Medicare Advantage
Does Wellcare Cover Your Doctor in Pinellas for 2027?
St. Petersburg, Fla. — Fall 2026. If you have a Wellcare Medicare Advantage plan in St. Petersburg, or you are shopping one for next year, the lineup for 2027 looks different than the one on offer today. Wellcare is bringing five Medicare Advantage plans to Pinellas County — the county St. Petersburg sits in — for the plan year that starts January 1, 2027. Two are new, three carry renamed versions of plans that were sold here in 2026, and three plans from the 2026 lineup are not returning.
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Key takeaways
- Wellcare is offering 5 Medicare Advantage plans in Pinellas County for 2027: 4 HMO and 1 HMO-POS, all 5 with drug coverage.
- 3 of those 5 plans are Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) for people with both Medicare and Medicaid.
- Compared with 2026, 2 Wellcare plans are new for 2027, 3 are renamed, and 3 plans are not returning.
- The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 – December 7, 2026; a change you make in that window starts January 1, 2027.
| Fact | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare Advantage plans offered in Pinellas County (2026) | 129 | CMS |
| Medicare Advantage plans offered in Pinellas County (2027) | 118 | CMS |
| Plans not returning for 2027 / new for 2027 | 29 / 18 | CMS |
| Organizations offering Medicare Advantage in Pinellas County (2026) | 18 | CMS |
| Share of eligible beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage, Pinellas County | 61% | CMS |
| Residents age 65 and older, Pinellas County | 254,248 | U.S. Census Bureau |
| Part B standard monthly premium (2026) | $202.90 | Medicare.gov |
| Part D out-of-pocket cap (2026) | $2,100 | CMS |
| Part D out-of-pocket cap (2027) | $2,400 | CMS |
| Annual Enrollment Period (for 2027 coverage) | October 15 – December 7, 2026 | Medicare.gov |
| Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period | January 1 – March 31 | Medicare.gov |
Area counts are for the county as a whole and are not a recommendation of any plan. Program figures are set nationally.
This is a short, independent guide to what Wellcare is offering locally for 2027, how the plans break down by type, and how to check any one of them against your own doctors and prescriptions before the December 7, 2026 deadline. MyMedicarePlans.org is not Wellcare and is not Medicare; we are a consumer news and education site.
What Wellcare Medicare Advantage plans are available in St. Petersburg for 2027?
Wellcare has five Medicare Advantage plans in Pinellas County for 2027. By plan type, four are HMOs and one is an HMO-POS (an HMO with a limited point-of-service option). All five include Part D prescription drug coverage.
Three of the five are Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs), which are built for people who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. Wellcare is not offering a Chronic Condition SNP (C-SNP) or an Institutional SNP (I-SNP) in the county next year.
The full table on this page lists every Wellcare plan by name and type. For 2027, those plans are: Wellcare Giveback (HMO-POS), Wellcare Simple (HMO-POS), Wellcare Sunshine Health Dual Access (HMO-POS D-SNP), Wellcare Sunshine Health Dual Align (HMO D-SNP) and Wellcare Sunshine Health Dual Reserve (HMO-POS D-SNP).
What is new, renamed or not returning from Wellcare in Pinellas County for 2027?
Two Wellcare plans are new in Pinellas County for 2027: Wellcare Sunshine Health Dual Access (HMO-POS D-SNP) and Wellcare Sunshine Health Dual Align (HMO D-SNP). Both are D-SNPs with drug coverage.
Three plans carry a new name or plan type for 2027. Wellcare Giveback is now Wellcare Giveback (HMO-POS); Wellcare Simple is now Wellcare Simple (HMO-POS); and Wellcare Dual Reserve (HMO D-SNP) is now Wellcare Sunshine Health Dual Reserve (HMO-POS D-SNP). A rename often comes with other changes, so if you are in one of these today, read your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) carefully — it is the document that spells out exactly what is different for 2027.
Three Wellcare plans sold in Pinellas County in 2026 are not returning for 2027. If you are enrolled in a plan that is ending, Wellcare will send you a notice, and you can choose a different plan during Annual Enrollment or use a Special Enrollment Period that applies to plan non-renewals.
How does Wellcare's lineup fit with the rest of Pinellas County?
Wellcare is one of 17 carriers offering Medicare Advantage plans in Pinellas County for 2027, and the county has 118 Medicare Advantage plans in total across all carriers next year. So the five Wellcare plans are one slice of a much larger local market, and you are free to compare them with plans from any other carrier that serves the county.
How do I check a Wellcare plan against my doctors and prescriptions before December 7, 2026?
The most reliable way is the Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov. You can enter your ZIP code, add your prescription drugs and preferred pharmacy, and look up each plan's provider directory to see whether your doctors are in network.
A few steps that save headaches:
- Have your current plan's Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) in front of you. It arrives by late September and lists every 2027 change to your plan — premium, drug list, copays, network.
- Enter your drugs exactly, including dosage, and check the pharmacy you actually use. The same drug can land in a different tier under a different plan.
- Call your doctor's office and ask which Medicare Advantage plans they will be contracted with for 2027 — networks can change at the start of a plan year.
- For a Special Needs Plan, confirm you meet the eligibility rule (for a D-SNP, that means you also have Florida Medicaid).
If you would rather talk to someone, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), which is open 24/7. You can also call Wellcare directly using the number on your member card or on the plan's page at medicare.gov.
What Medicare dates and 2027 figures should St. Petersburg readers keep in mind?
The Annual Enrollment Period for 2027 coverage runs October 15 – December 7, 2026. Any change you make in that window takes effect January 1, 2027. If you do nothing and your plan is being offered again, you stay in it with the 2027 changes described in your ANOC.
