Benefits of Medicare Advantage Plans

Part C of Medicare, also known as a Medicare Advantage Plan, offers beneficiaries of the Medicare system additional coverage for their health care needs. This plan is similar to supplemental Medicare insurance in that it must be purchased through an insurance company.

Prescription Drug Coverage

• One of the most sought after benefits in any health care policy is prescription drug coverage. With a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can get this benefit. The other option to get prescription drug coverage is through Medicare Part D. However, consolidating this benefit into the Medicare Advantage Plan makes it easier for a beneficiary.

Don't Need Medigap

• If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you won't need a Medigap policy (supplemental Medicare insurance). Medigap plans can't offer you prescription drug coverage, so people enrolled in those types of plans are forced to look for other options to get that kind of coverage. People in Medicare Advantage Plans don't have to worry about that.

Provides Parts A and B of Medicare

• Medicare Advantage Plans are designed to work in harmony with Medicare, so with one of these plans, you are essentially getting one giant package in the same policy. Enrolling in a Medicare Advantage Plan will provide you Medicare Parts A and B, something that a Medigap policy can't do.

Availabilty

• Medicare Advantage Plans are available in 98 percent of United States counties, making them widely available.

Good Value

• The overall value of a Medicare Advantage Plan is considerable, especially to those on a budget. The plans typically have low monthly premiums and require less out-of-pocket expenses than a Medigap plan. People enrolled in Medicare Advantage Plans will also have access to services and care that a Medigap plan might not offer.