If you're a Stuart resident approaching 65: or already navigating the Medicare maze: you know it's not exactly a walk on the beach. Between enrollment windows, premium increases, and the alphabet soup of Parts A, B, C, and D, making the right choices can feel overwhelming. But here's the good news: understanding the basics puts you in control of your healthcare costs and your overall financial plan.

At Davies Wealth Management, we work with Stuart and Martin County residents every day who want their Medicare decisions to fit seamlessly into their broader wealth strategy. This guide breaks down the timing, costs, and strategies you need to know for 2026: so you can make informed decisions without the stress.

Table of Contents

  1. Understanding Medicare Enrollment Windows
  2. 2026 Medicare Costs: What Stuart Residents Should Expect
  3. Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement: Which Is Right for You?
  4. Strategic Considerations for Martin County Residents
  5. How Medicare Fits Into Your Bigger Financial Picture
  6. Your Action Plan: What to Do Now

Understanding Medicare Enrollment Windows

Let's start with timing: because missing an enrollment window can cost you real money in penalties and delayed coverage.

The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)

The primary enrollment window for 2026 coverage ran from October 15 through December 7, 2025. If you made changes during that period, your new coverage kicked in on January 1, 2026. But if you missed it, don't panic: you still have options.

Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs)

Life happens. If you experience a qualifying event: like moving to a new service area, losing employer coverage, or your current plan ending: you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. These windows allow you to enroll or make changes outside the standard timeframe.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment

Here's something many Stuart residents overlook: if you're currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and it's not working for you, you have until March 31, 2026 to make one change. You can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or drop back to Original Medicare with a standalone Part D plan.

This flexibility is valuable, especially if you've discovered your current plan's network doesn't include your preferred doctors or your medications aren't covered the way you expected.

Minimalist desk calendar with marked Medicare enrollment dates and reminders for Stuart, FL residents

2026 Medicare Costs: What Stuart Residents Should Expect

Healthcare costs continue climbing, and 2026 is no exception. Here's what you're looking at:

Medicare Part B Premiums

Starting January 1, 2026, the standard Part B premium is $202.90 per month: a $17.90 increase from 2025. That's nearly a 10% jump in one year. If your income exceeds certain thresholds, you'll pay even more through Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA).

Medicare Advantage Plans in Martin County

The good news for cost-conscious Stuart residents? Martin County offers 40 Medicare Advantage plans in 2026, and 34 of them feature $0 monthly premiums. These plans bundle your medical and prescription drug coverage into one package, often with extra benefits like dental, vision, and hearing coverage.

However, lower premiums typically mean trade-offs: like network restrictions and copays for services.

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans

If you prefer more predictable costs and the freedom to see any doctor who accepts Medicare, Medigap plans are worth considering. Here's what Martin County residents typically pay:

Plan Type Monthly Premium Range Best For
Plan G $170–$230 Comprehensive coverage, frequent doctor visits
Plan N $145–$200 Lower premiums with small copays
High Deductible Plan G $45–$65 Healthy retirees with emergency savings

The High Deductible Plan G requires you to meet a $2,920 annual deductible in 2026 before coverage kicks in, but the premium savings can be substantial if you're generally healthy.

Part D Prescription Drug Coverage

Here's some welcome news: your yearly out-of-pocket costs for Part D drugs are now capped at $2,100 in 2026. This cap provides meaningful protection against catastrophic drug costs: a significant change from previous years when costs could spiral much higher.

Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement: Which Is Right for You?

This is the big decision most Stuart residents face, and there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Let's break down the key differences:

Medicare Advantage: The Bundled Approach

Medicare Advantage (Part C) replaces Original Medicare with a private plan that bundles everything together. For Stuart residents, the appeal is clear:

  • Low or $0 monthly premiums (34 of Martin County's 40 plans)
  • Built-in prescription drug coverage
  • Extra benefits like dental, vision, and fitness programs
  • 68% of available plans have 4-star ratings or higher

The trade-offs? You're typically limited to in-network providers, and plan benefits can change annually. If your medications aren't on the formulary or your doctor leaves the network, you'll need to adjust.

