One of the most frequent questions we get asked at Medicare Coach, is “what is Medicare Part C.”
Before we get to Part C, let’s recap Part A and Part B are. You’ve got Medicare Part A, which is your coverage for your inpatient hospital visits. Then there’s Medicare Part B, which is your Medicare coverage for your doctor’s visits and other health expenses.
Then Medicare Part C comes in. C is all about which program you pick, Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage (which are private insurance plans).
Flashback to the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 – this Act created private insurance plans called Medicare+ Choice or Part C, which was later renamed to Medicare Advantage. This started giving beneficiaries the option of choosing an HMO-style Medicare plan instead of the traditional fee-for-service Medicare program.
Now in 2018, when you are enrolling in Medicare, there are two different Medicare programs to choose from: Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage. If you sign up for Part A and B, you’ll be assumed to be a part of the Original Medicare. When you sign up for Advantage, you’ll complete the Part C paperwork.
Here is some clarity: Medicare Part C is the same thing as Medicare Advantage.
Bottom line is, picking the wrong program can lead to big issues in the end. The number one reason why people pick the wrong program is because that they didn’t understand there were two different options. Now that you know, it’s important that you choose a program that fits your needs.
If you’re not sure which program fits for you, you can attend our weekly workshop. In this workshop we uncomplicate the stressful and confusing parts of Medicare.
You can sign up for this complimentary workshop by CLICKING HERE!
– The Medicare Coach, LLC
