Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C)

Medicare Advantage Plans—often called Part C—are private health plan options approved by Medicare. When you enroll in one of these plans, you receive all of your Medicare-covered care through the Advantage Plan, which often includes prescription drug coverage and additional benefits not offered by Original Medicare.

• Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)
   
• Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs)
   
• Private Fee-for-Service Plans
   
• Medicare Special Needs Plans (SNPs)

With Medicare Advantage, you’ll use the plan’s health insurance card for your care. Many plans feature extra benefits, such as vision or dental, and often have lower copayments compared to Original Medicare. Most are managed-care plans (HMOs or PPOs), which may require you to use in-network doctors and hospitals.

To join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you must be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and continue to pay your Part B premium (standard premium for 2025 is $185 or higher depending on your income). Some Medicare Advantage Plans may also have their own monthly premium for extra benefits.

Medicare limits when you can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan:

• Initial Enrollment Period:
  You can enroll starting 3 months before the month you turn 65, through your birthday month, and up to 3 months after.
  Example: If your 65th birthday is May 5, your enrollment window is February 1 – August 31.
   
• For Disability Recipients:
  If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you can join a Medicare Advantage Plan from 3 months before to 3 months after your 25th month of disability benefits.
   
• Annual Enrollment Period (AEP):
  From October 15 to December 7 each year, you can switch or drop your Medicare Advantage Plan.

By calling the number on this website, you’ll be connected with a licensed Medicare agent who can answer your questions and guide you through the enrollment process.