If you end up in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1 and want to switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or go back to Original Medicare, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1 – March 31, 2027.
A few program-level figures that are already set:
- The Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 in 2026 and rises to $2,400 in 2027.
- The Part D maximum deductible is $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027.
- The Part D national base beneficiary premium for 2027 is $41.33 (that is a formula input, not what any single plan charges).
- The coverage gap, or "donut hole," has been gone since 2025 — Part D now has three phases.
- The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread your drug costs across the year in level monthly payments at no extra charge.
CMS has not yet announced the 2027 Part B standard premium and deductible or the 2027 IRMAA income brackets. Those usually come out in the fall, and we will update this page when they do.
By the numbers
Medicare Part B premium, 2006–2026
The standard monthly Part B premium has climbed from $88.50 in 2006 to $202.90 in 2026. Hover any point for that year’s premium.
Source: CMS. Standard premium shown; in some hold-harmless years many existing enrollees paid less. Confirm at Medicare.gov.
By the numbers
How people get Medicare in Pinellas County
(MA penetration in Pinellas County)
MA penetration from CMS enrollment data; Medigap share is an estimate. U.S. average is about 54% Medicare Advantage. These are area-level figures, not plan-specific.
2027 plan lineup
Wellcare Medicare Advantage plans in Pinellas County for 2027
CMS lists 5 Wellcare Medicare Advantage plans in Pinellas County for 2027, alphabetically by carrier. 16 other carriers also offer plans there.
| Plan | Type | Drug coverage | For 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centene (WellCare) 5 plans | |||
| Wellcare Giveback (HMO-POS) | HMO | Yes | Renamed |
| Wellcare Simple (HMO-POS) | HMO | Yes | Renamed |
| Wellcare Sunshine Health Dual Access (HMO-POS D-SNP) | HMO-POS D-SNP | Yes | New |
| Wellcare Sunshine Health Dual Align (HMO D-SNP) | HMO D-SNP | Yes | New |
| Wellcare Sunshine Health Dual Reserve (HMO-POS D-SNP) | HMO D-SNP | Yes | Renamed |
Source: CMS Medicare Advantage Landscape Source Files, plan years 2026 and 2027. Plan availability is set at the county level. No plan is ranked or recommended; premiums, benefits, networks and star ratings are not shown. Plan details come from the Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov or the plan itself.
The 2027 choices, by type
How Wellcare Medicare Advantage plans in Pinellas County break down for 2027
HMO plans use a network and usually a primary-care doctor and referrals; HMO-POS plans add some out-of-network coverage; PPO plans also cover out-of-network care, at a higher share; PFFS plans pay any provider that accepts the plan’s terms. Special Needs Plans serve people with Medicare and Medicaid (D-SNP), certain chronic conditions (C-SNP) or living in an institution (I-SNP).
Source: CMS Medicare Advantage Landscape Source Files, plan years 2026 and 2027. Plan availability is set at the county level. No plan is ranked or recommended; premiums, benefits, networks and star ratings are not shown. Plan details come from the Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov or the plan itself.
Key dates
Medicare enrollment periods at a glance
- Around your 65thInitial Enrollment PeriodA 7-month window around the month you turn 65 — your first chance to sign up.
- October 15 – December 7Annual Enrollment Period (Open Enrollment)Anyone with Medicare can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.
- January 1 – March 31Medicare Advantage Open EnrollmentIf you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make one change.
- January 1 – March 31General Enrollment PeriodFor people who missed their first chance to sign up for Part B.
- VariesSpecial Enrollment PeriodTriggered by life events like moving or losing other coverage.
Dates are set by Medicare and apply nationwide. Confirm your personal windows at Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.
Explore
When can you enroll? An interactive year
Enrollment windows are federal and the same nationwide. Confirm your personal dates at Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.
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The parts of Medicare
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to switch plans if my Wellcare plan is renamed for 2027?
What happens if my Wellcare plan is one of the three not returning in Pinellas County for 2027?
Who can enroll in a Wellcare D-SNP in St. Petersburg?
Does Wellcare offer a Medicare Advantage plan without drug coverage in Pinellas County for 2027?
Watch
The Medicare Advantage changes for 2027 in Florida, in 34 seconds
- CMS — MA Landscape Source File (plan-level availability by county)
- CMS — MA Landscape Source Files, current and coming plan year (year-over-year comparison)
- CMS — Medicare enrollment periods (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.
Also for St. Petersburg
Sources and methodology
- CMS, Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape Source Files
- CMS, Medicare Advantage state/county penetration and enrollment files
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (table B01001, age 65 and older)
- Medicare.gov, Medicare costs (Part B premium)
- CMS, Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D) program rules
- CMS, Medicare Advantage and Part D plan-year announcements
- Medicare.gov, enrollment periods and plan rules
Figures cited in this article
- CMS — Medicare Advantage Landscape Source Files, plan years 2026 and 2027: the Pinellas County plan counts, the Wellcare plan list, and the year-over-year changes (new, renamed, not returning).
- Medicare.gov: the Annual Enrollment Period dates, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, and the Medicare Plan Finder used to compare plans, drugs and providers.
- CMS — Part D program parameters for 2026 and 2027: the out-of-pocket cap, maximum deductible, and national base beneficiary premium.
How we put this together: area counts come from the CMS files listed above for the county that contains this city, program figures come from CMS, Medicare.gov and the Social Security Administration, and no plan is ranked or recommended.
By The Medicare Desk · Published . For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.
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This page was last updated: October 2026.