Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage, also called Medicare Part C, is a type of health insurance plan that provides Medicare benefits through a private-sector health insurer. In a Medicare Advantage plan, a Medicare beneficiary pays the Medicare monthly premium to the federal government, but receives coverage via a private insurance company for inpatient hospital (“Part A”) and outpatient (“Part B”) services. Typically, the plan also includes prescription drug (“Part D”) coverage. Medicare Advantage plans may also offer additional benefits such as dental coverage, vision services, hearing aids, skilled nursing, gym memberships, and/or over-the-counter drugs.
To be eligible to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, a beneficiary must:
- Be entitled to Part A and enrolled in Part B
- Permanently live in the Medicare Advantage plan’s service area
- Be a U.S. citizen or lawful present in the United States on or before the enrollment effective date