Official government resource ยท CMS

Understanding Medicare Advantage (Part C)

How Medicare Advantage plans work compared to Original Medicare.

Publisher
CMS
Format
Web
Last reviewed
January 15, 1970

What it is

A CMS explainer covering how Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are structured, what extras they can include, how networks and referrals work, and how enrollment periods differ from Original Medicare.

Who should read this

  • Anyone weighing Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage.
  • Current Medicare Advantage enrollees reviewing coverage.
  • People confused by the differences between HMO, PPO, and SNP plans.

Key topics covered

HMO, PPO, and SNP plansNetworks and referralsExtra benefitsMA enrollment periods

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