Medicare Part C Coverage: What Does It Cover?
Key Takeaways
Along with receiving Part A & B benefits, Medicare Part C often bundles your benefits with additional ones like dental, hearing, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
The two most popular choices of plans are Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and Health Maintenance Organization (HMO).
If your provider is in-network, you can save money and gain additional health and wellness benefits.
You can enroll in Medicare Advantage during any of the Medicare enrollment periods. If you’re in the Initial Enrollment Period, you must have joined Part A and Part B before selecting a Medicare Advantage plan.
Are you having trouble choosing the best coverage? Let’s review the Medicare Advantage (Part C) coverage.
Find a local Medicare plan that fits your needs
What Does Medicare Part C Cover?
Medicare Advantage (Part C) replaces Original Medicare (Part A & B), but offers the same Part A & B benefits or coverages as Original Medicare. Along with receiving Part A & B benefits, Medicare Part C often bundles your benefits with additional ones like dental, hearing, vision and prescription drug coverage.
When you have Medicare Part C, your Part C benefits ID card replaces your Medicare ‘Red, White & Blue’ card at every visit.
You can still join a Medicare Advantage plan even if you have pre-existing conditions .
Why Is Medicare Part C Separate?
Medicare Advantage plans are not separate from Medicare. Medicare Advantage (Part C) is private insurance required to meet all of Medicare’s regulations. You have Medicare rights and protections, even though private insurance companies manage your benefits. Medicare Advantage plans can offer additional benefits like Part D, vision, dental and hearing.
Are you eligible for cost-saving Medicare subsidies?
Does Medicare Advantage Require Use of In-Network Services?
Medicare Advantage Plans aren’t as flexible as Original Medicare policies. Many plans only cover costs if you visit providers within their network. Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans generally offer narrower primary care networks, while Preferred Provider (PPO) plans are broader.
What are the Different Types of Medicare Part C Plans?
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans vary on a state-by-state, even county-by-county basis. Let’s take a look at the two most popular choices:
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
- All Part C plans have a provider network, but PPO offers the flexibility to visit an out-of-network provider that accepts Medicare.
- In-network providers are affordable.
- You are not required to choose a primary care doctor.
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
- You must see an in-network provider unless you need emergency care.
- Choosing a primary care doctor is a requirement.
- Plans may require a referral or prior authorization for specialists, and some tests and procedures.
- Most plans include prescription drug coverage (Part D).
Additional Part C options include:
- Special Needs Plans (SNPs)
- Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) plans
- Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
What extra benefits and savings do you qualify for?
FAQs
Medicare Advantage plans and Original Medicare don’t cover care outside of the United States. Consider looking at a Medigap policy if you need coverage in other countries. As for traveling state-to-state, Medicare Advantage plans usually don’t cover non-emergency care if you go outside of your plan’s network.
You can have a Medicare Advantage Plan with ESRD if you meet the following criteria:
- You develop ESRD after you’ve already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan
- You no longer have ESRD after treatment
- You join a Medicare Special Needs Plan (SNP) that covers ESRD
- Your Medicare Advantage Plan leaves Medicare or no longer provides coverage in your area
It’s important to note, people with ESRD were allowed to join Medicare Advantage Plans without restrictions starting in January 2021.
The short answer is no. Although Medicare Advantage plans must cover at least the Medicare “Medically-Necessary Services,” Medicare Advantage Plans can charge different deductibles, offer co-payments (for instance $30 per office visit), or various co-insurance terms (such as 20% of the procedure cost). Some Medicare Advantage plans have a limit on how much you can spend in a year.
