How Much Does Medicare Part C Cost?
Medicare Part C plans with prescription drug coverage cost $28 per month, on average.
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More than half of Medicare Part C plans have no monthly cost. Keep in mind, you're still responsible for paying your $185 per month Medicare Part B monthly rate regardless of whether you have Medicare Part C or Original Medicare (Parts A and B).
What's the average cost of Medicare Part C?
Medicare Part C plans with prescription drug coverage cost $28 per month, on average.
Medicare Part C plans cost between $0 and $353 per month. Typically, plans with higher monthly rates offer better coverage or more benefits. For example, a more expensive plan may pay more of your medical bills, have a larger network of doctors, or have extra benefits like a fitness program subscription.
Medicare Part C plans have certain costs you have to pay when you see the doctor. The amount you're responsible for paying can differ dramatically depending on your Part C plan details.
Medicare Part C out-of-pocket costs
- Deductible: Your Medicare Part C deductible is the amount of money you have to pay before coverage starts. Typically, plans with lower monthly rates have higher deductibles. Many plans have a separate deductible you need to meet before coverage starts for most prescription drugs.
- Copays: This is a flat fee you pay when you get medical care. For example, you need to pay a $20 copay at your annual check-up.
- Coinsurance: This is a percentage of your bill you're responsible for covering after you meet your deductible. For example, if you have a $1,000 medical bill and 20% coinsurance, your insurance would pay $800, and you would pay the other $200.
- Out-of-pocket maximum: All Medicare Part C plans set a maximum amount you'll pay for medical care in a single year. For 2025, Medicare Part C plans can't have an out-of-pocket max of more than $9,350 for in-network care. However, most plans have a much lower limit. The average out-of-pocket max for Part C plans is $5,915.
Medicare Part C cost: HMOs vs PPOs
The cost of a Medicare Part C plan depends on your plan type. HMOs usually cost less than PPOs.
You can choose between several plan types when shopping for a Medicare Part C policy. The most popular plans are HMOs (health maintenance organizations) and PPOs (preferred provider organizations).
- HMOs typically have low monthly costs, at $16 per month, on average. These plans restrict you to a network of doctors. You also need to choose a primary care doctor, and you can't see a specialist without a referral.
- PPOs tend to cost more than HMOs. The average cost of a local PPO is $28 per month. With a PPO, you don't need a primary care doctor. You can also see a specialist without a referral. PPOs let you get care outside your network for a higher cost.
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Other Medicare costs you're responsible for paying with Part C
Even though Medicare Part C brings together your coverage and benefits, you still have to pay the government for Medicare Part B. That means you're paying two separate rates unless you have a $0 plan. You may also be responsible for paying a monthly rate for Medicare Part A if you or a spouse hasn't paid income taxes for at least 10 years.
- Medicare Part B: $185 per month taken from Social Security
- Medicare Part C: $28 average cost paid to your insurance company
Cost of Medicare Part A
Cost of Medicare Part B
Most people get Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) for free because they’ve been in the workforce for at least 10 years and paid Medicare taxes.
If you don't qualify for free Medicare Part A, the monthly cost can range from $285 to $518 based on how much you or a spouse has already paid in Medicare taxes.
Cost of Medicare Part A
Most people get Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) for free because they’ve been in the workforce for at least 10 years and paid Medicare taxes.
If you don't qualify for free Medicare Part A, the monthly cost can range from $285 to $518 based on how much you or a spouse has already paid in Medicare taxes.
Cost of Medicare Part B
Medicare Part B costs $185 per month in 2025. The government automatically deducts your Part B rate from your Social Security benefits.
You will pay a higher rate if your annual income is above $106,000 as a single person or $212,000 as a married couple, called IRMAA.
Free Medicare Advantage plans
Many Medicare Part C plans have a $0 monthly rate. That's not a scam.
Companies can offer free Medicare Advantage plans because they get enough money from the government to cover the costs of these plans.
Free Medicare Part C plans are popular. Roughly 57% of Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage have a $0 monthly rate.
Some Part C plans have other financial benefits for enrollees. These plans, often called "giveback plans", cover part of your Medicare Part B monthly rate. In other words, you might pay $100 per month for Medicare Part B instead of the normal $185 monthly cost with a giveback plan.
2025 cost of Medicare Part C by state
Nevada has the cheapest Medicare Part C plans with prescription drug coverage, at $6 per month, on average.
South Dakota has the most expensive average rates at $93 per month, on average.
