Medicare Advantage
One agency, multiple top carriers — compared side by side by a licensed agent who actually answers the phone.
What Is Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Advantage (also called Part C) bundles your hospital coverage, medical coverage, and usually drug coverage into one plan — often with extras like dental, vision, or a gym membership built in. The catch is that plans vary enormously by carrier and by county, so “best plan” really means “best plan where you live, for your doctors and your medications.” That’s what we sort out. There’s no cost to work with us — we’re paid by the carrier, not by you.
Is This You?
- You’re turning 65 or losing employer coverage and choosing a Medicare plan for the first time
- You have a Medicare Advantage plan now and want to check it against what else is available for next year
- You want extras — dental, vision, hearing, fitness benefits — that Original Medicare doesn’t include
- You want to know whether your doctors and prescriptions are covered before you commit to a plan
- You’re comparing Medicare Advantage against a Medicare Supplement plan and aren’t sure which fits your situation
What Medicare Advantage Actually Covers
The Basics
Medicare Advantage plans are required to cover everything Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) covers, and most also bundle in Part D prescription drug coverage. Many plans add extra benefits Original Medicare doesn’t offer at all.
Common Extras
- Dental, vision, and hearing coverage
- Over-the-counter allowance cards
- Fitness benefits (like SilverSneakers-style gym programs)
- Transportation to medical appointments in some plans
- An annual out-of-pocket maximum, which Original Medicare alone does not have
The Trade-Off to Understand
Medicare Advantage plans generally use a network — HMO or PPO — meaning your doctors and hospitals need to be in-network (or you pay more, or the plan doesn’t cover it at all, depending on the plan type). This is the single biggest thing to check before enrolling, and it’s exactly what we check with you.
How It Works
1. Free Consultation
We ask about your doctors, your prescriptions, and what matters most to you — extras, cost, or network flexibility.
2. We Compare Plans Available Where You Live
Medicare Advantage plans are county-specific, so we pull the plans available in your area from the carriers we work with and check them against your doctors and medications. (We don’t offer every plan sold in every area — see the disclosure below.)
3. You Enroll, We Stay Available
We help you enroll in the plan that fits, and we’re still here after enrollment if something changes — a new prescription, a doctor leaving your network, or next year’s Annual Enrollment Period.
Not Sure If Medicare Advantage Is the Right Fit?
Medicare Advantage tends to work well if you want lower premiums and extra benefits and don’t mind a network. If you travel often, want the freedom to see any doctor who accepts Medicare nationwide, or strongly prefer predictable costs over extra perks, a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan paired with a standalone Part D plan might be a better fit. We compare both with you — see our Medicare Supplement page or just ask during your consultation and we’ll walk through which makes more sense for your situation.
Why Work With Burke Insurance Group
- We compare plans from multiple carriers — not just one company’s lineup
- Licensed in 22 states, so we can help you find plans wherever you live
- No cost to you — we’re paid by the carrier, not by you
- No call centers. You talk to a real person who knows your file
- We check your specific doctors and medications against each plan — not just the marketing brochure
Medicare Advantage FAQ
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) is run directly by the federal government and lets you see any provider who accepts Medicare nationwide, but doesn’t cap your out-of-pocket costs or include drug coverage on its own. Medicare Advantage is offered by private insurers approved by Medicare, usually uses a network, often includes drug coverage and extra benefits, and caps your annual out-of-pocket spending.
Yes, in a few different windows. During the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7), you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, move to Original Medicare, or change your Part D coverage, with changes taking effect January 1. If you’re already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you also get a second window — the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 – March 31) — to make one additional change: switch to a different MA plan or move back to Original Medicare. Outside of those windows, certain situations (moving out of your plan’s service area, losing other coverage, or qualifying for a Special Needs Plan) can open a Special Enrollment Period, and you can generally switch into a 5-star rated plan in your area almost any time of year if one’s available.
It depends on the specific plan’s network. This is one of the first things we check for you before you enroll in anything, using your actual doctors and specialists, not a general assumption.
Many Medicare Advantage plans have a $0 monthly premium beyond what you already pay for Part B, though this varies by plan and county. You’ll still have costs like copays, coinsurance, and possibly a deductible depending on the plan — we’ll show you the real numbers for plans in your area.
An HMO plan generally requires you to use doctors and hospitals within the plan’s network (except in emergencies) and usually requires a referral to see a specialist. A PPO plan gives you more flexibility to see providers outside the network, though you’ll typically pay more for out-of-network care, and referrals usually aren’t required. We’ll help you weigh which structure actually fits how you use healthcare.
Original Medicare doesn’t cover routine dental, vision, or hearing care. Many Medicare Advantage plans add these as extra benefits, but coverage levels vary widely by plan — from a modest allowance to more comprehensive coverage. We’ll show you exactly what’s included in the plans available to you, rather than assuming “Medicare Advantage” automatically means full dental and vision coverage.
Let's Find the Right Medicare Advantage Plan
Free comparison, no obligation — we’ll check your doctors and prescriptions against real plans in your area.
We are not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency. This information is for general educational purposes and is not personalized financial, tax, or legal advice. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. Plan availability and benefits vary by carrier, plan, and location.