Medicare Open Enrollment Assistance

Q: What is a Medicare Advantage plan?

A Medicare Advantage plan (also called Medicare Part C or an MA plan) is a private health insurance plan approved by Medicare that covers all Original Medicare Part A and Part B benefits, usually bundles prescription drug coverage, and often adds extra benefits such as dental, vision and hearing.

Q: What are the best Medicare Advantage plans?

The best Medicare Advantage plans depend on your county, doctors, prescriptions and budget. Compare Medicare Advantage plans using the Medicare Plan Finder, check each plan's star rating, monthly premium, deductible, copayments, formulary and provider network before you enroll.

Q: Is Medicare Advantage the same as Original Medicare?

No. Original Medicare is the federal fee-for-service program (Part A and Part B), while Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies as an alternative that must cover at least the same benefits and may add coverage such as Part D drugs, dental, vision and an annual out-of-pocket maximum.

From Medicare-Advantage.wiki, the independent encyclopedia of Medicare Advantage health insurance

Medicare Advantage (Part C)

Also known as	Medicare Part C, MA plans, MA-PD (with drug coverage), MAPD
Program type	Private health insurance plans approved by Medicare, United States
Administered by	Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Covers	Medicare Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical); most plans include Part D prescription drug coverage
Plan types	HMO, PPO, SNP, PFFS, MSA Medicare Advantage plans
Eligibility	Enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B; living in the plan's service area
Key enrollment windows	Initial Enrollment Period; Open Enrollment Oct 15 – Dec 7; MA Open Enrollment Jan 1 – Mar 31
Quality measure	CMS Medicare star ratings (1–5 stars)
Typical extra benefits	Dental, vision, hearing, wellness programs, preventive care, fitness
Official comparison tool	Medicare Plan Finder

Medicare Advantage plans — also called Medicare Part C, MA plans or simply advantage plans — are private health insurance plans approved by Medicare that provide an alternative to Original Medicare.^[1]

Every Medicare Advantage plan must cover all of the hospital insurance (Part A) and medical insurance (Part B) benefits that Original Medicare covers, and most MA plans also bundle Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage into one integrated health plan.^[2]

In practice, a Medicare Advantage plan is offered by a private insurance company — such as Humana, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare or Blue Cross Blue Shield — that contracts with Medicare to deliver benefits to patients in a defined service area.^[3]

Because Medicare Advantage plans operate under rules set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), beneficiaries keep every Medicare right and protection while often gaining extra benefits, a yearly out-of-pocket maximum and coordinated care through a primary care provider.^[4]

Rob Leonard & Associates, explain how Medicare Advantage works, who is eligible, the main plan types (HMO, PPO, SNP, PFFS and MSA), what the best Medicare Advantage plans cost in premiums, deductibles, copayments and coinsurance, and how to compare MA plans with Original Medicare before you enroll.^[5]

Contents

1 Overview of Medicare Advantage
2 History of Medicare Advantage plans
3 Eligibility and enrollment periods
4 Medicare Advantage plan types
5 Benefits and coverage
6 Prescription drug coverage (Part D)
7 Costs, premiums and star ratings
8 Medicare Advantage vs Original Medicare
9 How to choose the best Medicare Advantage plan
10 Medicare Advantage plans in Greensboro, NC
11 Criticism and controversies
12 Frequently asked questions
13 See also
14 References
15 External links

Overview of Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage, also known as Part C, is the private plan option within the Medicare program in the United States.^[1]

Roughly half of all Medicare beneficiaries are now enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan rather than Original Medicare, making MA the most popular way Americans receive their Medicare benefits.^[3]

A Medicare Advantage plan combines Part A hospital coverage, Part B medical coverage and — in most plans — Part D prescription drug coverage into a single health insurance plan with one membership card, one premium structure and one out-of-pocket limit.^[2]

Unlike Original Medicare, which pays doctors and hospitals fee-for-service, Medicare Advantage plans are paid a fixed monthly amount per member by Medicare and manage care through provider networks, prior authorization and care coordination.^[4]

Plans must cover all emergency and urgent care, and almost all medically necessary services covered by Original Medicare, though patients may need a referral to see a specialist depending on the plan type.^[5]

The choice between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage depends on each patient's needs: preferred doctors, prescription drugs, budget, travel habits and tolerance for network rules.^[6]

What are Medicare Advantage plans - overview of Medicare Part C MA plan benefits and coverage — An overview of how Medicare Advantage plans combine Part A, Part B and usually Part D into one MA plan.

