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Medicare Advantage Part C
Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage Plan) is
the combination of Medicare Part A and B. Here's
a look at the Part C basics.
Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage Plan) is
the combination of Medicare Part A and B. Here's
a look at the Part C basics.
Medicare Part C is also known as Medicare Advantage. It combines both Part A and Part B and
provides at least the amount of coverage as those plans, but often provides additional benefits at a lower
cost. Medicare Part C coverage is provided by private insurance companies who are funded and
approved by Medicare. Medicare Advantage Plans include four different types of plans.
1. Preferred Provider Organization Plans (PPO)
2. Health Maintenance Organization Plans (HMO)
3. Private Fee-For-Service Plans (PFFS)
4. Medical Savings Account Plans (MSA)
PPO plans have a network of doctors and hospitals that you can choose from, but you are also allowed
to visit providers outside the network at a higher cost. You do not have to choose a primary care
physician and you have the ability to choose any doctor, even specialists, without a referral. Some plans
cover prescription drugs.
HMO plans also have a network of doctors, however, you can only visit doctors within the network and
you must choose a primary care physician. You must have a referral from your primary care physician to
see a specialist. If you choose to receive medical services outside the network, you’ll be responsible for
paying the full cost. Some plans cover prescription drugs.
PFFS plans allow you to choose any doctor or hospital that’s been
Medicare-approved as long as they agree to treat you and accept the plan’s
payment terms. You do not have to choose a primary care physician or have
a doctor’s referral to see a specialist. The plan has pre-determined rates for
doctors and hospitals and the amount you have to pay for services. Some
plans cover prescription drugs.
MSA plans have two parts. There is a high deductible health plan and a
savings account. Each year, Medicare funds the savings account with an
amount to cover your coverage. However, the amount is less than your
deductible which requires you to pay some out-of-pocket before the plan
begins to pay for Medicare-covered services. You do not have to choose a
primary care physician. Though you have the flexibility to receive health care
from any doctor or hospital, your plan may have preferred providers that will
provide services at a lower cost. You will have to purchase prescription drug
coverage (Part D) separately.
How Much Does Medicare Part C Cost?
You will be responsible for paying the premium for Part B which ranges from
$96.40 to $308.30 depending on your income. Depending on the plan you
choose, you may not pay an extra premium. Your plan will have set
deductibles and copayments that may be different from those of Part A and
Part B deductibles and copayments.
Drawbacks of Medicare Part C
Though a Part C plan may provide benefits that Part A and Part B coverage
don’t provide, you may have less flexibility in choosing a physician, especially
if you enroll in an HMO plan. Depending on where you live, there may not be
any Medicare Advantage Plans available. Or, if there are plans available
today, they may decide to cancel at anytime depending on profitability. Your
current physician may not be part of the available plans’ network, leaving you
to pay the full prices for services.
When Can I Join Medicare Advantage Plan?
You can only join Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) during certain times:
You must contact an individual plan to join it. You can locate plans in your area on the official Medicare
website. Click the button that reads “Find & Compare Health Plans.”
provides at least the amount of coverage as those plans, but often provides additional benefits at a lower
cost. Medicare Part C coverage is provided by private insurance companies who are funded and
approved by Medicare. Medicare Advantage Plans include four different types of plans.
1. Preferred Provider Organization Plans (PPO)
2. Health Maintenance Organization Plans (HMO)
3. Private Fee-For-Service Plans (PFFS)
4. Medical Savings Account Plans (MSA)
PPO plans have a network of doctors and hospitals that you can choose from, but you are also allowed
to visit providers outside the network at a higher cost. You do not have to choose a primary care
physician and you have the ability to choose any doctor, even specialists, without a referral. Some plans
cover prescription drugs.
HMO plans also have a network of doctors, however, you can only visit doctors within the network and
you must choose a primary care physician. You must have a referral from your primary care physician to
see a specialist. If you choose to receive medical services outside the network, you’ll be responsible for
paying the full cost. Some plans cover prescription drugs.
