Medicare Part C FAQ: What is Medicare Part C?

Medicare Part C allows you to obtain health care through a "Medicare Advantage Plan," a private insurance plan, rather than deal with Medicare directly.

Medicare Managed Care Plans: An Alternative to Medigap Insurance

Medicare managed care plans fill gaps in basic Medicare, as do medigap policies. However, the two systems operate in different ways. Where Medigap policies work alongside Medicare to pay the bills, Medicare managed care plans provide all of the coverage themselves, including all basic Medicare coverage. In effect, a Medicare managed care plan replaces basic Medicare coverage, plus adds other coverage to fill the gaps in Medicare.

Medicare Managed Care: Choosing a Plan

If you are considering a Medicare managed care plan, you must decide whether any of the plans available in your area offer adequate care at an affordable cost. To best evaluate the available plans, get a complete written explanation of each plan's coverage, costs, and procedures (usually contained in a printed brochure called a summary of benefits). Be sure to evaluate the prescription drug coverage offered by each potential plan.

Medigap: Covering the Gaps in Medicare

Even for those with Medicare coverage, a serious illness or injury can cause financial havoc because of the bills Medicare does not cover. That's why about two-thirds of all Medicare recipients aged 65 or over buy some kind of private health coverage -- called medigap insurance. Although this insurance is designed to cover the gaps in Medicare payments, most medigap coverage falls short of this goal. Before you buy a medigap insurance policy, consider the services covered, the amount of benefits, and the policy's monthly cost.

Medicare Special Needs Plans (SNPs) for Those With Chronic or Disabling Health Conditions

A Medicare Special Needs Plan (SNP) is a kind of Medicare Advantage Plan that offers special benefits for people who meet its eligibility criteria. All Medicare Advantage Plans are offered by private companies contracting with Medicare. Different kinds of special needs plans are available depending on

How to Appeal a Denial of Medicare Part C

If your Medicare Advantage Plan denies a request for coverage or reimbursement for health care services under Medicare Part C, you have the right to appeal if you disagree with the decision.

Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions: Get the Most out of Your Retirement & Medical Benefits

Nolo's book explains how Medicare works and discusses Medicare coverage, premiums, and co-insurance in detail.

Nolo's Guide to Social Security Disability: Getting & Keeping Your Benefits

Nolo's book covers the basics of Social Security's disability program.