Medicare Advantage Plans
Health Insurance
Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Advantage Plans are another way to get your Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called “Part C” or “MA Plans,” are offered by Medicare-approved private companies that must follow rules set by Medicare. Most Medicare Advantage Plans include drug coverage (Part D). In most cases, you’ll need to use health care providers who participate in the plan’s network. These plans set a limit on what you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket each year for covered services. Some plans offer non-emergency coverage out of network, but typically at a higher cost. Remember, you must use the card from your Medicare Advantage Plan to get your Medicare-covered services. Keep your red, white, and blue Medicare card in a safe place because you may need to use your Medicare card for some services. Also, you’ll need it if you ever switch back to Original Medicare. Below are the most common types of Medicare Advantage Plans.
Who can join a Medicare Advantage Plan?
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS)
Medical Savings Account (MSA) Plan
You live in the service area of the plan you want to join. The plan can give you more information about its service area. If you live in another state for part of the year, ask if the plan will cover you there.
You have Medicare Part A and Part B.
You're a U.S. citizen or lawfully present in the U.S.
Join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan
Medicare health and drug plans can decide not to participate in Medicare for the coming year. In these cases, your coverage under the plan will end after December 31. Your plan will send you a letter explaining your options. If this happens:
To switch to a new Medicare Advantage Plan, simply join the plan you choose during one of the enrollment periods. You'll be disenrolled automatically from your old plan when your new plan's coverage begins.
To switch to Original Medicare, contact your current plan, or call us at 1-800-MEDICARE.
Unless you have other drug coverage, you should carefully consider Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D). You may also want to consider a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy. Remember, you may only be able to switch at certain times of the year.
When plans stop participating in Medicare
You can choose another plan between October 15–December 7. Your coverage will begin January 1.
You’ll also have a special right to join another Medicare plan until the last day in February.
You may have the right to buy certain Medigap policies within 63 days after your plan coverage ends.
How do Medicare Advantage Plans work?
A Medicare Advantage is another way to get your Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called "Part C" or "MA Plans," are offered by Medicare-approved private companies that must follow rules set by Medicare. If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you'll still have Medicare but you'll get most of your Part A and Part B coverage from your Medicare Advantage Plan, not Original Medicare.
