What Does a Medicare Advantage Plan Cover?

Medicare Advantage Plan - Understanding Medicare Part C

Medicare HMO and PPO Coverage and Options

A Medicare Advantage Plan is offered by private health insurance companies that are approved by Medicare and have a contract to provide you with Medicare benefits.

What Does a Medicare Advantage Plan Cover?

If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, the plan must provide all of your Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) benefits, including emergency and urgent care. The only major benefit not covered by these plans is hospice care – this benefit is covered by Original Medicare even if you choose a Medicare Advantage Plan.

Many Medicare Advantage Plans offer extra coverage, such as vision, hearing, dental, and general checkups and other health and wellness programs. Most advantage plans include Medicare prescription drug coverage (Medicare Part D).

Most Medicare Advantage Plans are managed care plans, usually a health maintenance organization (HMO) or a preferred provider organization (PPO). These plans may require that you choose a primary care physician (PCP), get a referral from your PCP to see a specialist, and use only doctors, hospitals, and other medical facilities and services that are part of that health plan’s provider network.

Some private health insurance companies offer a Medicare Advantage Plan known as a Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) Plan that may allow you to see any doctor or use any Medicare-approved hospital. However, unlike Original Medicare, you may have a copayment for doctor visits and not all providers may be willing to treat you. However, in a PFFS Plan you do not have to choose a PCP and you do not need a referral to see a specialist.