Also called a “Medicare Advantage Plan,” Medicare Part C is an alternative to Original Medicare (Parts A and B). Unlike regular Medicare, which is administered by the federal government, Part C is run by different private insurance companies.
These companies agree to follow certain rules set by the government in order to provide Medicare-level coverage to enrollees. There are many Medicare Advantage Plans to choose from.
Since they are in contract with the federal government in order to make them more affordable, Part C plans typically come with low monthly premiums compared to regular health insurance plans.
In general, one of the benefits of Part C is that you can choose the plan that makes the most sense to you based on your overall health and your expectations for your future health.
As mentioned above, Medicare Part C is an alternative to Parts A and B. This means that with an Advantage plan, you’ll enjoy all the benefits of Original Medicare.
Plus, depending on the health plan you choose, you may also have access to supplemental services, including:
- Vision coverage.
- Hearing coverage.
- Dental coverage.
- Wellness services.
Finally, many private Medicare plans include prescription drug coverage, which is usually provided through Medicare Part D. This makes Part C plans a convenient option for those who want to get all their coverage from one source without having to worry about different plans.
Therefore, if you want all Medicare services in one plan, consider applying for Medicare Part C.
Once enrolled, the Medicare program will pay a monthly cost to the private insurance provider of your choice while you cover copays and certain fees.
If you end up deciding that Medicare Part C is not for you, then you have the option to switch to Original Medicare during one of the yearly open enrollment periods. In this case, you will not be charged a lifetime penalty for late enrollment.
