT ST. LUCIE
If you ever need a hospital stay at places like Cleveland Clinic Martin Health in Stuart or HCA Florida Tradition Hospital in Port St. Lucie, the bills can add up fast. A Medicare Supplement plan helps protect you from those surprise costs.
Unlike Medicare Advantage plans, a Supplement plan never has a “network.” That means you never have to worry about your hospital or doctor suddenly becoming “out of network.” Any hospital or doctor that takes Medicare will take your Supplement plan too — every time, no exceptions.
THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE: YOUR 6-MONTH WINDOW
This is the most important thing to understand.
When you turn 65 and sign up for Medicare Part B, you get a 6-month window. According to Medicare.gov, during this time insurance companies must accept you for any Medicare Supplement plan. They cannot ask you health questions. They cannot charge you more because you are sick. They cannot say no.
This window only happens once. If you miss it and try to sign up later, the insurance company can ask you about 20 health questions. They might charge you more. They might even say no.
In Florida, there is no “do-over.” Some states let you switch plans every year around your birthday with no health questions. Florida does not have this rule.
THE FALL ENROLLMENT PERIOD DOES NOT APPLY HERE
Many people think the big enrollment period every fall — October 15 to December 7 — applies to Supplement plans. According to Medicare.gov, it does not. That period is only for Medicare Advantage and drug plans.
For Medicare Supplement plans, your best and safest time to sign up is the 6 months right after you turn 65.
THE 3 MAIN PLANS TO KNOW
Plan G This is the most popular plan for people turning 65 today. It covers almost everything Medicare doesn’t pay for. The only thing you pay yourself is the yearly Part B deductible, which is $283 in 2026 according to CMS.gov. After that, you pay $0 for your covered care.
Plan N This plan costs less every month than Plan G. The trade-off is small copays — up to $20 when you see a doctor and up to $50 if you go to the ER, unless you get admitted to the hospital. Most healthy people save money overall with Plan N.
High Deductible Plan G This plan has the lowest monthly cost. But you pay your own costs first, up to $2,870 to $2,950 for the year. After you hit that amount, the plan pays 100% just like regular Plan G. This is a good choice if you are healthy and rarely go to the doctor.
2026 FLORIDA PRICE CHART
These are sample price ranges based on 2026 third-party data from MoneyGeek and Florida Insurance Guide. Your actual price depends on your age, your zip code, and which company you choose. Call 844-900-1468 for your real price.
WHY PRICES ARE DIFFERENT BETWEEN COMPANIES
Here’s something most people don’t know: every company’s Plan G covers the exact same things. The government makes sure of that. The only difference is the price.
That means one company could charge you $170 a month for Plan G, while another company charges $300 a month for the exact same coverage. This is why it pays to compare more than one company before you choose.
WHICH PLAN IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Choose Plan G if you want to never worry about a medical bill again, or you see doctors often.
Choose Plan N if you are healthy, don’t mind small copays, and want to save money every month.
Choose High Deductible Plan G if you are healthy, rarely go to the doctor, and want the lowest possible monthly cost.
LOCAL HOSPITALS THAT ACCEPT MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLANS
Every hospital that accepts Medicare will accept your Medicare Supplement plan. That includes:
Cleveland Clinic Martin Health — Stuart Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital — Vero Beach HCA Florida Tradition Hospital — Port St. Lucie HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital — Fort Pierce Holmes Regional Medical Center — Melbourne
This is one of the biggest benefits of a Supplement plan. You never have to check if your hospital is “in network,” because there is no network.
TALK TO A REAL LOCAL EXPERT — NOT A 1-800 NUMBER
When it comes to Medicare counseling, you don’t need to call a state hotline or wade through a government website. Bill Wilkie at ABCD Health Plans is your local, licensed, certified Medicare resource right here on the Treasure Coast.
Call 844-900-1468 or visit abcdhealthplans.com to set up a free appointment. Bill will walk you through your options, compare prices across companies, and answer every question — at no cost to you.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Can I be turned down for a Medicare Supplement plan in Florida? Not during your first 6 months on Medicare Part B. After that, according to Medicare.gov, the company can ask health questions and may charge you more or say no.
Does my plan cost more every year just because I get older? No. Florida locks in your price based on the age you were when you signed up. It can still go up a little each year for other reasons, but not just because of your birthday.
What’s the difference between Plan G and Plan N? Plan G costs more each month but you pay almost nothing extra. Plan N costs less each month but you pay small copays here and there.
Does Plan G cover my prescriptions? No. According to Medicare.gov, you need a separate Part D drug plan for that.
How do I find the best price? Prices can be very different between companies for the exact same plan. Call 844-900-1468 and we’ll compare several companies for you, for free.
GET FREE HELP TODAY
Turning 65 brings a lot of decisions. You don’t have to figure it out alone. Bill Wilkie at ABCD Health Plans will compare plans and prices for you — at no cost.
Call or text: 844-900-1468 Website: abcdhealthplans.com Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564562317330 YouTube: youtube.com/@ABCDHealthPlans
Serving Port St. Lucie, Stuart, Jensen Beach, Fort Pierce, Palm City, Hobe Sound, Vero Beach, Sebastian, Tradition, and the entire Treasure Coast.
Sources: Medicare.gov, CMS.gov 2026 Premiums and Deductibles Fact Sheet, MoneyGeek 2026 Florida Medigap Rate Analysis, Florida Insurance Guide 2026 Plan G/N Rates.
DISCLAIMER: ABCD Health Plans is not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Prices shown are sample ranges from third-party 2026 sources and may change. Please contact Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE for full information on all your options.