Description:Medicare Advantage Plans are health plan options that are approved by Medicare and run by private companies. They are part of the Medicare Program and sometimes called "Part C". Medicare Advantage Plans provide all of your Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical) coverage must cover medically necessary services. Medicare C Plans generally offer extra benefits, and may include Part D drug coverage. These plans often have networks, which mean that you may have to see doctors who belong to the plan or go to certain hospitals to get covered services. In many cases, the premiums or the cost of the services (co-pay) can be lower in a Medicare Advantage Plan than they are in the Original Medicare Plan or the Original Medicare Plan with a Medigap policy. Medicare pays an amount of money for your care every month to these private health plans, whether or not you use services. Medicare Advantage Plans also include options that provide specialized care for people who need a lot of health care services. Even if you are out of the service area of the plans, you are still covered for emergency or urgently needed care. Medicare Advantage Plans include:
Medicare Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), Medicare Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS), Medicare Special Needs Plans, and Medicare Savings Account (MSA) Plans. You can generally join Medicare Advantage Plan if:
You live in the service area of the plan you want to join. In Medicare HMO Plans, the service are is usually where you get your services from the plan. You have Medicare Part A and Part B. However, if you are already in a Medicare Advantage Plan and you have only Part B, you may stay in the plan. You don't have End Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant). Special exceptions do apply. You have to chance to switch plans each year between November 15 and December 31. In certain situations, you may be able to switch plans at other times. You can visit the Medicare Web at www.medicaare.gov, or you can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1800-486-2048).