Medicare Advantage in Alachua County, Florida. About 52,912 Medicare beneficiaries live here, with roughly 42 percent in Medicare Advantage plans. Top carriers include Humana and UnitedHealthcare. For free help comparing plans, call Giron Agency, a licensed Florida agency, or visit gironagency.com.
Alachua County, FL has 52,912 Medicare beneficiaries per CMS Q1 2024 data, with about 42% enrolled in Medicare Advantage. The top medicare advantage carriers are Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Florida Blue. We compare these plans for free and never charge a fee.
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The Alachua County medicare advantage market
At roughly 42% MA penetration, most of Alachua County's 52,912 Medicare beneficiaries stay on Original Medicare, frequently paired with a Medigap policy. That pattern usually signals retirees here prize provider choice and predictable out-of-pocket costs over the lower premiums of MA. Humana currently leads the county by enrollment, but the lowest total-cost plan for your specific drugs and doctors is often a smaller carrier — which is why we run all of them side by side instead of pushing the biggest name. Right now roughly 20 Medicare Advantage plans are available in Alachua County, so a side-by-side comparison genuinely matters. Medicare Advantage enrollment figures reflect the latest CMS data (May 2026).
Alachua County at a glance
Population (2024 ACS)
291,800
Medicare beneficiaries
52,912
MA penetration
42%
Age 65 or older
16%
What makes Alachua County different: Alachua County is anchored by the University of Florida and its flagship UF Health Shands Level I trauma/academic medical center, giving it a younger, university-driven population; its Medicare Advantage penetration (~40%) sits well below Florida's 60% average, leaving Original Medicare plus Medigap unusually common among its ~48,000-51,000 beneficiaries.
Top Medicare Advantage plans in Alachua County
Humana
4-star CMS rating
UnitedHealthcare
4-star CMS rating
Florida Blue (BlueMedicare)
4-star CMS rating
Aetna
3.5-star CMS rating
Source: CMS Monthly MA Enrollment by State/County/Contract (latest Q1 2024). Enrollment figures refresh monthly at data.cms.gov.
Before you enroll: verify your hospital + doctor in Alachua County
Each Medicare Advantage plan builds its own provider network — a hospital that's in-network
on one plan may be out-of-network on another. Alachua County has 3
major hospital systems. Before you enroll, check that your preferred hospital and physicians
participate in the specific plan you're considering.
Major hospitals to verify
▸UF Health Shands Hospital (Gainesville)
▸HCA Florida North Florida Hospital (Gainesville)
▸Malcom Randall VA Medical Center (Gainesville)
Call each hospital's billing office directly — or use the carrier's
network tool on the right to search by hospital name.
Free help in Alachua County: Florida SHINE - Alachua — call 1-800-963-5337.
SHIP counselors offer free unbiased Medicare guidance and can run network checks at no cost.
Or skip the cross-checking — we run network checks against your prescriptions and doctors
at no cost during any consult.
Medicare AEP opens in 131 days
131 daysuntil open
Outside the windows, Special Enrollment Periods (SEP) still let you change plans if you moved, lost coverage, qualify for Extra Help / dual eligible, or had a plan terminated. Call to see if you qualify.
Major hospitals: UF Health Shands Hospital (Gainesville), HCA Florida North Florida Hospital (Gainesville), Malcom Randall VA Medical Center (Gainesville)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Medicare beneficiaries live in Alachua County?▾
About 52,912 Floridians in Alachua County are enrolled in Medicare as of May 2026 CMS data. About 42% are in Medicare Advantage plans; the rest are in Original Medicare (with or without Medigap).
Who are the top Medicare carriers in Alachua County?▾
The largest carriers in Alachua County are Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Florida Blue (BlueMedicare), Aetna. We work with all of them and a few smaller carriers that often have better rates for specific situations.
What SHIP resources are available in Alachua County?▾
Florida SHINE - Alachua (1-800-963-5337) provides free unbiased Medicare counseling. Major hospitals in the county include UF Health Shands Hospital (Gainesville), HCA Florida North Florida Hospital (Gainesville), Malcom Randall VA Medical Center (Gainesville).
How many Medicare Advantage plans are available in Alachua County?▾
As of May 2026, about 20 Medicare Advantage plans are available to Alachua County residents, led by Humana Inc., UnitedHealth Group, Inc., CVS Health Corporation, Guidewell Mutual Holding Corporation. We compare all of them side by side at no cost.
Why is Medicare Advantage less common in Alachua County compared to Florida's average?▾
Alachua County has a unique mix of younger residents due to the University of Florida, leading to lower Medicare Advantage penetration. Over 40% are still on Original Medicare plus Medigap.
When can I enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan in Alachua County?▾
You can enroll during Annual Enrollment Period (Oct 15 - Dec 7) or Special Enrollment Periods if you have qualifying life events. It's important to compare options to find the best fit for your needs.
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