Medicare Advantage plans offer a wide range of coverage options to meet the needs of seniors. Understanding how these plans differ can help you make an informed decision about which plan is right for you. In this article, we’ll take a look at the different types of Medicare Advantage plans and explain how they work. 

Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage Plans 

First, let’s start by taking a look at what makes Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans different. Original Medicare consists of Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). It covers many health care services such as doctor visits, hospital stays, preventive care, lab tests, X-rays and mental health services. Most Original Medicare plans do not include prescription drug coverage, though some do have limited coverage for certain drugs. 

Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies that are approved by Medicare. These plans may provide additional benefits than Original Medicare such as prescription drug coverage or vision and dental benefits. The exact benefits vary from plan to plan but all must cover the same core services as Original Medicare. 

Types of Medicare Advantage Plans 

Now that we have established the basics let’s take a look at the different types of plans available through private insurers: 

• HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations): HMOs typically require members to receive their health care within an assigned network of providers — usually physicians who belong to an HMO organization — though some allow out-of-network providers under certain circumstances; they also usually require referrals before seeing specialists outside their network and prior authorization for certain treatments or medications. 

• PPOs (Preferred Provider Organizations): PPOs allow members to receive health care both within their assigned networks and outside them; they do not require referrals or prior authorization for specialist visits or treatments like HMOs but generally cost more than HMOs when receiving out-of-network care. 

• SNP Plans (Special Needs Plans): SNP plans are specifically geared toward people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes or heart disease; they offer extra benefits tailored to those conditions in addition to regular Medicare coverage, including access to medication management programs and specialized medical equipment like blood glucose monitors or wheelchairs.

 • MSA Plans (Medical Savings Accounts): MSA Plans combine high-deductible health insurance with a tax-deferred savings account; members pay lower premiums but higher deductibles than traditional health insurance plans, while money from their savings accounts can be used to cover expenses until they reach their deductible limit each year; this type of plan is ideal for people expecting few medical expenses in any given year who want access to insurance without breaking the bank on monthly premiums. 
Conclusion: Navigating the world of health insurance can be overwhelming, but understanding your options is essential if you want to make sure you have adequate coverage for your needs. With this information under your belt, you can now make an informed decision about which type of plan best suits your needs—original medicare or one of several types of medicare advantage plans available from private insurers—and get on track towards quality healthcare coverage!