What distinguishes Medicare Advantage plans from Original Medicare?

Medicare Advantage plans are indeed distinguished from Original Medicare primarily by the fact that while Original Medicare is a government-sponsored program, Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. This essential difference highlights the structure and administration of each option.

Original Medicare, which includes Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance), is directly managed by the federal government. In contrast, Medicare Advantage plans, or Part C, are private insurance products that must adhere to the rules set by Medicare but are operated independently by private insurers. This allows Medicare Advantage plans to offer additional benefits, such as vision or dental coverage, which are not typically included in Original Medicare, but it does not imply that they are strictly for low-income individuals or free of costs.

The other options do not accurately capture the fundamental differences between the two. For example, while some benefits may vary, Original Medicare does not include services like dental unless added through other means. Additionally, Medicare Advantage plans typically do have costs associated with premiums, deductibles, copayments, and out-of-pocket maximums.