For millions of Americans who depend on Medicare, sorting through insurance coverage, prescription drug costs and annual plan changes can feel like an overwhelming assignment.
And with important changes coming in 2027, understanding those details could make a significant difference in what beneficiaries pay and where they can receive medical care.
That’s why a free Medicare counseling event at the Astatula Community Center on Monday, Oct. 26, was designed to help residents make sense of their options without the pressure of choosing a particular insurance company.
The event was part of Florida’s SHINE program, which stands for Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders. Through the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and regional aging agencies, specially trained volunteers provide free, unbiased and confidential health insurance counseling.
The help is available to people new to Medicare, longtime beneficiaries reviewing their existing coverage and people trying to understand how Medicare and Medicaid work together.
For Natalie Champagne, who has been receiving Medicare and Medicaid benefits for approximately three years, navigating insurance has sometimes become a challenge.
Champagne, who has battled cancer, described how difficult it was to find a physician who would accept her insurance after she broke her wrist.
“It took about three weeks before I could even find a doctor that accepted my insurance that would do surgery,” Champagne said.
Her experience highlights something that can be easy to overlook when selecting health insurance: having coverage does not necessarily mean every doctor or specialist accepts it.
Champagne said having someone to help identify participating doctors and navigate medical care would be particularly valuable during emergencies.
Another Medicare beneficiary, Michael Owens, who has received Medicare and Medicaid benefits for more than a decade, emphasized the value of guidance for people unfamiliar with the system.
“There’s a lot you gotta learn and understand,” Owens said.
Both experiences illustrate why understanding an insurance plan involves more than simply comparing its monthly premium.
With Medicare’s annual open enrollment period underway, SHINE counselors are offering opportunities for Central Florida residents to review their options before making decisions about coverage for 2027.
What is changing with Medicare in 2027?
One of the most important changes involves Medicare Part D, which provides prescription drug coverage.
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, two key financial limits are increasing next year.
| Medicare Part D | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Annual out-of-pocket spending limit for covered Part D drugs | $2,100 | $2,400 |
| Maximum annual deductible | $615 | $700 |
The out-of-pocket limit is increasing by $300. Once a beneficiary reaches the annual limit under applicable Part D rules, they generally owe nothing more for covered Part D drugs for the remainder of the calendar year.
However, Actual spending depends on prescription needs, the particular plan and any financial assistance a beneficiary receives. The cap does not include monthly premiums or all medical expenses.
Similarly, the $700 deductible is the maximum permitted for Part D plans in 2027. Some plans have lower deductibles, and others have no deductible.
Those amounts are national Medicare Part D limits, not prices specific to Central Florida.
Residents can read the official explanation of prescription drug costs at Medicare.gov’s Part D cost guide.
There are additional protections worth understanding. For covered insulin products, Part D cost-sharing is generally limited to $35 for a month’s supply. Recommended adult vaccines covered under Part D are available without cost-sharing.
People who have difficulty paying prescription drug bills may also benefit from the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, which allows eligible out-of-pocket drug costs to be spread into monthly payments instead of being paid all at once at the pharmacy.
The payment option does not reduce the total amount owed, but it can help beneficiaries manage when those bills come due.
Learn about the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan.
What about Medicare Advantage premiums?
CMS projects that the national average monthly Medicare Advantage premium will decline from $14.37 in 2026 to $12 in 2027.
The agency also projects that average stand-alone Part D premiums will rise by less than $1 per month, from $35.09 to approximately $36.
But those are national projections, not guarantees about individual plans. Premiums, provider networks, covered medications, copayments and additional benefits can differ significantly depending on where a beneficiary lives and the coverage they select.
That is one reason Medicare encourages beneficiaries to compare their existing coverage with the alternatives available for the coming year.
Read CMS’s official 2027 Medicare Advantage and prescription drug program update.
When is the Medicare open enrollment deadline?
Medicare’s annual open enrollment period runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026.
During this period, eligible beneficiaries can review their coverage and, depending on their current situation, switch Medicare Advantage plans, change prescription drug plans or move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
Changes made during the annual open enrollment period generally take effect January 1, 2027.
