Medicare Advantage Plans (Medicare Part C)
 

Medicare Advantage Plans, also known as Medicare Part C, are an alternative way to receive your Medicare benefits through private insurance companies approved by Medicare. Instead of receiving benefits through Original Medicare, enrollees generally receive all Medicare-covered services through their Medicare Advantage plan. Many plans also include prescription drug coverage.
 

Common types of Medicare Advantage Plans include:
 

• Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)

• Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs)

• Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) Plans

• Special Needs Plans (SNPs)
   

When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you will typically use the insurance card issued by your plan rather than your Original Medicare card when receiving medical care. Many plans offer additional benefits beyond Original Medicare and may feature lower out-of-pocket costs, such as reduced copayments. Because most Medicare Advantage Plans operate as managed care plans—often as HMOs or PPOs—you may need to use a network of participating doctors, specialists, and hospitals in order to receive the highest level of coverage.
 

Eligibility
 

To enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you must be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. You are also required to continue paying your monthly Medicare Part B premium. Some Medicare Advantage Plans charge an additional monthly premium in exchange for the extra benefits they provide.
 

For 2026, the standard Medicare Part B premium is $202.90 per month, although individuals with higher incomes may pay more. Some people receiving Social Security benefits may pay less than the standard premium amount.
 

When Can You Enroll?
 

Medicare only allows enrollment changes during specific periods.
 

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
 

Most people can enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan during their Initial Enrollment Period, which begins three months before the month they turn 65, includes their birth month, and continues for three months afterward.
 

Example: If your 65th birthday is May 5, your Initial Enrollment Period runs from February 1 through August 31.
 

Individuals who qualify for Medicare because of a disability and receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) may enroll beginning three months before their 25th month of disability benefits and continuing through three months after that month.
 

Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
 

Each year, from October 15 through December 7, Medicare beneficiaries can enroll in, change, or leave a Medicare Advantage Plan. Any approved changes generally take effect on January 1 of the following year.

For Information on Standard Medicare, visit https://www.cms.gov/about-cms/what-we-do/medicare