Medicare Part C
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Medicare Part C: Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Advantage plans (formerly Medicare+Choice) are an alternative to Medicare supplement policies. Run by private companies, these plans are part of the Medicare program and are sometimes called “Part C” or “MA plans.” There are four main types of Medicare Advantage plans:
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Medicare Advantage Plans provide Part A and Part B benefits and must cover at least all of the medically necessary services that Original Medicare covers. Medicare Advantage plans also offer extra benefits, such as dental, vision, hearing, and health and wellness programs, and most include Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D), typically at an extra cost. However, some plans may require participants to enroll in a separate Medicare Part D plan.
To be eligible for any of the Medicare Advantage plans, a Medicare beneficiary must be enrolled in both Medicare Parts A and B. Enrollees must still pay the monthly Part B premium as well as the Medicare Advantage plan’s premium (if one applies). Most of these plans, like HMOs, have networks of doctors that individuals can see, while others, such as private fee-for-service plans, allow enrollees to go to any doctor.
