Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement plans: What’s the difference? (2024)

Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Medicare Supplement plans help pay for costs not covered by Original Medicare (Parts A and B). However, they provide 2 different types of coverage, and you can’t have both at the same time.

Let’s compare both types of Medicare plans to see which 1 may best fit your needs.

What’s the difference between a Medicare Advantage and a Medicare Supplement plan?

Medicare Advantage bundles Original Medicare Parts A and B into one plan and usually includes Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. Some Medicare Advantage plans may also offer extra benefits, such as routine dental, vision and hearing services.

A Medicare Supplement plan, also called Medigap, isn’t bundled with anything—it’s extra coverage you can buy to help pay the out-of-pocket expenses Original Medicare doesn’t pay.

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Comparing Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap

Here are some key features to compare between Medicare Advantage and Medigap:

Comparing Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap
Plan features	Medicare Advantage	Medicare Supplement
Coverage	Includes Original Medicare Parts A and B, plus extra benefits, such routine dental, vision, hearing and fitness services	Helps fill the “gaps” in Original Medicare, covering the out-of-pocket costs Parts A and B don’t
Enrollment	There are specific enrollment periods during the year when you can enroll in or switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan	You can apply to buy a Medigap plan any time after you turn 65 and join Part B
Doctors and hospitals	You may be required to use in-network doctors and hospitals	You can see any doctor nationwide that accepts Medicare
Referrals	May need referrals for specialists	No referrals necessary
Costs	Lower premiums but has copays	Higher premiums but little to no copays
Prescription drug coverage	Can be included in a Medicare Advantage Prescription drug plan (MAPD)	Not included, you’ll need to buy a Part D plan
Medical underwriting	All health conditions accepted, including ESRD	No medical underwriting if you apply during your Initial Enrollment Period (starts 3 months before the month you turn 65, and ends 3 months after)

For a deeper understanding, let’s explore the details of each plan.

What is Medicare Supplement insurance?

Medicare Supplement plans, also known as “Medigap,” help pay your share of medical costs not paid by Original Medicare, like copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. Some Medigap plans may also assist in paying for home healthcare, durable medical equipment (DME), hospital costs and lab costs.

Who is eligible for Medicare Supplement insurance?

You’re eligible to buy a Medicare Supplement plan if you’re:

65 years old or older
Enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B
Living in the state where the policy you want is offered

Note: In some states, you can be under age 65 with a disability or end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

How much does Medicare Supplement insurance cost?

The Medicare Supplement premium you pay can depend on your plan, your age and where you live. Generally, the more coverage you choose, the more your plan can cost. Some Medicare Supplement plansset a maximum out-of-pocket limit.

What is Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Advantage is an alternative to Original Medicare, and it is offered by private insurance companies to Medicare beneficiaries. Medicare Advantage plans include Part A and Part B coverage, and some include Part D prescription drug coverage as well. Some Medicare Advantage plans also offer extra benefits that aren’t available with Original Medicare, such as routine vision, hearing and dental care.

Who is eligible for Medicare Advantage?

To join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you must:

Be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B
Live in the plan’s service area
Be a U.S. citizen or lawfully present in the U.S.

Note: You may also be eligible if you’re under 65 and have Medicare because of a disability.

How much does Medicare Advantage cost?

Medicare Advantage premiums, deductibles and other costs can vary by plan and change each year. You must pay the Part B premium ($174.70 in 2024) and keep paying it to stay in your plan. The out-of-pocket limit can also vary by plan, but once you reach it, the plan pays 100% of your covered health services for the rest of the year.

How can I change Medicare plans?

Switching from a Medicare Supplement plan to a Medicare Advantage plan

Medicare Supplement plans help cover some costs that Original Medicare doesn’t pay, but they don’t include routine dental, vision, hearing or prescription drug benefits. If you’re interested in those extra benefits, learn about switching to an all-in-1 Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan.

However, you can’t switch from Medigap to Medicare Advantage at any time. You’ll have to wait for the Medicare Open Enrollment Period, which runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 each year. Be sure to contact your Medigap insurance company to tell them you’re cancelling before you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.

Switching from a Medicare Advantage plan to a Medicare Supplement plan

If you want to switch to Original Medicare and buy a Medigap policy, contact your Medicare Advantage Plan to see if you're able to disenroll. If you’re able to disenroll and return to Original Medicare, you can only leave a Medicare Advantage plan during 2 enrollment periods:

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP) between Jan. 1 and March 31.
The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7.

Once you’re enrolled in Original Medicare, you’re generally eligible to apply for a Medigap plan.

Note: In most cases, when you switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare, you lose your “guaranteed-issue” rights for Medigap. You generally have guaranteed-issue rights for 6 months when you’re 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. Without guaranteed-issue rights, insurance companies may require medical underwriting before selling you a plan.

Choose the best Medicare plan for you

Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans each offer ways to potentially save money and get more out of your healthcare. As you start to make your decision, try these tips for choosing the right Medicare coverage for you.