Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage

When you are looking to supplement your Medicare coverage, one challenge you may struggle with is how to choose the right supplemental plan for you: Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage. 

Both supplemental programs have pros and cons, but understanding how each one can benefit you takes time and effort. Unless you conduct thorough research, it can be difficult to compare the differences and benefits.

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Medicare Advantage and Medigap Plan Facts

• Medigap has 10 different packages to choose from.
• 34% of people choose Medicare Advantage coverage.
• Both plans are considered private insurance, although they are partnered with the federal Medicare health insurance program.

Understanding Medigap Plans

If you’re already enrolled in original Medicare, which includes Part A (hospitalization coverage) and Part B (medical expenses coverage), you can qualify for a Medigap plan. Medigap is designed to help cover the costs that original Medicare doesn’t cover. 

This means Medigap will pay your Part A deductible and some or all of your Part B copayments or coinsurance, as well as other expenses. If you’re trying to minimize out-of-pocket healthcare costs, a Medigap supplement can be a great plan.

Another benefit of Medigap is that all 10 plans offered are standardized by the government. Each has different benefits and deductibles. What this means for you is that you don’t need to compare the same Medigap plan over and over through different insurance agents. 

Costs may be different depending on where you’re located, but standardization of the plans means that the coverage is the same no matter where you are.

Medigap plans don't include prescription drug coverage and that must be purchased separately. This coverage is available through Medicare Part D.

Understanding Medicare Advantage Plans

Medicare Advantage plans (also called "Medicare Part C") take the best aspects of original Medicare (Parts A and B) and combine them with Part D prescription drug coverage. 

Medicare Part C is sold through private insurance companies. This policy is typically cheaper than buying Medigap supplemental plans, but may have certain restrictions.

The majority of these plans are through HMOs or PPOs, so you will want to make sure that your preferred doctor is in your coverage network if you choose Medicare Advantage. 

HMOs require that you go through a primary care physician for any referrals and remain within the network, while PPOs are more flexible. You have the ability to go outside of your network for coverage, but you will pay a higher percentage of your care costs.

Medicare Advantage plans are not standardized and have very different deductible amounts, as well as copayment and coinsurance charges. 

You get extra benefits, including prescription drug coverage, and some may cover hearing and vision checkups. In addition to paying your Medicare Advantage premiums, you also have to pay the Plan B premium.

How Do You Choose? Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap

The Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage dilemma is challenging for many people, and it can be a stressful decision. Both plans have a specific time period to apply, and if you miss it, you run the risk of being underinsured or not insured at all.

Here are some items to compare in each plan:

• Whether the plan covers your preferred doctors
• Premiums, copays and other out-of-pocket costs
• The deductible amounts
• Any coverage restrictions
• Benefits for hospital stays and skilled nursing facilities
• Prescription drug coverage

Which Is Better, Medigap or Medicare Advantage?

At this point, you may be thinking, “One plan has got to be better!” The better option for you truly depends on your needs. Examining each plan with an unbiased approach helps reveal which plan is better for you.

Here are some considerations that may help you with your decision-making:

• Your budget: One important aspect to consider is money. Medigap plans will pay for all or a large part of your doctor and hospital bills, while Medicare Advantage payments can vary.
• Coverage needed: Coverage varies with these plans. Medigap rarely includes extra services, but some Medicare Advantage plans can cover vision and dental. With Medigap, you would need to purchase a completely different policy to receive that coverage.
• Choices: Maybe flexibility is your top priority. If you want to see any doctor or specialist without a referral, Medigap is the better choice. On the other hand, if you don’t mind using a network of doctors and spending a little extra to go outside of that, Medicare Advantage may work just fine.

Comparing Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage is like comparing apples and oranges. Each plan has advantages and the hard part is figuring out which is most closely aligned with your needs. 

When you work with an independent agent, you will get the information you need to make an informed choice, and you can be sure that you’re going to get the best policy to suit your needs and lifestyle.