Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage, also known as Part C, is an alternative to Original Medicare that’s offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. It bundles together everything that Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) cover—and often throws in extra perks like vision, dental, hearing, and even gym memberships. Many Medicare Advantage plans also include prescription drug coverage (Part D), so it’s kind of like an all-in-one package. You still have to pay your regular Medicare premium, but sometimes these plans have lower out-of-pocket costs and extras that Original Medicare doesn’t offer. Just keep in mind that you’ll usually need to use doctors and hospitals in the plan’s network.