How does Medicare Advantage differ from Original Medicare?

Medicare Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C, is an alternative to Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) that is provided through private health insurance companies. This means that rather than receiving benefits directly from the federal government under Original Medicare, beneficiaries receive their coverage through a private insurer that is approved by Medicare.

Medicare Advantage plans must cover all the services that Original Medicare covers, except for hospice care, which remains a benefit under Original Medicare. Moreover, these plans often include additional benefits not covered by Original Medicare, such as vision, dental, and hearing services, as well as prescription drug coverage (Part D).

The involvement of private insurance companies introduces different plan types and options that can be tailored to beneficiary needs, which is a key distinguishing feature of Medicare Advantage compared to Original Medicare.

In contrast, some statements about Medicare Advantage may give an incomplete view. For example, some programs may come with premiums, and they are not limited to low-income individuals; they are available to all Medicare-eligible beneficiaries. Additionally, Medicare Advantage does indeed cover many of the benefits found in Original Medicare, making the understanding of its coverage crucial for beneficiaries when choosing their healthcare options.