How Much Does Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) Cost?

One of the first questions Medicare beneficiaries often have is "How much is Medicare Part C?" And most people are quite surprised at the answer.  The cost of a Medicare Part C (also called Medicare Advantage) plan can be quite low relative to the cost of other types of health insurance.

• The MedicareAdvantage.com Best States for Medicare in 2024 report found the average 2024 Medicare Part C cost is $14.14 per month for plans that include prescription drug coverage.
  
  
• The Kaiser Family Foundation finds that nearly all Medicare beneficiaries (99%) have access to a Medicare Advantage plan that doesn't charge a monthly premium, though beneficiaries are typically required to pay their monthly Part B premium.¹

Medicare Advantage monthly plan costs and other considerations like deductibles, copays, coinsurance and coverage limitations vary from one plan to the next.

It's important to carefully compare the benefits of the plans available specifically where you live, including whether they cover your prescription drugs and are accepted by your preferred doctors. You can compare plans online or get help by calling to chat with a licensed insurance agent.

Are Part C Medicare Costs Going Up or Down?

Unlike many other types of insurance, the cost of Medicare Advantage plans has decreased overall in recent years. The average premium in 2023 was less than half the average premium for the same types of plans in 2015.²

A big reason for the low monthly premiums is that many beneficiaries are enrolled in $0 premium Medicare Advantage plans. As mentioned above, practically all Medicare beneficiaries have access to a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage (known as MA-PD plans) that charges no monthly premium in 2024.¹

You can explore the average monthly premium for Medicare plans in every state in 2024, as costs can vary from one location to another.

As with most any type of health insurance, the monthly premium isn’t the only cost to beneficiaries. Below is a look at the other cost requirements for Medicare Part C plan members. 

Medicare Part B Premium

One of the eligibility requirements for belonging to a Medicare Part C plan is maintaining enrollment in Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B). Most people do not pay a premium for Medicare Part A. However, Medicare Part B requires a standard monthly premium of $174.70 in 2024, and higher income earners may have to pay an additional surcharge. 

Even though you will be getting your Part B coverage through your Medicare Advantage plan, you must still pay the Part B premium in order to maintain your enrollment. Some Medicare Advantage plans (often called “give back” plans) actually add back your Medicare Part B monthly premium, either as a statement credit on your plan or through your monthly Social Security benefits check.

Deductible

A deductible is the amount you must pay out of your own pocket for covered care before the plan’s coverage kicks in. Some Part C plans have a separate deductible for medical care and drug coverage. The average medical deductible for Medicare Part C plans cost $91.17 in 2024, according to the MedicareAdvantage.com Best States for Medicare annual report.

Many Medicare plans may feature $0 deductibles.

Coinsurance

After meeting your deductible, you will likely be responsible for a coinsurance payment when receiving care. Coinsurance is your share of the bill split between yourself and your insurance carrier and is typically measured in terms of a percentage. For example, a 20% coinsurance means you would pay for 20% of your medical bill and your Part C plan would pick up the remaining 80%. 

Copayment 

A copayment is similar to coinsurance but comes in the form of a flat fee instead of a percentage. When you visit a doctor using your Part C plan, you might be responsible for a $20 copayment for the visit and your plan will cover the rest of the cost. 

What Is the Medicare Advantage Out-of-Pocket Limit?

One of the advantages of a Medicare Part C plan is that they are required by law to include an annual out-of-pocket limit. An out-of-pocket limit (or out-of-pocket maximum) is the highest amount that you will be required to pay for covered care out of your own pocket over the course of the year. Once that limit is reached, the plan then pays for 100% of covered care for the remainder of the year. 

For 2024, the highest Medicare Part C out-of-pocket spending limit allowed by law is $8,850, but the average in-network maximum out-of-pocket spending limit (sometimes called MOOP) is lower, at $5,513.24.²

Original Medicare does not have an out-of-pocket limit.

What Affects Medicare Part C Costs?

There are a few different factors that can affect the cost of a Medicare Part C plan. 

• Carrier
  Medicare Part C is sold by private insurance companies who are free to set their own prices according to market competition.
  
  
• Location
  It’s not uncommon for a Medicare Part C plan to cost more in a big city than in a rural area, just as the overall cost of living will often be different between the two locations. 
  
  
• Coverage level
  Plans that include stronger coverage and more benefits will typically come at a higher price than more basic plans.
  
  
• Cost-sharing
  Plans with higher deductibles and coinsurance or copayments may have a lower monthly premium as a tradeoff while plans with higher monthly premiums may come with lower deductibles and cost-sharing requirements.  
  
  
• Plan type
  Medicare Part C plans come in several different forms such as HMO or PPO. HMO plans generally have lower premiums due to having more restrictions about where the plan can be used.

How Much Does Medicare Part C Cost in Your Area?

Plan pricing is not always made readily available on an insurance company’s website.

A licensed insurance agent can help you gather up the costs for the various Medicare Part C plans available in your area and help you better understand the terms and conditions of each. You can also compare plan costs online from multiple different insurance companies.