Medicare Part C, most commonly known as Medicare Advantage, is an alternative to Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans are health insurance plans offered by private health insurance companies approved by Medicare. 

Medicare Advantage health plans are legally required to offer at least the same benefits as Original Medicare, but they can include additional coverage as well, such as routine vision, dental benefits, and health wellness programs. Medicare Advantage plans are HMO or PPO plans with networks of physicians and health facilities. Premiums are lower than for Medicare Supplement Plans, but there are typically co-pays and deductibles.

Most Medicare Advantage plans allow you to get prescription drug benefits (Medicare Part D) under the same plan, instead of having to enroll in a separate stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. Medicare Advantage plans give you the ease of having your Medicare Part A, Part B, and Part D coverage through a single plan with a network.