Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) is best described as:

• A. A private plan that combines Parts A and B, and often Part D.
• B. A program that covers prescription drugs only.
• C. Supplemental insurance that pays copays and deductibles.
• D. An insurance plan that covers long-term care only.

Answer: (A)

Medicare Part C, also called Medicare Advantage, is provided by private plans approved by Medicare. It bundles the coverage of Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical) into one plan offered through a private insurer, and many of these plans also include prescription drug coverage (Part D) within the same plan. This arrangement is different from original Medicare because it’s a private plan that contracts with Medicare and may impose network rules and additional benefits. It’s not simply prescription drug coverage (that’s Part D), not supplemental insurance (that’s Medigap, which pays cost-sharing on top of Part A and B), and it’s not limited to long-term care (which Medicare does not cover under Part C).