A Medicare Advantage plan (also known as Medicare Part C) is a Medicare plan offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare to provide you all your Original Medicare Parts A (hospital coverage) and B (medical coverage) benefits, as well as any additional coverage offered through that plan.
In addition to providing hospital and medical coverage, these plans also typically include Part D (prescription drug coverage), which is not covered by Original Medicare.
Some Medicare Advantage plans include additional benefits such as vision, hearing and dental coverage and even fitness programs. These plans help simplify the complexity around Medicare, may offer more comprehensive benefits, yet can also be cost-effective.
The majority of Medicare Advantage plans work like a traditional HMO where you choose a primary care doctor to manage your healthcare and provide a more coordinated approach to your care.
Medicare Advantage Plans:
Facilitate a more coordinated approach to your care May provide affordable costs for doctor visits (including low or no co-pays) May include affordable prescription drug coverage Are required to limit your annual out-of-pocket costs, unlike Original Medicare Offer preventive services, including annual physicals, and may offer more comprehensive coverage including, X-ray and lab services, routine dental and vision care May result in better health outcomes for patients Offer the same peace of mind when traveling as Original Medicare—with urgent and emergency coverage access nationwide This is not a complete description of benefits.
Medicare Advantage patients:
Are more likely to receive preventive care Are half as likely to go to the emergency room Are less likely to be admitted to the hospital Go home from the hospital one day earlier Are less likely to be readmitted to hospital after discharge.
