Medicare Fee-for-Service vs Medicare Advantage

Medicare Fee-for-Service, or Original Medicare, includes Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance). For drug coverage, beneficiaries can join a separate Medicare Part D drug plan. Supplemental coverage is available for purchase to help pay for out-of-pocket costs, and beneficiaries can use any doctor or hospital that takes Medicare. Medicare Advantage is an “all in one” alternative to Original Medicare. These “bundled” plans include Part A, Part B, and usually Part D. Plans may have lower out-of-pocket costs than Original Medicare. In many cases, beneficiaries must use doctors who are in the plan’s network. Most plans offer extra benefits that Original Medicare does not cover, such as vision, hearing, dental, and more. Source: Understanding Medicare Advantage Plans.