Medicare Advantage Plan Part C

What Is Medicare Advantage Part C?

The Medicare Advantage Plan Part C, also known as MAPD Medicare, is one kind of Medicare health plan available through private insurance companies contracted with Medicare to provide you all Part A and Part B benefits.   Should you be enrolled in MAPD healthcare plans, Medicare services are exclusively covered via private companies, as opposed to Original Medicare.

Medicare Advantage is comprised of several private health plans (most commonly HMOs and PPOs).  Each plan must cover the same benefits covered under traditional Medicare.  Medicare Advantage plans can charge different co-payments, co-insurance, deductibles and max out-of-pockets, depending upon the plan/carrier.  Because these plans function as HMOs and PPOs, there are hospital and doctor networks.  Often times, insurance companies providing these plans charge monthly premiums on top of the Part B premium; however, Medicare Advantage plan premiums are often more affordable compared to Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans.

Should you desire to avoid going through networks or dealing with referrals, you can also choose Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policies, which allow you to choose any doctor or hospital working with Medicare with no referrals required to visit specialists.  Plans like these can be more expensive, but the benefits are typically more ideal.

MAPD Medicare Covers More Than Medicare Parts A & B Alone

When choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan Part C, you no longer use the benefits associated with Original Medicare Parts A or B.  That’s because Medicare Advantage plans typically include Rx drug coverage at no added cost.  However, it has been observed that Rx drug coverage usually has higher co-payments compared to stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) plans.

Oftentimes, you cannot be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Part C plan and a stand-alone Part D plan simultaneously.  Most commonly, the way to get traditional Part D coverage is to obtain Original Medicare along with Medicare Supplement (Medigap) coverage.  Should you desire to take this path, then most people have three options: Original Medicare, Medicare Supplement (Medigap) and Prescription Drugs (Part D), which replace Medicare Advantage plans.  Medicare Supplement plans typically feature higher premiums, but the benefits and networks are much more ideal.

Certain Medicare Advantage plans cover routine hearing and vision services as a separate package (for an additional premium).  All plans are legally obligated to have annual limits on out-of-pocket expenses.  Another difference is that most policies require you to pay a higher premium should you visit a doctor or specialist outside the network.

MAPD Disenrollment Period

The Medicare Advantage MAPD Disenrollment Period begins on January 1st and lasts through February 14th every year. During this time period, beneficiaries can opt to switch between MA plans and traditional Medicare. With MAPD Medicare, one can also choose to enroll in a Medicare Part D Prescription Drugs plan.

We are often asked, What is Medicare Advantage Part C and what are the pros and cons?  Read below to find out!