Beneficiaries who value predictable costs often prefer an MA plan because every Medicare Advantage plan includes an annual out-of-pocket maximum, something Original Medicare does not provide on its own.^[6]

Many Medicare Advantage plans also include supplemental benefits not covered by Original Medicare at all, such as routine dental care, eye exams, hearing aids, fitness memberships and wellness programs.^[2]

History of Medicare Advantage plans

The Medicare Advantage program began with the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, which created Part C of Medicare under the name Medicare+Choice.^[7]

Beginning in 1999, eligible beneficiaries could enroll in a variety of private health plans as an alternative to Original Medicare or the older cost plans run by managed care organizations.^[7]

In 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act renamed Medicare+Choice as Medicare Advantage (MA) and added the voluntary outpatient prescription drug benefit known as Part D.^[7]

The rebranded Medicare Advantage program kept most features of its predecessor while expanding plan options, streamlining benefits and creating a framework for integrating drug coverage inside MA plans.^[8]

Over the following two decades, enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans grew steadily as private insurers refined networks, added supplemental benefits and competed on premium price, including widespread $0 premium MA-PD options.^[3]

CMS has continued to modernize the program with annual contract-year rules covering marketing oversight, supplemental benefit transparency, medical loss ratio audits and star rating methodology updates.^[9]

History timeline of Medicare Advantage plans from Medicare+Choice 1997 to the modern MA program — Timeline: Medicare+Choice (1997) became Medicare Advantage (MA) in 2003.

Today the Medicare Advantage program is administered under Medicare Part C of the Social Security Act, with CMS regulating plan bids, county benchmarks, quality bonuses and consumer protections.^[9]

Eligibility and enrollment periods

To be eligible for a Medicare Advantage plan, a person must be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B and must live in the plan's service area.^[10]

Citizens and permanent residents of the United States generally qualify for Medicare at age 65, or earlier with certain disabilities or end-stage renal disease.^[10]

Because MA eligibility depends on Original Medicare enrollment, a beneficiary cannot drop Part B and keep a Medicare Advantage plan — Part B (and its premium) stays in place.^[5]

Initial Enrollment Period

The Initial Enrollment Period is a seven-month window centered on a person's 65th birthday: the three months before, the month of, and the three months after.^[11]

Signing up during the Initial Enrollment Period avoids late-enrollment penalties and is the first opportunity to join a Medicare Advantage plan.^[11]

Medicare Open Enrollment Period

Each fall, the Medicare Open Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7.^[11]

During this window beneficiaries can join a Medicare Advantage plan, switch MA plans, drop an MA plan back to Original Medicare, or change Part D prescription drug coverage for the following year.^[11]

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs from January 1 through March 31 each year.^[12]

Anyone already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan can switch to a different MA plan or return to Original Medicare once during this period, with coverage changes effective the first of the following month.^[12]

Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs)

Special Enrollment Periods allow plan changes outside the standard windows when qualifying events occur, such as losing employer group health insurance, moving out of a plan's service area, or gaining Medicaid eligibility.^[11]

State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP) offer free, unbiased counseling to help beneficiaries understand these enrollment rules and deadlines.^[13]

A licensed insurance agent can also confirm eligibility, but beneficiaries should always verify deadlines directly with Medicare or a SHIP counselor.^[13]

Medicare Advantage plan types

Medicare Advantage plans come in several distinct plan types, each with its own network structure, cost-sharing and rules for seeing doctors.^[14]

Understanding the differences between HMO, PPO, SNP, PFFS and MSA plans is the first step in choosing the right Medicare Advantage plan.^[14]

Medicare Advantage plan types chart showing HMO, PPO, SNP, PFFS and MSA MA plans — The five main Medicare Advantage plan types: HMO, PPO, SNP, PFFS and MSA.

