Broward County Medicare Insights 2026

Between July and September of each year, independent agents like me are busy re-certifying with the insurance carriers they represent and participating in training events that introduce the plan benefits for the next plan year. CMS guidelines prohibit our sharing any plan details until October 1st. Now that October 1st has arrived, here are some significant changes that will affect Medicare beneficiaries in Broward County, Florida, where I am located.

Important Note: If you are losing your plan or carrier in 2026

In any case where you are losing your plan because the plan or the carrier won't be available in 2026, you will be getting a termination/service area reduction (SAR) notice in the mail. Do not lose that letter. It gives you a guaranteed issue right to a Medicare supplement paving the way for you to return to original Medicare. If that's an option you've never considered before, now is the time to consider it. More about that here: You May Have a Guaranteed Issue Right to a Medicare Supplement for 2026! Otherwise, we can help you find another Medicare Advantage plan in which to enroll for 2026.

Major Changes Affecting Medicare Beneficiaries in Broward County, Florida

• Aetna is terminating their Medicare PPO plans in Broward County. If you're enrolled in an Aetna PPO for 2025, you will be getting a termination/service area reduction (SAR) notice in the mail. Do not lose that letter; it's important. See important note below to find out why.

• AvMed is leaving the Medicare space entirely. If you're enrolled in an AvMed plan for 2025, you will be getting a termination/service area reduction (SAR) notice in the mail. Do not lose that letter; it's important.  See important note below to find out why.

• The Cigna Healthcare Medicare Advantage brand and related Medicare products are being rebranded as HealthSpring following their acquisition by Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), which recently purchased Cigna's Medicare businesses. In 2026, Medicare plans will be available under the HealthSpring name. All Cigna plans for 2025 will be discontinued. Anyone enrolled in a Cigna Medicare plan will need to switch to a different plan with HealthSpring or another provider that suits their needs. The Cigna Medicare plan with Part B giveback, which was suitable for some in 2025, will not be available under the HealthSpring name in 2026. Therefore, if you were part of the Cigna Medicare giveback plan and still desire a giveback plan, you will need to switch to another carrier. If you're enrolled in a Cigna plan for 2025, you will be getting a termination/service area reduction (SAR) notice in the mail. Do not lose that letter; it's important.  See important note below to find out why.

• Further on the above subject about the Cigna rebranding to HealthSpring, note that HealthSpring will not be offering any standalone prescription drug plans (PDPs) in 2026. Cigna did in 2025, but HealthSpring will not in 2026. If you're currently on a Cigna PDP, you will have to choose a PDP with another carrier for 2026.

• The Wellcare ValueScript standalone PDP, popular because of its $0 monthly premium, remains a $0 premium PDP for 2026. The benefits of the plan have changed somewhat, but it remains a zero-premium plan.

• Regarding standalone PDPs, expect monthly premium increases from virtually all carriers.

• Preferred Care Partners, a UnitedHealthcare HMO, very popular because of its open-access model (meaning no referrals to see specialists), is moving to the more common referral-based model. On the plus side, they are implementing what is known as a "simple referral" model, meaning in general that referrals are more of a formality rather than a roadblock to care. The sister plan, Preferred Care Network (formerly Medica, also a UnitedHealthcare HMO) has been using the simple referral model for years and we haven't seen complaints about referral delays or denials from that plan. Preferred Care Partners will not be enforcing the referral requirement until May 1st, 2026.

Important Note: If you are losing your plan or carrier in 2026

In any case where you are losing your plan because the plan or the carrier won't be available in 2026, you will be getting a termination/service area reduction (SAR) notice in the mail. Do not lose that letter. It gives you a guaranteed issue right to a Medicare supplement paving the way for you to return to original Medicare. If that's an option you've never considered before, now is the time to consider it. More about that here: You May Have a Guaranteed Issue Right to a Medicare Supplement for 2026! Otherwise, we can help you find another Medicare Advantage plan in which to enroll for 2026.

As always, I’m here for you to help sort through your options and find a solution for your 2026 Medicare coverage. Click here to contact me now. For fastest service, click here to fill out my Medicare intake form.