Payment Options

Medicare Advantage, also known as Part C, is a type of Medicare health insurance offered by private companies through contracts with the federal government. These plans take the place of Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and typically include prescription drug coverage (Part D). They often offer additional benefits like vision, hearing, and dental care that Original Medicare doesn’t cover.

No, not all Medicare plans are “Advantage” plans. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) is also a valid option for coverage. Original Medicare covers hospital insurance (Part A) and medical insurance (Part B), but you may need to add separate prescription drug coverage (Part D) and supplement insurance (Medigap) to fill in gaps in coverage.

Part C is another name for Medicare Advantage. It’s a managed care plan offered by private companies that provides all the benefits of Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and often includes additional benefits. When you elect to participate in a Part C plan, it takes the place of Medicare for that benefit year.

Medicare providers are private companies, such as Humana, Aetna, and Cigna, that are approved by the government to offer Medicare Advantage plans. These companies receive a fixed payment from Medicare for each enrollee and are responsible for providing all the covered services.

Yes, providers offer different Medicare Advantage plans with varying benefits and costs. For example, Humana offers 17 different Medicare Advantage Part C plans with premiums ranging from $100 to $250 per year for vision coverage. You can shop around for different plans to find one that fits your needs and budget.

The way patients use their benefits depends on the specific plan they have. Some plans use debit cards that need to be activated, while others offer eye exams with no cost or copay but are billed through VSP. Other plans may have copayments or require different payment methods. It’s important to check with your specific plan to understand how to use your benefits.