When you reach retirement age, you can receive health care coverage from the government to help you pay for your medical costs. This government program is called Medicare. Medicare has four different types of coverage that focus on different needs. Medicare Part C, also known as the Medicare Advantage Plan, is provided by private organizations that are contracted with Medicare.
Medicare Advantage Plan
Unlike Parts A and B of Medicare, Part C is actually provided by private companies that have a contract with Medicare and are approved to provide you with health coverage. The Medicare Advantage Plan offers the same benefits as you would have with Parts A and B, plus other treatments not included in them. However, the Medicare Advantage Plan also requires payment of monthly premiums.
Coverage
The Medicare Advantage Plan covers hospital care (Part A), the costs of doctor visits and treatment (Part B) and additional coverage that varies according to the plan and company you choose. With any plan you pick, the coverage is always going to include emergency and urgent care. The additional coverage that Advantage Plans might provide includes vision, hearing, dental, wellness programs and prescription drugs. Medicare does not require Advantage Plans to offer all of these benefits. You should pick the plan that best suits your needs.
Plans
The most common types of Medicare Advantage Plans are Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans and Special Needs Plans (SNPs). You can choose any of the plans listed above if they provide services in your area, and you must pay an additional monthly premium for enrollment. Less common plans include HMO Point-of-Service (HMOPOS) plans and Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs).
Eligibility and Enrollment
If you are enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B, you are eligible to enroll in any Medicare Advantage Plan as long as it offers coverage where you live. You can enroll when you first become eligible for Medicare. This starts three months before you turn 65 and lasts until the third month after the month you turned 65. If you have a disability, you can also enroll in Part C during the period starting three months before your 65th month of disability and until three months later. After you are enrolled, you can change plans once a year between January 1st and February 14th.
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