Medicare Advantage plans are Medicare-approved plans offered by private insurance companies that must cover all medically necessary services that Original Medicare covers and offer some extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover—like vision, hearing, and dental services. They are an alternative to Original Medicare. These plans include Part A (Hospital), Part B (Medical), and usually Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage) all in one plan. In many cases, you can only use doctors and other providers who are in the plan’s network and service area (for non-emergency care). Some plans offer non-emergency coverage out of network, but typically at a higher cost. You may need a referral to see a specialist and out-of-pocket cost sharing varies depending on the plan you select. Plans may have lower or higher out-of-pocket costs for certain services. You must continue to pay the Medicare Part B premium and the plan’s premium if applicable. Some plans may have a $0 premium and depending on your income and assets you may get help paying all or part of your Part B. Plans have a yearly limit on what you pay out of pocket for services Medicare Part A and Part B cover. Once you reach your plan’s limit, you’ll pay nothing for services Part A and Part B cover for the rest of the year.