Different Types of Medicare Advantage Plans

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Medicare Advantage is a type of Medicare health plan offered by a private company that

contracts with Medicare to provide you with all your Part A and Part B benefits.

Medicare Advantage Plans include the following:

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plan

In most HMO Plans, you can only go to doctors, other health care providers, or

hospitals on the plan's list except in an emergency; for out-of-area urgent care or hospital

emergency rooms or for temporary out-of-area dialysis. You may also need to get a

referral from your primary care doctor to see other doctors or specialists. 

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plans

A Medicare PPO Plan is a type of Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) offered by a

private insurance company. In a PPO Plan, you pay less if you use doctors, hospitals,

and other health care providers that belong to the plan's network. You pay more if you

use doctors, hospitals, and providers outside of the network.

Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) Plans

A Medicare PFFS Plan is a type of Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) offered by a

private insurance company. PFFS plans are not the same as Original Medicare or

Medicare supplements. The plan determines how much it will pay doctors, other health

care providers, and hospitals, and how much you must pay when you get care.

Medicare Special Needs (SNP) Plans

Medicare SNPs are a type of Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO).

Medicare SNPs limit membership to people with specific diseases or characteristics,

and tailor their benefits, provider choices, and drug formularies to best meet the specific

needs of the groups they serve.