MEDICARE ADVANTAGE

Part C of Medicare refers to Medicare Advantage plans. Private insurance companies offer these plans, covering the same benefits as Original Medicare (Parts A and B). Additionally, Advantage plans include extra benefits like dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drug coverage.

Premiums for Advantage plans are low and sometimes even zero dollars. However, you’ll want to make sure your preferred providers are in-network and that your prescriptions and dosages are on the formulary. Medicare Advantage usually is in the form of a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) or HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plan, not dissimilar from group insurance plans you may have had through your employer.

Additionally, a Medicare Advantage plan will still require you to sign up for Parts A and B first and pay your Part B premium each month. Maximum out-of-pocket costs ensure you won’t spend more than a certain amount within a year before your Medicare Advantage plan fully covers all in-network care.