Which of the following is a type of Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan?

Why A is correct

Medicare Advantage, Part C, is delivered through private plan models: HMOs, PPOs, Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans, and Special Needs Plans (SNPs), including the D-SNP for dual-eligible beneficiaries. A PFFS plan sets its own payment rates and allows members to see any Medicare-eligible provider that agrees to treat them under the plan's terms. Medigap Plan F is a Medicare supplement policy, Original Medicare is the traditional fee-for-service program, and a stand-alone PDP is a Part D product. None of those three is a Medicare Advantage plan type, which makes PFFS the correct answer.

Why the other options are wrong

• B) Medigap Plan F is a standardized Medicare supplement policy sold to fill the gaps in Original Medicare. It is not a Medicare Advantage plan and does not deliver Part C benefits.
• C) Original Medicare is the traditional program administered by the federal government, not a private Part C plan. Medicare Advantage exists as a private alternative to it.
• D) A stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan delivers drug coverage only. It is not a Medicare Advantage plan, which must provide medical benefits under Part C.

Memory hook

Part C comes in HMO, PPO, PFFS, and SNP flavors — all private, none named Medigap.

Why A is correct

Medicare Advantage plans are offered in several managed care and payment models: HMOs, PPOs, private fee-for-service (PFFS) plans, and special needs plans (SNPs), including D-SNPs for dual-eligible beneficiaries. Whatever the type, an MA plan must cover all Original Medicare benefits and may offer additional benefits. Understanding the plan-type differences is central to counseling beneficiaries about Part C.

Why the other options are wrong

• B) Medigap plans A through N are supplements to Original Medicare, not Medicare Advantage plan types.
• C) HSAs are tax-advantaged accounts paired with high-deductible health plans, not Medicare Advantage structures.
• D) FSAs are employer benefit accounts, unrelated to Medicare Advantage.

Memory hook

MA comes in four flavors: HMO, PPO, PFFS, and SNP.

Why A is correct

Medicare Advantage plan types are HMO, PPO, Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS), and Special Needs Plans (SNPs). A stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) is a Part D product, not a Part C MA plan. Distinguishing Part C delivery models from Part D drug products is a common exam trap: PDPs provide only drug coverage, while MA plans must cover all Original Medicare benefits.

Why the other options are wrong

• B) An HMO is one of the four recognized Medicare Advantage plan types, requiring network providers and generally a PCP.
• C) A PFFS plan is a Medicare Advantage model where the plan decides how much to pay providers rather than using a managed network.
• D) A Special Needs Plan (SNP) is an MA plan designed for specific populations such as dual-eligible or institutionalized beneficiaries.

Memory hook

Part C = HMO, PPO, PFFS, SNP. A PDP is a Part D drug card, not an MA plan.