Medicare Advantage Plans, Explained Without the Jargon
Medicare Advantage Plans: what it is, why it matters, and what published guidance actually asks of you.
They can cost less up front and add extra benefits, but networks and prior authorization rules can limit where and how you get care.
Key takeaways
- Also called: Part C
- Must cover: everything Original Medicare covers, except hospice, which Original Medicare still pays for
- Most useful single change: Check that your doctors, hospitals and pharmacies are in the plan's network.
- Commonest mistake: Choosing a plan only for extra benefits such as gym memberships.
- See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to speak to a doctor" below apply to you.
The short answer
Medicare-approved plans from private companies, also called Part C, that replace Original Medicare as the way you get your Part A and Part B benefits.
Where it fits
This is part of Medicare And Medicaid. Guidance sets out what to look for and what to do about it, which is what the rest of this page covers.
The numbers, in one place
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Also called | Part C |
| Must cover | everything Original Medicare covers, except hospice, which Original Medicare still pays for |
| Drug coverage | most plans include Part D prescription coverage |
| Out-of-pocket limit | every plan has a yearly limit on what you pay for covered Part A and B services |
| Networks | many plans are HMOs or PPOs that cost more or do not pay outside the network |
| Medigap | cannot be used with a Medicare Advantage plan |
What that means in practice
Translated into things you can actually do:
- Check that your doctors, hospitals and pharmacies are in the plan's network
- Look up the plan's out-of-pocket maximum and drug list, not just the premium
- Read the Annual Notice of Change each fall to see what is changing next year
- Use the Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov to compare plans side by side
What gets people into trouble
And the things that tend to go wrong:
- Choosing a plan only for extra benefits such as gym memberships
- Assuming you can switch back to Original Medicare and buy Medigap later on the same terms
- Joining a plan without checking whether you need prior approval for services you use
Related topics
- Out-of-Pocket Maximum: Sorting the Evidence From the Noise (Health Insurance and Costs)
- The Evidence on Getting a Referral and Prior Authorization, Without the Hype (Using Health Services)
- The Evidence on Travel Insurance and Healthcare Abroad, Without the Hype (Travel Health)
- Sexual Health Services: What Published Guidance Supports (Sexual Health)
Where to go next
- Medicare Advantage Plans: Separating Myth From Guidance
- Medicare Advantage Plans for Beginners: Where to Start
- Medicare Advantage Plans — the reference entry
- Medicare and Medicaid: The Complete Guide
- What the Guidance Really Says About Part D and Extra Help
- Medicare Enrollment Periods: What the Evidence Actually Says
When to speak to a doctor
In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room; Medicare Advantage plans must cover emergency care in or out of network. If a plan denies care your doctor says you need, ask about a fast appeal.
Where this comes from
- Medicare.gov — Understanding Medicare Advantage Plans
- Medicare.gov — Compare Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage
How this page was put together
Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarized or generalized beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.
Medical disclaimer
This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to your doctor, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 911.
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