What Is Medicare Advantage en Español?

What is Medicare Advantage and how is it different from Original Medicare?

Medicare Advantage is an alternative way to receive Medicare benefits through a private company approved by Medicare. Original Medicare is the federal Part A and Part B coverage; Medicare Advantage plans combine those benefits under one plan and generally include Part D prescription drug coverage, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in Medicare & You 2026.

The practical difference is how you access care. Original Medicare generally lets you see any doctor or use any hospital that accepts Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans commonly require non-emergency care to come from providers in the plan’s network and service area. Some plans may also require referrals to see specialists or prior authorization for certain services or medicines, as CMS explains in Welcome to Medicare: Important Decisions About Your Coverage.

That means the plan’s monthly premium is only one part of the comparison. A low or zero-dollar plan premium does not tell you whether your preferred doctors are in network or how much a visit, prescription, or other covered service may cost. Check the rules and costs that apply to the care you expect to use.

Does Medicare Advantage cover the same things as Parts A and B?

Yes. Medicare Advantage plans must cover services covered by Original Medicare, including medically necessary services, though the plan’s network and authorization rules can affect how you access care. CMS says plans may also offer additional benefits, such as certain vision, hearing, and dental services.

Extra benefits are not a substitute for checking the details. A benefit’s availability and terms depend on the plan, so verify what is included, where it can be used, and any limits or cost-sharing with the plan. For dental questions, see our guide to whether Medicare Advantage dental may pay for a crown or root canal.

Use this comparison checklist before choosing:

1. Doctors and hospitals: Check whether your regular clinicians and preferred hospitals participate in the plan’s network, and confirm the service area.
2. Prescriptions: Make a current list of medicines and check whether each is covered by the plan’s drug benefit, if included.
3. Total costs: Compare the monthly plan premium, the Part B premium, deductibles, and copays or other costs for services you may use.
4. Access rules and extras: Ask whether referrals or prior authorization apply, and confirm the conditions attached to any extra benefits.

A network check, medicine check, and cost check answer different questions. Completing all three reduces the chance of selecting a plan based on a headline benefit or premium alone. Medicare also recommends preparing a medication list and checking providers and costs when comparing options.

Do I have to keep paying the Part B premium if I choose Medicare Advantage?

Yes. People enrolled in Medicare Advantage generally continue paying the Part B premium and may also owe a separate premium for their plan. Some plans have a $0 plan premium, but that does not remove the Part B premium.

For 2026, the standard monthly Part B premium is $202.90, according to CMS’s Medicare & You 2026. Because this is a year-specific figure, check current official information when making a decision for another year. CMS notes that some plans may help pay part or all of the Part B premium; whether that applies depends on the plan.

Use a like-for-like cost comparison rather than ranking plans by premium alone:

A premium is the regular amount paid to keep coverage; a deductible is what you pay for covered services before the plan begins paying under the relevant terms; and a copay is a set amount for a service. The network determines which providers are available under the plan’s rules. The out-of-pocket maximum is a separate figure to check because it helps describe exposure to covered service costs; it does not make every service or provider available. Confirm the precise definitions and exceptions in each plan’s materials.

Enrollment timing matters too. CMS says the annual enrollment period from October 15 through December 7 allows people to join, change, or cancel a Medicare Advantage plan, with new coverage beginning January 1. Those dates refer to the enrollment period described by CMS; review official materials for the year you are considering.