Medicare Advantage is a Medicare-approved plan from a private company that offers an alternative to Original Medicare for your health and drug coverage. These “bundled” plans include Part A, Part B, and usually Part D. In most cases, you can only use doctors who are in the plan's network.

Medicare Advantage plans cover everything Original Medicare covers plus more, so if you want things like dental, vision or fitness benefits, a Medicare Advantage plan may be the right choice.

Total Medicare Advantage Enrollment, 2023 = 30.8 million

• UnitedHealthcare (8.9 million; 29%)
• Humana (5.5 million; 18%)
• BCBS plans (4.4 million; 14%)
• CVS Health (3.3 million; 11%)
• Kaiser Permanente (1.8 million; 6%)
• Centene (1.3 million; 4%)
• Cigna (.6 million; 2%)
• All other insurers (4.9 million; 16%)

One of the biggest differences between Part C plans and Original Medicare (also known as fee-for-service) is that Medicare Advantage often has limited networks of doctors and hospitals and charges you more to see out-of-network providers - if you're allowed to see them at all.

Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to talk with a customer support representative about your Medicare questions and concerns - or visit the Medicare.gov website to start a live chat. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. The Medicare Support Hotline is available 24/7, except for some federal holidays.

Plan F has the most enrollees overall. But Plan G has the second most enrollees. While these plans are the most popular, it's essential to consider your healthcare needs and not enroll in something just because everyone else has that policy.

The main difference: Using the plan's provider network In general, Medicare PPOs give plan members more leeway to see providers outside the network than Medicare HMOs do. A provider network is a list of doctors, hospitals and other health care providers under contract with a health plan.

Call us at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Help from Medicare is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except some federal holidays. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. Contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) – Get free personalized health insurance counseling.

Social Security Online (at Social Security) – It's the easiest and fastest way to sign up and get any financial help you may need. (You'll need to create your secure my Social Security account to sign up for Medicare or apply for benefits.) Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778.

Medicare Best overall: Medicare Medicare is the best health insurance option for seniors and retirees. For those age 65 and older or who have a qualifying disability, the Medicare program will be the cheapest health insurance with the best benefits.

1-800-633-4227 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) can help. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

How much does Medicare cost each month? The type of Medicare will determine your monthly costs. In 2023, a Medicare Advantage plan can cost an average of $28 per month. Medicare Part B usually costs $164.90 per month, and a Medicare Part D plan for prescription drugs costs an average of $49 per month.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides information about Medicare coverage, Medicare health plans, Medicare quality initiatives and free publications. The Medicare Helpline: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) TTY: 1-877-486-2048. Find your state Medical Assistance Office.

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Health Insurance Options Medicare: Most people who are 65 and older can get free Medicare Part A Hospital Insurance, which covers hospital visits. If you don't qualify for free Medicare Part A, you can purchase private insurance.

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