Medicare Supplement: The Flexibility Approach

Medigap plans work alongside Original Medicare, filling in the "gaps" in coverage. Here's why some Stuart residents prefer this route:

  • See any doctor who accepts Medicare: no network restrictions
  • Predictable out-of-pocket costs: fewer surprise bills
  • Coverage that doesn't change year to year
  • Travel freely: coverage works nationwide

The trade-off is higher monthly premiums and the need to purchase a separate Part D plan for prescription coverage.

Two clear pathways representing Medicare Advantage and Supplement choices for Martin County seniors

Strategic Considerations for Martin County Residents

Living in Stuart gives you some distinct advantages when it comes to Medicare planning:

Local Healthcare Landscape

Martin County has a competitive Medicare marketplace with plenty of options. The abundance of $0 premium Medicare Advantage plans makes this area particularly favorable for cost-conscious retirees. However, if you have established relationships with specific physicians or specialists, verify they're in-network before committing to any Advantage plan.

Snowbird Considerations

Many Stuart residents split their time between Florida and other states. If you're a snowbird, Original Medicare with a Medigap supplement typically provides more flexibility since coverage follows you anywhere in the country. Medicare Advantage plans often have stricter rules about out-of-area care.

Long-Term Planning

Your Medicare choice today affects your options tomorrow. In most states, you can only purchase Medigap plans without medical underwriting during your initial enrollment period. If you start with Medicare Advantage and later want to switch to Medigap, you might face health screenings and potentially be denied coverage.

How Medicare Fits Into Your Bigger Financial Picture

Medicare isn't just a healthcare decision: it's a financial planning decision. The premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs you'll face should integrate with your overall retirement income strategy.

At Davies Wealth Management, we often discuss Medicare planning alongside broader wealth management strategies because the choices interconnect. For example:

  • Tax planning: Your income level affects IRMAA surcharges on Medicare premiums
  • Investment withdrawals: Strategic Roth conversions or timing of retirement account distributions can impact your Medicare costs
  • Estate planning: Healthcare costs are one of the largest expenses in retirement: planning ahead protects your legacy

If you haven't already, consider using our estate planning tool to see how healthcare costs fit into your overall plan.

We also dive deeper into retirement planning topics on our podcast at The 1715 Treasure Coast Financial Podcast: worth a listen if you want practical insights tailored to our local community.

Interconnected puzzle pieces symbolizing holistic Medicare and wealth management planning in Stuart

Your Action Plan: What to Do Now

Whether you're newly enrolled or reviewing your current coverage, here's what Stuart residents should do right now:

  1. Review your current plan materials carefully. Look for network changes, formulary updates, and any reductions in supplemental benefits.

  2. List your medications and verify they're still covered at the tier you expect. Formularies change annually, and a medication that cost $10 last year might cost $50 this year.

  3. Assess your healthcare usage patterns. Do you see specialists frequently? Do you travel? Are you generally healthy? Your answers should guide your Advantage vs. Medigap decision.

  4. Check enrollment windows. If you qualify for a SEP or want to use the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (through March 31, 2026), act before deadlines pass.

  5. Connect Medicare to your broader plan. Work with a financial advisor who understands how Medicare costs affect your retirement income, taxes, and estate planning goals.

Ready to Talk Through Your Options?

Medicare decisions shouldn't happen in a vacuum. At Davies Wealth Management, we help Stuart residents integrate healthcare planning with their overall financial strategy: because a smart Medicare choice today protects your wealth tomorrow.

Have questions about how your Medicare costs fit into your retirement plan? Reach out to our team to schedule a conversation. We're right here in your community, and we'd love to help you navigate these decisions with confidence.