A Medicare Advantage MAPD includes Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage and a Medicare Advantage MA plan does not include drug coverage.
In general, a Medicare Advantage plan is a health plan option approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and operated by a private insurance company. Sometimes, you will hear a Medicare Advantage plan called a Medicare Part C plan or a Medicare Health plan.
Medicare Advantage plans provide a combination of your Medicare Part A (hospital coverage) and Medicare Part B (out-patient or medical coverage) and may also include other "supplemental" service such as home healthcare, vision coverage, dental coverage, transportation, and recreational coverage (such as a "Silver Sneakers" membership).
Again, if the Medicare Advantage plan also includes Medicare Part D
prescription drug coverage, then the Medicare Advantage plan is known as an
"MAPD". If the Medicare Advantage plan does not include Medicare Part D
prescription drug coverage, then the Medicare Advantage plan is known as an "
MA".
Important: If you join an
MA plan (without prescription drug coverage), you may not be allowed to also add a stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (
PDP). If you want prescription drug coverage and want to join a Medicare Advantage plan, then you probably should choose an
MAPD. You can read more here: "
Can I enroll in an HMO and then add prescription drug coverage through a stand-alone Medicare Part D plan?"
Most MAs and MAPD have healthcare networks and you may need to visit doctors (or other healthcare providers) who are part of the Medicare Advantage plan network - or be prepared to pay a higher coverage cost.