Medicare Advantage - Medicare Part C

A Medicare Advantage (MA) plan is an alternative to Original fee-for-service Medicare. Medicare contracts with MA plans as part of the Medicare program and pays the plans to manage beneficiaries' health care. There are currently 5 types of MA plans. Information on these plans, questions to consider when choosing a plan, and special rights if your plan terminates coverage are discussed below.

In this section:

1. Overview of Medicare Advantage plans

   Receiving your Medicare coverage through a private Medicare Advantage (MA) plan — an HMOs, PPO, PFFS, SNP, or MSA — is another way to help cover the gaps in Medicare. Learn what MA plans are, how they work and who's eligible to join.

2. Costs and Benefits

3. Enrollment and Disenrollment

4. Choosing a Medicare Advantage plan

   Questions to consider when choosing an MA plan. Also review specific factors to consider when choosing between a Medicare Advantage plan and a Medigap policy.

5. When Medicare Advantage plans terminate coverage

   Know your rights and coverage options if your Medicare Advantage plan terminates its coverage. Additional info for beneficiaries with disabilities, ESRD, or employer-sponsored coverage.

6. Moving from a Medicare Advantage plan to a Medigap policy

   Learn about certain situations when you can purchase a Medigap policy without a health screening.

7. Resources

   Helpful resources and information related to Medicare Advantage.

Related links:

1. How to file a complaint or an appeal with your MA plan.
2. News articles on Medicare Advantage.

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Page updated October 6, 2008