Medicare Part C

What is Part C Coverage?

Quick Guide to Part C
Advantage Plans (like HMOs and PPOs) are sometimes referred to as Medicare Part C. They are private Medicare approved health plans for eligible people. When you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you are still in Medicare.

Medicare Advantage Plans provide all of your Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical) coverage and must cover medically-necessary services. They generally offer extra benefits, and many include Part D drug coverage. These plans often have networks, which mean you may have to see the plan's doctors and go to certain hospitals to get care. Medicare Advantage Plans can save you money, since out-of-pocket costs in these plans are generally lower than with Medicare alone. However, your cost will vary by the services you use and the type of policy you purchase.

Plan options can include:

Medicare Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plans
Medicare Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
Medicare Private Fee-For-Service (PFFS)
Medicare Special Needs Plans (SNP)
Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) Plans

You can generally join if:

You live in the service area of the plan you want to join.
You have Medicare Part A and Part B coverage.
You don't have End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant)

Choose your plan carefully; as usually you will only be able to change plans once a year, between November 15 and December 31. In certain situations, you may be able to switch plans at other times.

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