Written By
Greg Wohl
Licensed Medicare Specialist
Medicare covers far more than most beneficiaries realize. Beyond the basics of hospital stays and doctor visits, Medicare includes dozens of free preventive services, mental health coverage, telehealth options, and cost-reduction programs that can save hundreds or thousands of dollars per year.
In Florida, where healthcare costs are above the national average and the senior population is large, getting full value from your Medicare coverage is especially important. Yet studies consistently show that most beneficiaries underuse their benefits.
This guide walks through the most impactful ways to maximize your Medicare benefits in Florida in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Use your free Annual Wellness Visit every year: Medicare Part B covers one Annual Wellness Visit per year at no cost to you. This visit creates a personalized prevention plan, updates your health risk assessment, and is separate from a standard physical exam. Many beneficiaries do not know this visit exists.
- Take advantage of all free preventive screenings: Medicare covers dozens of preventive screenings at no cost, including mammograms, colonoscopies, cardiovascular screenings, diabetes screenings, bone density tests, and lung cancer screenings for high-risk individuals. These screenings are free only when billed as preventive, so confirm the billing code with your provider.
- Apply for Medicare Savings Programs if your income is limited: Florida's Medicare Savings Programs pay some or all of your Medicare premiums, deductibles, and copays if your income is below certain thresholds. Many eligible beneficiaries never apply. In 2026, a single person with income below approximately $1,660 per month may qualify.
- Apply for Extra Help to reduce Part D costs: Extra Help (also called the Low Income Subsidy) reduces or eliminates Part D premiums, deductibles, and copays for beneficiaries with limited income and resources. In 2026, the income limit for full Extra Help is approximately $1,903 per month for a single person.
- Review your plan every year during AEP: Medicare plans change their premiums, formularies, and networks every year. A plan that was the best choice last year may not be the best choice this year. Reviewing your plan during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7) can save you hundreds of dollars.
- Use telehealth and in-home benefits if available: Many Medicare Advantage plans in Florida offer telehealth visits, in-home health assessments, and post-discharge meal delivery. These benefits are often underused because beneficiaries do not know they are available.
Free Preventive Services You Should Be Using
Medicare Part B covers an extensive list of preventive services at no cost to you when billed correctly. Here are the most important ones for Florida seniors.
Annual Wellness Visit: A yearly visit to create or update your personalized prevention plan. This is not a physical exam, but it includes a health risk assessment, review of your medications, and referrals for preventive screenings. It is free with no deductible or copay.
Cancer screenings: Medicare covers annual mammograms for women over 40, colonoscopies every 10 years (or every 2 years if you are at high risk), cervical and vaginal cancer screenings, and prostate cancer screenings. Annual lung cancer screenings are covered for high-risk current or former smokers aged 50 to 77.
Cardiovascular screenings: Medicare covers blood tests for cholesterol, lipids, and triglycerides every 5 years. Cardiovascular disease risk reduction visits are also covered for beneficiaries with cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Diabetes screenings and management: Medicare covers up to two diabetes screenings per year for at-risk beneficiaries. Diabetes self-management training and medical nutrition therapy are also covered for beneficiaries with diabetes.
Mental health screenings: Medicare covers one depression screening per year at no cost. Mental health care, including outpatient therapy, is covered under Part B at 80% after the deductible.
Important billing note: Preventive services are only free when billed as preventive. If your doctor addresses a new or existing condition during the same visit, the visit may be billed as diagnostic and subject to cost-sharing. Confirm with your provider how the visit will be billed before the appointment.
Extra Help: Reduce Your Part D Drug Costs
Extra Help (also called the Low Income Subsidy or LIS) is a federal program that reduces or eliminates Part D prescription drug costs for beneficiaries with limited income and resources.
Full Extra Help: Eliminates the Part D premium (up to the benchmark amount), deductible, and reduces copays to $4.90 for generics and $12.15 for brand-name drugs in 2026. Income limit is approximately $1,903 per month for a single person.
Partial Extra Help: Reduces Part D costs on a sliding scale for beneficiaries with income between the full Extra Help limit and 150% of the federal poverty level.
To apply for Extra Help, contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or apply online at ssa.gov. If you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program, you automatically qualify for Extra Help.
For more on managing Part D costs, see our guide on Is Reinstating a Part D Plan Possible.
Medicare Advantage Extra Benefits: What to Look For in Florida
If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, your plan may offer extra benefits beyond Original Medicare. In 2026, many plans have scaled back these benefits, but significant value is still available in the Florida market.
Dental coverage: Many Florida MA plans include preventive dental (cleanings, X-rays, exams) and some include comprehensive dental (fillings, extractions, dentures). Review your plan's dental benefit carefully, as coverage limits vary widely.
Vision coverage: Most MA plans cover annual eye exams and a fixed allowance for eyeglasses or contact lenses. Some plans offer enhanced vision benefits through networks like VSP or EyeMed.
Hearing coverage: Many plans cover annual hearing exams and a fixed allowance for hearing aids. Given the high cost of hearing aids (often $3,000 to $6,000 per pair), this benefit can be extremely valuable.
OTC allowance: Some plans provide a quarterly allowance for over-the-counter health products, which can be used for vitamins, pain relievers, first aid supplies, and other items.
Fitness benefits: Most Florida MA plans include access to fitness programs such as SilverSneakers, Silver&Fit, or Renew Active, which provide free gym memberships.
For a full breakdown of what is still available in 2026, see our guide on Value-Added Benefits Through Medicare Advantage in 2026.
Annual Plan Review: The Single Most Impactful Thing You Can Do
The single most impactful action most Medicare beneficiaries can take is reviewing their plan every year during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7).
Medicare plans change their premiums, deductibles, copays, formularies, and networks every year. A plan that was the best choice last year may have increased its premium, removed your medications from its formulary, or dropped your doctor from its network.
During AEP, you can switch Medicare Advantage plans, switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare, change your Part D plan, or add a Part D plan if you do not currently have one. Changes take effect January 1 of the following year.
The best way to do an annual review is to work with an independent Medicare specialist who can compare your current plan against all available options in your area. Schedule a free annual review with our licensed specialists before October 15.
The Bottom Line on Maximizing Your Medicare Benefits in Florida
Getting full value from your Medicare coverage requires active engagement, not just passive enrollment. Here are the most impactful steps:
- Use your free Annual Wellness Visit and all covered preventive screenings every year
- Apply for Medicare Savings Programs if your income is below the threshold, even if you are not sure you qualify
- Apply for Extra Help to reduce Part D costs if your income and resources are limited
- Review your Medicare Advantage extra benefits and actually use them, especially dental, vision, hearing, and OTC allowances
- Review your plan every year during the Annual Enrollment Period to ensure it still fits your needs
Our licensed independent specialists can help you identify which cost-reduction programs you qualify for and which plan changes would save you money. Schedule a free consultation to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
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