Tampa Bay Hospitals & Medicare: Who Takes What
Verified from official hospital sources. Last verified July 3, 2026. Updated every enrollment season and whenever networks change.
The most important Medicare question in Tampa Bay isn't about premiums - it's "can I keep my hospital and my doctors?" Medicare Advantage plans use networks, networks are contracts, and contracts change - sometimes mid-year. Original Medicare (with or without a Medicare Supplement) has no network at all.
Below is the current network picture for the region's four major hospital systems, taken directly from each system's official insurance pages. No plan is recommended or endorsed here - these are participation facts to bring to your own review.
Moffitt Cancer Center
Florida's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, based in Tampa. For many families, keeping access to Moffitt is the single most important network question.
- Out of network for Humana Medicare Advantage (PPO and HMO) as of July 1, 2026.
- Out of network for Aetna Medicare Advantage since December 1, 2025.
- Per Moffitt's insurance pages, Florida Blue Medicare plans remain in network.
- Accepts Original Medicare - with or without a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan.
Tampa General Hospital
Florida's leading academic health system, home to the region's Level I trauma center and a nationally ranked transplant program.
- Publishes one of the broadest Medicare Advantage acceptance lists in the region - including Aetna, BayCarePlus, CarePlus, Devoted Health, Florida Blue, Freedom Health, Humana, Optimum, Simply Healthcare, UnitedHealthcare, and WellCare, among others.
- States plainly: “We accept all Medicare Supplement plans.”
AdventHealth (West Florida)
Hospitals across the northern half of Tampa Bay - Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Carrollwood, and Dade City - often the closest system for Pasco County residents.
- AdventHealth Tampa's published Medicare list includes Aetna (HMO and PPO), BayCare Select, CarePlus, Devoted Health, Florida Blue Medicare Advantage, Freedom Health, Humana (HMO, PPO, and PFFS), Longevity, Optimum, Preferred Care Partners, Simply, UnitedHealthcare, and WellCare.
- Participation is published per hospital - the Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, and Carrollwood lists can differ from Tampa's. Verify for your specific facility.
BayCare Health System
The largest hospital network in the region - St. Joseph's, St. Anthony's, Morton Plant, Mease, and more across Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and Polk. BayCare also sells its own Medicare Advantage plans (BayCarePlus).
- Published Medicare Advantage list includes Aetna, BayCarePlus, CarePlus, Florida Blue (HMO, PPO, PFFS), Freedom, Humana, Optimum, Preferred Care Partners, Simply, Ultimate, UnitedHealthcare, and WellCare. Cigna HealthSpring participates in Polk and Hernando counties only.
- Solis Health Plans went out of network at BayCare effective April 1, 2026.
- BayCare notes that physicians practicing inside BayCare facilities may not accept the same plans as the hospitals and can bill separately.
Common questions
Can a Medicare Advantage plan drop my hospital in the middle of the year?
Yes. Networks are contracts between the plan and the hospital, and contracts can end mid-year. Tampa Bay saw this twice recently: Moffitt Cancer Center left Humana's Medicare Advantage network on July 1, 2026, and Solis Health Plans went out of network at BayCare on April 1, 2026. Plans must notify affected members, and some situations qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Does a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan restrict which Tampa Bay hospitals I can use?
No. Medigap works alongside Original Medicare, so you can use any provider in the country that accepts Medicare - there is no network. Moffitt, Tampa General, AdventHealth, and BayCare all accept Original Medicare, and Tampa General states it accepts all Medicare Supplement plans.
What should I do if my hospital leaves my plan's network?
First, call your plan and ask about continuity-of-care protections, especially if you are in active treatment - get the answer in writing. Second, ask whether your situation qualifies for a Special Enrollment Period; not every network change qualifies, and rules are situation-specific. Third, plan your Annual Enrollment Period review (October 15 to December 7) around the hospitals and doctors you actually use.
Which Medicare Advantage plans work at all four major Tampa Bay hospital systems?
As of July 3, 2026, based on each system's published lists, carriers appearing on the acceptance lists of Tampa General, AdventHealth Tampa, and BayCare include Aetna, CarePlus, Florida Blue, Freedom, Humana, Optimum, Simply, UnitedHealthcare, and WellCare - while Moffitt's Medicare Advantage participation is now more limited. Specific plan products vary, participation changes, and hospital acceptance does not guarantee your specific doctors are in network - always verify for your exact plan and providers.
How do I check whether my doctors and hospital are covered before I enroll?
Check the plan's provider directory for each doctor and facility you use, confirm with the hospital's insurance office, and confirm with the doctor's office directly - directories can lag reality. AdviseCare does this legwork as part of every no-cost plan review: doctors first, prescriptions second, then the plan.
Not sure if your plan still covers your hospital?
A licensed AdviseCare advisor will check your doctors, hospitals, and prescriptions against your current plan and explain your options in plain English. No cost, no obligation, no pressure.
Network participation facts on this page were taken from each hospital system's official insurance pages on July 3, 2026 and can change at any time. Hospital acceptance of a carrier does not guarantee that a specific plan product, doctor, or service is in network. Always verify directly with the plan and the provider before enrolling or scheduling care. This page is educational and does not recommend or endorse any plan. Related reading: the July 2026 Moffitt / Humana network change, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement basics.