In short
Florida’s Medicare Savings Programs, also called Medicare Buy-In, help people with limited finances pay Medicare premiums and, in some cases, deductibles and copayments. You apply with the Department of Children and Families, online through the ACCESS Florida application or on a paper form, and DCF decides eligibility. Before you apply, SHINE counselors serving Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco can explain the programs for free; call 1-800-963-5337.
A useful next step
- Write down the Medicare costs you find hard to manage on your own paper. Do not send income or account details to this site.
- Ask SHINE to explain the programs: call 1-800-963-5337 and give your county.
- Apply with DCF through ACCESS Florida, online or on paper. DCF decides eligibility and sends the decision.
A question to keep
Ask which cost-help programs I can apply for and what information is needed.
Questions people in Tampa Bay ask
- How do I apply for a Medicare Savings Program in Florida?
- Apply with the Florida Department of Children and Families, either online through the ACCESS Florida application or with a paper Medicaid/Medicare Buy-In application mailed or faxed to a DCF customer service center. For questions, call the DCF customer call center at 850-300-4323.
- Does a Medicare Savings Program affect Extra Help with drug costs?
- DCF says people who are eligible for Medicaid or a Medicare Savings Program are automatically enrolled in Social Security’s Extra Help with Part D for the rest of the year. You can also apply for Extra Help directly with Social Security.
- Who can explain these programs before I apply in Tampa Bay?
- SHINE counselors at Senior Connection Center, for Hillsborough, and the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas offer free help with Medicare and Medicaid questions. Call the Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337 and give your county.
Official starting point
Read the official resource ↗Preparation guidance checked October 10, 2026. Ask the responsible service to confirm what applies to you.