Medicare Part C and "Medicare Advantage Plan" mean the same thing. Looks like we're on the same page as far as how to optimize your Medicare dollars. Most financially strapped people do best on an Advantage program. I'm not on one for two reasons: for people as poor as me, the federal gov't provides assistance through the "Extra Help" program. So I don't have to worry much about prescription costs. I only pay a very small co-pay. Here's a link about that program:

https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/prescriptionhelp/

The place to apply for the "Extra Help" Part D program is at your Social Security office, (not at Income Support.) (Usually the federal government contacts you to tell you you're eligible. Since you haven't heard, you might not be poor enough. But read up on it and see what you think.)

The other reason I don't get in an Advantage program is that, in my county, there is a special program giving me access to the state university hospital system. I have no copays.

I also get a special limited form of Medicaid. It pays my Part B premium for me. For that I do have to regularly submit income documentation to my local state Income Support office. Again, the federal government notified me about that benefit.

I put this stuff here for the edification of anyone glancing at the thread. A lot of people are very confused about this stuff. I've got some of it clearly figured out.