People satisfied with their current coverage are not necessarily required to switch plans. However, they should still review their Annual Notice of Change to determine whether their current coverage, costs or participating providers will change.
Learn what changes are permitted during Medicare open enrollment.
Where can Central Florida residents get free Medicare help?
Although Monday’s Astatula counseling event was scheduled for one day only, SHINE has additional sessions across Central Florida during the next two weeks.
The following schedule covers Tuesday, October 27, through Monday, November 9, 2026.
All times are Eastern. Unless otherwise specified, the Lake and Sumter County sessions listed below welcome walk-ins without requiring advance appointments.
Because counselor availability and event schedules can change, residents are encouraged to check with SHINE before traveling.
LAKE COUNTY
Lake County has several opportunities for residents who want to review prescription drug coverage, compare Medicare plans or ask questions about financial assistance.
| Location and address | Upcoming dates | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Leesburg Public Library 100 E. Main St., Leesburg | Tue., Oct. 27 and Nov. 3 | 9:30–11:30 a.m. |
| Minneola Schoolhouse Library 302 W. Pearl St., Minneola | Wed., Oct. 28 and Nov. 4 | 9:30–11:30 a.m. |
| Lady Lake Public Library 225 W. Guava St., Lady Lake | Wed., Oct. 28 and Nov. 4 | 2–3:30 p.m. |
| Tavares Public Library 314 N. New Hampshire Ave., Tavares | Thu., Oct. 29 and Nov. 5 | 10 a.m.–noon |
| W.T. Bland Public Library 1995 N. Donnelly St., Mount Dora | Thu., Oct. 29 and Nov. 5 | 1:30–3:30 p.m. |
| Eustis Memorial Library 120 N. Center St., Eustis | Fri., Oct. 30 and Nov. 6 | 10 a.m.–noon |
| The Cove at Tavares Village 1501 Sunshine Parkway, Tavares | Tue., Nov. 3 | 1–2 p.m. |
| Astor Branch Library 54905 Alco Road, Astor | Mon., Nov. 9 | 10 a.m.–1 p.m. |
The November 3 event at The Cove at Tavares Village is listed as open to the public as well as residents of the community.
For more information about Lake County events:
- SHINE Lake County: 352-692-5209
- Email: shine@agingresources.org
- Official Lake County SHINE counseling calendar
- SHINE’s additional community events calendar
The Leesburg Public Library also lists its October 27 counseling session on its library events calendar.
SUMTER COUNTY AND THE VILLAGES
Additional opportunities are scheduled at recreation centers throughout The Villages.
| Location and address | Upcoming dates | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Ezell Recreation Center 769 Marilee Place, The Villages | Tue., Oct. 27 and Nov. 3 | 9–11:30 a.m. |
| Lake Miona Recreation Center 1526 Buena Vista Blvd., The Villages | Tue., Oct. 27 and Nov. 3 | 9–11:30 a.m. |
| Rohan Recreation Center 850 Kristine Way, The Villages | Wed., Oct. 28 | 9–11:30 a.m. |
| Eisenhower Recreation Center 3560 Buena Vista Blvd., The Villages | Wed., Nov. 4 | 9–11:30 a.m. |
| Chula Vista Recreation Center 1011 Rio Grande Ave., The Villages | Fri., Oct. 30 and Nov. 6 | 3–5:30 p.m. |
Important location change: SHINE’s October 28 counseling session that would ordinarily be held at Eisenhower Recreation Center has been moved to Rohan Recreation Center. The November 4 session is listed at Eisenhower.
Residents should check the calendar before traveling to a recreation center.
For information, call 352-692-5209 or visit the Sumter County SHINE schedule.
SEMINOLE COUNTY
Altamonte Springs City Library
281 Maitland Ave., Altamonte Springs
- Friday, October 30: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
- Friday, November 6: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
The library offers free Medicare, Medicaid and health insurance counseling through SHINE. Appointments and walk-in opportunities are listed.
Residents can call 407-514-1818 about counseling appointments or 407-571-8830 for the library.
See the official Seminole County SHINE counseling schedule.
BREVARD COUNTY
Residents on Florida’s Space Coast also have recurring SHINE counseling opportunities.
Central Brevard Public Library
308 Forrest Ave., Cocoa
- Friday, October 30: 1–4 p.m.
