Medicare Advantage (Part C) – Brief Overview
Medicare Advantage is a type of Medicare health plan offered by private insurance companies (like Kaiser Permanente) that replaces Original Medicare (Part A & Part B).
Instead of using the government-run Medicare directly, you receive your Medicare benefits through one private plan.
What It Covers
Medicare Advantage plans usually include:
- Part A – Hospital care
- Part B – Doctor visits & medical services
- Part D – Prescription drug coverage (most plans)
- Extra benefits not covered by Original Medicare, such as:
- Vision
- Dental
- Hearing
- Wellness programs (e.g., fitness memberships)
How It Works
- You must still be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B
- You continue paying your Part B monthly premium
- Care is usually provided within a network (HMO or PPO style)
- You may need referrals to see specialists (especially in HMO plans)
Who It’s For
Best suited for people who:
- Want all-in-one coverage
- Prefer predictable costs
- Are comfortable using a provider network
- Want extra benefits beyond Original Medicare
Costs
- Often lower out-of-pocket costs than Original Medicare
- Many plans have $0 or low monthly premiums
- Includes an annual out-of-pocket maximum (Original Medicare does not)
In Short
Medicare Advantage = Medicare Parts A + B (and usually D) + extra benefits, all in one private plan.
