What is the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage?

Original Medicare is the federal program made up of Part A (hospital) and Part B (doctor and outpatient). It lets you see any provider that accepts Medicare, but it has no yearly out-of-pocket cap and no built-in drug coverage. Medicare Advantage, also called Part C, is offered by private plans that bundle your Part A and Part B benefits, usually add a yearly out-of-pocket limit, and often include drug coverage and extra benefits. The trade-off is that Medicare Advantage plans typically use provider networks, meaning you may need to use certain doctors. Which fits you depends on your priorities around cost, flexibility, and benefits.