This year’s Medicare Advantage changes in Naples come down to cost and networks. Part B now costs $202.90 a month, the Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100, and NCH Healthcare System has announced that Cigna and Wellcare Medicare Advantage plans will be out of network on January 1, 2027. You can generally switch plans from October 15 to December 7. I’m Michele Sanchez, owner of Michele Sanchez Insurance Agency, and I help my Naples and Marco Island neighbors sort through these changes before the deadline.
Key Takeaways
- NCH has announced that Cigna and Wellcare Medicare Advantage plans will be out of network on January 1, 2027. Emergency care remains available.
- The 2026 Part B premium is $202.90 a month.
- Collier County has 43 Medicare Advantage plans in 2026, not counting Special Needs Plans.
- Your deadline to change coverage for 2027 is December 7, 2026.
What Are the Biggest Medicare Advantage Changes in Naples for 2026?
Three shifts may matter most to my Naples clients. One is a hospital network change. Another is narrower plan networks. The last is lower average premiums that can come with other costs. When I meet with a client, I’m happy to walk through all three before we talk about plan options.
Is NCH Dropping Two Medicare Advantage Carriers?
According to NCH’s Medicare Advantage update page, NCH Healthcare System will no longer accept Cigna and Wellcare Medicare Advantage plans beginning January 1, 2027. After that date, NCH doctors and hospital elective services will not schedule appointments for people with those plans. NCH says it will remain available for emergency care.
Your benefits and care at NCH do not change until January 1, 2027. If you have one of these plans, I’m happy to go over your options with you.
Are Insurers Narrowing Their Networks?
News reports indicate that UnitedHealthcare and Aetna have said their 2027 Medicare Advantage plans will offer more limited provider networks. An HMO generally requires referrals for specialists and may list fewer doctors than a PPO.
Do Lower Premiums Tell the Whole Story?
CMS projects that the weighted average monthly Medicare Advantage premium will fall about 16.5% from 2026 to 2027, from $14.37 to $12.00, as reported by Becker’s Hospital Review. That may be welcome news. A $0 premium plan can still have higher copays or fewer extras, like dental or hearing coverage.
What Does Medicare Cost in Naples in 2026?
Federal Medicare rates are the same in Naples as everywhere else. Here is a table I share with my clients at my Marco Island office:
| 2026 Medicare Cost | Amount |
| Part B standard premium | $202.90 per month |
| Part B deductible | $283 per year |
| Part A hospital deductible | $1,736 per benefit period |
| Medicare Advantage in-network out-of-pocket maximum | $9,250 |
| Medicare Advantage combined in- and out-of-network maximum | $13,900 |
| Part D out-of-pocket drug cap | $2,100 |
Each plan can set its own limit below $9,250. If your individual income is above $109,000, you may pay more for Part B. Medicare calls this IRMAA.
How Many Medicare Advantage Plans Does Collier County Have?
Collier County has 43 Medicare Advantage plans for 2026, not counting Special Needs Plans, and 20 D-SNPs, which serve people who have both Medicare and Medicaid. Both counts come from CMS landscape data.
With that many options, it can feel hard to know where to start. When Naples clients sit down with me, we start with their doctors and prescriptions. Then we narrow the list together. You can see how I compare Medicare Advantage plans before we meet.
What Medicare Advantage Plan Changes Are Coming in Florida for 2027?
The choice you make this fall may shape your 2027 coverage. CMS says about 8 in 10 Medicare Advantage members should be able to keep their current plan next year at the same or a lower premium. That leaves about 2 in 10 who may see a higher cost. Florida’s plan count is also dropping from 611 in 2026 to 560 in 2027, the largest drop of any state, as Becker’s Hospital Review reports.
Plan availability and benefits can vary by county, so a plan that works well in Orlando may look different in Naples. Your ZIP code can change the details, and that is where I start with every client at my Marco Island agency.
Is My Doctor Still in Network for 2027?
Checking your doctors is a step I recommend for every Naples client this year. A low premium may mean less if your cardiologist leaves the network. I suggest checking every provider on the plan you pick, not only the hospital.
- Search the plan’s 2027 provider directory.
- Call the office and ask, “Do you take this plan in 2027?”
- I’m happy to confirm with you before you enroll.
How Do I Read My Annual Notice of Change?
Your plan generally mails this letter, called the ANOC, by September 30. When I review one with a client, we look at five lines:
- Monthly premium
- Out-of-pocket maximum
- Drug list and tiers for each prescription you take
- Doctor and hospital network
- Referral and prior authorization rules
Read each line next to last year’s numbers. A change in your out-of-pocket maximum can matter as much as a small premium change.
At Michele Sanchez Insurance Agency, I go through these line by line with Naples and Marco Island clients. Watch my Medicare education videos to prepare for your review.
What Are My Options If My Plan No Longer Fits?
There are generally two paths. You can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, or you can move to Original Medicare with a Medigap plan. If you enroll by December 7, your new coverage generally starts January 1.
Medigap plans generally do not use a provider network, and premiums vary by plan and insurer. After your Medigap open enrollment window closes, the insurer may ask about your health first. I’m happy to walk through both paths with you.
Snowbirds: Should You Choose an HMO or a PPO?
Do you split the year between Naples and a northern state? An HMO generally covers only emergency and urgent care outside its service area. A PPO may pay for some out-of-network care at a higher cost. I’m happy to go over how each fits seasonal residents.
What Are the Key Medicare Dates for Naples Members?
| Date | What Happens |
| October 15, 2026 | Annual Enrollment Period opens |
| December 7, 2026 | Last day to change your 2027 plan |
| January 1, 2027 | New coverage starts; the NCH change takes effect; Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment runs through March 31 |
Please mark these on your calendar now. See my guide to Medicare enrollment periods and deadlines before you call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will NCH Accept My Medicare Advantage Plan in 2027?
Not if you have a Cigna or Wellcare Medicare Advantage plan. NCH has announced that it will no longer accept those plans beginning January 1, 2027. You can check NCH’s update page, or call me at (239) 682-8567 and I’ll help you confirm your Naples coverage.
What Are the Medicare Advantage Plan Changes in Florida for 2027?
CMS projects lower average premiums. Florida’s plan count is dropping, and UnitedHealthcare and Aetna have said they will offer more limited provider networks.
Do I Need to Do Anything If My Plan Isn’t Changing?
In most cases, your plan renews automatically. I still suggest reading the network section of your ANOC, since doctors can change even when premiums stay the same.
Can I Switch From Medicare Advantage to Medigap in Naples?
Generally yes, during Annual Enrollment. Outside guaranteed-issue windows, the Medigap insurer may ask health questions before approving you.
What Is the Part D Drug Cap in 2026?
The out-of-pocket cap is $2,100. It applies to stand-alone Part D plans and to drug coverage inside Medicare Advantage plans.
What Happens If I Miss the December 7 Deadline?
In most cases, you stay in your current coverage for 2027. People already in Medicare Advantage generally get one more switch from January 1 to March 31.
How Many Medicare Advantage Plans Are Available in Naples?
Collier County has 43 plans for 2026, which includes Naples, plus 20 D-SNPs for people with both Medicare and Medicaid.
Can I Get Help With Medicare Advantage Changes in Naples for 2026?
The Medicare Advantage changes Naples members face in 2026 and 2027 raise one question: does your plan still cover your doctors? I help neighbors from Naples to Marco Island answer it before December 7.
I’m happy to go over this with you. Please call me at (239) 682-8567, or request a plan review. My help is at no cost to you.
Warmly,
Michele Sanchez
