The Medicare Program
Medicare is a health insurance program for:
- People age 65 or older.
- People under age 65 with certain disabilities.
- People with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant)
Medicare Advantage Plans are health plan options that are approved by Medicare but run by private companies. They are part of the Medicare Program, and sometimes called "Part C." When you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you are still in Medicare. (see Medicare Part C) With Medicare Advantage Plans:
Internal Revenue Code 125 allows an employer to implement an employee benefit plan which allows employees to se1ect the benefit programs they prefer.
The plan offers two or more options and the employee chooses the option most appropriate for him or her. Because of the "menu" of benefits available, the plan is referred to as a "Cafeteria Plan".