{"id":53979,"date":"2022-09-27T22:56:10","date_gmt":"2022-09-28T02:56:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=53979"},"modified":"2025-01-08T13:58:23","modified_gmt":"2025-01-08T18:58:23","slug":"medicare-part-d-vs-medicare-advantage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/medicare-part-d-vs-medicare-advantage\/","title":{"rendered":"Medicare Part D vs. Medicare Advantage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Medicare can be confusing to understand. You have four parts of Medicare<\/a> designated with letters, and they\u2019re called Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D. We\u2019re going to focus on Medicare Part C and Medicare Part D.<\/p>\n

Medicare Advantage (Part C) is an alternative way of receiving Medicare coverage that combines the benefits of Original Medicare and Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) into a single privately run plan. These plans are sometimes attractive to Medicare beneficiaries because of their potential for extra benefits and often lower costs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Medicare Part D offers prescription drug coverage through privately run drug plans. These optional plans provide Medicare beneficiaries with Original Medicare with prescription drug coverage.<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ll discuss what they have in common and how they are different. Then, we\u2019ll break down how the individual coverage types work. Finally, we\u2019ll cover how to save money when using Medicare Part C and Medicare Part D.<\/span><\/p>\n

What do Medicare Part D vs. Medicare Advantage have in common?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Medicare Advantage plans include the inpatient and outpatient benefits covered under Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. In most cases, these private Medicare Advantage plans also include your Medicare prescription drug coverage and additional extra benefits, such as dental and vision coverage, that Original Medicare doesn\u2019t cover.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Medicare Part D, on the other hand, is stand-alone Medicare prescription drug coverage and is only available to consumers with Original Medicare.<\/span><\/p>\n

Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D have a few things in common:<\/span><\/p>\n