What Are the Benefits of Medicare Advantage Plans?

Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative way to get your Medicare Part A and Part B coverage.

Medicare advantage

plans, also known as “Part C” or “MA” plans, are offered by private companies approved by Medicare that must follow the rules set by Medicare. Most Medicare Advantage plans include drug coverage (Part D). These plans set a limit on what you'll have to pay out-of-pocket each year for covered services.

Some plans offer non-emergency out-of-network coverage, but they usually cost more. In addition to providing Part A and Part B coverage, many Medicare Advantage plans also offer benefits such as dental, hearing, and vision services that aren't covered by original Medicare. You can buy Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) to pay your out-of-pocket costs, and you can use any healthcare provider in the U. S.

UU. Medicare Advantage is a popular health insurance option because it works like private health insurance for Medicare beneficiaries. Of these Medicare members, more than 37 percent were enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan or another alternative Medicare plan option. With Original Medicare, you can generally go to any doctor or medical facility that accepts the Medicare assignment.

Medicare Advantage plans are sometimes confused with Medicare supplemental insurance, also known as Medigap. With Medicare Advantage plans, you may have lower out-of-pocket costs than original Medicare for certain services. A Medicare cost plan combines original Medicare with Medicare Advantage to provide additional benefits and flexibility. It is important to remember to use your Medicare Advantage plan card to receive services covered by Medicare and keep your red, white and blue Medicare card in a safe place because you may need to use it for some services.

In many cases, you'll only need to see doctors and other providers who are in the plan's network (for non-emergency care). You can also switch to Original Medicare during these periods, but it may be difficult to get a Medicare supplemental insurance policy if you change after the first year.