Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans | Medicare.com

About Medicare Advantage (Part C) Frequently Asked Questions Medicare Advantage (Part C) 

Medicare Advantage plans, also called Medicare Part C plans, are available through private insurance companies and must provide at least the same coverage as Original Medicare, Part A and Part B (with the exception of hospice care, which is still provided by Original Medicare).

Some Medicare Advantage plans cover prescription drugs. These plans combine your Medicare health benefits and prescription medications. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage, you don't need a separate Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan.

You can join a Medicare Advantage plan that doesn't include prescription drug coverage, but please note that these plans might not let you join a stand-alone Medicare Part D plan. There are some exceptions, but in most of these situations if you want prescription drug coverage, you would either have to:

Disenroll from your Medicare Advantage plan during the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period from January 1 to February 14, and go back to Original Medicare Part A and Part B coverage, then add a Medicare Part D plan, or

Join a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage during the Annual Election Period (AEP), from October 15 to December 7 of each year.

Eligibility and enrollment

Eligibility requirements are the same for Medical Advantage plans with or without prescription drug coverage.

You must be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B.

You must reside within the service area of the plan.

Beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are excluded from Medical Advantage plans, there are certain exceptions.

Most Medicare Advantage plans have network guidelines as well, meaning that you must use network providers.  If the plan lets you see providers outside of the network, you may pay more.

You can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan during any of these opportunities:

Your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), which usually begins three months before your month of Medicare eligibility and lasts for seven months.

During the Annual Election Period (AEP) (October 15- December 7 each year).

During a Special Election Period (SEP) that may be available to those who qualify because of a special circumstance or condition.

If you join any type of Medicare Advantage plan, you must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium.

To browse a list of Medicare Advantage plans nearest you, feel free to use our no-obligation Medicare plan comparison tool. Simply enter your zip code in the box to get started.

Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans | Medicare.com