Why Medigap travels well
Medigap pays after Original Medicare. If Medicare approves a claim from a Florida doctor or hospital, your Medigap policy pays its share, such as the Part B coinsurance or the Part A hospital deductible ($1,736 per benefit period in 2026), depending on your plan letter. The plan letters are standardized, so a Plan G bought in Ohio covers the same things in Florida.
- Any provider who accepts Medicare, in any state, D.C., Puerto Rico or the territories.
- No referrals and no prior approval from the Medigap company.
- Part B excess charges (up to 15% above the Medicare-approved amount) are covered by Plans F and G, which can matter if a Florida doctor doesn't accept Medicare's amount as full payment.
Check if you have Medicare SELECT
The federal guide Choosing a Medigap Policy says Medicare SELECT policies require you to use network hospitals (and in some cases doctors) for full benefits, except in emergencies. Medicare still pays its share anywhere, but the SELECT policy may pay less or nothing for non-emergency care outside its network. If your policy says "SELECT," ask the company how it works in Florida.
Choosing Medigap as an Ohio snowbird
- Buy during your Medigap open enrollment. Ohio's 6-month window starts when you're both 65 and enrolled in Part B. During it, companies can't turn you down for health reasons.
- Compare plan letters. Benefits are the same across companies for the same letter; premiums and rate histories differ.
- Add Part D. Check the plan's pharmacy network in both states.
- Keep paying. A Medigap policy is guaranteed renewable as long as you pay the premium.
Ohio has no birthday rule or yearly switching right. After your open enrollment, changing Medigap policies can mean health questions. A bill (HB 24) has been proposed; it is not law.
More on Medigap in Ohio and in our guide for Ohio snowbirds. To compare Medigap policies from the companies they work with, you can request a call from a licensed insurance agent.
Related questions
Does my Ohio Medicare work in Florida?
Coverage by type.
What if I move to Florida for good?
Keeping Medigap after a move.
Can I fill prescriptions in Florida?
Part D away from home.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Choosing a Medigap Policy
- Medicare.gov — Compare Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage
- Ohio Administrative Code 3901-8-08 — Medicare supplement open enrollment
More questions in this guide
- Can I fill prescriptions in Florida with my Ohio Part D plan?
- Can I keep my Ohio Medicare Advantage plan if I spend winters in Florida?
- Does my Ohio Medicare work in Florida?
- Should snowbirds sign up for Medicare in Ohio or Florida?
- What happens to my Medicare if I move from Ohio to Florida for good?
Part of the guide: Ohio snowbirds and Medicare: spending winters in Florida · All questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Florida Medigap policy if I winter there?
No. Your Ohio policy covers you in Florida. You keep buying Medigap where you permanently live.
If I move to Florida, can I keep my Ohio Medigap policy?
Generally yes. The federal Medigap guide says you can keep your policy regardless of where you live as long as you have Original Medicare. Switching to a new policy may mean health questions.
Does Medigap cover me outside the U.S.?
Plans C, D, F, G, M and N pay 80% of emergency care outside the U.S. for the first 60 days of each trip, after a $250 yearly deductible, up to a $50,000 lifetime limit.
Does Medigap cover my prescriptions in Florida?
No. Medigap policies sold today don't cover drugs. You need a Part D plan, and should check that its pharmacy network or mail order works where you winter.
Medicare in your Ohio county
Plans, local agents and help, county by county: Franklin · Cuyahoga · Hamilton · Summit · Montgomery · Lucas · Butler · Stark · Lorain · Warren · Delaware · Lake · Mahoning · Clermont · Trumbull · Licking · Medina · Greene · Fairfield · Portage · All 88 counties →
