Advantage Plans
Medicare Advantage Plans, are offered by Medicare-approved private companies that must follow rules set by Medicare. Most Medicare Advantage Plans include drug coverage (Part D). In most cases, you'll need to use health care providers who participate in the plan's network. These plans set a limit on what you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket each year for covered services. The most common types of Medicare Advantage Plans:
- Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plans
- Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plans
- Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) Plans
- Special Needs Plans (SNPs)
When it's time to enroll in Medicare, you can choose how you want to get your coverage. you can enroll in Original Medicare (Parts A & B) or choose a Medicare Advantage plan available in your area.
A Medicare Advantage plan is a private, all-in-one health-care plan that contracts with Medicare to provide Part A and Part B benefits. A Medicare Advantage plan covers all of the services that Original Medicare covers. Some plans offer extra coverage for expenses not covered by Original Medicare such as vision, hearing, and dental costs. Most also offer prescription drug (Part D) coverage. Several types of Medicare Advantage plans may be available, including HMOs and PPOs. There is a separate monthly premium for the Medicare Advantage plan in addition to the monthly Part B premium.
Medicare Part C, or Medicare Advantage, plans are a replacement for Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage(MA) plans provide coverage equivalent to Part A, Part B, and sometimes Part D, all in one plan. There are sometimes additional benefits, which may have extra costs. When you choose an MA plan, you are disenrolled from Orignal Medicare, as these plans replace it.
Medicare Part D - Prescription drug plans (PDP). PDPs can be added to Original Medicare and used with Medicare supplement plans to provide coverage for your prescription medications. Some MA plans may provide prescription drug coverage. If you have an MA plan that includes drug coverage, you cannot have a PDP.
Medicare supplement plans, also called Medigap plans, work together with Original Medicare to help pay for services covered by Medicare. This type of health insurance can be used with a Part D prescription drug plan, which helps make outpatient prescription medications more affordable.
Not all plans are available in all areas. To learn about what options are available in your region, call (800) MEDICARE or visit the Medicare website at medicare.gov. Or, contact our Medicare Services Specialist.