Quick answer: Medicare Part C, better known as Medicare Advantage, is a way to get your Part A and Part B benefits through a private insurer instead of directly from the government — usually bundled with drug coverage and often with extra benefits like dental and vision.
How Medicare Advantage Works
Private insurers approved by Medicare provide all your Part A and Part B coverage, and Medicare pays them a set amount for your care. Plans set their own networks, cost-sharing rules, and extra benefits within Medicare’s guidelines, and every plan includes a yearly out-of-pocket maximum — something Original Medicare alone doesn’t have.
Plan Types
HMO, PPO, PFFS, Special Needs Plans, and Medical Savings Account plans each work differently when it comes to networks, referrals, and costs. See how each plan type works.
Extra Benefits
Many Medicare Advantage plans offer dental, vision, hearing, fitness discounts, transportation, and over-the-counter allowances that Original Medicare doesn’t include. These vary a lot by plan, so always confirm exactly what’s covered before enrolling.
Medicare Advantage vs. Original Medicare
Not sure which fits your situation better? See a full side-by-side comparison of cost, provider access, and extra benefits.
When You Can Enroll or Switch
The main window is the Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 – December 7 each year. If you’re already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you get another chance to switch January 1 – March 31. See all the enrollment windows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare Advantage replace my Part A and Part B?
It replaces how those benefits are delivered — you still have Part A and B, but a private insurer manages your coverage instead of the government directly.
Can I keep my Medigap policy with Medicare Advantage?
No, you can’t use a Medigap policy while enrolled in Medicare Advantage. Most people drop Medigap if they switch, though a trial right may let you reclaim it if you switch back within 12 months.
Do all Medicare Advantage plans include drug coverage?
Most do, but not all — Medical Savings Account plans never include it. Check before assuming your plan covers prescriptions.
