Plans & Coverage
Medicare Advantage (Part C) Plans
Medicare Advantage (Part C) is an all-in-one alternative to Original Medicare offered by private insurers approved by Medicare. Plans bundle Part A, Part B, and usually Part D drug coverage, often adding dental, vision, and hearing — with a provider network and a yearly out-of-pocket maximum that Original Medicare doesn't have. The plans available vary by county each year, so the right one depends on your doctors and prescriptions. We compare the plans we offer in your county for you, free.
What's included
Hospital (Part A) and medical (Part B), usually Part D drug coverage, and extras many plans add: dental, vision, hearing, an over-the-counter allowance, fitness memberships, and transportation. Every Advantage plan has a maximum out-of-pocket that caps your total yearly medical costs — a real advantage over Original Medicare alone.
HMO vs PPO
An HMO keeps costs lower but uses a provider network and often requires referrals to specialists. A PPO lets you go out-of-network at a higher cost without referrals — better if you travel or winter out of state. Whichever you pick, confirm your specific doctors and hospital are in-network before you choose.
How Advantage differs from Original Medicare + Medigap
With Advantage you trade some freedom for a lower premium and bundled extras; with Original Medicare plus a Medigap plan you pay more monthly for go-anywhere provider access. The right choice depends on your health, how much you travel, and your budget — there's no one answer, which is exactly why we compare both for you.
Plans change every year — here's why that matters
Carriers can change an Advantage plan's premium, copays, drug formulary, and provider network every January. A plan that was perfect this year may drop your doctor or raise a copay next year. That's why we review your plan each fall during the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct 15–Dec 7).
What's your ZIP code?
We start local — plan availability is set by your county.
How old are you?
This tells us which coverage window you're in.
Which best describes you?
Pick one — you can change this anytime.
How often do you see doctors?
Helps us weigh networks vs. freedom.
Do you take prescriptions?
We match your drugs to the lowest-cost plan.
No cost, no pressure. We do not offer every plan available in your area — for all options visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Questions, answered
Is a $0 premium Medicare Advantage plan really free?
No. A $0 plan premium means no extra monthly premium beyond your Part B premium, but you still have copays, a possible drug deductible, and a max out-of-pocket. Two $0 plans can differ by thousands in real annual cost, so we compare the total, not the sticker.
Will my doctors be covered?
It depends on the plan's network. We check each plan against your specific doctors and hospital — including St. Mary's and Intermountain providers on the Western Slope — before you enroll.
Can I switch back to Original Medicare later?
Yes — during the Annual Enrollment Period or the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (Jan 1–Mar 31). Note that switching to Medigap later may require health underwriting, so we plan the move carefully with you.
Does Medicare Advantage include drug coverage?
Most Advantage plans include Part D drug coverage built in. A few (often PPOs meant to pair with other coverage) don't, so we always confirm before you enroll.
Official Medicare sources
We point you to the federal sources so you can verify everything. For current-year figures and to compare the plans available in your area:
- Medicare.gov — the official U.S. government site for Medicare costs, coverage, and rules.
- Medicare Plan Compare — the official tool to compare Medicare Advantage and Part D plans by ZIP.
- Social Security (ssa.gov) — enroll in Medicare Parts A & B and check your eligibility.
- CMS.gov — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which runs the program.
Education and estimates only — confirm current figures on Medicare.gov before enrolling. We do not offer every plan available in your area.
Talk to a local Medicare advisor
Free, no pressure — we compare your options for you.
Last updated . Maintained by the Medicare On Main Data Desk · reviewed by Brian Penner, Independent Medicare advisor (NPN 16493717).