Medicare Part C is a catch-all for Medicare Advantage plans. When you enroll in an MA plan you are no longer in original Medicare but rather are in a "privatized" Medicare system.
So you either have original Medicare (Part A and/or Part B) or you have an MA plan, but you do not have both.
Independent Agent & Medicare Supplement Specialist, reMEDIGAP, USA
You don't "need" Medicare Part C, but you may choose to have it as your Medicare coverage. Medicare Part C is really known as the Medicare Advantage Plan. It acts like an HMO or PPO. Part C combines your Original Medicare Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical), and usually Part D (drugs).
It's important to note that if you have Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage Plan), you don't need a Medigap Policy and can't be sold one to help supplement your health care. You can only purchase a Medigap Policy (Medicare Supplement insurance), if you are still on Original Medicare Part A and Part B.
There are a lot of moving parts to Medicare. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.
Part C is not a requirement of Medicare. It is often referred to as Medicare Advantage .A Medicare Advantage plan can have Part D (prescription drugs) included in the coverage, a Medigap Policy cannot. You must have Medicare part A (hospital) and Medicare part B (medical) to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medigap Policy (Medicare Supplement).
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So you either have original Medicare (Part A and/or Part B) or you have an MA plan, but you do not have both.
It's important to note that if you have Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage Plan), you don't need a Medigap Policy and can't be sold one to help supplement your health care. You can only purchase a Medigap Policy (Medicare Supplement insurance), if you are still on Original Medicare Part A and Part B.
There are a lot of moving parts to Medicare. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.