Pinellas County Medicare Market Report 2026: Plans, Carriers, and What's Changed

The Pinellas County Medicare Market in 2026

Pinellas County is one of the most competitive Medicare markets in Florida — and in the country. With a large senior population, high Medicare Advantage penetration, and multiple major carriers competing for enrollment, the local market is both an opportunity and a minefield for beneficiaries trying to navigate their options.

This report summarizes the key market dynamics in Pinellas County for 2026, based on CMS plan data, carrier announcements, and our direct experience working with clients throughout the county.

Market Overview: Enrollment and Penetration

Florida consistently ranks among the top states for Medicare Advantage penetration, and Pinellas County reflects that trend:

• Approximately 65–70% of Medicare-eligible Pinellas County residents are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan
• The remaining 30–35% are on Original Medicare, many with a Medigap supplement
• Pinellas County has one of the highest concentrations of dual eligible (Medicare + Medicaid) beneficiaries in the Tampa Bay region

Key Carriers in Pinellas County 2026

Carrier	Market Position	Notable 2026 Changes
Humana	Market leader	Reduced some extra benefits; maintained broad network
UnitedHealthcare	Strong #2	Expanded D-SNP offerings; some premium increases
Aetna / CVS	Growing	New plans added; competitive dental benefits
Florida Blue	Stable	Maintained PPO options; strong local network
Devoted Health	Challenger	Continued growth; strong care management model
Cigna	Reduced presence	Exited some Florida counties; limited Pinellas presence

What Changed for 2026

The 2026 plan year brought meaningful changes to the Pinellas County market:

1. Benefit reductions: Several carriers reduced supplemental benefits — particularly dental allowances, OTC credits, and transportation benefits — in response to CMS rate changes and profitability pressures in the MA market.
2. Network changes: Some plans removed specific hospital systems or specialist groups from their networks. Beneficiaries who auto-renewed without reviewing their plan may find their preferred providers are no longer in-network.
3. Premium increases: While many MA plans maintained $0 premiums, a subset of plans with richer benefits increased premiums by $20–$60/month.
4. Part D formulary changes: Drug formularies changed significantly for many plans. Beneficiaries on specialty medications should verify their drugs are still covered at the same tier.
5. D-SNP expansion: Several carriers expanded their D-SNP offerings in Pinellas County, providing more options for dual eligible beneficiaries.

What Beneficiaries Should Do

Given these market changes, Pinellas County Medicare beneficiaries should:

• Review their Annual Notice of Change (ANOC): Every plan mailed this document in September 2025. It details every change to your plan for 2026.
• Verify provider network status: Call your primary care physician, specialists, and preferred hospitals to confirm they are still in-network for your 2026 plan.
• Check drug formulary: Use your plan's online formulary tool or call member services to confirm your medications are still covered at the same cost tier.
• Consider a free Medicare review: A licensed local advisor can compare your current plan against all available options and identify whether a switch makes sense.

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP)

If you are currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and want to make a change, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1 – March 31. During this window, you can:

• Switch from one MA plan to another
• Switch from an MA plan back to Original Medicare (and enroll in a Part D plan)

You cannot use the OEP to switch from Original Medicare to an MA plan, or to enroll in a Medigap policy.

Work With a Local Expert

Navigating the Pinellas County Medicare market is easier with someone who knows it from the inside. At Integrity Health Solutions, we work exclusively in this market and maintain current knowledge of every plan available in the county.

Book a free Medicare review — we'll compare your current plan against every available option in your zip code.