Medicare Advantage plans

For example, if the preferred list of drugs used by the plan (called the formulary) does not include a desired drug, participants pay the full cost. More generally, critics say that the reliance on profit-seeking insurance companies and Medicare Advantage HMOs rather than on direct government payments raises costs to elderly consumers. 

Medicare Advantage A Medicare-approved private health care plan, such as a health maintenance network or preferred provider organization, that serves as an alternative to a fee-for-service plan for Medicare participants and partially or totally covers prescription drug costs. 

Part C Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are available in many areas. People with Medicare Parts A and B can choose to receive all of their health care services through one of these provider organizations under Part C... 

Guarantee that Medicare beneficiaries living in nursing facilities will be able to enroll in the drug plan and take advantage of the new benefit. 

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