If you're on Medicare in Massachusetts — or about to turn 65 — you've probably heard the term "Medicare Advantage" thrown around in TV commercials, mailers, and phone calls. Most of it is noise.
This article cuts through it. I'm a licensed Medicare broker based in Webster, MA, and I work with clients across the state every day. Here's what I actually tell people when they sit across from me.
Medicare Advantage (also called Medicare Part C) is an alternative way to get your Medicare coverage. Instead of getting your benefits directly through the federal government (Original Medicare), you get them through a private insurance company that contracts with Medicare.
These plans must cover everything Original Medicare covers — but most of them also include:
Many Advantage plans in Massachusetts have $0 monthly premiums — meaning you pay nothing beyond your Medicare Part B premium (which you already pay regardless).
This is the most common question I get, and the honest answer is: it depends on your situation. Here's a straight comparison:
| Factor | Original Medicare | Medicare Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium | Part B only (~$185/mo in 2025) | Often $0 additional (varies) |
| Network restrictions | Any provider that accepts Medicare | Usually within a network (HMO/PPO) |
| Drug coverage | Need separate Part D plan | Usually included |
| Out-of-pocket maximum | No cap | Capped (varies by plan) |
| Extra benefits | None | Dental, vision, hearing, fitness |
| Prior authorization | Rarely required | Sometimes required for procedures |
The key trade-off: Medicare Advantage often offers more benefits for less money, but you're working within a network and may need prior authorization for some services. Original Medicare gives you the most flexibility but no cap on out-of-pocket costs.
Massachusetts beneficiaries have access to plans from several major carriers including Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA, Tufts Health Plan, Humana, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare, among others. The specific plans available — and their benefits — vary significantly by zip code.
What's available in Webster isn't necessarily what's available in Boston, Springfield, or Worcester. This is exactly why comparing plans on your own using Medicare.gov can be overwhelming — there are often 20–40+ options in any given county.
Many brokers are "captive" — they only represent one or two insurance companies. I'm an independent broker, which means I can compare plans from every carrier available in your area, not just the ones I'm incentivized to sell.
This is the #1 complaint I hear from people who enrolled without doing a full review. Before switching to any Advantage plan, check that your primary care doctor, specialists, and preferred hospital are in the plan's network.
Some plans advertise dental coverage but limit it to $500/year, which barely covers a cleaning and x-rays. Read the Evidence of Coverage document, not just the summary of benefits in the mailer.
The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 – December 7 each year. But if you have a Dual Special Needs Plan (D-SNP), you can switch quarterly. More on that below.
See the section on D-SNP plans — most people who qualify have no idea these exist.
If you receive both Medicare and Medicaid benefits, you are considered "dual eligible" — and you may qualify for a Dual Special Needs Plan (D-SNP).
These plans are specifically designed for people in your situation and often include:
In my experience, the majority of dual-eligible clients I meet have never been told these plans exist. They're on standard Medicare Advantage plans — or worse, Original Medicare only — and they're paying out-of-pocket for things that would be covered at $0.
If someone in your household gets Medicaid, call me before your next enrollment period.
I personally review every plan available in your area — including ones most brokers won't show you. Zero cost. Zero obligation. No pressure, ever.
Request My Free ReviewOr call: (774) 446-0701 | Webster, MA | Licensed in MA, CT, NJ, NY, NC, FL, TX, ME
Uhia Willis is a licensed Medicare and life insurance broker based in Webster, MA. He founded Willis Advocacy Group (UKW Consulting Inc.) around a simple principle: People Over Profits. He works with clients across Massachusetts and six other states, specializing in dual-eligible beneficiaries, clients with preexisting conditions, and anyone who's been underserved by the insurance system.
Licensed in: MA, CT, NJ, NY, NC, FL, TX, ME