Watch Medicare Mini-Course Part Four:

Medicare Mini-Course Part Three addresses the types of Medicare Advantage Plans. The type of Medicare Advantage Plan that you join will have an impact on how you use your plan and how much you'll pay for services.

The differences in types of Advantage Plans typically has to do with the type of provider network. But there are also plans that are meant for specific populations as well. Networks include: Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), Health Maintenance Organization – Point of Service (HMO-POS) and Private Fee-for_Service Plan (PFFS).

There are also Special Needs Plans (SNPs). These Special Needs Medicare Advantage Plans are intended for people who share a specific set of circumstances. For instance, there are Special Needs Plans for people with specific chronic illnesses, people confined to an institution (like a nursing home) and people who are dual-eligible. Medicare dual-eligibility is met when a beneficiary is enrolled both in Medicare and their State's Medicaid program.

To compare all plans in your area visit: