Medicare Advantage Plans Explained
Medicare Part C – Medicare Advantage Plans Made Simple
Are you exploring your Medicare options? Medicare Advantage Plans (also called Medicare Part C) can be a great way to bundle all your Medicare benefits into one convenient plan—with just one ID card.
Unlike Original Medicare, which is run directly by the government, Medicare Advantage Plans are offered through private insurance companies right here in your community. The government pays these companies to provide your coverage, so you’re still in Medicare—you just get your care through a local plan.
These plans cover everything Original Medicare covers—and often more. That can include dental, vision, hearing, fitness benefits, and even allowances for over-the-counter health items.
And the best part? You don’t even need to leave your home to explore your options. Our local team is here to walk seniors through the process step-by-step—by phone, video, or in-person visits if needed.
How Medicare Advantage Plans Work
One card, one plan. You’ll use your Advantage Plan card instead of your red, white, and blue Medicare card at the doctor, hospital, and pharmacy.
Predictable costs. Every service—like doctor visits, x-rays, hospital stays, or therapy—comes with a set copay or coinsurance.
Annual protection. Each plan has a yearly maximum-out-of-pocket limit (MOOP). Once you hit that amount, you won’t pay anything more for covered services that year.
Extra benefits. Most plans include prescription coverage, and many also include dental, vision, hearing aids, and wellness perks.
Local networks. Plans work with networks of doctors and hospitals in your area. You’ll usually choose between:
HMO (Health Maintenance Organization): Must use in-network providers, except emergencies.
PPO (Preferred Provider Organization): Flexibility to see doctors in or out-of-network (though out-of-network costs more)
Drug Coverage (Part D) in Advantage Plans
Most Medicare Advantage Plans include drug coverage (MAPD). A few “MA-Only” plans exist for veterans who already get prescriptions through the VA.
Starting in 2025, prescription costs will be even easier to manage:
Once you’ve spent $2,000 out-of-pocket on covered drugs, the rest of your prescriptions will be $0 for the year.
The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan (M3P) will also let you spread prescription costs into smaller monthly bills instead of big upfront costs.
Help for Those with Limited Income
If you have lower income and assets, you may qualify for Extra Help from Social Security, which lowers prescription and plan costs. We can guide you through the application process at no cost, so you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Reviewing and Changing Plans
Your health needs can change—and so can your plan. That’s why we provide local, personalized reviews right from the comfort of your home. We’ll look at:
Your doctors and specialists
Your prescriptions
Your coverage priorities (like dental, vision, or lower copays)
There are two main times to make changes:
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15 – December 7 (for January 1 coverage).
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (MA-OEP): January 1 – March 31 (coverage starts the next month).
Local Support You Can Count On
Choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan doesn’t have to be confusing. Our local advisors are here to make it simple. Whether you want to sit down in-person (Office or Home), chat on the phone, or go over everything by video call from the comfort of your living room—we’ll help you:
Compare local plan options in your county Understand your benefits clearly Make enrollment stress-free