Medicare Advantage plan

Medicare Part C

An optional Medicare program (US) created under the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, which gives Medicare beneficiaries the option to receive their Medicare benefits through private health insurance plans, instead of through the original Medicare plan (Parts A and B). Medicare Advantage plans are offered through private companies known as Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs); each company under contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is required to provide an effective compliance program to prevent Fraud, Waste and Abuse issues in healthcare settings. For individuals who choose to enroll in a Part C plan, Medicare pays the private plan a fixed amount every month; members also pay a monthly premium over and above the Medicare Part B premium to cover items not covered by Medicare Parts A & B (e.g., prescription drugs, dental care, vision care and health club memberships).

Medicare Advantage plan

Enrollment in Medicare mediated by a private health insurer, which manages a person's Medicare Part A and Part B benefits on behalf of the federal government.