Request a Quote! Call (904) 731‑7708

Do I need PIP insurance if I have Medicare?

March 25, 2026

Florida residents are legally required to carry $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance in order to register a vehicle, regardless of whether they have Medicare protection. In the Florida, state statute § 627.736 mandates the requirement for $10,000 in PIP, as well as $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL) for all registered vehicles. But, PIP provides immediate coverage for both you and injured passengers in your vehicle, regardless of fault.

Even for seniors or other Medicare recipients, having personal injury protection is generally provides positive benefits to avoid out-of-pocket costs for immediate medical needs following a car accident. Medicare, on the other hand, can involve billing complexities (and co-pays). However, for those who have both, PIP is the primary payer of accident-related injures up to 80% of coverage limits. So, Medicare acts as secondary coverage and pays cost after PIP is exhausted.

You should, however, take note. Although legislative discussions continue in Tallahassee regarding the potential repeal of mandatory PIP insurance coverage in July of 2026, both PIP and PDL auto insurance is a strict requirement for now. Nonetheless, for personalized Medicare advice, you can contact Florida SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) at 800-963-5337. Nonetheless, since PIP is a legal requirement, it means it would be illegal to drive in the state without it, even though you have another type of health insurance.

Wouldn’t Medicare pay for 100% of my medical expenses?

Whereas PIP insurance laws differ amongst “no-fault” auto accident insurance, the answer is likely... NO! PIP is generally not intended to pay 100% of your medical expenses. Here’s how Medicare most often works. If you have Medicare Parts A and B, yours will cover medically necessary expenses for your car accident injuries. However, keeping some PIP is often recommended to cover gaps like deductibles, co-pays, lost wages, and transportation, which Medicare does not cover, and it is still mandatory in certain states like Florida. In addition, there are coverage gaps where Medicare does not pay for non-medical expenses related to the accident, such as household services for cleaning or childcare or lost wages, while most PIP policies usually do.

Key Considerations for Medicare Recipients

While minimum limits for personal injury protection can vary by state, coverage limits are fixed. For example, PIP covers 80% of medical expenses and 60% of lost wages, regardless of who caused the accident. This can even cover the policyholder as a pedestrian or bicyclist injured in a vehicular accident. But, in all cases coverage limits apply and medical treatment must be sought within 14 days of the accident. Some important considerations are discussed below:

  • Mandatory Requirements: Florida drivers, who have Medicare health insurance coverage, must follow the state's minimum PIP/PDL requirements.
  • Other State PIP Specifics: For example, Michigan residents with Medicare (Parts A & B) can opt out of PIP medical coverage, but it applies to household members.
  • Coverage Gaps: Medicare doesn’t pay for non-medical expenses like household services, childcare, or lost wages, while PIP insurance usually does.
  • Secondary Payer: In many states, PIP is the primary, meaning it pays first, and Medicare pays second. Plus, you are responsible for co-insurance deductibles.

It is highly recommended to consult with an independent insurance agent to review your state's specific laws, as well as how your Medicare coverage fills the gaps before dropping PIP in states that offer that choice, which the Sunshine State does not. This provides crucial protection against those annoying unexpected out-of-pocket costs following an accident. But, costs will vary based on your driving history, insurance provider, and choice of deductible.

Does Medicare cover 100% of in-hospital bills?

No, Medicare insurance does not cover 100% of your hospital costs. While Part A that provides hospital insurance coverage does cover most inpatient care, you are responsible for a deductible ($1,676) per benefit period, along with potential daily coinsurance costs for longer hospital stays. Medicare Part B, which is medical insurance coverage, typically covers 80% of approved doctor services, leaving you with 20% coinsurance.

Key hospital costs that a Medicare patient must pay in 2026:

  • Part A Deductible: The Medicare Part A inpatient hospital deductible in 2026 is $1,736 per benefit period, an increase of $60 from 2025. This deductible covers the first 60 days of inpatient care. It is not an annual amount; it applies for each separate benefit period, which begins upon admission and ends after 60 consecutive days without inpatient care.
  • Coinsurance: In 2026, Medicare Part A hospitalization coinsurance requires $0 for the first 60 days, then $434 per day for days 61–90. For days 91–150 (lifetime reserve days), the coinsurance rises to $868 per day. A $1,736 deductible must be paid for each benefit period. After day 150, the beneficiary is responsible for all costs.
  • Non-covered services: In 2026, you pay 100% of all costs for non-covered hospital services, such as private duty nursing, cosmetic surgery, or personal convenience items. For covered stays, the 2026 inpatient deductible is $1,736, with daily coinsurance of $434 for days 61-90, and $868 for lifetime reserve days.

To cover these gaps, beneficiaries often purchase Medigap supplemental insurance for medical expenses or use a Medicare Advantage plan. For Medicare Advantage Part C that is sold by private companies, plans have a maximum out-of-pocket spending limit for additional services not covered by original Medicare, including dental, vision, hearing, and fitness memberships. However, Part C is often restricted to specific programs (HMO or PPO), so you may have to pay more for out-of-network services.

________________________

Although the state’s previous repeal efforts to replace Florida’s “no-fault” auto insurance system in 2021 faced major opposition and was vetoed, this time lawmakers did include a longer implementation period to allow both drivers and insurance companies adequate time to satisfy the new requirements. At Affordable Auto Insurance Jacksonville, our independent agents are ready to assist by examining your existing policy’s declaration pages to review the exact coverage you have before making recommendations and obtaining competitive quotes for a Florida car insurance that properly protects your assets. Contact us today at (904) 731-7708 to get the ball rolling and let us help you save money with AAI’s Florida auto insurance solutions.