ABA Family Legal Guide

The Rights of Older Americans

Health and Long-Term Care Benefits

Medicare

I think I might enroll in Part C. How do I know if it is right for me?

Any decision to elect participation in Medicare Part C must be made under the careful guidance of a professional knowledgeable in Medicare benefits. Selecting the proper Part C program is important.To join, you must have Medicare Part A and Part B. You will have to pay your monthly Medicare Part B premium to Medicare. In addition, you might have to pay a monthly premium to your Medicare Advantage Plan for the extra benefits.

If you decide to join a Medicare Advantage plan, you use the health card that you get from your Medicare Advantage plan provider for your health care. In most of these plans, generally there are extra benefits and lower co-payments than in the original Medicare plan. However, you may have to see doctors that belong to the plan or go to certain hospitals to get services. Also, you might have to pay a monthly premium for your Medicare Advantage plan because of the extra benefits it offers.