Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement — what is the difference?
Medicare Advantage (Part C) is a bundled plan from a private company that replaces Original Medicare for your care. A Medicare Supplement (Medigap) works only with Original Medicare and helps pay deductibles and copays. You generally choose one path, not both at the same time.
Medicare Advantage in plain terms
You still have Medicare, but the plan pays for covered care and usually includes drug coverage. Most plans use a network of doctors and hospitals.
You pay copays and have a yearly limit on out-of-pocket costs. Some plans include extras such as limited dental or vision.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) in plain terms
You keep Original Medicare. Any doctor or hospital in the country that accepts Medicare is available without a network.
You buy a separate Part D plan for prescriptions. The Supplement policy pays part of what Original Medicare leaves to you.
Questions that usually decide it
Work through these before you pick a path:
- Do you want to keep every doctor that accepts Medicare, or are you fine with a network?
- How much do you travel? Original Medicare plus Supplement is often easier away from home.
- Do you prefer predictable monthly premiums or lower premiums with copays when you use care?
- Are your medicines easier to cover on one plan's drug list or another?
Switching later
You can change Medicare Advantage plans during Open Enrollment (Oct 15 – Dec 7) with changes starting January 1.
Moving off a Supplement to try Advantage is allowed, but getting a Supplement back later can depend on your health except in certain windows. Do not drop a Supplement until a new policy is approved.
How SRS helps
A licensed agent compares both paths using your doctors, medicines, and budget. You are never asked to decide on the first call.
Common questions
Can I have Medicare Advantage and a Medigap policy?
No. Medigap only works with Original Medicare. If you join Medicare Advantage, a Supplement will not pay toward your costs.
Which costs less?
It depends on how often you use care and which plans are available in your ZIP code. Some Advantage plans have low premiums with copays; Supplements add a monthly premium but can reduce surprise bills.