Hardee County is in Southwest Florida and the Heartland, from Port Charlotte, Fort Myers and Naples inland to Sebring and Okeechobee, with about 26,068 residents (Census 2024 estimate). Its largest towns are Wauchula, Bowling Green and Zolfo Springs.
Hurricanes reach this part of the state: what happens to your Medicare after a storm.
2027 plans in Hardee County at a glance
What it means if you live in Hardee County
- That's 2 plans fewer than in 2026 (25). If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, check your Annual Notice of Change to see whether it continues and what changes. Health First Health Plans stops selling regular Medicare Advantage plans here on December 31; at least 24 people in Hardee County are in one of those plans. If that's you, here is what to do. (CMS data) Humana ends some Medicare Advantage plans here while keeping others; at least 523 people in Hardee County are in one of those plans. Your plan's letter says whether yours is ending; here is what to do. (CMS data)
- 10 are HMOs (you generally use the plan's network) and 13 are PPOs (which also pay out-of-network doctors, usually at a higher cost to you).
- 7 plans have no Part D drug coverage. Those suit people who get drug coverage elsewhere, such as from the VA; otherwise you could owe a late-enrollment penalty for going without it.
- Special needs plans here: 15 for people with both Medicare and Florida Medicaid; 9 for people with certain chronic conditions, such as diabetes or heart failure. You can join one only if you qualify.
- Hardee County ranks 38th of Florida's 67 counties for plans open to everyone. In the Southwest Florida and the Heartland region (9 counties), the count runs from 22 to 34.
- At least 2,847 people in Hardee County were in a Medicare Advantage plan in October 2026.
Licensed insurance agents for Hardee County
These independent insurance agents are licensed in Florida and work with Benefits Life, the publisher of this site. When they enroll you in a plan, the agent and Benefits Life may be paid by the insurance company. Learn more.
See Medicare plans in Hardee County
Enter your ZIP code to compare Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Medigap plans available where you live.
You'll go to PlanMatchMedicare.com, a plan comparison site from Benefits Life, the publisher of this site. Only your ZIP code is sent.
Original Medicare and Medigap
If you'd rather keep any doctor who takes Medicare, Original Medicare with a Medigap policy and a Part D plan works the same in every Florida county. Medigap in Florida.
Nearby counties
You can only join a Medicare Advantage plan sold in the county where you live.
| County | Plans open to everyone, 2027 | Special needs plans |
|---|---|---|
| DeSoto County | 26 | 22 |
| Highlands County | 25 | 22 |
| Polk County | 50 | 60 |
| Manatee County | 41 | 46 |
2026 Medicare costs (the same in every county)
| Cost | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Part B premium | $202.90 a month (standard) |
| Part B deductible | $283 a year |
| Part A deductible | $1,736 per benefit period |
| Part D out-of-pocket cap | $2,100 a year |
Other places to get answers
- Medicare: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, or Medicare.gov.
- Social Security (signing up for Parts A and B, Extra Help): 1-800-772-1213, TTY 1-800-325-0778.
- Florida Medicaid and the Medicare Savings Programs (apply through the Department of Children and Families, DCF): ACCESS Florida, DCF customer call center (850) 300-4323. Problems with a Medicaid plan: AHCA Medicaid Helpline 1-877-254-1055. Florida Medicaid and Medicare.
- Insurance questions and complaints about a Medigap policy, an insurance company or an agent: Florida Department of Financial Services Consumer Helpline 1-877-693-5236 (1-877-MY-FL-CFO), or check an agent's Florida license.
- Long-term care residents: the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (Florida Department of Elder Affairs), 1-888-831-0404, ombudsman.elderaffairs.org.
- More Florida contacts, from appeals to fraud reporting: Florida Medicare contacts.
Questions about Medicare in Hardee County
How many Medicare Advantage plans are there in Hardee County for 2027?
CMS lists 23 open to everyone with Medicare (25 in 2026), plus 24 special needs plans for people who qualify. You still pay your Part B premium.
When can I change my Medicare plan in Hardee County?
Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, for coverage starting January 1. If you're in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch plans or go back to Original Medicare once between January 1 and March 31. If your plan leaves your county, you get a Special Enrollment Period.
How do I find a licensed insurance agent in Hardee County?
Use the agent search on this page, pick one agent and request a call, to compare plans with a licensed insurance agent at no cost to you. Agents listed here are licensed in Florida.
Sources
Plans open to everyone are Medicare Advantage plans with or without drug coverage, not special needs plans. Enrollment counts HMO and PPO plans; CMS hides counts of 10 or fewer, so real numbers are a little higher.