Palm Beach County is home to one of the largest and most active Medicare populations in Florida. With more than 270,000 Medicare beneficiaries spread across West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, and beyond, the county attracts nearly every major Medicare Advantage carrier operating in the state. That level of competition works in your favor: it typically drives down premiums and pushes carriers to load plans with richer dental, vision, hearing, and fitness benefits than you'd find in smaller markets. This guide walks through what to expect from Medicare Advantage in Palm Beach County for 2026, which carriers and hospitals matter most, and how to make the right plan choice for your situation.
In This Guide
Palm Beach County attracts virtually every large Medicare Advantage insurer in Florida. Here is a snapshot of the major players and what they bring to the market:
| Carrier | Plan Brands | Plan Types | Known Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | AARP MedicareComplete | HMO, PPO | Large network, Renew Active fitness, strong Part D integration |
| Humana | Humana Gold Plus, Choice | HMO, PPO | Broad dental coverage, SilverSneakers, OTC allowance |
| Aetna | Aetna Medicare Advantage | HMO, PPO | Competitive premiums, solid supplemental benefits |
| Florida Blue (BCBS FL) | BlueMedicare | HMO, PPO | Well-recognized brand, strong provider relations in South FL |
| Devoted Health | Devoted Health MA | HMO | High member satisfaction, concierge-style care coordination |
Plan availability and benefit details change annually. Carriers can add or exit the market, modify networks, and restructure supplemental benefits each October during the Annual Enrollment Period. Always verify the current year's plan options during AEP (October 15–December 7) before assuming a carrier you used in a prior year still offers the same plan.
Comparing Medicare plans in Florida
Your hospital and specialist access depend heavily on which Medicare Advantage plan you choose. Most HMO plans require you to use in-network facilities, while PPO plans allow out-of-network access at a higher cost share. The major hospital systems serving Medicare patients in Palm Beach County include:
Baptist Health South Florida has a substantial presence in southern Palm Beach County and into Boca Raton. Their network relationships vary by carrier and plan year, so if Boca Raton Regional is your preferred hospital, verify the specific MA plan you're considering includes Baptist Health physicians in addition to the facility itself.
The two dominant plan structures you'll encounter in Palm Beach County are Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) and Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs). Both replace Original Medicare Parts A and B and typically include Part D drug coverage, but they work very differently.
HMO plans generally offer the lowest premiums — many at $0 additional cost beyond the standard Medicare Part B premium of $185 per month in 2026. In exchange, you must receive all your care from in-network providers and typically need a referral from your primary care physician before seeing a specialist. HMOs work well if your doctors and preferred hospital are already in the plan's network.
PPO plans give you the flexibility to see any Medicare-accepting provider, both in-network and out-of-network, though you pay more when you go out of network. PPOs often carry a small monthly premium (anywhere from $0 to $50+ depending on the plan and benefit richness). For snowbirds or retirees who split time between Palm Beach County and another state, a PPO typically makes more practical sense than an HMO.
One of the strongest reasons Palm Beach County retirees choose Medicare Advantage over Original Medicare is the supplemental benefits that MA plans can include at no additional cost. The most sought-after extras in this market include:
Benefit richness varies substantially between plans even within the same carrier. A Humana Gold Plus HMO might offer different dental maximums than a Humana Choice PPO. Always review the Evidence of Coverage document and Summary of Benefits for any plan you're seriously considering.
In 2026, the standard Medicare Part B premium is $185 per month. Most Medicare Advantage plans in Palm Beach County add $0 in additional premium — meaning your only monthly cost is the Part B premium you already pay. However, costs don't stop there. Plans have copays and coinsurance for office visits, specialists, urgent care, emergency room visits, hospital stays, and outpatient procedures. Understanding the out-of-pocket maximum (MOOP) is important: this is the most you can pay for covered services in a year. By law, all MA plans must have an MOOP, which caps your financial exposure in a way Original Medicare does not.
If your income and assets are below certain thresholds, you may qualify for Extra Help — also called the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) — which significantly reduces your Part D drug costs. Extra Help pays for most or all of your drug plan premium, deductible, and copays. You can apply through Social Security or your local Florida Department of Children and Families office.
Florida offers four Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) that help pay for Part B premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance for qualifying beneficiaries. The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program is the most comprehensive, covering the Part B premium entirely for those who qualify. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging or a SHINE counselor to apply.
If your modified adjusted gross income exceeds certain thresholds (set by Social Security), you'll pay an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) surcharge on top of the standard $185 Part B premium. In 2026, IRMAA surcharges range from roughly $74 to $443 per month depending on income bracket. This applies whether you have Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage.
Knowing your enrollment windows is essential — missing a deadline can mean waiting nearly a year before making changes. Here are the key periods for Palm Beach County Medicare beneficiaries:
| Enrollment Period | Dates | What You Can Do |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) | 7-month window around your 65th birthday | Join Medicare, pick an MA plan or Medigap + PDP for the first time |
| Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) | Oct 15 – Dec 7 each year | Switch, join, or drop any Medicare Advantage or Part D plan; changes effective Jan 1 |
| Open Enrollment Period (OEP) | Jan 1 – Mar 31 each year | Switch MA plans or return to Original Medicare once; cannot join a new plan from scratch |
| Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) | Triggered by qualifying events | Moving, losing other coverage, entering/leaving a nursing facility, etc. |
| 5-Star SEP | Anytime during the plan year | Enroll in any 5-star rated plan at any time of year |
If you are new to Medicare, your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period begins 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and ends 3 months after. Enrolling in the first three months means your coverage starts on the first day of your birth month, minimizing gaps.
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