Medicare Advantage Plans are health plan options that are approved by Medicare but run by private companies. They are part of the Medicare Program, and sometimes called "Part C." When you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you are still in Medicare.
With Medicare Advantage Plans, there may be a requirement of a referral to see specialists.
In many cases, the premiums or the costs of services (co-pays and deductibles) can be lower than they are in Original Medicare or Original Medicare with a Medigap policy. Medicare Health Plans charge different premiums and have different costs of services, so it is important to review the alternatives with us before enrolling.
The plans provide all of your Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical) coverage and must cover medically-necessary services. They often have networks, which means you may have to see doctors who belong to the plan or go to certain hospitals to get covered services. They generally offer extra benefits, and many include prescription drug coverage. In many cases, your costs for prescription drug coverage can be lower than in the stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug Plans.
Types of Medicare Advantage Health Plans include:
Medicare Advantage- Coordinated care plans-HMO's:
Medicare Advantage- Coordinated care plans-PPO's:
Medicare Advantage- Private Fee For Service (PFFS) Plans:
There are some types of Medicare Health Plans that aren't part of Medicare Advantage, but are still part of the Medicare Program. With these plans, you generally get all your Medicare-covered health care through that plan. Some plans cover prescription drugs.
These other Medicare Health Plans include:
Medicare Cost Plans
Demonstration/Cost Plans
PACE (Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly)
