Compare Medicare Advantage (Part C) Plans
Do you want the simplicity of one plan to meet your health care needs? A Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan may be the answer.
Medicare Advantage plans combine Medicare Part A (hospital stays) and Part B (doctor visits)—also known as Original Medicare—in a single plan. Most plans include prescription drug (Part D) coverage. Many plans offer additional benefits and features like routine vision, hearing, dental and fitness coverage not provided by Original Medicare.
When it comes to Medicare, one size does not fit all. That’s why UnitedHealthcare offers a broad range of Medicare Advantage plans, so you have options to fit your health care needs.
Compare Medicare Advantage Plan Types
Depending on where you live and your personal situation, UnitedHealthcare may offer several types of Medicare Advantage plans to choose from. In addition to plans varying by the benefits they offer, there are also differences in cost and provider networks. Not all plans are available in all areas.
| HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) |
UnitedHealthcare HMO plans give you access to a local network of doctors and hospitals, and a primary care provider to help coordinate your unique health care needs. Many plans include UnitedHealthcare Passport®, which gives you access to all the benefits of your plan when you travel – including in-network rates from approved providers. Many HMO plans have a low or $0 monthly premium. HMO-POS (Point of Service) plans give you access to a local network of doctors and hospitals, and a primary care provider to help coordinate your health care needs. Plus, you'll have flexibility to see out-of-network providers for certain covered services. |
|---|---|
| PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) |
UnitedHealthcare PPO plans give you freedom to see any provider nationwide that accepts Medicare and don't require referrals for specialist or hospital visits. Many plans also provide in-network costs when you see doctors participating in the UnitedHealthcare® Medicare National Network.* Many PPO plans have a low or $0 monthly premium. |
| PFFS (Private Fee for Service) |
A PFFS plan doesn’t have network. It allows visits to any provider in the U.S. who accepts the plan’s terms and conditions of payment. If a PFFS plan doesn’t include drug coverage, you can purchase a separate, standalone prescription drug plan. |
| SNP (Special Needs Plan) |
SNP plans have a provider network. SNP plans serve people that qualify with special health care and financial needs. All SNP plans include prescription drug (Part D) coverage. |
* Network exclusions may apply.
| Plan Feature | HMO & HMO-POS | PPO | PFFS | SNP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Has a contracted network of doctors and hospitals | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Must choose primary care provider from plan network | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Must use providers within the plan network for covered services | HMO - Yes HMO-POS - No, but costs more out-of-network |
No, but costs more out-of-network | No | Yes |
| Referral required to see a specialist | Varies by plan | No | No | Yes |
| May include drug coverage | Yes | Yes | Yes | All include drug coverage |
Choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan That Fits Your Budget
Generally, Part C plans have a low or $0 monthly plan premium, and offer more coverage than Original Medicare alone.
Unlike Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans limit the amount you pay out-of-pocket each year. Once you reach that limit, also called the out-of-pocket maximum, the plan pays 100% of allowable costs for the rest of the year.
When comparing Medicare Advantage plans, these questions can help you decide which plan fits your budget:
- How much is the monthly premium?
- How much is the annual deductible?
- How much are the copays and coinsurance?
Choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan with the Right Benefits
All Medicare Advantage plans include at least the same coverage as Original Medicare Part A and Part B, but that’s where the similarity ends.
All plans also have added benefits and features Original Medicare doesn’t have – but may be very different in exactly what they offer. Think about what extra coverage is important to you when comparing different Medicare Advantage plans.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Does the plan offer prescription drug (Part D) coverage?
- Does the plan cover eye exams or glasses and contact lenses?
- Does the plan have dental coverage?
- Does the plan have health and wellness benefits, like a gym membership?
Medicare Advantage Plans and Prescription Drug Coverage
A Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage is ideal if you don’t want a separate Part D plan. Plus, your premium is often lower for Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drugs, than a Part D plan alone.
If you’re considering Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage, keep these questions in mind when comparing:
- Does the plan’s formulary (drug list) cover your current medications?
- How much will your drugs cost on the different plans?
- Will switching from a brand name drug to a generic drug save you money?
- Is your local pharmacy included in the plan’s pharmacy network?
- Are you willing to use a mail order pharmacy to lower costs?
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Information and Tools
To make it easier to find the plan you need, UnitedHealthcare provides information and tools to help you be informed before you choose.
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Plans - Find out more about the benefits of Medicare Advantage plans from UnitedHealthcare.
Dual Special Needs Plans - Find out more about the eligibility requirements and benefits of Dual Special Needs Plans.
View Plans and Pricing - Enter your ZIP code and find Medicare Advantage plans in your area. You can even compare plans – side by side.
Get Help Choosing - Answer a few basic questions to get plan recommendations.