Real answers for your healthcare questions
What is the difference between Medicare Advantage and Medigap?
Answer
Medicare Advantage and Medigap solve different problems. Medicare Advantage replaces how you receive your Part A and Part B benefits through a private plan. Medigap works alongside Original Medicare and helps pay certain costs that Original Medicare leaves to you.
What to Know
With Medicare Advantage, you stay enrolled in Medicare but receive covered services through the private plan and follow its network and plan rules. With Medigap, you keep Original Medicare as your primary coverage and use the Medigap policy to help with eligible deductibles, copays, or coinsurance. Medigap does not normally include outpatient prescription drug coverage, so many people also consider Part D.
What to Do Next
Think first about whether you prefer the Original Medicare structure or a Medicare Advantage plan. Then compare access to doctors, travel flexibility, premiums, expected out of pocket costs, and enrollment rules for Medigap in your state.
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