Medicare Part C – Advantage Plans

Medicare Part C (also know as Medicare Advantage plans) are HMO, POS, PPO or PFFS plans. While these options are often less expensive than a Supplement, these options have additional restrictions and benefits.

Federal law says that Medicare Advantage Plans must be as good or better than Original Medicare plans. Once enrolled, Part C will pay in place of Parts A and B. The big distinction comes in the form of eligibility to enroll in a standalone prescription plan (Part D), and once enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan you will not be eligible for Supplement Plans (MediGap).

If you choose a Medicare Advantage Plan like Medicare Part C, there are pros and cons you will need to considering. For instance, you might be limited to particular doctors or hospitals that are part of your private insurance company’s network, or you may be responsible for paying co-payments or co-insurance. The flip side, however, is that Medicare Advantage Plans also usually include extra benefits, some of which are: comprehensive dental, vision, hearing, over-the-counter benefits, transportation, meals, and some include varying levels of drug coverage, potentially reducing your out-of-pocket expenses even further.

Medicare Advantage plans have an annual out-of-pocket limit that you must pay before your covered claims would be covered at 100%