Medicare Part C (like an HMO or PPO) is another health coverage choice you may have as part of Medicare.

Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called Medicare Part C or MA Plans, are offered by private companies approved by Medicare.

If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, the plan will provide all of your Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance) coverage. In all plan types, you’re always covered for emergency and urgent care.

Medicare Advantage Plans must cover all of the services that Original Medicare covers except hospice care. Original Medicare covers hospice care even if you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan. Medicare Advantage Plans aren’t considered supplemental coverage.

Medicare Advantage Plans may offer extra coverage, such as vision, hearing, dental, and/or health and wellness programs. Most include Medicare prescription drug coverage. In addition to your Medicare Part B premium, you usually pay one monthly premium for the services provided.

Medicare pays a fixed amount for your care every month to the companies offering Medicare Advantage Plans. These companies must follow rules set by Medicare. However, each Medicare Advantage Plan can charge different out-of-pocket costs and have different rules for how you get services, for example, whether you need a referral to see a specialist or if you have to go to only doctors, facilities, or suppliers that belong to the plan.

More About Medicare Advantage Plans

As with Original Medicare, you have Medicare rights and protections, including the right to appeal.

• Check with the plan before you get a service to find out whether they will cover the service and what your costs may be
• You must follow plan rules, like getting a referral to see a specialist or getting prior approval for certain procedures to avoid higher costs; check with the plan
• You can join a Medicare Advantage Plan even if you have a pre existing condition, except for End-Stage Renal Disease
• You can only join a plan at certain times during the year
• If you go to a doctor, facility, or supplier that doesn’t belong to the plan, your services may not be covered, or your costs could be higher, depending on the type of Medicare Advantage Plan
• If the plan decides to stop participating in Medicare, you’ll have to join another Medicare health plan or return to Original Medicare

You can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan at these times:

1. When you first become eligible for Medicare (the seven month period that begins three months before the month you turn age 65, includes the month you turn age 65, and ends three months after the month you turn age 65).
2. If you receive Medicare due to a disability, you can join during the three months before to three months after your 25th month of disability. You’ll have another chance to join three months before the month you turn age 65 to three months after the month you turn age 65.
3. Between November 15–December 31 each year. Your coverage will begin on January 1 of the following year, as long as the plan receives your enrollment request by December 31.
4. Between January 1 – March 31 of each year. Your coverage will begin the first day of the month after the plan gets your enrollment form. During this period, you can’t do the following:
5. Join or switch to a plan with prescription drug coverage unless you already have Medicare prescription drug coverage (Medicare Part D).
6. Drop a plan with prescription drug coverage.
7. Join, switch, or drop a Medicare Medical Savings Account Plan.

In most cases, you must stay enrolled for that calendar year starting the date your coverage begins. However, in certain situations, you may be able to join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan at other times. Some of these situations include the following:

• If you move out of your plan’s service area
• If you have both Medicare and Medicaid
• If you qualify for Extra Help to pay for your prescription drug costs
• If you live in an institution (like a nursing home)

Call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for more information.