HMO Medicare Advantage plans

A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Medicare Advantage plan typically limits coverage to a network of doctors, clinics and hospitals, except in emergencies.^[14]

HMO MA plans usually require members to choose a primary care physician and obtain referrals before seeing specialists, but they often carry lower premiums and copayments than other plan types.^[14]

PPO Medicare Advantage plans

A Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Medicare Advantage plan lets patients use both in-network and out-of-network providers, though out-of-network care costs more.^[14]

PPO MA plans generally do not require referrals, which appeals to patients who want flexibility to see specialists or keep doctors outside the preferred network.^[14]

Special Needs Plans (SNPs)

Special Needs Plans (SNPs) are Medicare Advantage plans designed for people with specific needs: those who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, those living in institutions, or those with severe chronic conditions.^[14]

Chronic Condition SNPs (C-SNPs) tailor benefits, drug formularies and care management to conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.^[9]

Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans

A Private Fee-for-Service Medicare Advantage plan determines how much it will pay doctors and hospitals and how much the patient pays for each service, rather than managing care through a network.^[14]

Providers must accept the plan's payment terms, so patients should confirm that their doctors accept the specific PFFS plan before enrolling.^[14]

Medicare Savings Account (MSA) plans

A Medicare Savings Account plan pairs a high-deductible Medicare Advantage plan with a bank account that Medicare funds each year for out-of-pocket costs.^[14]

MSA plans appeal to beneficiaries who want more control over their health care spending and are comfortable managing a higher deductible in exchange for deposit funds.^[14]

MAPD and MA-PD plans (Medicare Advantage with drug coverage)

Most Medicare Advantage plans are MA-PD plans, meaning they bundle Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage into the same plan, sometimes called MAPD plans.^[8]

A beneficiary in an MA plan without drug coverage who wants Part D must generally join a separate standalone prescription drug plan or switch MA plans, because Medigap cannot be used together with Medicare Advantage.^[15]

Benefits and coverage of Medicare Advantage plans

Every Medicare Advantage plan must provide at least the same benefits as Original Medicare Part A and Part B, including hospital stays, doctor visits, laboratory tests, medical equipment and preventive care such as screenings and immunizations.^[5]

What distinguishes Medicare Advantage plans is what they add: most include Part D drug coverage plus supplemental benefits like routine dental care, vision and eye care, hearing exams and hearing aids, over-the-counter allowances and fitness programs.^[2]

Many MA plans emphasize preventive care and wellness, offering annual health risk assessments, care management for chronic conditions and telehealth visits with primary care doctors.^[9]

Some Medicare Advantage plans even cover non-skilled in-home support services, meal benefits or transportation to medical appointments for members with chronic conditions.^[9]

All Medicare Advantage plans include an annual out-of-pocket maximum for Part A and Part B services, protecting patients from catastrophic costs in a way Original Medicare alone does not.^[15]

Plans can and do change their extra benefits each contract year, so members should review the Annual Notice of Change each fall before the Open Enrollment Period.^[11]

Patients with complex needs should check whether a plan offers care coordination, disease management programs or a concierge-style primary care clinic before choosing among Medicare Advantage plans.^[9]

Prescription drug coverage and Medicare Part D

Most Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage as part of the package, making them Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MA-PD) plans.^[8]

Each MA-PD plan maintains a formulary — its list of covered drugs — organized into tiers that determine the copayment or coinsurance a member pays at the pharmacy.^[16]

Plans must cover most drugs in six protected classes, including antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, immunosuppressants for transplant patients, antiretrovirals and cancer drugs, though specific cost sharing varies.^[16]

Beneficiaries should compare each Medicare Advantage plan's formulary against their current prescriptions during Open Enrollment, since drug coverage differences are one of the most common reasons people switch MA plans.^[11]

Part D also includes medication therapy management (MTM) programs for members with multiple chronic conditions, designed to reduce adverse drug events and improve health outcomes.^[16]

Beneficiaries with limited income may qualify for Medicare's Extra Help program or state assistance to lower Part D premiums, deductibles and drug costs.^[17]

Costs, premiums and Medicare star ratings

Medicare Advantage costs are built from several pieces: the monthly premium, the annual deductible, copayments or coinsurance for each service, and the plan's out-of-pocket maximum.^[15]

Many Medicare Advantage plans charge a $0 monthly premium beyond the standard Part B premium, because CMS pays plans a benchmark-based payment and quality rebates that fund richer benefits.^[18]

