Medicare Advantage Basics

What is a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan?

A Medicare Advantage plan is another way to get your Medicare coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans are offered by Medicare-approved private insurance companies, who must follow rules set by Medicare. You get your Medicare Part A and B coverage from the plan, not original Medicare. Many plans also cover additional services.

To be eligible to enroll into a Medicare Advantage plan, you must be entitled to Medicare Part A and enrolled in Medicare Part B. You must live in the plan’s approved service area.

For some plans, like Special Needs plans, there will be additional eligibility requirements. For example: To be eligible for The Health Plan SecureCare SNP (HMO D-SNP), you also need to have Medicaid along with your Medicare.