Medicare Advantage Plan

Also called Medicare Part C, Medicare Advantage Plans are private insurance plans that cover the same services as Original Medicare Part A (Hospital) and Part B (Medical). Medicare Advantage Plans often come with additional coverage benefits that you don’t get with Original Medicare.

Prescription drug coverage is often included with Medicare Advantage Plan coverage. Under Original Medicare, you would need to enroll in a separate Prescription Drug Plan to get coverage. Other benefits you may find in a Medicare Advantage Plan include:¹

• Dental
• Vision
• Hearing
• Gym membership
• Over-the-counter products
• Telehealth
• Meal benefits
• Transportation to and from appointments

More than 65 percent of all enrollees in a Medicare Advantage Plan with prescription drug coverage pay no monthly premium. However, you will be required to continue paying your monthly Medicare Part B premium.² However, you will be required to continue paying your monthly Medicare Part B premium.

While costs vary, Medicare Advantage Plans may have a lower out-of-pocket cost (OOP) for certain services. Plans also have a yearly limit on what you pay OOP for Original Medicare services. Original Medicare DOES NOT have yearly limits on what you pay out-of-pocket.

Unlike Original Medicare, one drawback of a Medicare Advantage Plan is that you’ll need to use doctors and specialists within your plan’s network and service area.

You may also need to get a referral to see a specialist.

No. You can’t be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan and Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan (Medigap) at the same time. If you wish to have a Medigap plan and are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, then you’ll need to disenroll in your MA plan and then enroll in Original Medicare and add a Medigap Plan.

Unlike Original Medicare, most Medicare Advantage Plans include prescription drug coverage.