What the State says
The Florida Department of Management Services (DMS), which runs the State Group Insurance Program, puts it plainly: if you're eligible for Medicare, the State plan pays claims "secondary to (after) Medicare, even if you don't sign up for or purchase Medicare Part B." What that means for each path:
| Your State coverage | Without Part B |
|---|---|
| State Group Insurance health plan (PPO or HMO), secondary to Medicare | The plan pays as if Part B had paid first, so you owe Part B's share, which DMS puts at about 80 percent of Part B services. |
| A State group Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug (MA-PD) plan | You can't enroll. People First needs your Medicare card showing Part A and Part B, for you and every covered family member. |
DMS calls Part B "in your financial interest" and tells retirees who keep State coverage to elect Part B as soon as they're eligible, whether because of age or a disability.
When to sign up
- Already retired and turning 65. Enroll in Part A and Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period, which starts 3 months before your birthday month. DMS suggests contacting Social Security about three months before you turn 65.
- Retiring at 65 or older. Ask Social Security for Part B to start when your active-employee coverage ends, using the Special Enrollment Period for people leaving work coverage.
- On Medicare because of a disability. The State plan becomes secondary once you're eligible, so take Part B then.
- Send your card. Mail or upload a copy of your Medicare card to People First (P.O. Box 6830, Tallahassee, FL 32314) so claims are processed correctly.
If you haven't worked enough quarters to qualify for Medicare at 65, DMS says to get an ineligibility letter from Social Security and send a copy to People First, so your State coverage continues without interruption.
What Part B costs, and the cost of skipping it
The standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month in 2026, more with an income-related amount (IRMAA); CMS publishes 2027 amounts in the fall. If you skip Part B when you're first eligible and don't have coverage from current work, you can generally sign up only from January 1 to March 31 and pay a late penalty of 10% for each full 12 months you went without it, for as long as you have Part B. Estimate it with the penalty calculator.
More on your choices: Florida state retirees and Medicare. To review how individual Medicare plans would fit with your State coverage, you can request a call from a licensed insurance agent.
Related questions
What Medicare options does State Group Insurance offer?
The secondary plan or a State MA-PD.
What happens to State Group Insurance at 65?
Tiers, your Medicare card and timing.
Can I use the FRS HIS with Medicare?
Medicare counts as coverage.
Sources
- Florida DMS, MyBenefits — Retirees FAQ
- Florida DMS, MyBenefits — Retirees
- Florida DMS, MyBenefits — Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug (MA-PD)
- Medicare.gov — Avoid late enrollment penalties
More questions in this guide
- Can Florida county, city and school district retirees stay on their employer health plan with Medicare?
- What is the FRS Health Insurance Subsidy and can I use it with Medicare?
- What Medicare options does Florida's State Group Insurance program offer retirees?
- What happens to my Florida State Group Insurance when I turn 65?
Part of the guide: Florida state retirees and Medicare · All questions
Frequently asked questions
Does State Group Insurance pay my Part B premium?
No. You pay the Part B premium to Medicare, usually taken from your Social Security benefit, plus any income-related amount (IRMAA). Your State Group Insurance premium is separate.
I'm still working for the State at 65. Do I need Part B now?
Medicare's rules let you delay Part B without a penalty while you have group coverage from current employment, then sign up during the 8 months after the job or coverage ends. Retiree coverage doesn't count as current employment, so plan Part B to start when you retire.
Does the same rule apply to my spouse?
Yes. DMS says the Part B provision also applies to Medicare-eligible dependents on your State plan, and if you join an MA-PD plan, everyone on your family policy must be enrolled in Medicare.
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