A Medicare Advantage Plan is another way to get your Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called “Part C” or “MA” Plans, are offered by Medicare-approved private companies that must follow rules set by Medicare. Most Medicare Advantage Plans include drug coverage (Part D). There are several types of Medicare Advantage Plans (see page 17). Each of these Medicare Advantage Plan types have special rules about how you get your Medicare-covered Part A and B services and any supplemental benefits your plan covers.

If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan you’ll still have Medicare, but you’ll get most of your Part A and Part B coverage from your Medicare Advantage Plan, not Original Medicare.

You must use the card from your Medicare Advantage Plan to get your Medicare covered services. Keep your red, white, and blue Medicare card in a safe place because you may need to show your Medicare card for some services. Also, you’ll need it if you ever switch back to Original Medicare.

When you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, Medicare pays a fixed amount for your coverage each month to the company offering your Medicare Advantage Plan. Companies that offer Medicare Advantage Plans must follow rules set by Medicare. However, each Medicare Advantage Plan can charge different out-of-pocket costs and have different rules for how you get services (like whether you need a referral to see a specialist or whether you have to go to doctors, facilities, or suppliers that belong to the plan’s network for non-emergency or nonurgent care).

These rules can change each year and your plan must notify you about any changes before the start of the next enrollment year. If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you’ll have all of the same rights and protections that you would have under Original Medicare.

Confused? If you have questions about either program or need help signing up, please do not hesitate to contact the Madison Insurance Group Senior Benefits Team for answers!