PFFS plans allow you to choose any doctor or hospital that’s been
Medicare-approved as long as they agree to treat you and accept the plan’s
payment terms. You do not have to choose a primary care physician or have
a doctor’s referral to see a specialist. The plan has pre-determined rates for
doctors and hospitals and the amount you have to pay for services. Some
plans cover prescription drugs.
MSA plans have two parts. There is a high deductible health plan and a
savings account. Each year, Medicare funds the savings account with an
amount to cover your coverage. However, the amount is less than your
deductible which requires you to pay some out-of-pocket before the plan
begins to pay for Medicare-covered services. You do not have to choose a
primary care physician. Though you have the flexibility to receive health care
from any doctor or hospital, your plan may have preferred providers that will
provide services at a lower cost. You will have to purchase prescription drug
coverage (Part D) separately.
How Much Does Medicare Part C Cost?
You will be responsible for paying the premium for Part B which ranges from
$96.40 to $308.30 depending on your income. Depending on the plan you
choose, you may not pay an extra premium. Your plan will have set
deductibles and copayments that may be different from those of Part A and
Part B deductibles and copayments.
Drawbacks of Medicare Part C
Though a Part C plan may provide benefits that Part A and Part B coverage
don’t provide, you may have less flexibility in choosing a physician, especially
if you enroll in an HMO plan. Depending on where you live, there may not be
any Medicare Advantage Plans available. Or, if there are plans available
today, they may decide to cancel at anytime depending on profitability. Your
current physician may not be part of the available plans’ network, leaving you
to pay the full prices for services.
When Can I Join Medicare Advantage Plan?
You can only join Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) during certain times:
- Your initial enrollment period when you first become eligible for Medicare. This period starts 3
- If you are under 65 and receive Medicare due to a disability, you can join Part C from 3 months
- Between November 15 and December 31 each year. Coverage will begin on January 1 of the
- Between January 1 and March 31 each year. You can only join or switch to a plan with
You must contact an individual plan to join it. You can locate plans in your area on the official Medicare
website. Click the button that reads “Find & Compare Health Plans.”
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Robert Valentine, Ca. Insurance License# 0C23496, is a Registered Investment Advisor Representative with Crown Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Advisor and a registered
representative with Securities America, Inc., a Registered Broker Dealer. Securities offered through Securities America, Inc., Member NASD/SIPC. Crown Wealth Management and
Securities America are not affiliated. This site has been published for residents of AZ, CA, FL, IL, MI, MO, and TX. All information herein has been prepared solely for informational
purposes, and it is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any security or instrument or to participate in any particular trading strategy. Crown Wealth
Management does not make any representations or warranties as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, completeness, or relevance of any information prepared by any unaffiliated third
party, whether linked to this web site or incorporated herein, and takes no responsibility. All such information is provided solely for convenience purposes only. Crown Wealth
Management and Securities America do not endorse, control, or receive compensation from any of the third party advertisers within this website. Neither Crown Wealth Management or
Securities America are affiliated with any of the firms or entities listed unless specifically stated.
representative with Securities America, Inc., a Registered Broker Dealer. Securities offered through Securities America, Inc., Member NASD/SIPC. Crown Wealth Management and
Securities America are not affiliated. This site has been published for residents of AZ, CA, FL, IL, MI, MO, and TX. All information herein has been prepared solely for informational
purposes, and it is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any security or instrument or to participate in any particular trading strategy. Crown Wealth
Management does not make any representations or warranties as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, completeness, or relevance of any information prepared by any unaffiliated third
party, whether linked to this web site or incorporated herein, and takes no responsibility. All such information is provided solely for convenience purposes only. Crown Wealth
Management and Securities America do not endorse, control, or receive compensation from any of the third party advertisers within this website. Neither Crown Wealth Management or
Securities America are affiliated with any of the firms or entities listed unless specifically stated.
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