What is the primary difference between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare?

The primary distinction between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare lies in how they are structured and administered. Medicare Advantage plans are provided by private insurance companies that contract with Medicare, which means they can offer additional benefits and services that go beyond the standard coverage of Original Medicare (Parts A and B).

These additional benefits may include coverage for vision, dental, hearing, wellness programs, and even prescription drug coverage, all in one plan. This makes Medicare Advantage more of an all-in-one option, whereas Original Medicare strictly covers hospital and medical services without the additional perks.

The other options do not accurately reflect the core differences. For instance, while Original Medicare does not include built-in prescription drug coverage, that aspect alone does not capture the essence of the broader, more comprehensive nature of Medicare Advantage plans. Moreover, Medicare Advantage is available to individuals both over and under 65, thereby making the implication of exclusivity for younger individuals inaccurate. Lastly, the notion of network restrictions applies to many Medicare Advantage plans due to their structure, but Original Medicare allows for flexibility in provider choice without the limitation of networks. Thus, the primary difference encapsulated in option A accurately conveys the fundamental nature of Medicare Advantage as an alternate pathway within the Medicare system.