When you are about to reach the age of 65, questions concerning Medicare and Medicare supplement options begin to loom quite large.  Most people who are about to become Medicare eligible, actually know very little about the Medicare process.  Among all the questions surrounding Medicare options in Florida, one question always ranks somewhere near the top of everyone’s critical question list:  What is the best Medicare plan available in Florida? 

This is an important question for sure.  However, it may not be the right question.  For someone who is in need of Medicare supplement coverage, there is quite a bit of information that needs to be acquired in order to make a sound Medicare plan decision.     Asking “what is the best Medicare plan in Florida” is at best, an over-simplification of a complex purchasing process.  There are simply too many things one need to know beforehand to fairly answer that question.

Questions that need to be answered first.

1. Medicare eligibility.
   Turning 65 does not make you automatically eligible for Medicare. There are several factors that must be met before one becomes Medicare eligible. It is obviously important to know what these factors are.  Gathering the Medicare eligibility facts is essential.

2. An account of your health status.
   Many people do not realize that your current health status is an important factor in determining what would be the ideal Medicare plan to acquire. Some plans offer superior coverage for physician office visits and prescription drug coverage. Many plans don't provide physician office visits, drug benefits, or discounts, even on generics, until you reach your deductible, which is often in the thousands of dollars.   Consider how often you normally see a physician. Take stock of the prescription drugs you are currently on.  Use this information to guide your Medicare plan choice.

3. Take stock of your finances.
   Consider the cost of the Medicare plan you choose in relation to your current and future financial circumstance.  Don’t just look at your financial situation now.   To the best of your ability, try to calculate your potential income for the foreseeable future.  Try to project out for at least 10 years or so.  In addition, keep in mind that the cost of most Medicare supplement insurance option premiums increase over time.  Generally the increase tends to be modest.  Usually on par with inflation.   Utilize this data to help calculate how much Medicare Supplement plan you can afford.

You will need to have good information on the covered topics above before you can delve into which plan would be the best Medicare insurance option in Florida.