Part A — Hospital
Inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing after a qualifying stay, hospice and some home health. Premium-free for most people with 40 quarters of work history; the 2026 inpatient deductible still applies per benefit period.
Medicare in Sarasota, Manatee & Charlotte County
Medicare Made Clear,without the sales pressure
Turning 65, retiring after 65, or wondering whether your current Medicare coverage still fits your needs? Lynn Hunter is an independent, licensed Florida agent who compares Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement and Part D options among the plans and carriers she represents across Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte County — then explains the trade-offs in plain English so you can make an informed choice.
- No cost to you
- Provider review
- Prescription review
- Year-round support
The four parts of Medicare, in plain English
Understanding the alphabet is the fastest way to feel in control of the decision.
Part B — Medical
Doctor visits, outpatient surgery, labs, imaging, durable medical equipment and preventive care. You pay a monthly premium (higher for high incomes under IRMAA) plus 20% of most services with no annual cap.
Part C — Medicare Advantage
A private plan that bundles Parts A and B, usually Part D, and often dental, vision, hearing, fitness and over-the-counter allowances. You use a network and pay copays, with an annual out-of-pocket maximum for medical care.
Part D — Prescription Drugs
Standalone drug coverage that pairs with Original Medicare or a Supplement. Each plan has its own formulary, pharmacy network and tier structure — the same drug can cost wildly different amounts plan to plan.
Medigap — Supplement
Medicare Supplement plans help pay certain costs left by Original Medicare. They allow you to see providers nationwide who accept Medicare without relying on a Medicare Advantage network. Benefits and premiums vary by plan, carrier and rating method.
The 20% problem
Original Medicare alone has no annual out-of-pocket maximum. Supplemental coverage or Medicare Advantage may help manage potential cost sharing, depending on the plan and your needs.
Advantage vs. Supplement: how Lynn helps you decide
On paper this is a math problem; in practice it is a lifestyle problem. Lynn walks through five questions when helping Sarasota clients compare approaches:
- Which doctors and hospitals do you refuse to give up? Sarasota Memorial, Doctors Hospital, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center and the large physician groups each contract differently with each carrier — we verify each provider by name and NPI, not by reputation.
- How much time do you spend outside Florida? Six weeks in North Carolina or a summer in Michigan changes the answer, because Advantage networks are geographic and Supplements are not.
- What do you take, and where do you fill it? Lynn can help review prescription drug coverage and costs across the Medicare plan options and carriers she represents, including mail order and preferred pharmacy pricing.
- Would a surprise $6,000 year be a nuisance or a crisis? Predictability has a price, and that price is the Supplement premium.
- Do you qualify for extra help? Florida Medicaid, the Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help/LIS and Special Needs Plans can dramatically change what is available to you.
You leave with a written side-by-side of two or three options that may fit your individual needs — total projected annual cost, networks, drug coverage and extras — and no obligation whatsoever.
Key Medicare enrollment windows
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
Seven months around your 65th birthday. Enrolling in the three months before your birthday month gives you coverage the first day of your birthday month — the smoothest transition.
Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
Triggered by losing employer coverage, moving to a new county or state, a plan leaving your area, gaining or losing Medicaid, or entering a nursing facility. Most SEPs last two to eight months.
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
October 15 – December 7 every year. Change Advantage plans, change Part D plans, or move between Original Medicare and Advantage. Changes start January 1.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment
January 1 – March 31. If you are already in an Advantage plan you get one switch, or you can return to Original Medicare and add a Part D plan.
Missing your Part B enrollment window may result in a late-enrollment penalty that generally increases the monthly premium by 10% for each full 12-month period you could have had Part B but did not. If you are approaching 65 or leaving a job, reviewing your timing in advance can help.
Why an Annual Medicare Review Can Be Important
Medicare plans can change from year to year, including premiums, prescription drug formularies, covered medications, provider networks, copays and other costs. Reviewing your plan's Annual Notice of Change can help you understand what may be different for the upcoming year. If you would like help evaluating whether your current coverage continues to meet your individual needs, Lynn is available to review the plans and options she represents with you.
Related reading: what Medicare will not pay for in long-term care, and the checklists in our resource library.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When can I enroll in Medicare in Florida?
- Your Initial Enrollment Period runs seven months — the three months before the month you turn 65, your birthday month, and the three months after. If you or your spouse are still actively working and you have qualifying employer group health coverage, you may be able to delay Part B without a late-enrollment penalty. The rules can vary based on the employer and coverage, so it is important to review your individual situation before delaying enrollment. Other enrollment opportunities may include the Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 to December 7, and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31.
- Is Medicare Advantage or a Medicare Supplement better in Sarasota?
- Neither is universally better; the right answer depends on your doctors, travel, prescriptions and tolerance for out-of-pocket costs. Medicare Advantage options in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte Counties may include plans with a $0 premium and additional benefits, subject to plan terms, networks and copays. A Medicare Supplement paired with a Part D plan generally has a separate monthly premium and allows you to see any provider nationwide who accepts Medicare, without relying on a Medicare Advantage provider network. The approach that fits depends on your individual needs and preferences.
- Do you charge for Medicare help?
- No. There is no fee to you for Lynn’s insurance services. Lynn may be compensated by the insurance carrier when a policy is placed. You do not pay Lynn directly for her services.
- What is medical underwriting for a Medigap plan in Florida?
- Florida does not have annual guaranteed-issue Medigap rights. During your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period — which starts the month your Part B is effective and you are 65 or older — you can buy any Supplement sold in Florida regardless of health history. After that window, carriers can ask health questions and decline you, except in specific guaranteed-issue situations such as losing employer coverage or a plan leaving your service area.
- Will my prescriptions be covered?
- When comparing options, Lynn can review your current drug list, doses and preferred pharmacies using Medicare plan data to estimate annual costs such as premiums, deductibles and copays. Formularies and costs may change for a new plan year, so reviewing the Annual Notice of Change can be helpful even when you are satisfied with your coverage.
- What does Medicare not cover?
- Original Medicare generally does not pay for routine dental, vision or hearing care, most long-term custodial care in a nursing home or assisted living facility, or care received outside the United States. Some Medicare Advantage plans add dental, vision and hearing allowances; long-term custodial care is addressed with a separate long-term care strategy.
Medicare help across Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte County
Lynn meets clients in person throughout Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte County — at your kitchen table, your condo clubhouse, a Lakewood Ranch or Port Charlotte coffee shop — and by phone or video when that is easier. Snowbirds who split the year between Florida and a northern state are welcome; Lynn regularly helps part-year residents coordinate coverage that travels with them.
- Sarasota
- Bradenton
- Lakewood Ranch
- Venice
- Palmer Ranch
- North Port
- Osprey
- Nokomis
- Siesta Key
- Longboat Key
- Manatee County
- Sarasota County
- Charlotte County
- Port Charlotte
- Punta Gorda
- Englewood
- Rotonda West
Review Your Medicare Options
A conversation can help you understand whether your current coverage still fits. There is no cost or obligation for Lynn's Medicare insurance services.