However, a $0 premium does not mean free care: members still pay the Part B premium, plus deductibles, copayments and coinsurance until they reach the plan's out-of-pocket limit.^[15]

Income matters too — higher-income beneficiaries pay an income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA) on top of the standard Part B premium, regardless of whether they choose Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage.^[17]

How plan bids, benchmarks and rebates shape premiums

CMS pays each Medicare Advantage plan by comparing its bid — the plan's estimated cost of covering Part A and Part B benefits — to a county benchmark based on local traditional Medicare spending.^[18]

If a plan bids below the benchmark, Medicare pays the bid plus a rebate the plan must use for extra benefits or lower cost sharing; if it bids above, enrollees pay the difference as an additional MA premium.^[18]

Plans must also meet a medical loss ratio requirement, spending at least 85 percent of revenue on plan-covered services and quality improvement activities.^[9]

Star ratings and quality bonuses

Every Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage receives an annual star rating from CMS, from one to five stars, based on dozens of measures of clinical quality, member experience, complaints, customer service and drug safety.^[19]

Plans rated four stars or higher receive quality bonus payments that help fund richer benefits, and beneficiaries may switch into a five-star plan at any time during the year under a special election rule.^[19]

Medicare star ratings from one to five stars used to rate the best Medicare Advantage plans — CMS rates each Medicare Advantage plan from one to five stars each fall.

Star ratings are published every October on Medicare Plan Finder, and comparing ratings is one of the smartest ways to narrow down the best Medicare Advantage plans in any county.^[19]

Chart of Medicare Advantage plan costs including monthly premium, deductible, copayments and coinsurance — Typical cost components of a Medicare Advantage plan: premium, deductible and copays.

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Medicare Advantage vs Original Medicare

Original Medicare is the traditional federal fee-for-service program in which the government pays providers directly for each covered service.^[5]

Medicare Advantage plans replace that arrangement with a private insurance plan that covers the same Part A and Part B benefits, usually adds Part D and extra benefits, and manages care through networks and rules.^[15]

The table below summarizes the key differences beneficiaries should weigh when choosing between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans.^[15]

Feature	Original Medicare (Part A & Part B)	Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans
Administered by	Federal government (CMS)	Private insurance companies approved by Medicare
Provider access	Any provider nationwide that accepts Medicare	Plan network; HMO plans generally in-network only, PPO plans cost more out-of-network
Prescription drugs	Separate Part D plan required	Usually bundled as an MA-PD plan
Extra benefits	Limited; supplemental coverage needs Medigap	Often includes dental, vision, hearing, wellness and fitness benefits
Out-of-pocket maximum	No limit unless Medigap or other coverage is added	Annual maximum required for Part A/B services
Referrals	Not required	Often required in HMO Medicare Advantage plans
Typical costs	Deductibles plus 20% coinsurance; premiums for Part B and Medigap	Plan premium (often $0), copayments, coinsurance and deductible up to a cap
Travel coverage	Coverage anywhere in the U.S. that accepts Medicare; limited foreign coverage	Emergency coverage anywhere in the U.S.; routine care usually tied to the service area

Neither option is universally better: the right Medicare coverage choice depends on health status, finances, preferred doctors and how much plan structure a beneficiary is comfortable with.^[6]

It is also important to know that Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) generally cannot be used with Medicare Advantage, so switching from Original Medicare to an MA plan is a decision with long-term consequences.^[15]

Medicare Advantage vs Original Medicare comparison of MA plans and traditional Medicare coverage — Medicare Advantage vs Original Medicare: two very different ways to receive Medicare benefits.

