Medicare Advantage (Part C)

Last updated October 2023

Through the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, Medicare made it easier for private insurance companies to offer alternatives to having Original Medicare (Parts A & B) as one’s primary insurance. Medicare sponsors Medicare Advantage plans as part of the Medicare program and subsidies the plans to manage a person’s health care.

In order to enroll in these plans you will need to be enrolled in Part A and Part B of Medicare which also means paying the Part B premium. While Medicare Advantage plans in essence replaces Original Medicare, they must cover all that Medicare covers; however, the costs for each service may vary. You receive all your Medicare-covered benefits through the private plan chosen.

The types of plans included are:

• Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO)
• Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO)
• Private Fee-for-Service Plans
• Medicare Special Needs Plans
• Medicare Savings Account

Some of the plans above may include prescription drug coverage and other extras such as vision and hearing services and allowances and dental coverage. NOTE: generally, to receive the full value of a Medicare Advantage plan, you must receive care from within a network of providers and hospitals.

                                     NOTE: We have chosen not market Medicare Advantage plans.