- Friday, November 6: 1–4 p.m.
Walk-ins are welcome, and appointments are available.
Franklin T. DeGroodt Public Library
6475 Minton Road SE, Palm Bay
- Wednesday, October 28: 9 a.m.–noon
- Monday, November 2: 9 a.m.–noon
- Wednesday, November 4: 9 a.m.–noon
- Monday, November 9: 9 a.m.–noon
Appointments are recommended. Walk-ins may be accommodated depending on availability.
To schedule, call 407-514-1818.
SHINE also lists appointment-only counseling at libraries in Merritt Island, Port St. John, Satellite Beach and Titusville, along with The Sunflower House in West Melbourne.
View Brevard County SHINE counseling locations.
ORANGE COUNTY
Senior Resource Alliance
3319 Maguire Blvd., Suite 100, Orlando
The Senior Resource Alliance provides SHINE counseling by appointment, including assistance with Medicare plan questions.
It also lists help with Medicare Savings Program and Extra Help applications on Thursdays, including October 29 and November 5.
Unlike many of the Lake County library sessions, appointments are required.
For general SHINE counseling, call 407-514-1800, extension 6. For the Thursday application-assistance sessions, call 407-514-1818.
View the Orange County SHINE counseling information.
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS IN THE WIDER CENTRAL FLORIDA REGION
People who live farther north or west also have upcoming opportunities.
| Location | Date and time | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Dunnellon Public Library, 20351 Robinson Road, Dunnellon | Tue., Oct. 27; hours to confirm | Appointment required; call 352-692-5209 |
| Senior Connection Center, 8928 Brittany Way, Tampa | Wed., Oct. 28 and Fri., Nov. 6; 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Appointment required; call 813-740-3888 |
| Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 5200 SW College Road, Ocala | Sat., Oct. 31; 10 a.m.–1 p.m. | Appointment required; call 352-692-5209 |
| Belleview Public Library, 13145 SE County Highway 484, Belleview | Wed., Nov. 4; hours to confirm | Appointment required; call 352-692-5209 |
| New Port Richey Library, 5939 Main St., New Port Richey | Thu., Nov. 5; 10–11 a.m. | Medicare Basics presentation; call 727-853-1279 |
| On Top of the World MTP Educational Center, 8415 SW 80th St., Ocala | Mon., Nov. 9; hours to confirm | Registration required; call 352-861-9751 |
For the Dunnellon, Belleview and On Top of the World sessions, SHINE’s published schedule contains differing hours in its event-description and time fields. Call to verify the appointment window before visiting.
Residents in Polk County can also request counseling through participating sites in Lakeland, Auburndale, Winter Haven, Haines City, Lake Wales and other communities by calling 800-336-2226. Most locations require appointments.
In Osceola County, the Hart Memorial Library in Kissimmee lists recurring counseling on the second Thursday of the month; the next regular session falls just outside the two-week period covered here, on November 12.
For Volusia County, SHINE currently directs people seeking counseling to request telephone assistance through the ElderSource Helpline at 888-242-4464.
Additional official schedules are available for Marion County, Polk County, Osceola County and Volusia County.
Can’t attend in person? SHINE offers online Medicare classes, too
For residents unable to travel to a counseling site, SHINE also offers virtual educational sessions.
Upcoming classes listed on its calendar include:
| Date | Online class | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, Oct. 29 | Long-Term Care Planning | 10–11:30 a.m. |
| Thursday, Oct. 29 | Navigating Medicare.gov | 2–3:30 p.m. |
| Monday, Nov. 2 | Medicare Basics | 10–11:30 a.m. |
| Monday, Nov. 2 | Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage | Noon–1 p.m. |
The Navigating Medicare.gov class is designed to help participants understand how to use Medicare’s website, establish an online account and compare options through the Medicare Plan Finder.
Registration is required for the virtual sessions.
- Register for October 29: Long-Term Care Planning
- Register for October 29: Navigating Medicare.gov
- SHINE’s event calendar, including November 2 classes
A virtual class can help explain the system generally, while a private counseling appointment may be more appropriate for someone who wants to discuss their individual medical needs, prescriptions and insurance coverage.
What should you bring to a SHINE counseling appointment?
