Another Major Medicare Advantage Network Change Is Coming To Florida
This is exactly why Medicare Advantage plans need to be reviewed every single year.
Naples Comprehensive Health, one of the largest hospital systems in Southwest Florida, is dropping Wellcare and HealthSpring Medicare Advantage plans at the end of 2026.
Starting January 1, 2027, their hospitals, physicians, and outpatient facilities are expected to be out of network for members enrolled in those plans.
And that is the part people sometimes overlook when choosing Medicare coverage.
A plan may look great because of a $0 premium, dental benefits, vision benefits, or other extras — but your provider network can change. A hospital or doctor you have used for years can suddenly no longer be in network.
For HMO members, that can potentially mean little or no coverage for non-emergency care outside the network. PPO members may still have coverage, but potentially at a much higher out-of-pocket cost.
This is also not an isolated situation. Medicare Advantage insurers and hospital systems across the country have been renegotiating contracts, and Florida has already seen several major network disputes.
If you have Medicare Advantage, do not automatically renew your plan just because it worked for you this year.
Every year you should check:
- Are my doctors still in network?
- Is my hospital still in network?
- Are my prescriptions still covered?
- Did my copays, deductibles, or maximum out-of-pocket change?
- Is this still the best type of Medicare coverage for me?
Medicare Annual Enrollment begins October 15.
Take the time to actually review your coverage before January 1.
Source: The Money Overview