Posted on April 21st, 2010
Medicare Part C is also known as the Medicare Advantage Plan. It combines your Part A and Part B options to cover all medically needed services. You will continue to have Medicare rights and protection; these plans are regulated by the federal government.
Advantage Plans, (like HMOs and PPOs) are private Medicare approved health plans for eligible people. When you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you are still in Medicare. The difference is that private insurance companies that are approved by Medicare provide this type of coverage. In most cases, Part C is a lower-cost alternative to the Original Medicare Plan, and providers usually offer extra benefits and include prescription drug coverage (Part D ). These plans can often save you money since out-of-pocket costs are generally lower than with Medicare alone. Your costs vary by the services you use and the type of policy that you buy.
Part C plans often have networks, which means that you must use the plan doctors or go to certain hospitals. These plans help you coordinate and manage your overall care. Part C includes specialized care for people who need a large amount of health care services.
Medicare Part C plans eliminate some Medicare co-payments and deductibles, just as a Medigap insurance policy does. Medicare Part C plans provide coverage for some gaps in Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. For that reason, if you enroll in a Medicare Part C plan, you don’t also need to buy a Medigap policy.
Most Part C plans already include prescription drug coverage (Part D). If your plan offers drug coverage, you have to take it. If you have a stand-alone drug plan, and your Medicare Advantage Plan already has one, you will not be able to keep the Part C coverage. If you already have a prescription drug coverage, then you may choose a plan that does not have the drug plan included.
If you find yourself needing medical attention while traveling out of your plan coverage area, you will still be covered for emergency or urgent care services.