The number and type of Medicare Part C plans you can get depends on where you live. Some areas only have a few plans on offer while others have dozens.
Medicare Advantage cost by state
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What is Medicare Part C?
Medicare Part C bundles the coverage you'd normally get through Parts A, B and often D.
Private companies sell and manage Medicare Part C plans. The government runs Original Medicare directly.
All Medicare Advantage plans have to cover the same services as Original Medicare (Parts A and B). Plus, many Medicare Advantage plans offer extra benefits like prescription drug coverage, vision, dental and fitness programs. Some Medicare Advantage plans may pay for groceries or trips to your doctor's appointments.
These all-in-one plans are a simplified alternative to Original Medicare, where enrollees get coverage through separate plans: Medicare Part A (hospital and inpatient), Medicare Part B (medical care), Medicare Part D (prescription drugs) and Medicare Supplement (costs you're responsible for paying when you visit the doctor).
Part C plans are similar to traditional health insurance because plans have deductibles, copayments and an out-of-pocket maximum. These amounts will vary by plan, and the plan you choose will have a big impact on your medical costs.
What does Medicare Part C cover?
A Medicare Part C plan covers the same medical services as Original Medicare. That means plans will cover doctors, hospital care and many other types of health services.
- Inpatient care
- Outpatient care
- Doctors and specialists
- Mental health
- Home health care
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Long-term care
- Lab tests, X-rays and diagnostics
In addition, Part C plans often include extra benefits that go beyond what Original Medicare offers, such as more preventive care, extra health care services and discount programs. Most plans also include prescription drug coverage, which you would normally have to buy through a separate Part D plan if you had Original Medicare.
Medical service | Medicare Part C coverage |
|---|---|
| Prescription drugs | 77% of plans include prescription drug coverage |
| Dental coverage | 98% of plans have the option for dental care, but sometimes it costs extra |
| Vision | 100% of plans provide some level of benefits for eye exams or corrective lenses |
| Hearing | 96% of plans cover hearing exams or hearing aids |
| Fitness benefits | 95% of plans provide some fitness discounts or benefits such as a gym membership |
How do you sign up for Medicare Part C?
You must sign up for Medicare Parts A and B before enrolling in a Medicare Part C plan.
The government automatically enrolls you in Medicare at age 65 unless you delay your Social Security payments. In that case, you'll need to sign up for Original Medicare online or over the phone through the Social Security Administration.
During the seven-month period surrounding your 65th birthday, you can sign up for Medicare Part C on Medicare.gov or directly through a Medicare Advantage company.
When shopping for a Medicare Part C plan, you should use average star ratings, costs and the services your policy covers to find the best Medicare Advantage plan for your needs.
Steps to enroll in Medicare Part C
- Sign up for Original Medicare through the Social Security Administration to get your Medicare card with a unique Medicare number.
- Compare available plans to find the option that’s best for you.
- Enroll in the Medicare Part C plan through a portal like Medicare.gov or directly through the insurance company.
It's a good idea to review your coverage and shop around each year during Medicare Advantage open enrollment. That's because plan availability, benefits, cost and star ratings change each year. Comparing coverage options can help you get the best plan for your needs.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Medicare Part C?
Medicare Part C plans with prescription drug coverage cost $28 per month, on average. The amount you pay for Medicare Part C will depend on factors like your plan type, where you live and the amount of services your plan covers.
Why do you need Medicare Part C?
You don't need Medicare Part C because you can get similar benefits through Original Medicare. However, many people prefer Medicare Part C for its streamlined coverage and low upfront costs. For example, to get the same level of coverage as a regular Medicare Part C plan with Original Medicare, you'd have to pay for a separate Medicare Part D plan, Medigap coverage, supplemental insurance like vision and dental plans and a gym membership.
What is the catch to Medicare Part C?
Medicare Part C plans typically limit you to a network of doctors. In contrast, Original Medicare offers more freedom because you can use it with any doctor who accepts Medicare nationwide. In addition, Medicare Part C plans are more likely to deny medical claims than Original Medicare.
Finally, a Medicare Advantage plan can sometimes have higher total costs than Original Medicare with Medigap if you need a lot of medical care.
Methodology
Medicare Part C cost data and star ratings are from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) public use files (PUFs).
Average costs are based on 2025 Medicare Part C plans that include prescription drug coverage. Employer-sponsored plans, special needs plans, PACE plans, sanctioned plans and health care prepayment plans (HCPPs) were excluded from our analysis.
Other sources include Medicare.gov and the Kaiser Family Foundation.
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