Medicare Part C Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage Plans are another way to get your Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans are offered by private companies and their coverage must be deemed as good or better that Original Medicare coverage. Most Medicare Advantage Plans include drug coverage (Part D). In many cases, you will need to use health care providers who participate in the plan’s network and service area for the lowest costs. These plans set a limit on what you will have to pay out-of-pocket each year for covered services, to help protect you from unexpected costs. Some plans offer out-of-network coverage, but sometimes at a higher cost. Click here for more detail on Medicare Part C.
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What Is Medicare Part C?
Medicare Part C (also known as Medicare Advantage, or MA) plans provide you different options than traditional Medicare. A Medicare Advantage Plan is managed by private insurers that are contracted by the federal government. This means that Medicare Part C is not a program that you enroll in with Social Security.
Medicare Part C includes all services covered with Medicare Part A and Part B, so you are still enrolled in Original Medicare. However, Medicare Part C offers additional ‘benefits’ that Original Medicare does not. You will have hospital and outpatient benefits but will need to pay the plan’s copays as opposed to paying deductibles.
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What Medicare Advantage Covers
Medicare Advantage Plans cover everything that Original Medicare does, but you can receive coverage for services such as:
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Gym Membership
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Vision coverage
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Dental coverage
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Hearing coverage
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Prescription drug coverage
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Medicare Part C Costs
In general, Medicare Part C plans have lower premiums because you receive treatment in the networks plan and pay copays as you go. Medicare pays a monthly amount to the insurer to provide your care, which could result in no premium.