Beneficiaries who travel frequently, split time between states, or want guaranteed access to any Medicare-accepting provider often prefer Original Medicare, possibly with Medigap and Part D.^[6]

Those who value an all-in-one health plan, extra benefits and a hard cap on annual spending frequently find a Medicare Advantage plan fits their needs and budget better.^[2]

How to choose the best Medicare Advantage plan

Finding the best Medicare Advantage plan is a local decision: the right MA plan for one county may be unavailable or overpriced in another.^[12]

Start with a five-step comparison: list your doctors, list your prescriptions, check plan availability by ZIP code, compare total annual costs, and review each plan's star rating.^[12]

First, confirm that your primary care physician and any specialists you see regularly are in the plan's network, and ask whether referrals are needed for the care you use most.^[12]

Second, enter your medications into the Medicare Plan Finder to see what each MA-PD plan's formulary charges for your specific drugs at your preferred pharmacy.^[12]

Third, look beyond the monthly premium: add up the deductible, expected copayments, coinsurance and the out-of-pocket maximum to estimate your total yearly cost.^[15]

Fourth, compare Medicare star ratings and read member experience measures, complaint rates and drug safety scores before shortlisting the best Medicare Advantage plans in your area.^[19]

Fifth, check for extra benefits you will actually use — dental, vision, hearing, fitness, over-the-counter allowances or transportation — since these can add real value beyond the core coverage.^[2]

Free, unbiased help is available from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), and organizations like AARP publish educational guides that explain how Medicare Advantage plans work.^[13]

If you work with an insurance agent, confirm they are licensed in your state and that they show you all available plans, not just the carriers they represent.^[13]

Caregivers and family members can also play a helpful role, especially when comparing formularies and scheduling appointments for a health risk assessment with a new primary care provider.^[13]

Medicare Advantage plans in Greensboro, North Carolina

Medicare Advantage plan availability varies by county, and beneficiaries in Greensboro — the largest city in Guilford County, North Carolina — typically have dozens of MA plans to compare.^[12]

Guilford County beneficiaries can usually choose from Medicare Advantage plans offered by major carriers such as Humana, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Wellcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina and HealthTeam Advantage, a Greensboro-based Medicare Advantage organization.^[12]

Because CMS benchmarks in North Carolina track local fee-for-service spending, many Guilford County residents have access to $0 premium MA-PD plans with supplemental dental, vision and fitness benefits.^[18]

Local options also include PPO Medicare Advantage plans for beneficiaries who want out-of-network flexibility, and SNPs serving dually eligible members who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid.^[14]

Greensboro-area clinics and health systems participate in MA networks through groups such as Cone Health, so patients should verify that their preferred hospitals and primary care doctors participate in any plan they consider.^[12]

North Carolina's SHIP program provides free counseling to Greensboro and Guilford County Medicare beneficiaries, helping them compare Medicare Advantage plans without sales pressure.^[13]

Map of Greensboro North Carolina in Guilford County showing Medicare Advantage plan service area options — Medicare Advantage plan choices are local — Greensboro, NC residents compare plans by ZIP code.

Enter a Greensboro ZIP code into Medicare Plan Finder each fall to see current premiums, star ratings and benefit details, since plan contracts and benefits change every January.^[12]

Criticism and controversies

Medicare Advantage is not without controversy, and understanding the criticisms helps beneficiaries evaluate MA plan marketing critically.^[20]

Researchers and oversight bodies have raised concerns that risk adjustment and coding intensity cause Medicare to pay MA plans more than traditional Medicare would spend for similar patients.^[20]

Other critics point to prior authorization requirements and network restrictions that can delay care, while proponents argue managed care coordinates services and adds benefits Original Medicare does not offer.^[20]

Questions about premium volatility, the value of quality bonuses and the accuracy of plan marketing have prompted repeated CMS rulemakings tightening marketing oversight and data reporting.^[9]

Despite the debates, Medicare Advantage plans remain popular with enrollees, consistently reporting high satisfaction driven by low premiums, extra benefits and coordinated primary care.^[3]

Frequently asked questions

The questions below collect the most common things people ask about Medicare Advantage plans, eligibility, costs and enrollment.^[11]

What is a Medicare Advantage plan?

A Medicare Advantage plan is a private health insurance plan, also called Medicare Part C or an MA plan, that covers everything Original Medicare covers and usually adds prescription drug coverage plus extra benefits like dental, vision and hearing.^[1]

What are the best Medicare Advantage plans?

The best Medicare Advantage plans are the ones available in your county that include your doctors, cover your prescriptions affordably, hold a strong star rating and fit your total annual budget — use Medicare Plan Finder to compare them side by side.^[12]

Is Medicare Advantage the same as Original Medicare?

