Medicare Advantage (Part C or MA) plans are offered by private insurance companies through Alight Retiree Health Solutions and are approved by Medicare. If you join a Medicare Advantage plan, you still have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), but the insurance company is responsible for coordinating your care and paying claims.
Most Medicare Advantage plans have a Prescription Drug plan (Part D) built in (MAPD). For those that don’t, you can purchase prescription drug coverage separately. Always make sure your medications are listed in the formulary (a list of covered prescription drugs).
With Medicare Advantage, you are always insured for emergency and urgent care. Additional coverage for vision, hearing, and/or dental may be available at an additional cost.
While you still have to pay your Part B premium, Medicare Advantage plans typically have low or $0 monthly premiums. However, your costs will include copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance. Your annual out-of-pocket costs will vary depending on which plan you choose. All your coverage is combined into a single plan, with a single ID card, and one bill to pay.
Because these plans are network based (HMO and PPO), check to make sure your preferred doctors, hospitals, and specialists are included in the provider network.