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You can get your Medicare benefits through Original Medicare, or a Medicare

Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO). If you have Original Medicare, the

government pays for Medicare benefits when you get them. Medicare Advantage

Plans, sometimes called “Part C” or “MA Plans,” are offered by private companies and 

approved by Medicare. Medicare pays these companies to cover your Medicare

benefits.

If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, the plan will provide all of your Medicare

Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) coverage.

This is different than a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy.

· Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans—In most HMOs, you can

only go to doctors, other health care providers, or hospitals in the plan’s network,

except in an urgent or emergency situation. You may also need to get a referral

from your primary care doctor for tests or to see other doctors or specialists.

• Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans—In a PPO, you pay less if you

use doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers that belong to the plan’s

network. You usually pay more if you use doctors, hospitals, and providers outside

of the network.

•  Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans—PFFS plans are similar to Original

Medicare in that you can generally go to any doctor, other health care provider,

or hospital as long as they accept the plan’s payment terms. The plan determines

how much it will pay doctors, other health care providers, and hospitals, and how

much you must pay when you get care.

•  Special Needs Plans (SNPs)—SNPs provide focused and specialized health care

for specific groups of people, like those who have both Medicare and Medicaid,

live in a nursing home, or have certain chronic medical conditions.

•  HMO Point-of-Service (HMOPOS) plans—These are HMO plans that may allow

you to get some services out-of-network for a higher copayment or coinsurance.

 • Medical Savings Account (MSA) plans—These plans combine a high-deductible health plan with a bank account. Medicare deposits money into the account (usually less than the deductible). You can use the money to pay for your health care services during the year. MSA plans don’t offer Medicare drug coverage. If you want drug coverage, you have to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. For more information about MSAs, visit Medicare.gov/publications to view the booklet “Your Guide to Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans.” 

You must have Medicare Parts A and B and live in the plan’s service area to be eligible

to join.  

Medicare Advantage Plans must cover all of the services that Original Medicare covers

except hospice care. Original Medicare covers hospice care even if you’re in a Medicare

Advantage Plan. In all types of Medicare Advantage Plans, you’re always covered for

emergency and urgent care. Medicare Advantage Plans must offer emergency coverage

outside of the plan’s service area (but not outside the U.S.). Many Medicare Advantage

Plans also offer extra benefits such as dental care, eyeglasses, or wellness programs.

Most Medicare Advantage Plans include Medicare prescription drug coverage

(Part D). In addition to your Part B premium, you usually pay one monthly premium

for the plan’s medical and prescription drug coverage.

Plan benefits can change from year to year. Make sure you understand how a plan

works before you join.