Medicare

This is the health insurance program run by the federal government for people age 65 and older, people with certain disabilities, and people of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or kidney transplant).

Medicare Advantage Plans

These are health plans that are offered by private insurance companies that contract with Medicare to provide Medicare coverage. Depending on where the beneficiary lives, Medicare Advantage Plans may be available both with and without Part D plans. Medicare Advantage Plans are also called Medicare Health Plans. The Medicare Advantage Plans used to be called the Medicare+Choice plans.