To make the most of a counseling session, residents should consider bringing:
- Their Medicare card and any current insurance plan cards.
- The Annual Notice of Change or other correspondence received from their insurance company.
- An up-to-date list of prescription medications, including names, dosages and how often they are taken.
- The names of doctors, specialists, hospitals and pharmacies they want to continue using.
- Questions about premiums, deductibles, copayments or medications that may not be covered.
- Relevant financial information if they want to ask about assistance programs based on income and resources.
People with both Medicare and Medicaid should mention that to the counselor because eligibility for additional assistance can affect their costs and coverage choices.
Five questions worth asking before choosing Medicare coverage for 2027
A counseling appointment is an opportunity to ask questions that go beyond the price advertised for a plan.
1. Will my doctors and specialists accept this plan next year?
Doctor participation can change. People enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans should pay particular attention to provider networks, referrals and any restrictions on receiving care outside the network.
2. Are all my medications still covered?
A plan’s formulary, which is its list of covered medications, may change from year to year. A medication covered in 2026 might have different costs or restrictions in 2027.
3. What will I actually pay throughout the year?
Ask the counselor to help compare total expected costs, including premiums, deductibles, copayments and prescription drugs, rather than comparing monthly premiums alone.
4. Could I qualify for assistance paying Medicare expenses?
Programs including Extra Help and Medicare Savings Programs may reduce certain expenses for people who meet eligibility requirements.
5. If I keep my current plan, what changes on January 1?
Someone satisfied with their existing coverage may choose to keep it, but reviewing its changes can prevent surprises involving medications, doctor networks and costs.
More free resources to help you understand Medicare
The following websites are government-operated or official program resources. They provide information without requiring visitors to purchase an insurance policy.
Florida SHINE resources
Florida SHINE’s official website
Information about the free counseling program, how to obtain assistance and where services are available.
SHINE’s Medicare Resource Library
One of the most useful collections for people who want to understand Medicare terminology, coverage choices and financial assistance.
Its links include the 2027 Medicare & You handbook in English and Spanish, Medicare Basics, a Medicare acronym list, explanations of enrollment periods, Medigap information, prescription drug assistance and Medicare fraud prevention materials.
Federal Medicare resources
The federal government’s main Medicare website for coverage, costs, enrollment information and updates.
Compare Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans available in a specific ZIP code. The tool can help estimate costs based on medications and preferred pharmacies.
The official Medicare guide, available in multiple formats and languages. It explains benefits, coverage choices, important deadlines, rights and protections.
Medicare Part D prescription drug costs
Details on deductibles, prescription drug cost-sharing and the annual spending limit.
Medicare Prescription Payment Plan
Learn how eligible prescription drug expenses can be divided into monthly bills.
Help paying for Medicare
Social Security’s Extra Help program
For people with qualifying income and resources, Extra Help can reduce Medicare prescription drug costs, including certain premiums, deductibles and copayments.
These state-administered programs can help eligible people pay certain Medicare premiums and, depending on the program, other cost-sharing expenses.
Applications for Extra Help and Medicare Savings Programs are not limited to the annual Medicare open enrollment period.
Need to speak to someone directly?
Residents can contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
They can also reach Florida’s statewide Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337 to ask about SHINE counseling and other aging-related resources.
Lake County residents can contact their regional SHINE office at 352-692-5209.
The deadline is approaching, but free help is still available
For anyone facing decisions about Medicare coverage, the number of plans, unfamiliar terminology and changing costs can make it difficult to know where to begin.
But residents do not have to navigate those decisions without assistance.
From Leesburg and Tavares to Eustis, Mount Dora and communities throughout Central Florida, SHINE counseling sessions offer opportunities to ask questions before the December 7 enrollment deadline.
Whether someone is enrolling for the first time, trying to keep their longtime doctor or checking if a prescription will become more expensive, taking time to review those details now may help avoid unexpected costs in 2027.
And for people who cannot attend an event, SHINE’s telephone assistance, virtual classes and online resources offer additional ways to get answers.
The most important date to remember is December 7, 2026 — the deadline for most changes made during Medicare’s annual open enrollment period. Coverage selected during that period generally begins January 1, 2027.