Part C
Medicare Advantage Plans
All-in-one plans that bundle hospital, medical, and usually drug coverage — often with valuable extras like dental, vision, and fitness.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are offered by private insurance carriers approved by Medicare. They must cover everything Original Medicare covers — and most go further, adding benefits Medicare itself doesn't provide. In Wyoming and Utah, there are dozens of plans to compare. That's where we come in.
Extra Benefits
Coverage beyond Original Medicare
Many Advantage plans include benefits that Medicare Parts A & B simply don't cover.
$0 Monthly Premium
Many Advantage plans charge no additional premium beyond Part B.
Dental Coverage
Routine exams, cleanings, X-rays, and sometimes major dental work.
Vision Benefits
Annual eye exams and allowances for glasses or contacts.
Hearing Coverage
Hearing tests and allowances toward hearing aids.
Fitness Memberships
Many plans include fitness programs like SilverSneakers at no extra cost.
Transportation
Rides to doctor appointments for qualifying members.
OTC Allowance
Monthly credits for over-the-counter health products.
Worldwide Emergency
Emergency coverage when traveling outside your plan area.
Honest Assessment
The real trade-offs
We give you the full picture — advantages and limitations — so you can decide with confidence.
Advantages
Considerations
The comparison
Original vs. Advantage, side by side
The structural difference that matters most: who caps your yearly spending.
Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage
The structural differences that matter most
| What matters | Original Medicare | Medicare Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Provider access | Any provider nationwide who accepts Medicare | Plan network, usually local |
| Annual out-of-pocket cap | None on its own | Required — every plan sets an in-network limit (varies by plan) |
| Extra benefits (dental/vision/hearing) | Not included | Often bundled in |
| Prescription drugs (Part D) | Add a separate Part D plan | Usually built in |
| Referrals to specialists | Not required | HMO plans often require them |
| Supplement (Medigap) eligible | Yes — caps the 20% coinsurance | No — can't pair with Medigap |
Source: Medicare.gov — Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage; CMS 2026 out-of-pocket maximum.
For education only — amounts change annually; confirm current figures before making a decision.
Who caps your yearly spending?
Only Medicare Advantage and Medigap put a ceiling on your annual exposure
No limit
Original Medicare alone
No annual out-of-pocket cap — 20% coinsurance has no ceiling
Capped
Medicare Advantage
Every plan sets an annual in-network limit — the amount varies by plan and carrier
$283
Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G
Effectively just the 2026 Part B deductible
| Path | Annual out-of-pocket ceiling |
|---|---|
| Original Medicare alone | No limit — No annual out-of-pocket cap — 20% coinsurance has no ceiling |
| Medicare Advantage | Capped — Every plan sets an annual in-network limit — the amount varies by plan and carrier |
| Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G | $283 — Effectively just the 2026 Part B deductible |
Source: CMS: Medicare Advantage plans are required to set an annual in-network out-of-pocket maximum (the amount varies by plan); 2026 Part B deductible. Medigap Plan G covers Part A/B cost-sharing after the Part B deductible.
For education only — amounts change annually; confirm current figures before making a decision.
Medicare Advantage's share over time
Share of beneficiaries (with Parts A & B) enrolled in Medicare Advantage
| Year | Share |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 24% |
| 2016 | 31% |
| 2020 | 39% |
| 2024 | 54% |
| 2026 | 55% |
Source: KFF analysis of CMS Medicare Advantage enrollment data (share of beneficiaries with Parts A & B).
Plan Types
Types of Medicare Advantage plans
Not all Advantage plans are the same. Here's how the main types compare.
Health Maintenance Organization
Lowest premium, most restrictive. Must use in-network providers and usually need a primary care physician referral to see specialists.
Preferred Provider Organization
More flexibility — see in-network providers at lower cost, or go out-of-network for a higher cost-share. No referrals required.
Private Fee-for-Service
You can see any Medicare-approved provider who accepts the plan's payment terms. Less common, but no network restrictions.
Special Needs Plan
Tailored for people with specific conditions (dual-eligible, chronic illness, or institutional care needs). Highly coordinated care.
Content reviewed against 2026 plan-year figures. Dollar amounts change annually — we'll confirm the current numbers in your consultation.
Free Guides
Go deeper on this topic
Plain-language guides from our free resource library — no email required to read.
Find the best plan in your zip code
We'll compare Medicare Advantage plans from 10 carriers in Wyoming or Utah — premiums, drug formularies, provider networks, and extras.
Free. No obligation. Same-day appointments available.