Quick Answer: In 2026, the standard Medicare Part B premium will be $202.90 per month. Seniors in Central Florida can choose between Original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan or a Medicare Advantage plan, with Medigap offering predictable costs and broad provider access, while many Medicare Advantage plans have $0 premiums but may have network restrictions and out-of-pocket maximums.
For seniors in Central Florida, navigating Medicare choices can feel like a maze. With the standard Medicare Part B premium rising to $202.90 per month in 2026, understanding your options, especially between Medicare Supplement (Medigap) and Medicare Advantage, is more important than ever. At IM65.com, we're here to help Orlando and Altamonte Springs residents make informed decisions.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2023 5-Year Estimates, Orange County, Florida, is home to 183,681 residents aged 65 and older, and Seminole County, which includes Altamonte Springs (ZIP code 32714), has 77,479 seniors. This large senior population highlights the need for clear, local Medicare guidance.
When you first enroll in Medicare, you have a fundamental choice: Original Medicare (Parts A & B) with a potential Medicare Supplement plan, or a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan. Let's break down the costs, especially concerning that $202.90 Part B premium.
With Original Medicare, you pay your Part B premium ($202.90/month in 2026) and then Medicare pays 80% of approved costs. The remaining 20% is where a Medigap plan comes in. A popular choice for new enrollees is Medigap Plan G, which covers that 20% after you meet your Part B deductible ($283 in 2026). This means your out-of-pocket costs are very predictable: your Part B premium, your Medigap premium, and the Part B deductible once a year. After that, most covered services are paid 100%.
The biggest advantage of Medigap, especially for snowbirds or those who travel, is the freedom to see any doctor or specialist nationwide who accepts Medicare, without referrals. While Medigap allows you to see any doctor at AdventHealth or Orlando Health, some Medicare Advantage HMOs may restrict you to one network or the other. We recommend checking your 2026 provider directory before switching plans.
For prescriptions, you'd add a separate Part D prescription drug plan, which has its own premium. A major win for Orlando seniors in 2026: No matter which Medicare path you choose, your total out-of-pocket cost for prescriptions is now capped at $2,100 per year under the Inflation Reduction Act. This makes the Medigap + Part D combo much more attractive than in previous years.
Medicare Advantage plans, offered by private insurance companies, bundle your Part A, Part B, and usually Part D benefits into one plan. Many of these plans in Orange County and Altamonte Springs come with a $0 monthly premium beyond your Part B premium. For example, in Orange County, 53 out of 59 available plans have a $0 premium. This can be very appealing, especially with the Part B premium at [...content truncated for brevity...]
The standard Medicare Part B premium for 2026 is projected to be $202.90 per month. This amount is set nationally by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and applies to beneficiaries across the United States, including Florida.
The Medicare Part B deductible for 2026 is $283. This is the amount you must pay out-of-pocket for covered Part B services before Medicare begins to pay its share.
Starting in 2026, the Inflation Reduction Act caps the total out-of-pocket cost for prescription drugs at $2,100 per year for all Medicare beneficiaries, regardless of whether they have a standalone Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage.