If you’re one of the thousands of Huntington retirees who escape to Florida for the winter, your Medicare planning just got more complicated than your neighbors who stay put year-round.
November through April in Naples, Boca Raton, Fort Myers, or The Villages sounds perfect – until you get bronchitis in February and discover your New York Medicare Advantage plan won’t cover the doctor visit.
This isn’t a minor detail. For snowbirds, your Medicare plan choice is often the single most important decision you’ll make – and most people get it wrong
The Problem Most Snowbirds Don’t See Coming
Here’s what the Medicare Advantage commercials don’t tell you:
Most Medicare Advantage plans are LOCAL.
They’re built around specific provider networks in specific geographic areas. Your plan covers Northwell Health, NYU Langone, and Catholic Health facilities in New York – but that coverage doesn’t automatically follow you to Florida.
What “Emergency Coverage Nationwide” Actually Means
When Medicare Advantage plans say they cover “emergencies nationwide,” here’s what counts as an emergency:
✓ Covered emergencies:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Severe accident requiring immediate care
- True life-threatening medical emergencies
✗ NOT covered as emergencies:
- Sinus infection needing antibiotics
- Bronchitis requiring a doctor visit
- Diabetic monitoring and blood work
- Ongoing management of chronic conditions (COPD, heart disease, arthritis)
- Routine specialist appointments
- Non-urgent procedures
- Most diagnostic testing
- Follow-up care after procedures
Real example from my practice:
Margaret spends November through March in Sarasota. She has diabetes requiring monitoring every 6 weeks – blood work, medication adjustments, physician visits.
Her New York Medicare Advantage plan covers this completely in Huntington – $20 copay per visit.
In Florida? Not covered at all. She pays $175-225 per visit out-of-pocket, plus separate charges for lab work.
Over four months: $800-1,000 in unexpected costs she thought were covered.
She assumed “nationwide coverage” meant all care. It meant emergencies only.
Your Three Options as a Huntington Snowbird
Option 1: Choose Medigap for True Nationwide Coverage
How it works:
Original Medicare + Medigap (Medicare Supplement) works everywhere in the United States. Any doctor who accepts Medicare – whether in Huntington or Fort Lauderdale – is covered.
Costs in Huntington:
- Plan G premium: $372/month
- Part D drug plan: $35-173/month (avg $101)
- Total: $407-545/month
What you pay in Florida:
- Medicare Part B deductible: $282/year (same as New York)
- Everything else: $0
No networks. No referrals. No prior authorizations. No surprises.
You can see any doctor in Florida who accepts Medicare – which is nearly all of them. Need a cardiologist in Naples? Call and make an appointment. That’s it.
When Medigap makes sense for snowbirds:
- You have chronic conditions requiring regular care in both states
- You hate dealing with networks and restrictions
- You want zero stress about coverage when you’re in Florida
- You can afford the higher monthly premiums for complete peace of mind
- You value the freedom to see any doctor anywhere
Real scenario:
John has Plan G. Develops chest pain in Fort Myers. Goes to any cardiologist accepting Medicare. Gets stress test, echocardiogram, follow-up care.
Total out-of-pocket: $0 (already met his $282 Part B deductible in New York).
Same comprehensive coverage whether he’s in Huntington or anywhere else in America.
Option 2: Find a Dual-State Medicare Advantage Plan
The good news: There ARE Medicare Advantage plans that provide real coverage in both New York and Florida – and they work well for many Huntington snowbirds.
Carriers like Aetna specifically offer Medicare Advantage plans designed for dual-state coverage. These plans include robust provider networks in both New York (covering Northwell, NYU Langone, and other Huntington-area providers) AND Florida (covering major health systems in Naples, Fort Myers, Boca Raton, and other popular snowbird destinations).
But they’re specific plans from specific carriers – not just any Medicare Advantage plan. You need to choose carefully.
Characteristics of dual-state plans:
Higher premiums: $50-100/month (vs $0-25 for local-only plans)
PPO networks (not HMO): More flexibility, but still network restrictions
Higher maximum out-of-pocket: Often $8,000-9,250 annually
Major health systems in both regions: But you must verify YOUR specific locations
Carriers successfully serving Huntington snowbirds:
Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO plans are particularly popular with Huntington snowbirds because they offer:
- Strong networks in both New York and Florida
- Coverage at Northwell, NYU Langone, and Catholic Health in Huntington
- Extensive Florida provider networks in Naples, Fort Myers, Sarasota, Boca Raton, and The Villages
- Consistent copays whether you’re in New York or Florida
Other carriers with dual-state coverage:
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage PPO plans
- Humana Medicare Advantage PPO options in select areas
- Blue Cross Blue Shield plans with multi-state networks
The key: These must be PPO plans (not HMO). PPO networks offer the flexibility needed for dual-state living.
CRITICAL: “Florida coverage” doesn’t mean YOUR Florida town is covered.
Just because a plan advertises “Florida network” doesn’t mean it covers Naples, Fort Myers, Sarasota, Boca Raton, or The Villages specifically.
What you MUST verify before enrolling:
- Get the provider directory for YOUR Florida zip code
- Not just “Florida” – your actual city/town
- Confirm primary care physicians are available
- Are there in-network doctors accepting new patients near where you stay?
- Verify specialists you might need
- Cardiologists, orthopedists, pulmonologists – whatever your conditions require
- Check hospital coverage
- Which hospitals are in-network in your Florida area?
- What are the copays?
- Understand the copays in Florida vs New York
- Some plans charge higher copays for out-of-state care
- Ask about prior authorization requirements
- Do you need pre-approval for care in Florida?
Get it in writing. Don’t trust verbal assurances from a sales agent.
When dual-state Medicare Advantage works:
- You’re relatively healthy with manageable conditions
- You can handle copays and potential out-of-pocket costs
- You’ve verified comprehensive coverage in BOTH your New York AND Florida locations
- You’re willing to work within network restrictions
- You want to save on monthly premiums vs Medigap
Important: Don’t assume dual-state coverage doesn’t exist. Plans from carriers like Aetna are specifically designed for snowbirds and work very well for many Huntington retirees splitting time between states. The key is choosing the RIGHT plan and verifying YOUR specific locations are covered.
Real scenario:
Susan has an Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO plan specifically chosen for dual-state coverage. She sees her primary care doctor at NYU Langone Huntington during summer, sees an in-network primary care doctor in Naples during winter.
Both covered with same $15 copay. Needs imaging? $150 copay whether in New York or Florida. Her cardiologist in Huntington? Covered. Urgent care in Fort Myers? Covered.
Annual cost: $75/month premium + approximately $1,500 in copays = $2,400/year total.
She saved $3,000+ compared to Medigap, stays within network in both states, and has predictable costs she can handle.
Option 3: Local Medicare Advantage Plan (DON’T DO THIS)
What happens:
You choose a New York-based Medicare Advantage plan (Northwell, NYU Langone network, etc.) because it covers your Huntington doctors.
You assume it covers you in Florida. It doesn’t – except for emergencies.
You pay:
- Out-of-network rates (often 40-50% of costs)
- OR full out-of-pocket for non-emergency care
- OR you simply go without care for 4-6 months
This is the worst option for snowbirds. Don’t do it.
The Huntington Snowbird Decision Framework
Ask yourself these questions:
1. How much time do you spend in Florida?
- 1-2 months? Might risk emergency-only coverage
- 3-4 months? Need real dual-state coverage
- 5-6 months? Definitely need full coverage both places
2. What’s your health status?
- Healthy and rarely see doctors? Dual-state MA might work
- Chronic conditions requiring regular care? Medigap safer
- Unpredictable health? Medigap eliminates stress
3. Can you afford unexpected costs?
- If you faced $1,000-2,000 in Florida medical bills, would it devastate your budget?
- If yes → Medigap provides predictability
- If no → Dual-state MA with verified coverage could save money
4. Do you hate dealing with insurance restrictions?
- If you want zero hassle → Medigap
- If you’re comfortable navigating networks → Dual-state MA
Common Snowbird Mistakes
Mistake #1: Assuming “Nationwide Coverage” Means All Care
It means emergencies only. Non-emergency care requires network coverage.
Mistake #2: Not Verifying the Specific Florida Location
“Florida coverage” is meaningless. YOUR town must have in-network providers.
Mistake #3: Believing the Sales Agent Without Written Proof
Get the provider directory. Verify coverage yourself. Get confirmation in writing.
Mistake #4: Forgetting About Prescriptions
Your Part D plan must cover your pharmacy in Florida too. CVS in New York doesn’t mean CVS in Florida is in-network.
Mistake #5: Not Planning for the Unexpected
You might be healthy now. What if you develop a condition while in Florida? Can you switch doctors mid-winter on your plan?
New York’s Snowbird Advantage
Remember: New York gives you year-round guaranteed issue rights to switch Medigap plans without medical underwriting.
What this means:
If you choose Medicare Advantage now and discover it doesn’t work well for snowbird living, you can switch to Medigap later – no medical questions asked.
Most states don’t allow this. New York does.
You’re not locked in forever – but switching means higher premiums, so it’s better to choose right upfront.
The Bottom Line for Huntington Snowbirds
If you split your year between New York and Florida, Medicare planning requires extra attention – but you have good options.
Your best choices:
Option 1: Medigap Plan G ($407-545/month) for complete nationwide freedom with zero networks
Option 2: Dual-state Medicare Advantage PPO from carriers like Aetna ($50-100/month + copays) – these DO work well for snowbirds when properly verified
What NOT to do: Choose a local New York-only Medicare Advantage plan and hope emergency coverage is enough
The key insight: Many Huntington snowbirds successfully use Medicare Advantage plans from carriers like Aetna that are specifically designed for dual-state living. You don’t automatically need Medigap – you just need the RIGHT Medicare Advantage plan with verified coverage in both locations.
Need Help Navigating Snowbird Coverage?
I’m Paul, and I’ve been helping Huntington snowbirds solve this exact problem since 2007.
I can:
- Verify which Medicare Advantage plans actually cover your specific Florida location
- Compare total annual costs for Medigap vs dual-state MA plans based on your health
- Review your current coverage to ensure it works in both states
- Help you make the switch if your current plan isn’t working
Contact The Modern Medicare Agency:
- Phone: 631-358-5793
- Email: medicare@paulbinsurance.com
- Website: www.paulbinsurance.com
Serving Huntington snowbirds since 2007 – because your Medicare coverage should work wherever you call home.
Don’t let a Medicare mistake ruin your Florida winter. Get it right from the start – or fix it before next season.
