What Is Medicare Complete?

Medicare Complete is a common name for private plans offered to Medicare beneficiaries under the Medicare Advantage program. Beneficiaries can choose one of these plans over original Medicare fee-for-service.

Features

• Medicare Complete offers a variety of health maintenance organization (HMO) and preferred provider organization (PPO) plans. Beneficiaries receive a broader scope of benefits at a lower cost, in exchange for restrictions that can include staying within a health maintenance organization or preferred provider network.

History

• Medicare Complete is also referred to as Medicare Part C, or Medicare plus Choice. This option was created in the 1997 Balanced Budget Act and renamed "Medicare Advantage" in the 2003 Medicare Modernization Act.

Plan Ratings

• The federal Medicare agency reviews and approves benefit offerings and other aspects of Medicare Complete plans. It also rates the plans using beneficiary satisfaction surveys, patient outcomes data and health care cost information.

Medicare Complete and Part D

• Many Medicare Complete plans include prescription drug benefits. Beneficiaries in these plans cannot opt out of drug coverage or choose another drug plan. Beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage plans without drug benefits can select a Part D plan.

Finding a Medicare Complete Plan

• Consult the Medicare plan compare tool in the Resources section to view the plan options and ratings for available plans in your area. The tool permits a personalized search based on an individual's needs and preferences.