Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) were designed to give Medicare Beneficiaries a lower premium alternative to Original Medicare with Medigap. They are offered by private health insurance companies that have been approved by Medicare. These plans take over your healthcare for Part A, Part B and typically Part D. Medicare Advantage Plans are not Medicare Supplements. They are typically an HMO or a PPO plan with a network of providers. Medicare Advantage Plans have become more and more popular over time for many reasons including affordability and the extra benefits that are not offered with Original Medicare and Supplements like dental, vision and hearing.