No. Original Medicare is the federal program; Medicare Advantage plans are private alternatives that must cover at least the same benefits but manage care through networks and rules and usually add drug coverage and supplemental benefits.^[15]

Do Medicare Advantage plans cover prescription drugs?

Most do. MA-PD (Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug) plans bundle Part D coverage; if you join an MA plan without drug coverage, you would need a separate Part D plan, and Medigap cannot be combined with Medicare Advantage.^[15]

What does a Medicare Advantage plan cost?

Many MA plans have a $0 monthly premium, but members still pay the Part B premium plus deductibles, copayments and coinsurance up to the plan's annual out-of-pocket maximum.^[15]

Can I switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan?

Yes. Beneficiaries enrolled in Part A and Part B can join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage plan during the fall Open Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7), during MA Open Enrollment (January 1 – March 31), or during a qualifying Special Enrollment Period.^[11]

Are Medicare Advantage plans available everywhere in the United States?

Medicare Advantage plans are available in most U.S. counties, but the specific plans, premiums and networks vary by service area, which is why comparing plans by ZIP code is essential.^[12]

What are the advantages of Medicare Advantage plans?

The main advantages of Medicare Advantage plans are all-in-one coverage, built-in drug coverage, extra benefits like dental and vision, a cap on annual out-of-pocket costs and often a $0 plan premium.^[2]

What is the difference between an HMO and a PPO Medicare Advantage plan?

An HMO Medicare Advantage plan limits you mainly to in-network providers and usually requires referrals, while a PPO plan lets you see out-of-network doctors at a higher cost without referrals.^[14]

Frequently asked questions about Medicare Advantage plans eligibility costs and enrollment — Frequently asked questions about Medicare Advantage plans, answered in plain English.

References

^ Jump up "Medicare Advantage Plans." CMS.gov. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Retrieved October 2026.
^ Jump up "Health Maintenance Organizations and Preferred Provider Organizations — Medicare Advantage plan types." Medicare.gov. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
^ Jump up "Medicare Advantage in 2026: Enrollment and Program Trends." Health Affairs Forefront, 2026.
^ Jump up "How Medicare Pays Medicare Advantage Plans." MedPAC. Medicare Payment Advisory Commission.
^ Jump up "How does Medicare work?" Medicare.gov. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
^ Jump up "Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage: Which Should I Choose?" KFF.org. KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation).
^ Jump up "Balanced Budget Act of 1997 and the creation of Medicare+Choice." Congress.gov. United States Congress.
^ Jump up "Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003." Congress.gov. United States Congress.
^ Jump up "Contract Year 2026 Medicare Advantage and Part D Final Rule." Federal Register. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
^ Jump up "Am I eligible for Medicare?" Medicare.gov. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
^ Jump up "When can I join, switch, or drop a plan?" Medicare.gov. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
^ Jump up "Find health & drug plans." Medicare Plan Finder. Medicare.gov.
^ Jump up "State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP)." SHIPhelp.org. Administration for Community Living.
^ Jump up "Types of Medicare Advantage Plans." Medicare.gov. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
^ Jump up "Compare Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage." Medicare.gov. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
^ Jump up "What Medicare drug plans cover." Medicare.gov. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
^ Jump up "Extra Help paying for Medicare Part D." SSA.gov. Social Security Administration.
^ Jump up "Primer: How Medicare Advantage Premiums Are Calculated." Health Affairs Scholar, 2025.
^ Jump up "Star Ratings." CMS.gov. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
^ Jump up "Medicare Advantage: Coding intensity and payment accuracy." MedPAC. Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, 2025.

External links

Medicare.gov — official U.S. government site for Medicare
Medicare Plan Finder — official tool to compare Medicare Advantage plans
CMS.gov — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
North Carolina SHIP — free Medicare counseling for North Carolina residents
NCQA — health plan quality ratings and accreditation
MedPAC — Medicare Payment Advisory Commission reports

Disclaimer: Medicare-Advantage.wiki is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Medicare, CMS, or any government agency. This article is for general information only and does not constitute medical, legal or insurance advice. Plan availability, premiums, benefits and star ratings change each contract year — always verify details through the official Medicare.gov website, the Medicare Plan Finder tool, or a licensed insurance agent in your state. If you have questions about your specific situation, contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free, unbiased counseling.

Not all plans or products are available in all areas. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.