What is Medicare Part C?

Part C is the category of insurance coverage within Medicare that delivers Part A and B benefits through a private insurance plan. These plans are also known as Medicare Advantage. When Medicare Part C was first introduced to the public, it was also known as “Medicare+Choice” but this name is rarely used now. Part C Medicare Advantage plans are optional so Medicare beneficiaries are not required to be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.

All Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are required to cover the standard benefits offered by Medicare Part A and Part B. These benefits include hospitalization, physician care, screenings and laboratory tests, and other services. Some Medicare Advantage plans also provide coverage for vision and dental care services that are not covered by Original Medicare.

The difference between Original Medicare (i.e. Part A and Part B) and Medicare Advantage is that Medicare Advantage plans require enrollees to use in-network doctors and facilities (with exceptions made for medical emergencies). Original Medicare can be used with any physician who accepts Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans often have extra benefits, such as prescription drug coverage, and lower co-payments than Original Medicare.

A person does not need both a Medigap and a Medicare Advantage plan. An individual may have one or the other but should not have both (even though this is legal) since they cover many of the same services. A Medicare Advantage plan may have a prescription drug benefit while a Medigap plan will not have this benefit.

Medicare Advantage plans come in a variety of delivery options:

Our tools can help you review Medicare Advantage plans to determine if there is a plan that meets your budget as well as your insurance needs. The tools can find you plans with or without prescription drug plan coverage alongside the normal Medicare Advantage benefits. In order to be eligible for a Medicare Advantage plan, a person must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B. You are required to pay the Part B monthly premium and any premium required by the Medicare Advantage plan.

For more information on the various plans, return to our Medicare page. The government’s official web site for the Medicare program is www.medicare.gov. This site has information on various Medicare programs as well as detailed eligibility criteria. Another site, mymedicare.gov, also contains information on Medicare programs.