The part of Medicare that is Medicare managed care, which is administered by private health care plans that contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide managed care plans for Medicare enrollees (42 U.S.C. ch. 7, subch. XVIII, pt. C). Medicare Part C is known as the Medicare Advantage (MA) program. Medicare eligible individuals choosing to enroll in an MA plan receive Medicare Part A and Part B benefits through the plan. Some MA plans offer Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage (MA-PD plans), so those plans' enrollees receive Medicare Part A, Part B, and Part D benefits through the plan.

For more information, see Practice Note, Health Care Payors and Reimbursement: Overview: Medicare Part C.