Medicare Supplement Insurance Verses Medicare Advantage Plans

Medicare Supplements

A Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy, sold by private companies, can help pay some of the health care costs that Original Medicare doesn't cover, like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Some Medigap policies also offer coverage for services that Original Medicare doesn't cover, like medical care when you travel outside the U.S. If you have Original Medicare and you buy a Medigap policy, Medicare will pay its share of the Medicare-approved amount for covered health care costs. Then your Medigap policy pays its share.

FEATURES OF A MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT

1. You must have Medicare Part A & Part B

2. You pay the private insurance a monthly premium for your Medigap policy in addition to the monthly Part B premium that you pay to Medicare.

3. Any standardized Medigap policy is guaranteed renewable even if you have health problems. This means the insurance company can't cancel your Medigap policy as long as you pay the premium.

4. These plans allow you to go to any doctor or hospital in the United States that accepts Medicare patients. Vision, Hearing or Dental are not covered under Supplement Plans.

AVERAGE COST OF SUPPLEMENT PLANS

1. Supplement plans average from $115 - $400 per month depending on the plan, the coverage supplied and your age. This is in addition to your Part B monthly premium.

2. You must also have a Part D (drug plan supplement). Drug plans usually range between $15 - $50 dollars per month.

Medicare Advantage Plans

Medicare Advantage Plans provide the same benefits as Original Medicare, and often more. Additional benefits can include routine hearing and vision care. These plans cover all the benefits of Medicare Part A, including hospital stays, skilled nursing care and home health care, but not hospice care (which is still covered by your Part A benefit). These plans also cover all the benefits of Medicare Part B, including doctor visits, outpatient care, screenings, shots and lab tests. Most plans also include Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. Medicare Advantage plans work similarly to employer-sponsored health insurance plans that you may have had or currently have, which may help you continue a similar level of coverage to what you have now.

FEATURES OF MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN

1. You must have Medicare Part A & Part B

2. Usually an HMO or PPO utilizing a network of Doctors and a Primary care Physician within a plan area.

3. Part D (Drug Plan) is usually included with Plan

4. Vision, Hearing, and many other benefits are generally covered in an Advantage Plan.

5. Emergency coverage only outside of Network area (travel).

COSTS OF MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS

1. While there can be a monthly premium, many plans are a ZERO MONTHLY PREMIUM.

2. Most Part D (drug plans) are included at No Additional Cost!