Medicare Advantage – Medicare Part C

A Medicare Advantage (MA) plan is an alternative to Original fee-for-service Medicare. Medicare pays MA plans to manage beneficiaries’ health care. Currently, 5 types of MA plans exist. This section includes information on these plans, questions to consider when choosing a plan and special rights if your plan terminates coverage.

1. Overview of Medicare Advantage Plans

   Learn about MA plans (HMOs, PPOs, PFFSs, SNPs and MSAs), how they work and who’s eligible to join.

2. Costs & Benefits of Medicare Advantage Plans

   Explanation of payments and services.

3. Enrollment & Disenrollment in Medicare Advantage Plans

   Requirements for joining, switching and leaving MA plans.

4. Choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan

   Questions to consider when choosing an MA plan, as well as specific factors to consider when choosing between an MA plan and a Medigap policy.

5. When Medicare Advantage Plans Terminate Coverage

   Learn your rights and options if your MA plan terminates coverage; additional information for beneficiaries with disabilities, ESRD or employer-sponsored coverage.

6. When You Have Guaranteed-Issue Rights to Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan to a Medigap Policy

   Learn about situations in which you can buy a Medigap policy without a health screening.